Ranking the NFC West's starting QBs: Where does Matthew Stafford stand in 2025?

USA Today

7 hours ago

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.