Quarterback battles are always the talk of training camp whenever the NFL offseason gets into full swing. There are usually five or so teams that have an intriguing quarterback controversy brewing when training camp arrives, and we, as fans, get to sit back and watch as one QB lays their claim to the starting job. While quarterback battles aren’t as exciting in Madden, you still need to be aware of them if you’re going to start a franchise with a team that has an ongoing battle for the QB1 role.
We have identified five NFL teams that currently have a quarterback controversy in Madden 25. Today, we’ll be going over who we think should win those quarterback battles and start for their team. We’ll be analyzing the situation through the eyes of a Madden player and making the decision that makes the most sense in the virtual world.
Keep in mind, these decisions might not be what actually happens in the NFL, as organizations have more to worry about than strictly what Madden might say.
1. Cleveland Browns
Arguably the most fascinating QB controversy in the NFL at the start of 2025 training camp is with the Cleveland Browns. The Browns signed veteran Joe Flacco in the offseason, drafted two rookie QBs in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, and traded for Super Bowl-winning QB Kenny Pickett. This makes up one of, if not the most intriguing, QB rooms in recent memory.
Now, in real life, it really is a complete guess at this point who the Browns will start in week one. It likely depends on who doesn’t perform the worst in training camp. However, if we examine the controversy through Madden (check out our sim battle: Kirk Cousins vs. Aaron Rodgers), the Browns should probably start rookie Shedeur Sanders when the season begins. While Sanders was drafted two rounds lower than Dillon Gabriel, we can easily envision Madden giving Sanders a higher rating, thus making him the best bet moving forward for a franchise in Madden 25.
In the real world, it’s likely veteran Joe Flacco suiting up under center given his experience, but Sanders could also push the envelope there as well.
2. New York Giants
Next up, we have the New York Giants, who have another interesting QB controversy on their hands. The training camp battle is between veteran Russell Wilson and rookie Jaxson Dart. Wilson is coming off an iffy season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Dart is fresh off being the second QB selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In the real world, there’s no feasible scenario where Wilson doesn’t start. The Giants paid him a significant amount of guaranteed money ($10.5 million), and he has plenty of experience that the Giants will value in week one. However, in the Madden world, you’re better off going with the rookie. Wilson is only on a one-year contract, and the Giants clearly drafted Dart with eyes toward the future. So, why wait to give Dart some experience? Throw him out there week one, let him learn on the fly, and see if he has what it takes to lead the team for years to come.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Now we’ve come to the team that doesn’t just have a QB controversy, but almost no solid option at the position whatsoever. Right now, the QBs vying for the starting job are Mason Rudolph, rookie Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson. We can pretty much guarantee that Thompson is destined for either the back-up or emergency QB role, as his time in Miami didn’t inspire any confidence that he could be a starter in the NFL.
That leaves the veteran Rudolph and the rookie Howard. Between these two, we have a hard time picking between them in terms of guessing who the starter will be in week one in the real world. The same goes for the Madden world, as neither QB instills a sense of ease at the position. With how low Howard was drafted (185th overall), though, Madden would likely give the nod to Rudolph. Rudolph at least has some experience, and he’s played in Pittsburgh before. The hope would be that Howard eventually takes over the starting job, though.
4. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are suddenly left without a clear number one option at quarterback after the sudden retirement of Derek Carr. This leaves sophomore Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough as the two most likely candidates for the starting QB job.
In the real world, the starting job will almost certainly come down to whoever performs better in training camp. Rattler didn’t perform well enough in 2024 to guarantee he keeps the job in 2025, and the Saints drafted Shough high enough (40th overall) that they think he can be the starter. In Madden, this one is a no-brainer, as you’ll want to start Shough in most scenarios. He has more upside and untapped potential than Rattler, and the two will likely be rated very similarly, so going with the rookie makes a lot of sense.
5. Indianapolis Colts
Finally, we arrive in Indy, the home of perhaps the most underwhelming QB battle of 2025. The controversy brewing is between embattled veteran Daniel Jones and third-year “starter” Anthony Richardson. We only put quotations around “starter” due to the fact that Richardson has been injured more than he’s been healthy so far in his career.
Still, Richardson has been the starter when healthy for the Colts, and that trend will likely continue in the real world at the start of 2025. Unless Jones blows the doors off training camp, Indy will presumably stick with Richardson until he gives them a reason not to. The same scenario should happen in Madden, as Jones has just been too unreliable on the field in the past to start over Richardson. Richardson is still young and could figure things out, while Jones is almost certainly relegated to the backup role for the rest of his career unless he pulls a Sam Darnold out of his hat.
And that does it for our list of the five most intriguing QB controversies and how they might play out in Madden. What did you think of our list? Let us know down in the comments below.
