The NFL has plenty of quarterback talent leading offenses going into the 2025 regular season. Although only one rookie first-rounder will be his team's No. 1 QB in Week 1, seven second-year passers will be in starting lineups.
That's a significant youthful infusion to match some of the league's established QBs, from the dynamic dual threats to top pocket passers.
Leaning a lot more toward near-future upside vs. past accomplishments, here's how all 32 starters stack up against each other at the moment.
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NFL quarterback rankings 2025
1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
There's a perception that Mahomes has had a rough time delivering as an elite two-time MVP passer the past two years, but he's also still saved his sharpest for the playoffs and made do with some blocking and receiving issues in Kansas City. He can shoot back toward his 2018 and 2022 levels, even without Rashee Rice early, but his intangibles have also put his team in three consecutive Super Bowls.
2. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Jackson also has won two MVPs, and the Ravens star took his unprecedented combination of passing and running to another level last season. He could have beaten out Josh Allen for his third award, but now the real focus is working to finish, getting ahead of Allen and past Mahomes for his first Super Bowl.
3. Joe Burrow, Bengals
Burrow ripped up the NFL as the Comeback Player of the Year last season, as he had to keep making up for atrocious defense and shaky protection with his relentless volume last season. For that aggressiveness, the accuracy and efficiency were impressive. He might not get that much more help in Cincinnati this season, save for the league-best wide receiver duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
4. Josh Allen, Bills
Buffalo's reigning MVP can't be measured by the typical metrics. He used to operate with more abandon with his big arm and big-time athleticism, but he's matured to stay contained with his smarter decision-making and increased his mental toughness to match what he has in his durable, physical frame.
5. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Hurts did get the better of Mahomes in their second Super Bowl meeting and showed how much his standout passing and tough running can still lift a team with a top offensive line, ascending defense, and Saquon Barkley. Hurts is still developing his passing strengths, and his special leadership qualities have kept him on the mega-winning path in Philadelphia.
6. Jayden Daniels, Commanders
Daniels looks ready to push for MVPs of his own with some of the same athletic attributes as Jackson, Allen, and Mahomes. He was steady and mature beyond his years as a smooth rookie and should keep building on that promise with some more blocking (Laremy Tunsil) and weaponry (Deebo Samuel) in Washington.
7. Brock Purdy, 49ers
When will the Purdy doubts stop? He fell back to earth after his incredible downfield passing 2023 season, but he remained exceptional throwing deep and maximizing the big-play potential of the 49ers' offense, despite all the injury-prompted limitations around him. The 49ers are paying him a ton more, which raises expectations (again), but he already has shown that kind of worth as their franchise QB.
8. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
Mayfield has earned a different kind of respect in Tampa Bay, thriving in different offenses as Tom Brady's strong successor. He has been a perfect fit with Mike Evans, and the rest of Tampa's passing game and has taken full advantage of ace protection and an explosive running game fueled by Bucky Irving. Mayfield just needed the right environment to live up to a status matching his No. 1 overall pick.
9. Justin Herbert, Chargers
Herbert got hot and put it all together well in Jim Harbaugh's and Greg Roman's run-heavier offense, with late flashes of that rookie who blew everyone away with his size, arm, and mobility. He needs to build on that finish with the intent of being able to get the Chargers over the playoff slump hump.
10. Jared Goff, Lions
Goff is making a transition without offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, but he remains in a loaded, perfect scheme for him, where he can effectively throw deep working off the running game with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Goff has been rejuvenated from his time with the Rams to remain the unquestioned starter in Detroit for a while.
11. Caleb Williams, Bears
Williams now gets to benefit from Johnson as his head coach, and the Bears made additional upgrades to their offensive line, receiving corps, and running game. He started to find his way late as a rookie and should be rolling soon into Year 2.
12. Bo Nix, Broncos
Nix benefits from Denver's elite offensive line, but he got it done with limited running game help and not too much in the receiving corps. He hung in there as a rookie thanks to his college experience and toughness, producing a productive rookie season. He may take a few lumps in Year 2, but it will be well short of a sophomore slump.
13. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
Prescott has been up and down, with injuries marring his steady high level of play, a 180 from the efficient durability he had earlier in his career when the Cowboys also were much better around him, starting up front. A healthy season with CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, and now George Pickens can push him back into the top 10.
14. Jordan Love, Packers
Love burst on the scene as a first-year starter with his downfield passing and TD production, but there was a little regression tied to some shuffling in the receiving corps and offensive line, forcing Green Bay to lean more on the run. This is a pivotal season for him with rookie first-round WR Matthew Golden in tow.
15. C.J. Stroud, Texans
Stroud had his receiving corps break down last season, and the offense that helped him as a rookie fell apart under OC Bobby Slowik. Now he deals with the challenge of one of the league's shakiest offensive lines. Houston hopes the Rams-adjacent influence of new OC Nick Caley helps push Stroud back in the right direction.
16. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Murray is facing a sneaky make-or-break season in terms of ever pushing toward the elite QB heap. The Marvin Harrison Jr. connection should be stronger in Arizona, but Murray also needs to be more willing with his running and be more successful passing downfield.
17. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
Lawrence, much like Johnson going from Goff to Williams, is hoping that new Jaguars' coach Liam Coen can provide the same impact that Mayfield enjoyed as a fellow No. 1 overall pick last season. There are still some doubts about Lawrence's ceiling, but the first goal is to raise the floor with Travis Hunter flanking Brian Thomas Jr.
18. Drake Maye, Patriots
Maye proved he was a fine competitive leader despite limited line and offensive skill support as a rookie. Now, he gets a rookie left tackle (Will Campbell), veteran wide receiver (Stefon Diggs), a dynamic rookie running back (TreVeyon Henderson), and key new play-caller (Josh McDaniels). That should add up to major all-around Year 2 growth in New England.
19. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers
Rodgers can give the Steelers all that he has left with his arm, athleticism, and moxie in his presumed final NFL season at age 41. The coaching and offensive mentality will take pressure off him post-Jets.
20. Matthew Stafford, Rams
Stafford also might be playing in his final season at 37, given he goes into the season trying to thrive despite his back injury. The Rams are doing their best to settle him one more time in the pocket with his big arm, giving him a sturdy offensive line and key new receiver, Davante Adams.
21. Sam Darnold, Seahawks
Darnold had his delayed breakthrough season with the Vikings, taking full advantage of one of the league's premier passing systems under Kevin O'Connell. He has some 49ers familiarity with new Seahawks' OC, Klint Kubiak, but now he has some receiving and line questions that might push him back down.
22. Geno Smith, Raiders
Smith, replaced by Darnold in Seattle, is making a new start of it in the Raiders' throwback college-style offense for him under Chip Kelly. His job will be to keep executing well as an intermediate-to-deep passer playing off the run-heaviness with Ashton Jeanty and the resulting play-action.
23. Russell Wilson, Giants
No one expects Wilson to hold down the Giants' job long given the momentum of dynamic dual-threat rookie Jaxson Dart. For now, Wilson gives them a limited passing game despite having Malik Nabers, but he can provide some savvy for a young team.
24. Justin Fields, Jets
Fields replaces Rodgers, who replaced Wilson and Fields in Pittsburgh. The Lions-adjacent offense under Tanner Engstrand can help, as well as getting refocused on defense under Aaron Glenn. Fields might be keeping another pocket warm while he runs often out of it, but he does have a chance to stick in New York.
25. Bryce Young, Panthers
Here's tempering the expectations for Young, but he legitimately improved at the end of last season when the light went on for him in Dave Canales' offense. Now, the Panthers have streamlined his young weapons, led by rookie first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan. Young can make the biggest jump of any QB this season.
26. J.J. McCarthy, Vikings
McCarthy inherits the system that was so beneficial for Darnold in his stead last season. He's a wild card for not playing at all as a rookie, but the arm, athleticism, and offensive personnel support are there to have a solid debut in Minnesota.
27. Michael Penix Jr., Falcons
Penix flashed late as a rookie ahead of taking over as Atlanta's full-time starter. He has the pocket passing potential, but the efficiency and mobility need to be there to take full advantage of his big arm.
28. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
Tagovailoa has gone from one of the best YPA passers in generating big plays from his receivers to a compressed offense with concerns about his durability. It's not helping him that there's still little in Miami after Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and the creative edge is gone in Mike McDaniel's passing game.
29. Cam Ward, Titans
Ward comes in near the bottom as a near-complete unknown, but the early signs are positive that Tennessee found its franchise passer with the No. 1 overall pick. The offensive mind of Brian Callahan can be a big help.
(Andrew Nelles)
30. Joe Flacco, Browns
Flacco is back starting in the AFC North for his second division team for the second time. He is in there for his experience in the scheme and trust from the rest of the mediocre offense. It will be intriguing to see who the Browns turn to if Flacco breaks down.
31. Daniel Jones, Colts
Jones went from some Giants promise to a quick, disappointing exit, and the same might be happening to Anthony Richardson. Jones will make the most of what he can with this shot, but Indianapolis' long-term answer looks to be a 2026 draft pick.
32. Spencer Rattler, Saints
Rattler is that "other" second-year QB getting his extended look. He didn't leave anyone wanting more last season, but he wasn't as prepared with Derek Carr still in New Orleans. His issues are limited arm and efficiency, which will also put the Saints high on the list for another shot to replace Drew Brees (Arch Manning? Doug Nussmeier?) next April.