One full week of 2025 NFL preseason is within the books. Some groups loved flashy debuts from high new gamers, just like the Cleveland Browns with Shedeur Sanders and Jacksonville Jaguars with Travis Hunter. Others are nonetheless making an attempt to type out crowded quarterback competitions; each the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints are amongst groups trying to find solutions as Week 2 of exhibition motion quick approaches.
At the same time as preseason more and more facilities on depth-chart battles, leaving big-name stars to relaxation on the sidelines, there have been nonetheless a handful of notable starters who took the sector this previous weekend. That features a slew of latest No. 1 general draft picks, like Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville and Kyler Murray in Arizona, in addition to newcomers like Cam Ward in Tennessee.
So how did every quarterback fare within the snaps they got? This is how we might describe 40 of essentially the most notable signal-callers to play in Week 1 of the 2025 preseason, from a spicy Jaxson Dart in New York and a pointy Bryce Younger in Carolina to an uneven Tyler Shough in New Orleans:
Sharp. The MVP-caliber Burrow stays intact. Cincinnati’s starter bought some legit run in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles and completed 9 of 10 with two scores, together with one to buddy Ja’Marr Chase.
Pristine. There is a purpose the Eagles shipped Kenny Pickett to Cleveland. McKee’s been razor-sharp as a pure pocket passer in restricted work. That continued in opposition to Cincy to the tune of 252 yards and two scores.
Battered. The younger man put in work to maintain Daniel Jones at bay (barely) this summer season. Then he did not see a free rusher in opposition to the Ravens and dislocated a finger in consequence. He simply cannot keep on the sector.
4. Daniel Jones (Colts)
Satisfactory. He was second up for Indy after Richardson and seemed respectable making fast strikes out of Shane Steichen’s choice calls. Some miscommunications saved him from actually opening issues up.
Regarding. The ex-Dallas Cowboys veteran lofted a straightforward interception on his first play instead of a resting Lamar Jackson. He would not have a lot competitors on the bench, both.
Clutch. Did Tom Brady strike gold serving to the Raiders add the NDSU product within the sixth spherical? The rookie flashed sturdy downfield contact to headline a Las Vegas comeback in opposition to the Seahawks.
Feisty. Technically, Smith solely threw 4 passes earlier than resting in his debut as Las Vegas’ new starter. However he additionally had some selection gestures for antagonistic Seahawks followers as he took the sector.
Spry. No shock right here, however Seattle’s rookie signal-caller wasted no time showcasing his slippery pace on the bottom. With Sam Darnold resting, the Alabama product gained 38 yards as a rusher.
Shaky. The previous third-round draft decide bought the beginning nod as Jared Goff rested in opposition to the Falcons. He proceeded to lose a pair of fumbles earlier than coach Dan Campbell pulled him forward of halftime.
Poised. If Hooker squandered his second crack at making headway within the race for Detroit’s No. 2 job, then Allen seized it. He was snug within the pocket and uncorked some completely positioned deep pictures.
Rating the debut of every rookie quarterback, plus NFL preseason winners and losers from Week 1
John Breech
Tempting. Within the sense that his sharpness in opposition to Detroit, even underneath strain, might persuade Atlanta to be extra proactive in buying Kirk Cousins, the present No. 2 behind starter Michael Penix Jr.
12. Shedeur Sanders (Browns)
Composed. The speak of the 2025 draft wasn’t good as Cleveland’s trial-run starter, however he stood tall even on the transfer, holding his eyes downfield and saving his tightest throws for the pink zone.
13. Kenny Pickett (Browns)
Absent. Pickett was inactive for Cleveland on account of a hamstring damage, however his omission from the opening preseason slate was particularly obvious in gentle of Sanders’ play. His roster spot won’t even be protected.
14. Bryce Younger (Panthers)
Targeted. After closing 2024 with noticeably improved confidence, the previous No. 1 general decide continued to show good anticipation and post-snap composure in restricted work in opposition to the Browns.
Confirmed. At 39, on his 14th completely different NFL team, Johnson was at all times destined to have a leg up within the battle for Washington’s No. 3 job. He moved the Commanders pretty effectively in opposition to the Patriots, in distinction to …
Iffy. The previous Wake Forest prospect bought the beginning for Washington instead of a resting Jayden Daniels, and he struggled to discover a rhythm, hitting 9 of 19 passes and tossing an interception.
17. Josh Dobbs (Patriots)
Frenetic. The journeyman took a web page out of his short-lived Vikings stardom with a fourth-and-goal landing scramble for New England, offsetting an uneven passing debut behind Drake Maye.
18. Jaxson Dart (Giants)
Attractive. Was the first-round rookie flawless? No. However working early in opposition to the Payments, the Ole Miss product did not flinch in opposition to strain and lofted an ideal bomb of a rating to Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
Quiet. That is type of Wilson’s recreation now, regardless of the status for chucking it on play-action: dink and dunk to remain on the sector (and fend off potential successors). How lengthy he’ll maintain the highest job is unclear.
Flashy. Love him or hate him, Winston has by no means not been entertaining. The third quarterback to take the sector for New York in opposition to Buffalo, he rifled one rating and even picked up 12 yards on a scramble.
Ignored. Keep in mind him? DeVito adopted go well with with an environment friendly outing (10 of 14) in opposition to the Payments, however because the fourth man up in a wholly remade quarterback room, he might quickly be taking part in elsewhere.
22. Mitchell Trubisky (Payments)
Fluid. It has been years since Trubisky drew rave evaluations for his athletic upside as a starter, however filling in for the resting Josh Allen in opposition to New York, he confirmed some good off-balance contact early on.
Precious. In a future commerce, maybe? The ex-Jets backup had little hassle airing it out in opposition to the Giants, tossing two scores in competitors with Trubisky. He could possibly be a strong No. 2 elsewhere if it is not in Buffalo.
Affordable. This was McCarthy’s first game-day motion since final preseason, when he damage his knee. His finest play was a clean fourth-down scramble. This stays a cautiously optimistic “wait-and-see” deal.
Improved. At the least from coaching camp, the place the ex-Commanders gunslinger bought himself in hassle with loads of compelled throws. Towards the Texans, he was rather more settled in, ending 11 of 13.
Stunning. The undrafted rookie is an area favourite due to his school stint at Minnesota, and he recovered effectively from an early botched snap, firing a crisp fourth-and-goal landing late in his debut.
Calm. The largely unchallenged backup to C.J. Stroud in Houston after Case Keenum’s exit, Mills was an unbothered distributor in restricted work, hitting 4 of 5 throws in a 10-play landing drive to begin.
Bullied. Vying for a reserve position, the sixth-round rookie struggled to finish 50% of his throws in opposition to the Vikings’ backups, ending with three interceptions in his exhibition debut.
Commanding. Coach Sean McVay praised the previous Georgia standout for his seamless progressions in opposition to the Cowboys. The No. 3 behind Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo additionally threw two scores.
Tantalizing. It is the identical story with Milton, who beforehand flashed for the Patriots as a preseason weapon. He is bought a killer “fastball,” as Brian Schottenheimer put it, however was additionally uneven by way of the air.
31. Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)
Comfy. New coach Liam Coen had Lawrence making fast choices to feed Brian Thomas Jr. and new goal Travis Hunter. Lawrence threw simply seven passes, however the former No. 1 decide checked out ease.
32. Cam Ward (Titans)
Gifted. There was a little bit of jumpiness from the No. 1 general decide, who’s fairly clearly depending on his arm expertise. Thankfully, the arm is for actual, as evidenced on a gap scoring drive in opposition to the Buccaneers.
Cellular. It is hardly a stunner, contemplating Fields principally made a reputation for himself with the Bears as a scrambler. However his landing run for New York confirmed he is nonetheless bought the juice to blow up on the bottom.
34. Kyler Murray (Cardinals)
Erratic. In different phrases, an extension of his mercurial profession in Arizona. Murray did hit all however considered one of his eight passes, however that one incompletion was an egregious red-zone interception in opposition to the Chiefs.
Shoddy. The previous Patriots prospect bought 5 drives as a roster hopeful, however he accomplished simply 8 of 17 throws with two interceptions in opposition to Arizona, entrenching Gardner Minshew as Patrick Mahomes’ backup.
Sloppy. Regardless of a promising 2024 debut, Nix was outperformed by backup Jarrett Stidham in opposition to the 49ers, taking a security on an intentional grounding penalty after a gap drive that ended with a punt.
Ghastly. The Texas product loved a robust summer season lead-up to his preseason debut, solely to lose two fumbles on unhealthy sacks and full simply 5 of 18 passes. Zach Wilson seems protected as the brand new No. 2.
38. Case Keenum (Bears)
Composed. He is 37, however he seemed like an actual challenger for the backup job behind Caleb Williams, working Ben Johnson’s offense with calm effectivity, ending 8 of 10 for 80 yards and two scores.
39. Tyler Shough (Saints)
Uneven. The rookie supplied a bit extra pop than Spencer Rattler, who bought the beginning for the Saints, although he additionally threw a pick-six. He should be primed to open 2025 as new coach Kellen Moore’s No. 1.
Explosive. Lance wasn’t practically as environment friendly by way of the air as he was within the Corridor of Fame Recreation, however his 48 yards of speeding work saved L.A. shifting. He is perhaps the clear favourite to be Justin Herbert’s backup.
