Now that the 2025 NFL Schedule has been released, it is time for a pair of time-honored traditions in the sports media business.
Predictions and rankings.
Every media outlet under the sun is producing rankings and predictions based on the schedule, and here at SB Nation, we are no different. Last night, we released our top ten Monday Night Football games, for example, and in this story, we are looking at the rookie quarterbacks, with some predictions on when they will make their first NFL starts.
Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
Week 1 at Denver
When you are the player drafted at No. 1, there is every expectation you will be under center when the season begins. That is certainly the situation with Cam Ward. The Titans entered the offseason with a pressing need at quarterback and absent something dramatic, this is Ward’s season to begin with.
Making your debut on the road, and in Denver, is not ideal, but that is the situation Ward finds to begin his career.
Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
Week 15 vs. Washington
In the days leading up to the 2025 NFL Schedule Release, there were rumors of a difficult start to the year for the New York Giants.
Those rumors were proven correct.
New York begins the year with two divisional games on the road, starting at Washington and then going to Dallas. Their home opener comes in Week 3, when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs come to town. Then there are games against the Chargers, New Orleans, and Philadelphia — on a short week — to close out their first six games ahead of a mini-bye week before they play at Denver, and then at Philadelphia.
That is a tough stretch, and a good reason the Giants have both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on the roster.
But when it comes to rookie Jaxson Dart, the Giants will want to see him on the field this year. While there might not be an ideal time for that debut, Week 13 against New England might be an option as it comes on a Monday night, giving him an extra day of preparation, the better choice might come in Week 15. Yes, it is a game against the Commanders, but it comes after a bye week, and it is a home game for the Giants. Dart will get an extra week of preparation and a chance to show what he can do down the stretch.
Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
Week 1 vs. Arizona
Derek Carr’s retirement has likely forced the Saints’ hand this year.
New Orleans enters the season with a quarterback room of Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, Hunter Dekkers — who the team signed after a tryout — and Tyler Shough, the quarterback New Orleans drafted early in the second round.
Barring a shock move for Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins, one of these four is starting in Week 1.
Rattler might have a shot at winning this job, given the flashes he showed last year, but Kellen Moore might want to get a look at Shough early, and giving him the nod in Week 1 gives the coaching staff extra time to get the rookie ready.
Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns
Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh
If you thought the extensive coverage of Shedeur Sanders during the 2025 NFL Draft was overdone, just wait until the Cleveland Browns have their first three-and-out of the season.
However, Sanders is just one of five quarterbacks on Cleveland’s roster entering the summer. Deshaun Watson is expected to miss the bulk of the year due to the Achilles injury, which required a second surgery, and Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are the veteran options on the roster.
But at some point the coaching staff might want to take a look at Sanders, and the Week 17 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers might be an option for his first NFL start.
Whether that comes ahead of Dillon Gabriel, the other rookie quarterback Cleveland drafted, remains to be seen.