QB Battles: Who Will Secure NFL Starting Positions in 2025?

As NFL training camps ramp up for the 2025 season, the battle for starting quarterback roles is poised to reshape several franchises. New talent, high-stakes trades, shifting coaching philosophies, and contract deadlines converge to fuel competitions that could alter the league’s landscape. 

With increased parity and evolving offensive schemes, the quarterback position remains the most scrutinized in football, impacting team chemistry, playoff hopes, and even betting markets.

Decisions at quarterback are rarely simple, especially as teams weigh veteran stability against rookie potential or consider the upside of unproven journeymen. 

With fresh data and roster developments from across the NFL in mind, here’s a look at the most consequential quarterback battles and the strategic dynamics influencing each race.

Saints Seek a New Leader: Rookie Versus Second-Year Talent

The New Orleans Saints, following the retirement of Derek Carr, face an open contest among four quarterbacks, all under the age of 26. The most prominent duel is between rookie Tyler Shough and second-year prospect Spencer Rattler. 

During OTAs (Organized Team Activities), both Shough and Rattler rotated with the first-team offense, with coaches declining to name a clear favorite early in the summer. Shough, a 2025 second-round pick, brings a strong college résumé, while Rattler started seven games last season but struggled, earning the lowest grade among NFL quarterbacks and absorbing 22 sacks. 

The Saints’ coaching staff, led by newcomer Kellen Moore, focuses on a holistic development process, emphasizing rhythm and conceptual mastery of the offense rather than rushing a decision before preseason games begin.

The Cleveland Conundrum: Four Competing for One Spot

Cleveland’s quarterback room is among the most crowded in the league, featuring Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. Flacco offers veteran poise and helped the Browns to a playoff run in 2023, but at age 40, the organization sees his main value as a mentor rather than a long-term solution. 

The competition remains wide-open as coaches evaluate whether the upside of a younger arm trumps Flacco’s reliability. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, no clear betting favorite has emerged, reflecting just how volatile this race remains.

With the shadow of previous franchise missteps looming, Cleveland’s leadership faces mounting pressure to solidify the position; none of the contenders have separated themselves through OTAs, and injury or preseason performance could tip the scales before Week 1.

Raiders Rely on Experience and a New Offensive Mind

Las Vegas turned heads in the offseason by acquiring seasoned signal-caller Geno Smith, who reunites with coordinator Chip Kelly. Smith, who surpassed expectations during his last two seasons in Seattle, enters a franchise hungry for stability after cycling through multiple starters in 2024. The AFC West’s depth raises the stakes, with three playoff teams returning improved rosters. 

Smith’s lead in the competition is strengthened by his quick rapport with Kelly and his track record of adapting to new systems. However, training camp performance and Kelly’s high-paced offensive scheme will determine if Smith holds off younger challengers and cements his spot as the new face of the Raiders offense.

Colts Face Familiar Uncertainty: Jones Versus Richardson

Indianapolis enters camp with Daniel Jones battling incumbent Anthony Richardson for the starting job. Jones, hoping for a career reset, arrives as a free-agent acquisition. 

Richardson, limited by injuries in 2024, still offers tantalizing dual-threat potential. Both are under pressure: Jones to reclaim a starting role after his Giants tenure fizzled, and Richardson to convert promise into production. 

The team’s decision will factor in preseason consistency and each quarterback’s adaptation to the refreshed offensive playbook. The Colts have kept a close eye on Jones’ recovery and Richardson’s footwork development, and are expected to signal their direction well before September.

Rookies Given the Keys: Titans, Bears, and Vikings Shake Up the Depth Chart

Several franchises have handed rookie quarterbacks immediate leadership opportunities. The Titans selected Cam Ward first overall and named him the presumptive starter, while the Bears and Vikings are moving forward with Caleb Williams and J.J. McCarthy, respectively. 

These teams reflect a trend toward maximizing the value of rookie contracts, creating extra cap space (on average around $10 million per season) to strengthen the roster elsewhere. 

This strategy, while high-risk given the steep learning curve at quarterback in the NFL, reflects the urgency to contend in wide-open divisions and signals a willingness to weather early setbacks in exchange for long-term upside.

Veteran Dynamics: Movements, Mentors, and Changing Tides

The 2025 offseason saw significant quarterback movement. Aaron Rodgers starts anew with Pittsburgh, Justin Fields looks to rebound with the New York Jets, and Russell Wilson anchors the Giants. Sam Darnold, now starting for Seattle, is under pressure to replicate past success, while Bo Nix aims to take Denver to the next level after a playoff berth. 

Teams like the Chargers (Justin Herbert) and Rams (Matthew Stafford) face less open battles but headline divisional rankings as high-end veterans with major franchise expectations. These moves reflect a broader league trend: proven leaders are tasked both with immediate competitiveness and mentoring future successors.

The Road Ahead: Decisions That Shape More than a Season

Quarterback competitions in 2025 go far beyond picking a starter for Week 1. They spotlight a franchise’s philosophy, appetite for risk, and confidence in leadership. Front offices must balance fan impatience, coaching tenures, and long-term payroll against what happens in preseason scrimmages. 

For rookies and veterans alike, the outcome of these battles may shape not only a career but a team’s identity. 

As training camps and exhibition games unfold, watch for unexpected risers and swift shifts in depth charts, because in today’s NFL, the only certainty is the relentless pursuit of the next great quarterback.

This article is based on information available as of 2025/07/16. NFL rosters, player roles, and team depth charts may change before or during the season. For the latest updates, please consult official NFL and team sources.