– Advertisement –
The NFL preseason always brings its share of quarterback intrigue, but the 2025 edition features a fresh twist—rookie signal-callers battling for more than just roster spots. With veterans holding temporary reins and franchises in flux, a handful of rookie QBs have a real chance to tilt the spotlight in their direction.
Whether fighting for a starting job or building buzz for the future, these rookies are poised to command attention and, in some cases, shape the storyline before Week 1 even kicks off.
Shedeur Sanders & Dillon Gabriel: Cleveland’s Two-Rookie Gambit
No team enters preseason with a more tangled quarterback web than the Cleveland Browns. Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett bring experience, but it’s the two rookies, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, who offer the most intrigue.
Gabriel fits the mold of a system quarterback. He’s poised, disciplined, and known for his quick release. Cleveland’s coaching staff loves his efficiency and timing, making him a natural fit in a West Coast-based scheme. He’s also the more experienced of the two, boasting 63 collegiate starts and nearly 19,000 career passing yards.
Sanders, however, carries star potential. With his elite ball placement and 74% completion rate at Colorado, he dazzled scouts pre-draft. His calm demeanor under pressure could easily translate to the NFL. That said, he’s starting behind everyone else on the depth chart as a fourth-stringer with limited reps to prove his worth.
If either rookie manages to leapfrog Pickett or Flacco during preseason action, it’ll dominate headlines. With Cleveland holding two first-round picks in 2026, this preseason is likely their only shot to prove they belong before the franchise looks elsewhere.
Tyler Shough: Saints’ Surprise Engine
Tyler Shough’s path to NFL relevance has been anything but traditional. Now 25 and entering his eighth football season, the rookie out of Louisville is staring down a golden opportunity in New Orleans. Derek Carr’s abrupt retirement opened the door, and while the Saints claim an even three-man competition is underway, the whispers around Shough are growing louder.
He’s a pocket passer who plays in rhythm, exactly what new coach Kellen Moore needs in his scheme. Shough’s play-action success in college, where he posted 12 touchdowns and just one interception off fakes, translates well to Moore’s system that thrives on deception and timing.
It’s no surprise then that he’s beginning to draw attention in early FanDuel NFL preseason odds, with bettors and analysts alike sensing his upside in a wide-open quarterback battle.
Rattler and Haener offer alternative options, but neither carries the same combination of experience and immediate potential. Shough won’t just be evaluated as a long-term project. If he wins this competition outright, he could become a rare rookie Week 1 starter.
Jaxson Dart: Waiting in New York Shadows
Jaxson Dart landed with the New York Giants as their chosen future. Selected late in Round 1, Dart isn’t expected to start immediately. That doesn’t mean he won’t be a major story this August.
He possesses one of the most exciting deep balls in this rookie class, finishing second in the FBS with 35 completions of 20-plus air yards last season. That vertical threat pairs perfectly with the Giants’ explosive receiver Malik Nabers, setting up a dynamic future connection.
Amid NFL trends and betting strategies, Dart’s preseason performance could become a key talking point; not just for fans, but for those watching the bigger picture. For now, the path is blocked by veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. If Dart flashes during preseason, especially against second-team defenses, it may put pressure on the coaching staff to fast-track his development.
The media will undoubtedly focus on every throw, every rep, and every sideline clip. A few big moments could turn a long-term plan into a short-term reconsideration.
Riley Leonard: A Sleeper QB in the Colts’ Crowded Room
Riley Leonard won’t start Week 1 for the Colts, and he may not even dress. Yet his presence adds a quiet tension to Indianapolis’ quarterback room. While all eyes are on the battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, Leonard represents the long view.
He’s a developmental dual-threat quarterback, drafted late but with a defined plan. The Colts envision him as a future contributor, someone who could rise up the depth chart over time. He’ll make his mark if either of the current competitors falters.
The Colts have embraced the idea of grooming a long-term backup with starting upside. If Leonard shows progress during camp or impresses in limited preseason work, Indianapolis will likely stash him with care. He may not drive the narrative now, but a few flashes could secure his future and fuel conversations about what’s next.
Jalen Milroe: The Seahawks Depth Surprise
Milroe is unlikely to see starting reps in Seattle, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be invisible. The Seahawks love his dynamic athleticism and ability to create on the fly. He may not be polished enough to compete with Sam Darnold or even Drew Lock, but Milroe could carve out a niche.
Seattle reportedly has packages designed to use his legs and arms in special scenarios. Expect him to appear in red zone formations during the preseason, a spotlight opportunity to build early momentum.
Milroe could become this year’s version of Taysom Hill, a multipurpose weapon who keeps defenses honest. That kind of usage generates buzz, especially if it leads to touchdowns. He may not be part of the starting conversation, but his unique skill set ensures he won’t go unnoticed.
Preseason Performances That Could Define Careers
Preseason narratives aren’t born on depth charts. They’re made on the field. Rookie quarterbacks have a limited window to prove themselves. Every throw and every snap carries weight. For Gabriel, Sanders, Shough, Dart, Milroe, and Leonard, August isn’t about waiting; it’s about seizing.
Some may fade into backup roles or practice squads. Others could emerge as unexpected starters. With uncertainty clouding multiple franchises, one stellar preseason performance can ignite a quarterback controversy, shift a rebuild, or redefine a career. As history shows, all it takes is a spark. These rookies just need a chance to light it.
