The 2025 NFL Draft class is fairly skinny at quarterback, with the potential for just one QB to go within the first spherical after an enormous class in 2024. That’s going to place elevated give attention to the place in free company, and in contrast to a few years, there are a number of good choices out there coming into the offseason.
Former starters litter the top-10 listing, so we needed to kind them out for you. We polled a bunch of writers from round SB Nation to collect consensus rankings concerning the gamers. We had a unanimous primary and quantity two, however after that issues received messy.
We’ll take away gamers from the listing as they re-sign with their present groups all the best way as much as the opening of free company in March.
Different receiving votes
- Drew Lock
- Mason Rudolph
- Marcus Mariota
- Cooper Rush
- Case Keenum
- Carson Wentz
- Taylor Heinicke
- Jarrett Stidham
- Josh Dobbs
10. Daniel Jones, New York Giants/Minnesota Vikings
Who is aware of what will occur with Daniel Jones? He wants a profession reset after his failures with the New York Giants, and some weeks on the Vikings follow squad gained’t be sufficient. Will a staff give him an opportunity to compete for a beginning spot as a veteran bridge quarterback or is he on the heap of failed first-rounders caught as backups?
9. Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams
With Matthew Stafford wholesome, Jimmy G didn’t play in 2024 till the ultimate week of the season. The final we noticed of him earlier than that, he was beginning for the Las Vegas Raiders and looking out very shaky. He’s attempting the Sam Darnold strategy of spending a yr with a superb offensive thoughts within the hopes that somebody will decide him as much as be a veteran mentor or bridge starter in 2025. He was in a single voter’s high 5 however utterly out of the highest 10 for a number of others.
8. Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
An enormous drop off amongst our voters from seven to Jones at eight, the previous first-round decide of the Patriots received an opportunity to begin some video games for the Jaguars in 2024. The identical failings he had in New England carried over, and at this level it could be honest to query if he has any juice left as a beginning choice within the league.
7. Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
As excessive as third in our voting, Flacco was additionally exterior the highest 10 on one other voting sheet. Merely put, we all know what Flacco is at this level in his profession. He’s a veteran backup who can spot begin and even start the season as a rookie waits within the wings, however he additionally turns 40 in January 2025 and may chuck the ball the place it has no enterprise being sometimes.
6. Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers
His voting numbers had been wild; a bunch of voters had him fourth whereas some had him ninth and tenth. He’s a man with a excessive flooring and a low ceiling, particularly turning 38 in the course of the 2025 season. He’s okay for a begin right here and there. UPDATE: Dalton signed a two-year take care of the Panthers in February.
5. Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots
A veteran bridge quarterback the previous couple of seasons, Brissett has confirmed he’s competent however a low-end starter within the league. He wasn’t superb in 2024 when he started the yr behind the Patriots’ suspect offensive line, and he could also be transitioning into backup QB territory.
4. Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
After making simply $4 million in 2024 and $4 million in 2023, Winston may very well be in line for a bump this offseason with a comparatively weak NFL Draft class at QB. Winston is an enormous play ready to occur, however you’re by no means positive if it’s going to be for you or the opposite staff. It’ll take the appropriate mindset out of a coach to work with the enigmatic Winston.
3. Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
A former primary general decide, Fields began the season for the Steelers and appeared fairly promising. He had the best completion share of his profession, the bottom interception quantity, and a stable yards per try via the air whereas including worth together with his legs. Our voters appear to suppose he’ll be capable of bounce again in the appropriate scenario, however Pittsburgh could go one other route as a result of the second participant on our listing was his teammate.
2. Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Wilson led the Pittsburgh Steelers to the playoffs in his first yr with the staff. He has an extended historical past of success within the NFL that was at the least little tarnished by his time in Denver. Little question his age is an element right here, as he turned 36 in November 2024. He very nicely might make between $40 million and $50 million per season on a brand new deal.
1. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
After a very spectacular season with the Minnesota Vikings, the previous top-3 decide goes to have his alternative of openings and he was our unanimous high decide. The Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy tenth general in 2024 however he missed the season with a torn meniscus in his knee. Due to excessive demand, he might command a wage north of $40 million per season. Will the Vikings attempt to re-sign him?
Just lately launched quarterbacks
These quarterbacks had been launched after our rankings had been put collectively within the lead as much as the 2025 league yr.
Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers hasn’t been formally launch, however reviews say the Jets are transferring on as an alternative of paying him $37.5 million for 2025. He performed in all 17 video games after injuring his Achilles to open the 2023 season and completed with 3897 yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and numerous questions on his skill to nonetheless do it at 41.
Gardner Minshew
Minshew would have had a superb probability to make our top-10 listing if he was a pending free agent in January. He’s been a spot starter for a number of seasons and has numerous expertise. He would have began greater than his 9 video games in Las Vegas in 2024, however he broke his collarbone. A profession 63% passer, he’s averaged 3443 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions over the course of a typical 17-game season. He’s additionally received moxie, and you’ll undoubtedly see a Ryan Fitzpatrick-type profession for him an a QB placeholder at a number of spots. He made $12.3 million in 2024 and was scheduled to money $12.5 million in 2025.
Different free agent quarterbacks
Shane Buechele- Zach Wilson
- Trey Lance
- Easton Stick
- Brandon Allen
- Nick Mullens
- Kyle Trask
- Josh Johnson
- Kyle Allen
- Jeff Driskell
- Brett Rypien
- Sam Ehlinger
Free agent quarterbacks who had been signed to new offers
- Shane Buechele re-signed with the Buffalo Payments
- Andy Dalton re-signed with the Carolina Panthers
