Quarterback play drives the NFL. You can talk about defenses, coaching, or rosters all you want, but if your team doesn’t have one of the best quarterbacks in the league, you’re just hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. The difference between making a playoff run and fighting for draft position usually comes down to the guy under center.
This list of the 15 best quarterbacks in 2025 isn’t about hype or headlines. It’s about performance, leadership, and the ability to win games right now. Some of these names are the usual suspects, while others have worked their way up by proving they can carry a franchise.
Every season shakes up the order, but heading into 2025, these are the top QBs playing today.
1. Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes has set the standard for what it means to be an elite quarterback in today’s NFL. He’s not just putting up numbers — he’s stacking rings and keeping the Chiefs in contention every single year. When you combine arm talent, decision-making, and creativity, nobody matches him.
What separates Mahomes from other top QBs is how he adjusts when things break down. It doesn’t matter if he’s rolling left, side-arming a throw, or hitting a no-look pass — he makes plays others wouldn’t even attempt. Defenses can scheme all week, and it still often doesn’t matter.
When people debate the best quarterbacks of 2025, Mahomes is the default starting point. He’s the guy everyone else is chasing, and until further notice, he remains at the top.
2. Josh Allen
Allen brings a unique combination of size, strength, and raw athleticism to the position. He’s as likely to hurdle a linebacker as he is to drop a 60-yard dime. The Bills have built their entire identity around his ability to extend plays and put pressure on defenses.
The big knock used to be turnovers, but Allen has worked to manage the reckless plays without losing the edge that makes him special. Buffalo trusts him to take risks because when they pay off, they flip games on their head.
Among the top QBs in 2025, Allen represents pure firepower. He can beat you with his arm, punish you with his legs, and keep a defense off balance for four quarters.
3. Lamar Jackson
Jackson has reshaped what it means to play quarterback in the NFL. His MVP seasons prove his style isn’t a gimmick — it’s a nightmare for defensive coordinators. With his speed and vision, every snap forces defenders to choose wrong.
What’s often overlooked is how much Jackson has grown as a passer. He’s no longer just dangerous outside the pocket; he’s picking apart defenses from the pocket too. That dual threat makes Baltimore one of the toughest teams to prepare for.
In 2025, Jackson continues to be one of the best quarterbacks because he dictates terms. Few players tilt the field in their favor the way he does.
4. Joe Burrow
Burrow plays with a calm confidence that rubs off on his entire team. No moment feels too big, whether it’s a playoff run or a two-minute drill. Cincinnati’s turnaround is directly tied to his arrival and leadership.
His accuracy and timing stand out. Burrow doesn’t need a cannon arm to beat you — he knows where to put the ball and when to pull the trigger. That makes him one of the most efficient quarterbacks in football.
Among the top QBs of 2025, Burrow belongs because he wins in the margins. The little details — reading coverage, checking protections, moving safeties with his eyes — set him apart.
5. Jalen Hurts
Hurts has become the definition of a leader in Philadelphia. His steady demeanor and relentless work ethic have turned the Eagles into perennial contenders. He doesn’t get rattled, even when the game plan isn’t perfect.
As a passer, Hurts has made big strides. He can deliver deep shots with touch and hit tight windows across the middle. Paired with his rushing ability, it makes defending him a pick-your-poison exercise.
Hurts may not be as flashy as some other names, but in 2025 he’s clearly one of the best quarterbacks. Winning follows him, and that’s the ultimate measurement.
6. Baker Mayfield
Mayfield’s path hasn’t been straight. He bounced around, was written off by some, and then found new life leading Tampa Bay. His competitiveness and toughness have always been his calling cards, but now he’s backing it with smart, consistent play.
What makes Mayfield one of the top QBs in 2025 is how he’s settled into a role that maximizes his skills. He’s efficient, protects the football, and still has that gunslinger edge when the moment calls for it.
Fans may debate his ceiling, but there’s no debating that he’s earned his spot here. He’s turned a career many thought was fading into one that’s thriving again.
7. Justin Herbert
Herbert has the arm talent every scout dreams about. He can make throws from angles and distances most quarterbacks wouldn’t even attempt. That physical ability keeps the Chargers’ offense explosive, no matter the situation.
For all his highlight throws, Herbert’s also shown growth in decision-making. He’s learning when to check down, when to push the ball, and how to manage drives more efficiently.
In 2025, Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks because he combines raw tools with refinement. If he stays healthy and the roster around him cooperates, he has MVP-level potential.
8. Jayden Daniels
Daniels wasted no time making an impact. His speed and poise as a young quarterback already set him apart, and Washington’s offense has a different energy with him under center.
What’s striking is his confidence. He doesn’t look like a rookie trying to survive — he looks like he belongs. The ability to make quick decisions while still threatening defenses with his legs makes him a rising star.
It’s early, but Daniels already deserves a spot among the top QBs of 2025. He’s proving week after week that the hype was real.
9. Jared Goff
Goff has reinvented himself in Detroit. Written off in Los Angeles, he’s steadied the Lions and given them exactly what they need: a reliable, accurate quarterback who keeps the offense moving.
He may not have the flash of others on this list, but Goff’s efficiency and leadership have fueled Detroit’s turnaround. He’s shown he can handle big games and deliver under pressure.
Being one of the best quarterbacks in 2025 doesn’t always mean gaudy highlights. For Goff, it’s about consistency and winning football — and he’s delivered both.
10. Brock Purdy
Purdy went from “Mr. Irrelevant” to franchise cornerstone in record time. His story alone is remarkable, but his play has been even more impressive. He runs Kyle Shanahan’s system with precision and rarely looks out of place.
The biggest strength Purdy brings is composure. He doesn’t force much, stays within the offense, and trusts his playmakers. That kind of discipline is rare, especially for someone with his background.
By 2025, Purdy is no longer a surprise. He’s simply one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, proving draft status means little once you’re on the field.
12. Kyler Murray
Murray’s game is built on explosiveness. His ability to turn broken plays into 40-yard gains makes him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks when healthy. Arizona lives and dies with his availability.
Injuries have slowed him at times, but his arm talent shouldn’t be overlooked. He can throw deep with ease and has a knack for hitting receivers in stride.
When discussing the best quarterbacks in 2025, Murray is complicated but undeniable. If he stays on the field, he’s a top-tier weapon.
13. Bo Nix
Nix came into the league with questions, but he’s answered them quickly. His maturity and decision-making have helped Denver stabilize an offense that desperately needed it.
What stands out is how efficient he’s been. He doesn’t waste possessions, doesn’t get flustered, and shows the same calm whether it’s the first quarter or the fourth.
It’s early, but Nix is showing signs of being one of the top QBs of 2025. If the growth continues, Denver may have found its long-term answer.
13. C.J. Stroud
Stroud has already shown he’s the real deal in Houston. His rookie season was one of the best in league history, and he’s only building on it. Accuracy and poise beyond his years make him a nightmare for defenses.
What makes Stroud special is how quickly he processes. He doesn’t lock in on one option — he works through progressions like a veteran and delivers the ball on time.
In 2025, Stroud is firmly in the conversation for best quarterbacks. The Texans finally have a cornerstone to build around, and it shows.
14. Matthew Stafford
Stafford’s career is winding down, but he’s still slinging it at a high level. Few players read defenses or throw with his kind of touch and anticipation. Even late in his career, he’s capable of big stretches that remind everyone why he was a No. 1 pick.
The Rams lean on his experience. Younger quarterbacks may have flashier tools, but Stafford’s understanding of situational football keeps Los Angeles competitive.
Among the top QBs of 2025, Stafford earns his place because experience and savvy still win games. He’s not done yet.
15. Jordan Love
Love has stepped into the starting role in Green Bay and shown he belongs. The Packers’ gamble in drafting and developing him is paying off, as he’s flashed the poise and arm talent to lead long-term.
He’s not perfect, but the growth curve is promising. Love’s ability to keep drives alive, limit mistakes, and hit big plays when needed has turned heads.
By 2025, Love is making a case as one of the best quarterbacks playing today. Green Bay once again looks set at the most important position.
Conclusion
Quarterbacks define eras. From Mahomes at the top to the younger names just carving their path, the league feels stocked with talent in 2025. Each of these 15 players has a case — whether it’s rings, raw talent, or carrying a franchise that wouldn’t function without them.
The rankings will shift as careers rise and fall, but right now these are the top QBs in the NFL. If your team has one of them, you’ve got a shot. If not, you’re probably just hoping next year’s draft changes your luck.
