The pre-draft process is a time for immense speculation and hot takes, and the NFL preseason is no different. Though the preseason doesn’t officially start until the Hall of Fame Game on July 31, analysts have already begun making their predictions for the year ahead.
One of those analysts, Dan Orlovsky, has picked out two young quarterbacks that he expects to take significant steps forward next season.
Dan Orlovsky Names 2 Quarterbacks That Could Take Big Strides in 2025
The QB landscape was shaken up during free agency and the recent NFL Draft. Unlike 2024, though, there is only one rookie quarterback expected to start for his team come September.
Several quarterbacks moved around in free agency, like Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields, while Geno Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders. For Orlovsky, though, two quarterbacks who remained where they were could be ones to watch in 2025.
Caleb Williams is coming off a disappointing rookie season with the Chicago Bears, in which he struggled in the face of relentless pressure. Another “generational” quarterback prospect, Trevor Lawrence, has also failed to live up to the immense hype that surrounded his arrival in the NFL.
Posting on social media, Orlovsky suggested that both players had been helped massively by their teams during the offseason and should therefore improve in 2025.
“Caleb Williams has been equipped with everything a 2nd year QB could ever ask for. Go time. Trevor Lawrence has been given a huge lifeline. Go time. Both QBs should take massive jumps while under a heavy weight of expectations and pressure.”
Caleb Williams has been equipped with everything a 2nd year QB could ever ask for.
Go time.
Trevor Lawrence has been given a huge lifeline.
Go time.
Both QBs should take massive jumps while under a heavy weight of expectations and pressure.
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7)
“Lifeline” might be too strong a word for Lawrence, who is safe in his job despite not hitting the heights that were expected so far.
Nevertheless, the Bears invested heavily in their offensive line, and the Jaguars added an outstanding receiving talent in Travis Hunter, so both players have been backed.
What Needs To Improve From Caleb Williams and Trevor Lawrence?
Based on PFSN’s QB+ metrics, both Lawrence and Williams must improve significantly. Particularly after finishing 31st and 33rd, respectively, in PFSN’s analysis.
Outside of his lengthy concussion absence, Lawrence didn’t have a terrible season in 2024. However, there were some stats that he’d no doubt expect to improve on.
Lawrence’s totals were impacted by him missing seven games, but his averages don’t save him either. He finished 2024 with 7.2 yards per pass attempt (tied-17th) and a 2.5% interception percentage (14th). His completion percentage, though, was a worrying 60.6%, which landed him outside the top 32 quarterbacks (35th).
Lawrence did see 5.5% of his passes dropped (eighth-most) but should still have done better given that he faced pressure on just 15.2% of dropbacks (third-lowest rate).
Williams, on the other hand, faced pressure on 23.5% of dropbacks (10th-highest rate) and completed 62.5% of passes. That’s a better rate than Lawrence managed, but still ranked 31st among qualifying quarterbacks.
Williams was sacked a massive 68 times in 2024, tied for the third-most in NFL history. Chicago’s offensive line was heavily invested in during free agency, but only seven QBs averaged more time in the pocket than the rookie in 2024. Williams will need to do a better job of playing in rhythm, something new head coach Ben Johnson should be able to help him with moving forward.
