Quarterback is arguably the most important position in all of sports. In the NFL—with the weight of a franchise on your shoulders and the ball in your hands every play—you’re expected to make play, after play, after play to help your team win week, after week, after week.
On top of this, depending on your age, skillset, and standing with the team, you may be constantly looking over your shoulder. Whether there’s a younger, more promising backup option behind you—or you’re simply not getting the job done—your spot under center could be snatched from you at any second.
Each week, 32 signal-callers in the NFL are deemed as their club's starting quarterback. Here's a look at all of them:
All 32 NFL starting quarterbacks heading into Week 13AFC East
Team
Starting Quarterback
Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen
Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa
New England Patriots
Drake Maye
New York Jets
Tyrod Taylor
It status quo across the board here in the AFC East, with four franchise quarterbacks—to use the term loosely—in Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa, Drake Maye, and Justin Fields all starting for their teams.
However, after a handful of sub-par games from Fields that have led to just a 2–8 record in New York, the Jets benched him for Tyrod Taylor. He took over the position last Sunday against the Ravens.
AFC North
Team
Starting Quarterback
Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow
Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders*
Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers
Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning took over in relief of Joe Burrow in Week 2 after he was forced out of the game due to injury. Since then, Burrow underwent surgery for turf toe and Cincinnati traded for Joe Flacco—who has taken over as their starter.
This coming Thursday against the Ravens, however, Burrow is expected to return under center in hopes of turning around the Bengals’ 3–8 start to the season.
Speaking of Flacco, he was benched by the Browns after a 1–3 start to the season in favor of rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The 24-year-old Oregon product made his first start in Week 5 and has remained the starter since.
Gabriel, however, suffered a concussion in Cleveland's Week 11 loss to Baltimore last Sunday, which sprang fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders into action. Sanders started the first game of his NFL career in a win over the Raiders in Week 12, and will remain under center in Week 13 against the 49ers.
AFC South
Team
Starting Quarterback
Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud
Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence
Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward
Somehow still only 25 years old, Trevor Lawrence is the elder statesman in the AFC South as he enters his fifth season as the Jaguars' starting quarterback. C.J. Stroud, meanwhile, enters year three, as Daniel Jones and rookie Cam Ward look to make their mark in their first season as starters in the division.
So far, Jones has made his mark and then some, leading the Colts to unbelievable success through the first part of the season.
AFC West
Team
Starting Quarterback
Denver Broncos
Bo Nix
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes
Las Vegas Raiders
Geno Smith
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert
Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert have been the faces of the AFC West for some time now, having engaged in some electric battles over the last several seasons.
As for the other two? Bo Nix is in his second season with Sean Payton's Broncos, while Geno Smith is back with Pete Carroll for their first year together in Sin City.
NFC East
Team
Starting Quarterback
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott
New York Giants
Jaxson Dart
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts
Washington Commanders
Marcus Mariota*
Heading into the year, we had four different fascinating storylines in the NFC East:
Dak Prescott coming back from a brutal hamstring injury to lead the Micah Parsons-less CowboysRussell Wilson looking to revive his career at stop No. 4Jalen Hurts defending his Super Bowl titleJayden Daniels trying to build off one of the most impressive rookie seasons in league history
Wilson, however, has already been benched by the Giants in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart—who will return for New York on Monday night against the Patriots after clearing the NFL's concussion protocol.
Daniels, meanwhile, suffered a dislocated left elbow in Washington’s blowout loss to the Sehawks in Week 9. X-rays did come back negative, but he’s still set to miss “several games.” Marcus Mariota will take over in his place for the time being.
NFC North
Team
Starting Quarterback
Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams
Detroit Lions
Jared Goff
Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love
Minnesota Vikings
Max Brosmer*
J.J. McCarthy's tenure as the Vikings' starting quarterback got off to a rough start in 2025. He's not only struggled on the field, but has also failed to stay healthy. After suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2 and missing a handful of games, the second-year pro has now landed in concussion protocol. His status for Week 13 is up in the air, with backup Max Brosmer in line to start if he can’t go.
Meanwhile, Jared Goff, Jordan Love and Caleb Williams remain the starters in the rest of the NFC North.
NFC South
Team
Starting Quarterback
Atlanta Falcons
Kirk Cousins*
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young
New Orleans Saints
Tyler Shough
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield
Two former first overall picks in Baker Mayfield and Bryce Young lead the way for quarterbacks in the NFC South division.
The Saints originally went with Spencer Rattler to begin the year, but have since benched him for rookie Tyler Shough, who made his NFL debut in Week 9 against the Rams.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, the Falcons received some unfortunate news as Michael Penix Jr. suffered a knee injury that could ”potentially” end his season. Backup Kirk Cousins will start in his place.
NFC West
Team
Starting Quarterback
Arizona Cardinals
Jacoby Brissett*
Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford
San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy
Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold
Kyler Murray is amid a prove-it year in Arizona as he looks to validate the massive contract the Cardinals signed him to in 2022. Matthew Stafford, meanwhile, continues to defy father time.
Speaking of Murray, he’s dealing with a foot injury that has landed him on injured reserve. Arizona is starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett in his place.
And speaking of contracts, Brock Purdy signed his own mega-deal this offseason that ties him to San Francisco through the 2030 season.
Sam Darnold, meanwhile, enters year one of his three-year, $100 million pact in Seattle.
Which NFL Starting Quarterbacks Are Currently Dealing With Injuries in 2025?Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray suffered a foot injury in the Cardinals’ loss to the Titans in Week 5 and, while he ultimately returned to the game, has remained on the shelf as he recovers. He was placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 10.
Arizona will continue starting veteran backup Jacoby Brissett until Murray is ready to go.
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Daniels suffered a gruesome dislocated elbow in the Commanders’ blowout loss to the Seahawks in Week 9. X-rays on the injured left arm came back negative, but he's still expected to miss “several games.”
Veteran backup Marcus Mariota will take over for Washington in his place.
Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland Browns
Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a concussion in the Browns’ Week 11 loss to the Ravens, an injury that spurred fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders into his first NFL action.
Should Gabriel not clear protocol by the weekend, it will be Sanders under center once again for Cleveland in Week 12.
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. suffered a knee injury last Sunday against the Panthers and according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Falcons QB could be done for the season. Atlanta will turn to backup Kirk Cousins under center.
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is in the NFL’s concussion protocol after experiencing symptoms on Minnesota’s flight home last Sunday night. Should he not be cleared by Sunday, backup Max Brosmer will start in his place.
Which NFL Starting Quarterbacks Have Been Benched or Replaced in 2025?Russell Wilson, New York Giants
The Giants benched Russell Wilson in favor of Jaxson Dart last week ahead of their Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Brian Daboll spoke of the decision—which he took responsibility for—explaining that Dart will be the starter for the remainder of the season, while Wilson will be the backup.
The future is now in New York.
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
The Browns benched veteran Joe Flacco for rookie Dillon Gabriel after a 1–3 start to the season. Through four games, Cleveland’s offense averaged just 14 points per game while Flacco threw just two touchdowns to six interceptions.
Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
After taking over for Burrow, Jake Browning has all-but been benched following the Bengals’ acquisition of Joe Flacco.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cincinnati “would like” the 40-year-old to be ready to take on the Packers this coming Sunday. It’s Flacco time once again in the AFC North.
Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints
The Saints have benched Spencer Rattler after he was named the starting quarterback to begin the 2025 season. Rattler led New Orleans to just a 1–7 record while throwing eight touchdowns and five interceptions.
Rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough will now take over under center, making his first start in Week 9 against the Rams.
Justin Fields, New York Jets
After struggling to get the Jets’ offense going over the first two-plus months of the season, quarterback Justin Fields has been benched in favor of veteran Tyrod Taylor.
Fields finished with fewer than 100 passing yards in four of his nine starts while posting an overall passer rating of 89.5. He signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets last spring. His benching likely signals the end of his quarterbacking era in New York.
