NFL QB Carousel Predictions | 2025
Aaron Rodgers (QB, NYJ)
Oct 27, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) on the field against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images.
NFL free agency is about two weeks away, and the landscape of the sport will change significantly with player movement.
NFL QB Carousel Predictions | 2025
Headlining the festivities, per usual, will be landing spots for quarterbacks, as men like Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers, and Kirk Cousins will likely be on the move.
So, consider the following set of predictions regarding the quarterback carousel.
Note: Teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and New Orleans Saints were not mentioned because of the implication that J.J. McCarthy, Geno Smith, and Derek Carr will start, respectively.
Cleveland Browns —
Kirk Cousins & Jaxson Dart
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) celebrates running back Tyler Allgeier’s (25) touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Cousins played for Kevin Stefanski in 2018 and 2019 with the Vikings before Stefanski took the big job in Cleveland. He’ll be an affordable commodity — for the first time ever — this offseason when the Atlanta Falcons finally release him.
He’ll sign in Cleveland for cheap while the Browns also scoop Jaxson Dart after Round 1.
Indianapolis Colts —
Aaron Rodgers
Oct 31, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first half of their game against the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images.
Colts owner Jim Irsay said earlier in the offseason that Anthony Richardson may not enter 2025 as the sole QB1 solution.
So, insert Rodgers.
The Colts employ a fairly decent roster to effectuate a playoff push in 2025, which Rodgers will have as a personal prerequisite. Richardson can watch and learn for one more year, with Rodgers conducting his final hurrah.
Las Vegas Raiders —
Russell Wilson & Quinn Ewers
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) warms up prior to the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025.
Russell Wilson has to go somewhere, and why not have a reunion with Pete Carroll, the new boss in Las Vegas? The Raiders need a QB1, RB1, and WR1 this offseason, meaning they can hang onto their draft picks and choose playmakers to complement Wilson.
In Round 3 or so, Las Vegas will take a flyer on Ewers to marinate behind Wilson for a year.
Los Angeles Rams —
Sam Darnold
Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes against Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Matthew Stafford will be traded to a different team on this list in the next couple of weeks or months, leaving the Rams’ QB1 job vacant. Free-agent-to-be Sam Darnold would absolutely thrive in Los Angeles, not skipping a beat from Kevin O’Connell’s offense to Sean McVay’s.
Darnold can continue his “Baker Mayfield reclamation” story with McVay. It’s tailor-made.
New York Giants —
Shedeur Sanders
Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders gestures after a touchdown against Texas Tech in a Big 12 football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Jones AT&T Stadium. © Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
The Giants will trade up the board to No. 2 in a deal with the Browns. Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll must win now, and Sanders should be somewhat game-ready in 2025.
It’s Shedeur Sanders and Malik Nabers in New York for at least the next four years. Too bad Saquon Barkley skedaddled.
New York Jets —
Justin Fields & Jalen Milroe
Sep 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) draws back to pass Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.
New York will be somewhat left out in the cold compared to other carousel participants, but it will snag Milroe in Round 2 or so.
Jets front office advisor Rick Spielman had his eyes on Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft when he worked for the Vikings. He’ll get his man this time. The Jets will feature the Fields-Milroe combo and may the best man win the summer quarterback competition.
Pittsburgh Steelers —
Matthew Stafford
Oct 20, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) walks back to the huddle after the two-minute warning against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images.
Pittsburgh will send a 2nd- or 3rd-Round draft pick to the Rams for Stafford’s services. Los Angeles will turn around and sign Sam Darnold, detailed above.
Mike Tomlin and friends will have two or three seasons to win it all with Stafford before he hits the age-40 hump.
Tennessee Titans —
Cam Ward
Dec 28, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) runs with the ball against the Iowa State Cyclones in the second quarter during the Pop Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images.
Perhaps the least exciting or conspiratorial on the list, Tennessee will draft Ward with the first overall pick, and that’ll be that. Pondering anything else for the Titans’ pick seems like overthinking.
Tennessee could also trade Will Levis to the highest bidder.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
Newsletter
Subscribe for the latest posts in your inbox.
