Whether people admit it or not, the success—or failure—of an NFL team typically hinges on one key factor: the quality of quarterback play.
If your quarterback is performing at a high level, there's a strong likelihood that your team will be in the mix for a division title or, at the very least, remain a serious contender throughout the season.
Now that training camps are in full swing, many franchises still face uncertainty at the quarterback position. Some have yet to name a clear-cut starter, while others are cautiously optimistic about their choice but unsure whether that player will deliver when the regular season begins.
Take the situation in Minnesota, for example. 2nd Year QB J.J. McCarthy has been named the starter, but he comes into the role with minimal professional experience after suffering a knee injury early last year. That injury opened the door for veteran Sam Darnold (who stepped in and exceeded expectations), delivering a strong campaign and building impressive chemistry with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
When asked about McCarthy stepping in following Sam Darnold’s departure to Seattle, star wide receiver Jefferson acknowledged it will take time for the two to develop the chemistry needed to be successful on the field.
Meanwhile, McCarthy enters 2025 carrying a significant burden. He’s been handed the reins of the offense with the expectation of filling the shoes of a fan-favorite in Sam Darnold, all while working his way back from a serious knee injury. On top of that, he faces intense scrutiny and lofty expectations despite this being his first full year as a starting NFL quarterback.
Will he rise to the occasion or falter under the pressure? Only time will tell.
Over in Cleveland, the situation is even more complicated. The Browns’ quarterback room is overflowing, with five signal-callers—Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Tyler Huntley—all competing for just three roster spots.
Flacco, the seasoned veteran and former Super Bowl MVP, appears to have a spot secured thanks to his experience and consistent production.
That leaves just two openings for the remaining four: Pickett, who has struggled with inconsistency since entering the league; Huntley, who has proven himself to be a capable backup; Sanders, who’s turned heads with flashes of brilliance during training camp; and Gabriel, who brings a well-rounded and promising skill set to the table.
To put it bluntly, the situation is chaotic.
With so many arms in camp, it’s been difficult for any one player to truly separate himself. The Browns’ coaching staff faces a tough decision—do they lean on Flacco’s veteran presence, take a chance on an unproven rookie like Sanders or Gabriel, or settle somewhere in the middle with a player like Pickett? And with Huntley seemingly buried on the depth chart, one has to wonder if he’ll even be on the final roster.
And Cleveland is far from the only team wrestling with uncertainty.
In Chicago, the spotlight is firmly on Caleb Williams, whose cannon arm has wowed scouts but who struggled with consistency during his rookie year. The big question: can he take the next step and prove that he’s a legitimate franchise quarterback?
In Seattle, all eyes are on Sam Darnold. After a breakout 2024 season with Minnesota, he now faces the challenge of replicating that success with a less explosive receiving corps and an entirely new offensive system.
Meanwhile, the New York Jets are placing their faith in Justin Fields. While Fields showed encouraging signs of growth during his stint with the Steelers, his career to date has been marked by a frustrating mix of brilliance and poor decision-making. If he falls back into old habits—relying on instinct rather than structure—the Jets’ offense could once again stall, placing a heavy burden on their top-tier defense.
Then there’s the veteran duo of Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. Both are future Hall of Famers, but it’s unclear whether they still have enough left in the tank to lead the Steelers and Giants, respectively, on a playoff run.
At the same time, young quarterbacks like Bo Nix in Denver and Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta will need to prove that they’re not just talented, but legitimate long-term starters. Nix will be battling the infamous “sophomore slump,” while Penix, despite his immense upside, must finally prove he can stay healthy over a full year.
And let’s not forget about the Indianapolis Colts, who are entering the season with a quarterback dilemma of their own. Can either Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson provide the stability and performance needed to lead this team to relevance? That remains to be seen.
The good news? It won’t be long before these questions start getting answered. As training camps progress and preseason games kick off, the quarterback drama will only intensify—providing no shortage of talking points for fans, analysts, and fantasy owners alike.
