Quarterback is the most important position in the NFL — possibly the most important position in sports. Teams with inferior quarterback rooms don’t stand much of a chance to compete in 2025, so it could be a long year for these five organizations. (QB situations are ranked in inverse order.)
5. New York Jets
QBs: Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez, Brady Cook
The Jets were happy to rid themselves of Aaron Rodgers this offseason, but Fields isn’t much of an upgrade. The 2021 first-round pick has a completion percentage of 61.1 percent in the NFL, and he’s thrown for only 45 touchdowns in 44 career starts (plus 31 interceptions).
Fields, who went 4-2 with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, is reportedly struggling in training camp, which is nothing new based on his first four years in the NFL. New Jets coach Aaron Glenn recently was asked if he was concerned about Fields’ play.
“I don’t because it’s early,” he said.
Expect the Jets — who open at home Sept. 7 against Rodgers’ Steelers — to be one of the most run-heavy offenses in the league this season.
4. Tennessee Titans
QBs: Cam Ward, Brandon Allen, Tim Boyle, Will Levis (IR)
The Titans are a tough team to rank heading into the season. Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, has the potential to become a top-10 quarterback in the NFL, but he hasn’t taken a snap as a pro. It’s much more likely that the rookie struggles to adjust to NFL speed in the first few months of the season.
The good news for Ward is that expectations are low for his first year in the NFL and he plays for a franchise off the radar for most fans.
“You’ve probably seen that there’s not enough focus on him being the first pick or whatever,” Ward’s father, Calvin, told Fox Sports’ Ben Arthur in a story published Monday. “He honestly does not care. That’s the honest truth. He doesn’t care.
“He just wants to work, get better, help his team improve.”
This season is more about getting Ward valuable reps and Ward improving with each start. The Titans better hope Ward stays healthy, because Allen and Boyle aren’t NFL-caliber quarterbacks.
3. Indianapolis Colts
QBs: Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard, Jason Bean
The Richardson experiment is a catastrophe for the Colts. The fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft completed just 47.7 percent of his pass attempts last season and threw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (eight). His rocket arm and athletic ability near the goal line are still tantalizing, but none of that will matter until he learns how to hit a five-yard slant consistently.
This content was brought to you by: Yardbarker: NFL
