Ranking the NFC West's starting QBs: Where does Matthew Stafford stand in 2025?
Ranking the NFC West's starting QBs: Where does Matthew Stafford stand in 2025? Experience, upside, and system fit all play a role in this year's NFC West QB rankings.
The NFC West has an intriguing group of starting quarterbacks. On one end, you've got a Super Bowl champ still slinging it at age 37. On the other, a former No. 1 pick is trying to reclaim his spark. Adding to the mix is a former Mr. Irrelevant who just signed a five-year, $265 million contract extension and a one-time top prospect, now a journeyman coming off a career year, who is looking to prove that last season was no fluke.
As we head into the 2025 season, the division offers a mix of battle-tested veterans, rising stars, and question marks. So how do these four quarterbacks stack up? Let's break it down and rank the four starters leading their respective clubs.
4. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Why: Darnold steps in as a placeholder in Seattle after Geno Smith's departure. At 28, the former No. 3 overall pick in 2018 was finally able to put all the pieces together in 2024 having led the Minnesota Vikings, his fourth team in seven years, to a 14-3 finish while recording career-highs in passing yards (4,319), completions (361), completion percentage (66.2), and touchdown passes (35). While the playoffs told a different story, and the Vikings are now ready to go all in with J.J. McCarthy, Darnold has earned himself a more than fair chance to try and show that last season was not a one-year wonder-type deal.
2025 outlook: Seattle, who added Cooper Kupp in the offseason but will now be without DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, will likely lean on its run game and defense. Darnold could surprise Klint Kubiak's offense, but consistency from one good year to another is key here until he shows it; he's the most unproven starter in this division.
3. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Why: Murray might still have the highest ceiling of any QB in this division, and for the first time in a while, he's entering a season with real momentum. After returning from his ACL injury midway through 2023, Murray finally played a full season in 2024, his first since 2020, and reminded everyone of his dual-threat ability. Despite Arizona's 8-9 finish, Murray had the Cardinals in playoff contention through the first 10 weeks with a 6-4 record. He threw for 3,851 yards and 21 touchdowns and added 572 rushing yards, his most since his Pro Bowl year in 2020, plus five scores on the ground.
2025 outlook: Now, with a full offseason healthy, year three in Drew Petzing's system, and a core that features second-year WR Marvin Harrison Jr., a consecutive 1,000-yard back in James Conner, and last season's breakout tight end Trey McBride, the table is set. He's a wild card, but if the former 2019 No. 1 overall pick stays healthy and consistent, he could vault up this list fast.
2. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Why: It's been a remarkable rise for Purdy, from the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to now one of the league's highest-paid quarterbacks. While he may not have the biggest arm or the flashiest skill set, Purdy has consistently done what many quarterbacks with better tools can't: win. He's already led the 49ers to the playoffs twice, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2023. And while San Francisco's talent-rich roster and Kyle Shanahan's scheme deserve credit, Purdy's efficiency, toughness, and poise under pressure are undeniable. The results last season may not have been the same, but there's no doubt he's shown he can handle the moment and lead his team on any given Sunday.
2025 outlook: Despite the loss of Deebo Samuel, if his supporting cast can stay healthy and he can cut back on turnovers and reclaim his 2023 form, when he led the league in yards per attempt and passer rating while taking advantage of a division that did not have a clear-cut runaway team last year. In that case, there's no reason he can't elevate the 49ers back to playoff contention as well as be viewed as a top-12 QB league-wide. Now with a hefty new deal, the pressure is on to deliver.
1. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Why: Even at 37, Stafford is still the most proven and complete quarterback in this division. He played in 16 games in 2024 and has missed just three games over the last two seasons while leading the Rams back into contention. He has thrown for over 3,700 yards in each of the past two years and 20-plus touchdowns while cutting back on turnovers despite a young supporting cast. While Cooper Kupp is gone, Puka Nacua continues to break out, Kyren Williams is blossoming, and now Davante Adams is joining the mix, so Stafford is positioned to thrive. His arm talent, experience, and clutch playmaking still separate him from the rest.
2025 outlook: While his 40-plus touchdown passing days might be over, if his arm holds up and Sean McVay keeps dialing it up with a now reloaded offense, Stafford could flirt with a top-10 QB season.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Buccaneers' Mike Evans Credits Baker Mayfield For His Return
Buccaneers' Mike Evans Credits Baker Mayfield For His Return originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Baker Mayfield era in Tampa Bay has been a successful one so far for the Buccaneers. When Tom Brady retired after the 2022 season, most thought the Bucs would suffer a period of adjustment and would be cellar dwellers in the NFC and the NFC South. Advertisement But a funny thing happened on the way to the cellar. General manager Jason Licht signed Mayfield to fill the shoes of Brady, and he did. Mayfield signed on a one-year "prove-it" deal with Tampa Bay, and proceeded to post career numbers. Licht then inked the former Texas Tech Red Raider and Oklahoma Sooner to a three-year, $100 million contract. Mayfield posted another career season in Year 2 with the Bucs. And star wideout Mike Evans couldn't be happier about it. "Huge impact (on Evans' career). He's a big reason to why I came back," Evans said. "The energy that he's brought to Tampa after Tom (Brady) -- that's some huge shoes to fill, huge act to follow -- and I think he's done an unbelievable job, winning two division championships, making it to the postseason. Advertisement "But Tampa's in great hands with Baker. I'm sure he'll play much longer than I will. I'm looking forward to a great season this year and competing for a Super Bowl." Evans was to enter into free agency last offseason and was in high demand. But he eventually stayed with the Bucs and signed a two-year, $41 million deal. As he enters the final season of that deal in 2025, the relationship with Mayfield and the trending upward of the team could convince Evans to stay a couple of more years. Related: Mike Florio Hints at a 'Bill Belichick to Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Scenario Related: 'Things Will Get Ugly...' If Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Regresses in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
New York visits Seattle following Stewart's 35-point game
New York Liberty (10-2, 7-1 Eastern Conference) at Seattle Storm (8-5, 8-4 Western Conference) Seattle; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: New York Liberty plays the Seattle Storm after Breanna Stewart scored 35 points in the Liberty's 89-81 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. Advertisement The Storm are 4-2 on their home court. Seattle ranks second in the WNBA with 22.5 assists per game. Skylar Diggins leads the Storm averaging 6.2. The Liberty are 4-1 in road games. New York is the Eastern leader with 28.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Jonquel Jones averaging 7.7. Seattle's average of 7.8 made 3-pointers per game is 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 8.9 per game New York gives up. New York averages 10.7 more points per game (89.1) than Seattle allows (78.4). The matchup Sunday is the first meeting this season for the two teams. TOP PERFORMERS: Nneka Ogwumike is averaging 17.2 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Storm. Diggins is averaging 17.2 points over the last 10 games. Advertisement Stewart is averaging 21.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Liberty. Sabrina Ionescu is averaging 22.1 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 44.1% over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Storm: 6-4, averaging 86.0 points, 31.3 rebounds, 23.1 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 79.7 points per game. Liberty: 8-2, averaging 87.8 points, 35.3 rebounds, 21.1 assists, 9.4 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.3 points. INJURIES: Storm: Katie Lou Samuelson: out for season (knee). Liberty: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
New York visits Seattle following Stewart's 35-point game
New York Liberty (10-2, 7-1 Eastern Conference) at Seattle Storm (8-5, 8-4 Western Conference) Seattle; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: New York Liberty plays the Seattle Storm after Breanna Stewart scored 35 points in the Liberty's 89-81 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. The Storm are 4-2 on their home court. Seattle ranks second in the WNBA with 22.5 assists per game. Skylar Diggins leads the Storm averaging 6.2. The Liberty are 4-1 in road games. New York is the Eastern leader with 28.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Jonquel Jones averaging 7.7. Seattle's average of 7.8 made 3-pointers per game is 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 8.9 per game New York gives up. New York averages 10.7 more points per game (89.1) than Seattle allows (78.4). The matchup Sunday is the first meeting this season for the two teams. TOP PERFORMERS: Nneka Ogwumike is averaging 17.2 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Storm. Diggins is averaging 17.2 points over the last 10 games. Stewart is averaging 21.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Liberty. Sabrina Ionescu is averaging 22.1 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 44.1% over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Storm: 6-4, averaging 86.0 points, 31.3 rebounds, 23.1 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 79.7 points per game. Liberty: 8-2, averaging 87.8 points, 35.3 rebounds, 21.1 assists, 9.4 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 76.3 points. INJURIES: Storm: Katie Lou Samuelson: out for season (knee). Liberty: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
