Complete List of Every Starting NFL Quarterback for 2025 Season (Live Updates)

Quarterback is arguably the most important position in all of sports. In the NFL—with the weight of a franchise on your shoulders and the ball in your hands every play—you’re expected to make play, after play, after play to help your team win week, after week, after week.

On top of this, depending on your age, skillset, and standing with the team, you may be constantly looking over your shoulder. Whether there’s a younger, more promising backup option behind you—or you’re simply not getting the job done—your spot under center could be snatched from you at any second.

Each week, 32 signal-callers in the NFL are deemed as their club's starting quarterback. Here's a look at all of them:

This list will be updated throughout the 2025 season as benchings, injuries, and more take place across the league. A running list of those who have been hurt (or replaced) will live at the bottom of this article. Backup quarterbacks will have an asterisk next to their name.

All 32 NFL starting quarterbacks heading into Week 16

AFC East

Drake Maye and Josh Allen are the leaders of two AFC East teams this season. | David Butler II-Imagn Images

Team	Starting Quarterback
Buffalo Bills	Josh Allen
Miami Dolphins	Tua Tagovailoa
New England Patriots	Drake Maye
New York Jets	Brady Cook*

It was status quo across the board here in the AFC East, with four franchise quarterbacks—to use the term loosely—in Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa, Drake Maye, and Justin Fields all starting for their teams.

However, after a handful of subpar games from Fields that led to just a 2–8 record in New York, the Jets benched him for Tyrod Taylor. Taylor has since suffered a groin injury, which has thrust undrafted rookie Brady Cook into the team's starting role for the time being.

AFC North

Shedeur Sanders gestures to the crowd at the end of the Cleveland Browns win over the Las Vegas Raiders. — Shedeur Sanders stepped in for the injured Dillon Gabriel to start for the Browns last week, leading Cleveland to a win. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Team	Starting Quarterback
Baltimore Ravens	Lamar Jackson
Cincinnati Bengals	Joe Burrow
Cleveland Browns	Shedeur Sanders*
Pittsburgh Steelers	Aaron Rodgers

Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning took over in relief of Joe Burrow in Week 2 after he was forced out of the game due to injury. Since then, Burrow underwent surgery for turf toe and Cincinnati traded for Joe Flacco—who has taken over as their starter.

This coming Thursday against the Ravens, however, Burrow is expected to return under center in hopes of turning around the Bengals’ 3–8 start to the season.

Speaking of Flacco, he was benched by the Browns after a 1–3 start to the season in favor of rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The 24-year-old Oregon product made his first start in Week 5 and has remained the starter since.

Gabriel, however, suffered a concussion in Cleveland's Week 11 loss to Baltimore last Sunday, which sprang fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders into action. Sanders started the first game of his NFL career in a win over the Raiders in Week 12, and will remain under center in Week 13 against the 49ers.

AFC South

Despite being just 25 years old and younger, C.J. Stroud and Trevor Lawrence are elder statesmen in the AFC South. | Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Team	Starting Quarterback
Houston Texans	C.J. Stroud
Indianapolis Colts	Philip Rivers
Jacksonville Jaguars	Trevor Lawrence
Tennessee Titans	Cam Ward

Somehow still only 25 years old, Trevor Lawrence is the elder statesman in the AFC South as he enters his fifth season as the Jaguars' starting quarterback. C.J. Stroud, meanwhile, enters year three, and rookie Cam Ward is looking to make his mark on the Titans after being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick.

And yes, you read that right. With Colts starter Daniel Jones suffering a torn Achilles in their Week 14 loss to the Jaguars, the team signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement to finish the season as their starting quarterback.

AFC West

Team	Starting Quarterback
Denver Broncos	Bo Nix
Kansas City Chiefs	Gardner Minshew*
Las Vegas Raiders	Geno Smith
Los Angeles Chargers	Justin Herbert

Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert have been the faces of the AFC West for some time now, having engaged in some electric battles over the last several seasons.

Unfortunately, Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in the Chiefs’ loss to the Chargers in Week 15 and is out for the remainder of the season. Veteran Gardner Minshew is set to take over in his place.

As for the rest? Bo Nix is in his second season with Sean Payton's Broncos, while Geno Smith is back with Pete Carroll for their first year together in Sin City.

NFC East

Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts — Dak Prescott returns from injury in 2025, while Jalen Hurts will look to defend his Super Bowl title. | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Team	Starting Quarterback
Dallas Cowboys	Dak Prescott
New York Giants	Jaxson Dart
Philadelphia Eagles	Jalen Hurts
Washington Commanders	Marcus Mariota*

Heading into the year, we had four different fascinating storylines in the NFC East:

Dak Prescott coming back from a brutal hamstring injury to lead the Micah Parsons-less Cowboys
Russell Wilson looking to revive his career at stop No. 4
Jalen Hurts defending his Super Bowl title
Jayden Daniels trying to build off one of the most impressive rookie seasons in league history

Wilson, however, has already been benched by the Giants in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart—who will return for New York on Monday night against the Patriots after clearing the NFL's concussion protocol.

Daniels, meanwhile, suffered a dislocated left elbow in Washington’s blowout loss to the Seahawks in Week 9. X-rays did come back negative, but he’s still set to miss “several games.” He returned in Week 15, but reinjured said elbow. Marcus Mariota will take over in his place for the time being.

NFC North

Jared Goff and Caleb Williams — Jared Goff went 2-0 against Caleb Williams and the Bears last season. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Team	Starting Quarterback
Chicago Bears	Caleb Williams
Detroit Lions	Jared Goff
Green Bay Packers	Jordan Love
Minnesota Vikings	J.J. McCarthy

J.J. McCarthy's tenure as the Vikings' starting quarterback got off to a rough start in 2025. He's not only struggled on the field, but has also failed to stay healthy. After suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2 and missing a handful of games, the second-year pro then landed in concussion protocol. Backup Max Brosmer started in Week 14, but McCarthy returned in Week 15.

Meanwhile, Jared Goff, Jordan Love and Caleb Williams remain the starters in the rest of the NFC North.

NFC South

Bryce Young and Baker Mayfield. — Bryce Young and Baker Mayfield both rebounded in 2024. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Team	Starting Quarterback
Atlanta Falcons	Kirk Cousins*
Carolina Panthers	Bryce Young
New Orleans Saints	Tyler Shough
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Baker Mayfield

Two former first overall picks in Baker Mayfield and Bryce Young lead the way for quarterbacks in the NFC South division.

The Saints originally went with Spencer Rattler to begin the year, but have since benched him for rookie Tyler Shough, who made his NFL debut in Week 9 against the Rams.

Meanwhile, in Atlanta, the Falcons received some unfortunate news as Michael Penix Jr. suffered a knee injury that could ”potentially” end his season. Backup Kirk Cousins will start in his place.

NFC West

Matthew Stafford and Kyler Murray. — Matthew Stafford and Kyler Murray are among the incumbent starters in the NFC West. | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Team	Starting Quarterback
Arizona Cardinals	Jacoby Brissett*
Los Angeles Rams	Matthew Stafford
San Francisco 49ers	Brock Purdy
Seattle Seahawks	Sam Darnold

Kyler Murray is amid a prove-it year in Arizona as he looks to validate the massive contract the Cardinals signed him to in 2022. Matthew Stafford, meanwhile, continues to defy father time.

Speaking of Murray, he’s dealing with a foot injury that has landed him on injured reserve. Arizona is starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett in his place.

And speaking of contracts, Brock Purdy signed his own mega-deal this offseason that ties him to San Francisco through the 2030 season.

Sam Darnold, meanwhile, enters year one of his three-year, $100 million pact in Seattle.

Which NFL Starting Quarterbacks Are Currently Dealing With Injuries in 2025?

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray suffered a foot injury in the Cardinals’ loss to the Titans in Week 5 and, while he ultimately returned to the game, has remained on the shelf as he recovers. He was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 10.

Arizona will continue starting veteran backup Jacoby Brissett until Murray is ready to go.

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Daniels suffered a gruesome dislocated elbow in the Commanders’ blowout loss to the Seahawks in Week 9. X-rays on the injured left arm came back negative, but he's still expected to miss “several games.”

Veteran backup Marcus Mariota will take over for Washington in his place.

Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland Browns

Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion in the Browns’ Week 11 loss to the Ravens, an injury that spurred fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders into his first NFL action.

Should Gabriel not clear protocol by the weekend, it will be Sanders under center once again for Cleveland in Week 12.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. suffered a knee injury last Sunday against the Panthers and according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Falcons QB could be done for the season. Atlanta will turn to backup Kirk Cousins under center.

Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets

Tyrod Taylor, who took over for the benched Justin Fields in New York, suffered a groin injury in the Jets’ Week 14 loss to the Dolphins. Undrafted free agent Brady Cook has taken over is his place—as Fields is also dealing with a knee injury.

Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts

Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is officially out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles in his team’s Week 14 loss to the Jaguars.

44-year-old Philip Rivers was signed out of retirement and will finish the season under center for Indy.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City’s season went from bad to worse in Week 15, as they were not only eliminated from playoff contention, but star quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and is out for the remainder of the season.

Which NFL Starting Quarterbacks Have Been Benched or Replaced in 2025?

Russell Wilson, New York Giants

The Giants benched Russell Wilson in favor of Jaxson Dart last week ahead of their Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Brian Daboll spoke of the decision—which he took responsibility for—explaining that Dart will be the starter for the remainder of the season, while Wilson will be the backup.

The future is now in New York.

Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns

The Browns benched veteran Joe Flacco for rookie Dillon Gabriel after a 1–3 start to the season. Through four games, Cleveland’s offense averaged just 14 points per game while Flacco threw just two touchdowns to six interceptions.

Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals

After taking over for Burrow, Jake Browning has all-but been benched following the Bengals’ acquisition of Joe Flacco.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cincinnati “would like” the 40-year-old to be ready to take on the Packers this coming Sunday. It’s Flacco time once again in the AFC North.

Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints

The Saints have benched Spencer Rattler after he was named the starting quarterback to begin the 2025 season. Rattler led New Orleans to just a 1–7 record while throwing eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

Rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough will now take over under center, making his first start in Week 9 against the Rams.

Justin Fields, New York Jets

After struggling to get the Jets’ offense going over the first two-plus months of the season, quarterback Justin Fields has been benched in favor of veteran Tyrod Taylor.

Fields finished with fewer than 100 passing yards in four of his nine starts while posting an overall passer rating of 89.5. He signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets last spring. His benching likely signals the end of his quarterbacking era in New York.