What is In Store For the Biggest Name Rookie Quarterbacks in 2025

Following the excitement of those two show-stopping events, all attention is now on the new season's kick-off game between the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. 

That contest will take place in September, and while that is still just under four months away, excitement is already at a fever pitch. Football odds providers have already jotted up their lines for kickoff weekend, but it's the Super Bowl futures odds that will be the most thrilling to Eagles supporters. The latest online NFL football odds make Philly a +650 favorite to claim the Lombardi for a second straight season next February, with the likes of the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs both expected to be in contention. 

But while a big 2025 season is on the cards for the Eagles, the upcoming campaign will be a huge one for each rookie selected in the draft, especially under center. There’s a number of big-name quarterbacks that will be making their bow in the league next term, but which have the most headlines surrounding them at present, and what could their 2025 entail? Let's find out. 

Cam Ward

The Tennessee Titans identified Cam Ward as the centerpiece of their franchise revival long before April's draft. The team met up with the player on more than one occasion while he was still in college, and they saw enough in him to select him first overall when they got the opportunity. The Nashville side hasn't found much success in recent years, so the pressure is on the former Miami Hurricane to revitalize their fortunes.

The 23-year-old looked poised and composed in the pocket throughout his stint in Florida, skills that may well be able to provide an instant lift to the Titans. He steps into a rebuilding offense that includes young pieces like wide receiver Treylon Burks and offensive lineman Peter Skoronski, both integral to supporting Ward's development. With running back Tony Pollard alongside him and more than capable of chipping in with pressure-relieving rushes when required, the young quarterback could well be the perfect man to resurrect the ailing franchise. 

The Titans' faith in him is evident as they look set to start their new franchise player from week one, simultaneously bringing the curtain down on the Will Levis era once and for all. While there’s optimism, the learning curve for a rookie starter is steep. Ward will face a trial by fire, dealing with a division featuring strong defenses while being tasked with steadying a team hungry for relevance. 

Success won’t come without growing pains, but for the Titans and their fans, Ward’s arrival signals hope and a glimmer of long-term stability.

Jaxson Dart

The aforementioned number one overall Ward was one of just two quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2025 draft, a far cry from the record-breaking number amassed before. The second was Jaxson Dart, who was selected 25th overall by the Giants. The former University of Mississippi superstar has been labeled a quarterback of the future, but his rookie campaign in the Big Apple is hardly set in stone. 

After a dismal few years in the QB department, the Giants have set up a competitive quarterback room that includes veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, two men who proved they still have plenty left in the tank last season. The former led the Pittsburgh Steelers to the playoffs despite a lack of firepower, while the latter embarked upon an entertaining stint while deputizing for the injured Deshaun Watson in Cleveland. 

The plan suggests patience for Dart, allowing him to develop behind two experienced veterans, one of whom has tasted Super Bowl glory. He should flourish under the watchful eye of head coach Brian Daboll, a man known for his quarterback-friendly coaching style. Coaches have praised Dart’s athleticism and arm talent, but concerns remain about his readiness to lead a high-powered NFL offense out of the gate. For now, he’s behind Wilson in the pecking order, but perhaps ahead of Winston.

Shedeur Sanders

Few draft-day storylines sparked as much discussion as Shedeur Sanders and his unexpected plight into the fifth round. His slide into the third day of the draft was a gobsmacker, especially considering that most believed him a top-ten pick, with the first round being thought of as the bare minimum. Seeing him still available at pick number 144 was jaw-dropping, but the Cleveland Browns took full advantage, and they now have an unquestionably talented quarterback who is fueled by the need to prove his doubters wrong. 

The former Colorado sensation's professional career now begins under challenging circumstances as he enters the most crowded quarterback room in the league. Sanders faces stiff competition, lining up alongside fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, and former starter Deshaun Watson.

The Browns’ decision to stockpile quarterbacks reflects growing instability under center. Watson’s inconsistency over the past two seasons leaves the door ajar for someone like Sanders. However, emerging as the long-term starter will be a tall task. Sanders’ polished mechanics and high football IQ work in his favor, but he will need to impress immediately during preseason and camp to have a legitimate shot at rising up the depth chart.

For Cleveland, Sanders might represent a chance to pivot away from the Watson era if things take a downturn. However, his path to meaningful snaps could involve biding his time and operating as an understudy in his rookie campaign. While the competition is stiff, Sanders’ draft embarrassment and undeniable determination make him a player to watch closely in Cleveland's quarterback saga.