Over the last ten years, 66 rookie quarterbacks, including six from last season, have started at least one game during their initial NFL season. Although the 2025 NFL Draft features only two first-round quarterbacks, several others are expected to get playing time next year.
CBSSports.com has analyzed each team’s schedule to predict when rookie quarterbacks will make their professional debuts. Seattle’s Jalen Milllow was excluded since the team plans to rely on veteran Sam Darnold for the season. Most teams don’t target specific games for rookies to start, and in Darnold’s case, pinpointing a debut is uncertain, with week 14 being the earliest possible start, which may be too late.
Veteran Russell Wilson has earned respect enough to keep his starting role temporarily, but ultimately, he is expected to give way to the younger quarterback. The coaching staff appears committed to giving their rookie a chance to prove themselves during what might be Wilson’s last season.
This means the rookie could start earlier rather than sitting and learning for eight weeks and might debut at home against a solid 49ers defense. Five games will allow both the rookie and coaching staff to evaluate performance and areas for growth before finishing the rookie year with a challenging four-game stretch featuring two division rivals.
The Browns’ quarterback situation is equally uncertain, compounded by the presence of two rookies, Sanders and Gabriel, with Gabriel being the earlier draft pick. While veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco started last season, it’s expected that more than three quarterbacks will have started for Cleveland by season’s end. If a decision is forced, week 10, after their bye, is a likely turning point, giving Coach Kevin Stefanski and the front office nine games to evaluate their rookie’s future potential.
In New Orleans, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and Shough are competing to replace Derek Carr after his retirement. Shough, considered the most talented, was a second-round pick, but the team aims to avoid indecision in quarterback play. Patience through early struggles is expected, and if Rattler starts the first few games, the head coach Kellen Moore will eventually make the call on who leads the team.
Coach Brian Callahan has openly declared a competition between previous second-round picks Will Revis and Ward. Ward, as the first overall pick, is expected to win the starting role if he impresses in training camp and preseason. Revis, meanwhile, is likely to be traded before the season begins.
Jacksonville’s situation last year saw Trevor Lawrence face off against Gardner Minshew in an open competition, a move designed to support Minshew’s trade value. Eventually, Minshew was traded to Philadelphia in exchange for the sixth pick in the draft.
Fan Take: This upcoming rookie quarterback season is shaping up to be a critical moment for several NFL teams as they balance veteran leadership with rising talent. Fans should keep a close eye on these debut timelines, as how these prospects are integrated could signal the next wave of franchise cornerstones and reshape team futures.
