Quarterbacks set the tone for any NFL team, and the preseason is where reputations begin to be built or start to unravel.
Fans tune in not just to see who throws touchdowns, but who leads, who adapts, and who looks ready for the pressure of the spotlight. Whether you follow for the love of the game or to stay ahead on NFL betting news, quarterback performance during preseason offers plenty of clues.
Here are ten quarterbacks worth watching as the 2025 NFL preseason gets underway.
Dak Prescott – Cowboys
Prescott enters the preseason with something to prove. A torn hamstring cut his 2024 season short, but his 2023 numbers were elite: 69.5% completion, 4,516 yards, and 36 touchdowns. With the addition of wide receiver George Pickens, he now has more tools than ever.
Prescott’s preseason games will show if he has fully recovered and can reestablish himself among the league’s best.
Jayden Daniels – Commanders
Daniels broke out fast. As a rookie, he took the Commanders to the NFC Championship and won Offensive Rookie of the Year. His dual-threat skill set, 3,568 passing yards, and 891 rushing yards have already changed how defences prepare for Washington.
Expect his reps this preseason to be limited, but any snap from Daniels is a chance to witness one of the league’s most dynamic young quarterbacks.
Justin Herbert – Chargers
Herbert’s evolution is a key story this year. Under Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman, he became more of a system quarterback. Fewer highlight plays, but smarter decisions. His 2024 stat line, 23 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, reflects that shift.
How he handles his second year in this system will be a major focus of early NFL betting insights and preseason commentary.
Baker Mayfield – Buccaneers
Mayfield shocked a lot of people last season with 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. Now, he needs to prove it wasn’t a fluke. He will be without Chris Godwin for the start of the season, but the Bucs have added rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Preseason will reveal how quickly Mayfield can sync with the new players around him and if he can carry last year’s momentum into 2025.
Jared Goff – Lions
Goff looked comfortable under Ben Johnson’s system. With Johnson now gone, Goff faces another career test. He is coming off a 4,600+ yard season with 37 touchdowns and one of the highest completion percentages in the league.
All eyes will be on how he adjusts to new offensive coordinator John Morton. Expect a noticeable shift in play-calling and rhythm during preseason.
Jalen Hurts – Eagles
Hurts lifted the trophy in 2024, but his passing numbers took a dip. He leaned into the Eagles’ run-first identity, adding 630 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.
The preseason is a chance to see how the Eagles plan to balance the run and pass this year. Hurts’ reps may be short, but his decision-making and play design will be under the microscope.
Joe Burrow – Bengals
Burrow had his best year yet in 2024, 4,918 yards, 43 touchdowns, and a 70.6% completion rate. Even though the Bengals fell short in 2024, his connection with Ja’Marr Chase was nearly unstoppable.
Do not expect heavy snaps in preseason, but even limited action will be key for understanding how aggressive the Bengals plan to be this year. Burrow’s timing and rhythm are worth watching closely.
Lamar Jackson – Ravens
Jackson keeps rewriting the rules for what a quarterback can be. The reigning MVP threw 41 touchdowns last season and once again led all quarterbacks in rushing yards.
The only missing piece is a Super Bowl run. Baltimore’s preseason plan likely keeps Jackson’s snaps light, but every drive will be watched for hints of new wrinkles in the Ravens’ offensive strategy. His performance often influences early NFL betting predictions, and this year will be no exception.
Patrick Mahomes – Chiefs
Mahomes had a down year by his standards. Under 4,000 passing yards and just 26 touchdowns. But with a reloaded offense featuring Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, and second-year receiver Xavier Worthy, expectations are high.
The preseason may not show Mahomes at full throttle, but how he moves and connects with new targets will give insight into what kind of year the Chiefs are aiming for.
Odds-watchers are already tuned in. The movement in FanDuel preseason odds reflects how Mahomes’ bounce-back potential is being priced in early.
Josh Allen – Bills
Allen has reached top-tier status. No Diggs? No problem. He threw for 3,731 yards and 28 touchdowns and ran for 12 more. He continues to be Buffalo’s most reliable weapon and most versatile player.
Allen’s preseason snaps are about refining chemistry with a new receiving corps. Don’t be surprised if he takes a leadership role early in camp to further build on that rapport.
Why Preseason QB Performance Matters
It is easy to write off preseason as meaningless, but quarterback performance often sets the tone for Week 1. These games reveal chemistry with receivers, grasp of new schemes, and, in some cases, job security.
For bettors and analysts tracking NFL betting news, the preseason provides important clues:
- Quarterback health and mobility after injuries,
- Early relationships with new offensive assets,
- Coaching tendencies and play-calling styles.
Performance in August doesn’t guarantee success in January, but it does provide a foundation for expectations.
Looking Ahead
This quarterback class is deep and full of storylines. Some are chasing redemption, others are chasing rings, and a few are trying to prove they belong in the top tier. That’s why preseason matters.
It is not just about box scores, it‘s about who is ready to lead when it counts. Those watching closely will come away with valuable NFL betting insights and a clearer sense of how this season might unfold.
