Rookie QB Class of ’25: Mixed Bag of Promise and Pain

Rookie QB Class of ’25: Mixed Bag of Promise and Pain

Titans’ Cam Ward Starts Rough, Shows Late Spark

The 2025 NFL season marked the debut for a highly anticipated rookie quarterback class, and for the Tennessee Titans’ number one overall pick, Cam Ward, it was a tale of two halves. Drafted to a team that finished a dismal 3-13 in 2024, the Titans were hoping Ward could be the franchise savior they desperately needed. However, the early going was brutal. In his first six games, Ward was under siege, leading the league in sacks taken and struggling mightily, with more interceptions than touchdowns. The team’s woes were so profound that head coach Brian Callahan was fired after Week 6. Despite the team finishing with a league-worst 3-14 record, a glimmer of hope emerged. In the latter half of the season, Ward showed significant improvement, with his passer rating jumping over 20 points and his protection improving. He even set a new Titans rookie record for passing yards in a single game, surpassing Marcus Mariota. While the season was largely forgettable, the late-season surge offers a sliver of optimism for Titans fans, especially with new head coach Robert Saleh at the helm.

Giants’ Jackson Dart Delivers Surprising Spark

In a draft-day surprise, the New York Giants traded up to select Ole Miss quarterback Jackson Dart at pick No. 25. Many analysts viewed Dart as a day-two prospect, and his selection ahead of others like Shador Sanders ignited debate about NFL front offices’ evaluations versus media perception. “People are going to go, ‘Should Dur Sanders, why did he slide? Why did he fall? He didn’t slide. He didn’t fall. This is where the NFL viewed him. You were misled by people that didn’t know what they were talking about,'” one commentator noted, highlighting the draft’s unpredictability. Dart, known for his playmaking ability outside the pocket, initially served as a backup to Russell Wilson. However, after three initial struggles for the Giants, head coach Brian Daboll handed Dart the reins in Week 4. He immediately made an impact, leading the Giants to a 2-1 record in his first three starts, including wins against future playoff teams. The rookie tandem of Dart and running back Cam Scatabo became a national storyline, injecting life into a Giants offense that hadn’t been this exciting since Eli Manning’s prime. Despite a late-season slump and Daboll’s subsequent firing, followed by a brief injury stint for Dart, he finished the season with 12 starts. He posted a higher passer rating than any other rookie and added nearly 500 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. Under new head coach John Harbaugh, Giants fans are cautiously optimistic about Dart’s potential to lead a resurgent offense.

Saints’ Tyler Shuck Emerges as a Mid-Round Steal

The New Orleans Saints raised eyebrows by selecting Tyler Shuck in the middle rounds, especially with Shador Sanders still available. Shuck, an older prospect with a high floor and low ceiling projection, was seen as a traditional pocket passer. He spent the first half of the season as a backup to Spencer Rattler. However, when the Saints found themselves at a dismal 1-7, head coach Kellen Moore turned to Shuck. Despite the team’s struggles and Shuck’s lack of hype, he impressed immediately. In his third start, he threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns with a stellar 128.9 passer rating. He recorded three games with a passer rating of at least 110 and led the Saints to several late-season victories, including a dominant performance against Cam Ward’s Titans, where he posted his second consecutive 300-yard game with a 142.7 passer rating. “I got a text from a guy on their staff I think after his first start that said, ‘We got a guy. He’s big. He can run. He has touch,'” one source revealed. By season’s end, Shuck ranked third in completion percentage, seventh in yards per game, and eighth in passer rating among starters. His impressive 5-4 record as a starter, combined with his accuracy and pocket presence, has Saints fans wondering if he could have led them to the playoffs had he started earlier. While draft position often dictates a player’s perceived value, Shuck has undoubtedly earned another starting opportunity to prove himself.

Browns’ Dual Rookie QB Situation: Gabriel vs. Sanders

The Cleveland Browns made arguably the most talked-about draft picks of 2025, selecting both Oregon’s Dylan Gabriel in the third round and Colorado’s Shador Sanders in the fourth. Gabriel, seen as a late-round prospect due to his physical limitations, was a surprise pick to many. The selection of Sanders two rounds later, with him still on the board, instantly became the weekend’s biggest story. “I think it’s disgusting. I don’t understand what the heck’s going on with this. Fifth player on my board. It’s never happened before in 47 years where a player that high has dropped this far into the fourth round,” lamented one analyst regarding Sanders’ slide. Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, was expected to be a first-round pick, lauded for his playmaking ability and poise, though prone to high-risk, high-reward plays. The Browns’ quarterback situation was further complicated by the trade of Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco’s eventual benching. Gabriel got the first shot, starting six games, but was largely unspectacular, averaging just 18 points per game and failing to generate explosive plays before an injury. This opened the door for Sanders, who provided a much more exciting, albeit inconsistent, showing. He became the first Browns quarterback since 1995 to win his first start and had a standout game with nearly 400 total yards and four touchdowns against the Titans. However, his tenure was marked by turnovers, including multiple interceptions and fumbles, and jarring swings between highlight-reel plays and costly mistakes. He finished his starting stint with a 3-5 record, seven passing touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, with a 68.1 passer rating and a 19.0 QBR. While Gabriel was stable but uninspiring, Sanders was a thrilling but unreliable roller coaster. The Browns’ struggles were exacerbated by a historically poor supporting cast, including the 32nd-ranked receiving corps and 30th-ranked offensive line. With head coach Stefanski gone, the future for both Gabriel and Sanders in Cleveland remains uncertain.

Vikings’ JJ McCarthy: A Season of Struggles and Division

The Minnesota Vikings used their first-round pick on JJ McCarthy, intended to be the successor to Kirk Cousins. While injured, Sam Darnold unexpectedly led the Vikings to a brief period of contention. McCarthy, compared to Alex Smith for his athleticism and game-manager potential, was expected to thrive with a talented Vikings roster. However, his rookie campaign was a steep learning curve. He rallied for a win on opening day against the Bears but followed it with a dismal performance against the Falcons, throwing two picks and fumbling three times, which also resulted in an injury that sidelined him for two months. He returned in November and had a clutch win against the Lions, but the subsequent games were largely rough, marked by multiple multi-interception games and low production. McCarthy finished the season with one of the lowest passer ratings in the NFL, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns, and the team turned the ball over more than any other in the league. Vikings fans are divided: some believe he needs more time, while others are concerned by his lack of production and injury issues, especially when contrasted with Sam Darnold’s success in Seattle. The Vikings finished 9-8, a record that doesn’t fully reflect the season’s struggles.

Other Rookies: Brief Appearances, Mixed Results

Several other rookie quarterbacks saw limited action. Seattle’s third-round pick, Jaylen Milro, was a third-stringer with minimal involvement. Brady Cook, an undrafted free agent for the Jets, started four games, all losses, with a 2-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Miami’s seventh-round pick, Quinn Ewers, started three games with little impact. The Colts’ Riley Leonard started one game and played in another, showing promise in his start against Houston, suggesting potential as a backup. Undrafted free agent Max Bromer saw brief action for the Vikings in two games, with mixed results.

Rookie QB Passer Rating Comparison (Last 10 Years)

When comparing the 2025 rookie class to the last decade, McCarthy and Sanders finished near the bottom in passer rating among those with at least 200 attempts. Gabriel and Ward were below average, while Dart and Shuck stood out near the top. Adding rushing ability, Jackson Dart’s rookie season appears even more impressive over the last 10 years.

Source: The Rookie QB's… How Did They Perform? (YouTube)