Changing of the guard: Power ranking 2025’s NFL Week 1 QB changes

The Indianapolis Colts announced Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback on Tuesday, making them the 12th team to have a different starting QB from Week 1 last season.

Who’s better off, and who will regret making a switch?

Below, we rank the 12 quarterbacks from worst to best, plus reveal whether each team upgraded or downgraded this offseason.

12. New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shough

2024 Week 1 starter: Derek Carr

The Saints are the league’s only team without a named Week 1 starter. Both candidates have experienced some highs and lows in August, with little separating the two before an informative preseason Week 3 game on Saturday against the Denver Broncos. Verdict: DOWNGRADE

11. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones

2024 Week 1 starter: Anthony Richardson Sr.

Richardson’s benching signals a massive failure on the part of the Colts front office, led by general manager Chris Ballard, and head coach Shane Steichen, who was tasked with developing the raw prospect into an NFL starter.

Over Jones’ last 16 starts with the New York Giants from 2023-24, he averaged 186.2 passing yards per game and threw 10 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. Verdict: DOWNGRADE

2024 Week 1 starter: Deshaun Watson

After a successful five-game stint with the Browns in 2023, Flacco, 40, is back for another run. While undoubtedly an improvement over Watson, the 18-year veteran has an alarming 15 interceptions in 13 games (11 starts) over the past two seasons. Verdict: UPGRADE

2024 Week 1 starter: Will Levis

The Titans should expect the natural rookie up-and-downs from Ward, 2025’s No. 1 overall pick. Over his first two preseason starts, Ward is 7-of-15 for 109 yards. Still, he’s a vast improvement over Levis, who provided more comedic gold than wins last season. Verdict: UPGRADE

2024 Week 1 starter: Daniel Jones

Wilson is in the twilight of his career, but the 10-time Pro Bowler, who has 42 touchdowns and 13 interceptions since 2023, has a much higher floor than Jones. Verdict: UPGRADE

7. New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields

2024 Week 1 starter: Aaron Rodgers

Fields is a dynamic runner and showed improvement as a passer in six starts with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. But after signing a short two-year deal in free agency, it’s clear there remains doubt over whether he can be a long-term starter in the league. Verdict: DOWNGRADE

2024 Week 1 starter: Sam Darnold

McCarthy could be better in the long run than Darnold, but we’d expect the 2024 first-rounder, who missed all of last season with a torn meniscus, to offer fewer rewards than his predecessor early in his career. Verdict: DOWNGRADE

2024 Week 1 starter: Geno Smith

Darnold was one of the best stories in 2024, ending the year with 4,315 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while leading the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season. However, his disappointing end to the season and struggles against pressure make it harder to see him as any better than the quarterback he replaces. Verdict: DOWNGRADE

4. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

2024 Week 1 starter: Kirk Cousins

Penix was promising in a three-game sample size at the end of 2024, quickly forming a connection with wideout Drake London, who had 22 receptions on 39 targets, 352 yards and two touchdowns during the span. Verdict: UPGRADE

2024 Week 1 starter: Jacoby Brissett

The plan was always for Brissett to keep the seat warm for Maye, who looked like a potential star in 12 starts last season, ending the year with 2,276 passing yards and 421 rushing yards. Verdict: UPGRADE

2024 Week 1 starter: Justin Fields

While far from his peak, Rodgers can still sling the football. Per NFL Pro data, he finished last season No. 5 in expected points added per dropback on deep pass attempts (balls that travel at least 20 air yards). Verdict: UPGRADE

2024 Week 1 starter: Gardner Minshew

Smith completed 70.4 percent of his pass attempts in 2024, two seasons after leading the NFL in completion percentage (69.8 percent). He’s proved himself time and time again over the past three seasons and will likely do it again in 2025. Verdict: UPGRADE