Rookies on the Rise: How the 2025 Rookie QBs Stack Up So Far
- Mayline Ruiz
- Nov 12, 2025
- 5 min read
With the National Football League heading into week nine, there have been some quarterbacks who have started to make their mark. Most importantly, the rookies have been showing why they’re so important to their franchise. Let’s take a look at some of the best rookie quarterbacks so far and their progression in the NFL.
New York Giants - Jaxson Dart
When you think about the New York Giants, you can’t help but think about Eli Manning. However, it’s time for a new era, and that’s Jaxson Dart. Dart originally attended the University of Southern California, but then transferred to Ole Miss. At Ole Miss, Dart had 735 completed passes with 72 touchdowns in the 39 games he played.
During his preseason debut, Dart passed for 154 yards and had a touchdown as they defeated the Buffalo Bills. In his first start against the Los Angeles Chargers, Dart gave the Giants their first win of the season with 13 completed passes, 111 yards gained by passing, ran for 54 yards, and one touchdown.
Dart also had a season high of three touchdowns and 283 yards gained by passing, with 15 completed passes, and ran for 11 yards. While the Giants may have a 2-8 record, Giants fans are looking forward to the future with Dart and have shifted how they view their franchise.
Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward
Cam Ward, who played at Washington State and then transferred to the University of Miami in his senior year, is helping the Titans with his arm talent and his strong playmaking skills. During his time with Washington State, Ward had 643 completed passes with 6968 passing yards and 48 touchdowns.
Following his transfer to the University of Miami, Ward played in 13 games where he had 305 passes, 4313 passing yards, and 39 touchdowns, a career record for him playing college ball. Ward was drafted by the Titans in the 2025 NFL draft, where he has played in nine games, has 1760 passing yards, five touchdowns, and 170 completed passes.
With it being Ward’s first year, he has demonstrated how his accuracy is dominant. Ward does a great job at getting big plays with 88 first downs passing.
New Orleans Saints - Tyler Shough
Tyler Shough, who was drafted in the second round by the New Orleans Saints, has helped them with his arm strength and has given them a full-field read. Since Shough got a few extra years due to COVID-19, and a mix of medical redshirts, he played seven years in college at the University of Oregon, Texas Tech, and the University of Louisville.
In his football career at a university level, Shough had 599 completed passes with 7820 passing yards and 59 touchdowns. He began his college career at Oregon, where he spent three years playing in 15 games, with 118 completed passes, 1703 passing yards, and 16 touchdowns. After he transferred to Texas Tech, Shough improved his completed passes to 237, gaining 2922 passing yards, and 20 touchdowns. For his final year, he went to Louisville, where he played in 12 games for 244 completed passes, 3195 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns, a career best for Shough during his time in university.
Now that he is with the New Orleans Saints, Shough has gotten four starts and finally won his first game during Week 10. Currently, Shough has 181 completed passes, 1723 passing yards, six touchdowns, and 85 pass completions on first downs.
Standing at 6’5, Shough’s height and size will allow him to make incredible throws, which will help increase his football IQ. While the Saints are 2-8, Shough will be able to help them make plays under pressure, which can help improve the team.
Cleveland Browns - Dillon Gabriel
Dillon Gabriel had a similar story to Shough in terms of their playing time at the college level. Gabriel, who played six seasons of college football due to COVID-19 and a redshirt year, spent time at the University of Central Florida, the University of Oregon, and the University of Oklahoma.
Gabriel spent his first three years at Central Florida, where he played in 26 games, allowing him the opportunity to get 554 completed passes, with 8037 passing yards, and 70 touchdowns. After his time with Central Florida, Gabriel went to Oklahoma and played in 24 games for 496 completed passes, 6828 passing yards, and 55 touchdowns. Gabriel transferred to Oregon for his final year, where he played in 14 games for 326 completed passes, 3857 passing yards, and 30 touchdowns. In his final year, in 2024, Gabriel won the 2024 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Award.
Now that Gabriel has made his start with the Cleveland Browns, he has brought the Browns to a 2-6 start. In the six games he’s played, Gabriel has had 85 completed passes for 702 passing yards and five touchdowns. With it being Gabriel’s first year, his experience playing at a collegiate level will help him continue to improve and grow the team.
New England Patriots - Drake Maye
While Drake Maye isn’t a rookie anymore, it’s important to note how much of a successful season he has had so far. The New England Patriots were very fortunate to have had a quarterback in Tom Brady who brought the city a lot of Super Bowl championships. While it is Maye's second year in the NFL, he’s still learning the ropes, and it’s his first year being the starting quarterback.
Maye, who played at the University of North Carolina, had played in 30 games where he had 302 rushing attempts with 1209 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. Maye took over Jacoby Brissett’s job after Brissett started 1-4. During his first year, Maye played in 13 games with 225 completed passes, 15 touchdowns, and 2276 passing yards.
Going into his second season, Maye has played in nine games with 189 completed passes, 2285 passing yards, and 17 touchdowns. This is only his second year, and he’s already surpassing that. With the Patriots going 8-2, there is no doubt that Patriots fans are looking forward to Sunday.
With football being at the top of sports fans' minds. What do you think? How have these rookie quarterbacks panned out? Do you have any predictions on what their stats may be at the end of the season? Let me know what you think!
Edited by Mary Merensky
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