Over 10 teams drafted quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, and while some are set to be backups to established QBs — like Kurtis Rourke behind Brock Purdy in San Francisco — others are headed into open competitions. Here’s a look at five NFL quarterbacks who are at risk of losing the starting job.
Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston | New York Giants
The New York Giants were aggressive this offseason, signing Russell Wilson and naming him the 2025 starter. They also signed Jameis Winston before that and drafted Jaxson Dart, trading up to get him in the back half of Round 1.
Head coach Brian Daboll told reporters Wilson would be the starter, but Dart has the athleticism, toughness, and loose arm to grow into a quality QB. He’s competitive and shows flashes of anticipation, especially over the middle.
Dart still needs to improve his consistency with progressions, but he can develop that during training camp and preseason. If Wilson struggles early in the season, the rookie could take over.
Zach Wilson | Miami Dolphins
Zach Wilson is expected to back up Tua Tagovailoa, who’s coming off an injury. Still, he might not even make it to Week 1 as the QB2. The Miami Dolphins drafted Quinn Ewers in the seventh round, and he fits head coach Mike McDaniel’s system better.
Wilson has struggled with rhythm, accuracy, and consistency under pressure — areas Ewers excels in. Ewers delivers the ball with timing, like a point guard. If he plays well in camp, he could move past Wilson on the depth chart.
Kenny Pickett | Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns have a crowded quarterback room.
Deshaun Watson is out for the year. Joe Flacco, who led Cleveland to the playoffs in 2023, is back on a one-year deal and is the projected starter. Kenny Pickett, now with his third NFL team, was traded to Cleveland this offseason, but the Browns also drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round and Shedeur Sanders in the fifth.
Pickett could battle for the starting spot. He has a 15-10 record between his time in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, yet he has only one more touchdown than interceptions in his career.
Sanders and Gabriel both bring potential. Sanders, especially, is known for his elite accuracy and college production. This is a crowded room, and if Pickett doesn’t start well, he could be on his way out.
Tanner McKee | Philadelphia Eagles
Tanner McKee was a sixth-round pick in 2023 and has mostly backed up Jalen Hurts. He did get one start last year, throwing for 269 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants in Week 18.
This year, the Eagles drafted Kyle McCord in the sixth round. At Syracuse, McCord threw for 4,779 yards and 34 touchdowns last season and completed 66% of his passes. He’s seen as a polished and smart quarterback who can win early. His 9-4 record when trailing in games is a standout stat.
McKee and McCord will compete for the QB2 job behind Hurts. With a strong preseason, McCord could pass McKee on the depth chart.
Mason Rudolph | Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting on Aaron Rodgers. Until then, Mason Rudolph is the expected starter. However, Rudolph has a losing record as a QB and could be in trouble if that continues.
Pittsburgh drafted Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Howard, who led the Buckeyes to a national title last year, completed 73% of his passes for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns. He also ran for seven scores.
Howard’s size and mobility make him a solid developmental quarterback. If Rodgers signs, Howard could become the QB2 over Rudolph. Even if Rodgers doesn’t, and Rudolph struggles again, Howard could find himself starting sooner than expected.
Your right!!! Way too much hype for this 7th rounder.
None of this makes sense. Zach Wilson is not going to be replaced by a 7th round, injury prone pick who spent 7 years in college and who had mediocre success — more failures than success — withing a weak division against weak teams. Ewers was nearly not drafted at all — now you are saying he is QB2 with that resume? Practice squad.