Why Each NFL QB Can Dominate in 2025

Ya never know. 

In any given year, any NFL starting quarterback could surprise. Several usually do, while others just dominate as expected.  

In the interest of keeping the glass half-full this summer, let's list one reason why greatness could come to every NFL quarterback in 2025.

AFC East

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Drake Maye

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

He’s in his prime at 29 and coming off five consecutive killer seasons. It would be shocking if he didn't dominate again in 2025. 

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

He's been a Pro Bowler and even an MVP candidate, and both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle remain on the Miami roster. 

Drake Maye, New England Patriots

With a greatly bolstered offensive line and the addition of veteran wideout Stefon Diggs, he could easily build on a promising rookie season and shine for a team on the rise. 

Justin Fields, New York Jets

The uniquely talented 26-year-old is backed by a strong defense, a talented offensive line with two high-profile young tackles and a star receiver in Garrett Wilson. This could be the year when it all comes together for Fields.

AFC North

AP Photo/Matt Freed

Aaron Rodgers

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

There's little reason to expect anything to change for a 28-year-old who was the NFL's first-team All-Pro quarterback in both 2023 and 2024. 

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

The 28-year-old led the NFL with 43 touchdown passes while posting a top-three passer rating and QBR in 2024, and he will have both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins back this year.

Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns

Assuming he holds onto the job, the 40-year-old could use his wisdom and experience to excel behind a veteran offensive line. He will certainly be pushed by a stable of quarterbacks on the depth chart. 

Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

The four-time MVP could rediscover lost magic with incoming elite No. 1 receiver DK Metcalf and plenty of defensive support. Maybe his time with the Jets was just a blip.

AFC South

AP Photo/John Raoux

Trevor Lawrence

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

His 2024 experience might have just been an isolated sophomore slump for a 23-year-old who was magnificent as a rookie in 2023. The Texans have also made an effort to revamp the offensive line for him, and the division is relatively soft defensively. 

Anthony Richardson/Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts

Whoever wins this battle will be a 20-something first-round pick with a fire lit under them, and they’ll be working within a relatively weak division. The Colts also have an underrated group of young offensive skill players. 

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

The talent is obviously there for the 25-year-old 2021 top pick, and it's possible incoming first-round receiver Travis Hunter can help Lawrence put it all together. Keep in mind, he's also got Brian Thomas Jr. and two strong backs in a vulnerable division. 

Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans

Did we mention the AFC South might be mediocre? And you just never know with a rookie top pick. He could shock the league just as Stroud and Jayden Daniels did in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

AFC West

AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Once

Justin Herbert

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

The extremely promising sophomore will just have to pick up where he left off when he posted a 126.0 passer rating in his final three regular-season games as a rookie.

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

It will be an uphill battle simply because he's been average the last two seasons, but the 29-year-old has done it plenty of times before. He has a revival season in him under the right circumstances. 

Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders

Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers could form one of the brightest young offensive skill-position duos in the sport, helping Smith put together a career year at 35.

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

In his second season under Jim Harbaugh, the 27-year-old could become an MVP candidate by building off what was easily the best season of his career (23 touchdowns to just three interceptions). 

NFC East

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Jayden Daniels

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

He was dominant when he was the NFL's second-highest-rated passer with a league-high 36 touchdown passes in 2023, and now he's got George Pickens in combination with CeeDee Lamb in the receiving corps. 

Russell Wilson, New York Giants

He dominated for many years in Seattle and then showed signs of life last year in Pittsburgh. His top target with the Giants, Malik Nabers, could become one of the best receivers in the league in 2025. 

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Well, he's protected by the best offensive line in the game and coming off a Super Bowl MVP win. It's easy to see the path. 

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Not only did the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year begin to dominate with a 105.5 passer rating in his final five games of 2025, but his team has also given him Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil this offseason.

NFC North

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

The 2024 No. 1 overall pick should continue to ascend behind a completely retooled offensive line, and the defense already proved last year it has the potential to be a top-10 unit in support of Williams. On top of that, there's the presence of new head coach Ben Johnson.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

The 30-year-old was the NFC's highest-rated passer last year, and he is now surrounded by one of the most talented rosters in the league while in his prime. 

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

The streaky 26-year-old finally has a first-round pick in the receiving corps. Matthew Golden could help Love get over the top in 2025. 

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

The talent is there, the revamped offensive line should be awesome, and Justin Jefferson is a football god.

NFC South

AP Photo/Nell Redmond

Bryce Young

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

The 2024 first-round pick flashed in limited action as a rookie and now works from the get-go in a soft division with one of the best supporting casts in the NFL. 

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

The 2023 No. 1 pick is still just 23, and he threw seven touchdown passes to zero interceptions for a 111.6 passer rating the final three games of his sophomore campaign. 

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

The Falcons, Panthers and Buccaneers all ranked in the bottom eight in the NFL in terms of passer rating allowed in 2024. 

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The NFL's fourth-highest-rated passer threw 41 touchdown passes and has all of his key supporters back for his age-30 season.

NFC West

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

Brock Purdy

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

He has shown he can dominate when he's on top of his game. An emerging Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride could help him put it all together in his age-28 season. 

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Sean McVay, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

The 25-year-old has the highest career passer rating in NFL history (min. 1,000 attempts), and he's still surrounded by plenty of talent. Better injury luck for the 49ers could be all it takes. 

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

He put up a triple-digit passer rating while throwing 35 touchdown passes last year in Minnesota, and it's entirely possible he builds on that with more job security and a solid receiving corps in a fresh setting.