Which Teams Are in Dire Need of a New Quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft?
The NFL is firmly entrenched in its annual off-season, and it’s the front offices at the moment that have taken center stage. Quarterback is the marquee position on the gridiron, and some teams have already moved to strengthen under center in a bid to become competitive next term. The Jets have turned to Justin Fields in an attempt to replace the now departed Aaron Rodgers, while the Las Vegas Raiders have moved quickly to bring in veteran Geno Smith after a career-best campaign with the Seattle Seahawks last term.
However, there are still plenty of teams on the hunt for a new face of the franchise that can lead them back to the island of relevancy. Let’s take a look at who they are, and who they could turn to in the upcoming draft.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans had a disastrous time of it in 2024, winning just three games all season – the joint lowest of anybody. Online NFL betting sites can’t envision things getting much better overnight, either. The latest NFL betting odds at Bovada make them the rank +15000 outsider to win Super Bowl LX next February. But the fact remains that the Nashville outfit holds all the cards in the upcoming draft.
The Titans will be coming in at number one on the board and – providing they don’t trade their spot away – have the perfect opportunity to resolve a quarterback situation that has been a consistent sore spot. Though Will Levis, once a promising rookie, showed flashes early in his career, his inability to develop into a franchise quarterback has left Tennessee searching for answers. Backup options like Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle haven’t inspired much confidence either.
That puts Cam Ward squarely in their sights. The dynamic University of Miami playmaker is considered the consensus No. 1 overall prospect. He’s an electrifying talent with a cannon arm, excellent athleticism, and a knack for extending plays. Throughout his collegiate career, the 22-year-old has built up experience with Incarnate Word, Washington State, and Miami, all of which have molded him into a mature quarterback who looks ready to lead at the next level.
Tennessee needs a player who can energize an offense that’s been stuck in neutral for years, and Ward checks every box.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns find themselves in a fascinating position. Despite trading up in the past to secure quarterbacks, they have been unable to escape the cycle of mediocrity at the position. Deshaun Watson was meant to be the savior when he headed to Cleveland with a record-breaking contract, but his struggles post-trade have become a dark cloud over the team. Transitional QBs have come in and done decent enough jobs over the last couple of years, especially former Super Bowl winner Joe Flacco, who had a blistering cameo at the end of the 2023 season and led the Browns to the playoffs.
Now, however, it’s time to pull the plug on the Watson experiment, while last season’s starter Jameis Winston has headed off to compete with Russell Wilson for the Giants’ starting berth. With the Browns coming in at number two on the board, they too are in a prime position to pull the trigger on a new face of the franchise. That will surely be Shedeur Sanders… at least, that’s what the latest odds listed below think.
The 23-year-old excelled at Colorado last season, leading the nation with a 74% completion rate and many highlight-reel touchdowns. Known for his pinpoint accuracy, poise under pressure, and strong leadership, he’s a franchise-caliber quarterback, and selecting him second overall would provide Cleveland a dynamic talent to rebuild their struggling offense. Should they wait for the second round, then Ole Miss standout Jaxson Dart also represents an intriguing option.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Over in Pittsburgh, the Steelers are beginning to face the reality of life after Ben Roethlisberger, even though the giant QB retired three years ago. Since then, transitional players have come in and out, culminating last term with the addition of both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Those two combined to secure a playoff berth once again for the Black and Yellow, but they never looked like mounting a deep run.
Both those QBs have since departed Acrisure Stadium and the Steelers must now look toward the future. There are rumblings that Aaron Rodgers will be signing on following his ill-fated stint with the Jets at the age of 41, while Will Levis has also joined after leaving the Titans. But they still need to secure a decent quarterback with their 21st overall first-round pick.
Only the Titans and the Browns are ahead of them in the order and in dire need of a new quarterback, while the Jets may also look for a solid selection to back up Justin Fields. But that should still leave Pittsburgh with plenty of room to maneuver. The aforementioned Jaxson Dart may well still be available, but failing that, Alabama Crimson Tide star Jalen Milroe could also still be available.
Adding one of those two would provide a solid foundation for the Steelers to progress. The rookie QB would be able to spend a year or two learning under one of the greatest of all time in A-Rod, and that will set them up perfectly to lead Pittsburgh for years to come.
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