Every NFL season has its share of disappointments, and the 2024-25 campaign was no different.
Whether it was injuries, bad decision-making, or just plain bad luck, these quarterbacks found themselves on the wrong side of history.
15. Russell Wilson – It’s the Hope That Kills You
Rus and the Steelers looked like a team that could make a serious playoff team for a period of time during the season and then, well, the wheels fell off. Not only did the Steelers go on an abysmal losing streak, but Wilson was back to his old ways of holding onto the ball too long or looking completely lost in the pocket.
14. Sam Darnold – The Backup Who Tried
Sam Darnold looked like a new quarterback for much of the 2024 season, that is until the playoffs started. While no one should’ve been surprised by his playoff collapse, it’s clear it brought Vikings fans back down to earth.
13. Tua Tagovailoa – The Inconsistent Enigma
Tua had moments of brilliance, but when he was off, he was way off. Not to mention, missing a good chunk of the season due to a concussion didn’t help his flow. One week he looked solid, the next he was throwing the ball straight into the hands of defenders like he was getting paid by the turnover.
12. Jameis Winston – The Human Lottery Ticket
You never know what you’re going to get with Jameis, and this season was no exception. He threw absolute dimes one moment and then followed it up with an interception so baffling it made his own coach question reality.
11. CJ Stroud – Sophomore Slump Specialist
Stroud took the league by storm as a rookie, but in Year 2, defenses figured him out. His incredible accuracy turned into “why did he throw that?” moments, and the Texans’ hype train definitely slowed down a touch.
10. Trevor Lawrence – The King of Almost
Every year, people say Trevor Lawrence is this close to being elite, and every year, he proves them wrong. With a concerning amount of turnovers and a knack for collapsing in big moments, he remains the NFL’s favorite “maybe next year” quarterback.
9. Anthony Richardson – The “Would Be Good If Healthy” Award Winner
Richardson’s talent is undeniable, but he spent too much time on the sideline. If football were played on the IR list, he’d be an MVP candidate.
8. Dak Prescott – The Stat Padder Extraordinaire
Dak always puts up numbers, but somehow, they don’t really matter. Whether it was costly turnovers or disappearing in big games, Cowboys fans spent another year wondering if he’s actually the guy. Not to mention, he can never seem to stay healthy.
7. Aaron Rodgers – The “What Could Have Been” Season
After missing most of the previous season with an Achilles injury, Rodgers came back… and maybe should have stayed home. His deep ball magic faded, and it turns out ayahuasca doesn’t help you read defenses.
6. Brock Purdy – The Pumpkin Effect
For a while, Purdy looked like a fairy-tale quarterback, but reality eventually hit. When he didn’t have a perfect supporting cast, he turned into a guy who looked more like a seventh-round pick than a future Super Bowl winner.
5. Kirk Cousins – The “Prime Time Letdown” Continues
Cousins once again put up great stats, but whenever the lights were the brightest, he disappeared. At this point, the NFL should just stop scheduling him for prime-time games as an act of mercy.
4. Will Levis – The Mayo Man Meltdown
Levis stormed onto the scene last year, but the league adjusted, and he did not. Turns out chugging mayonnaise in coffee isn’t a long-term recipe for success.
Read More: NFL Starting Quarterbacks Out With Season-Ending Injuries
3. Bryce Young – Lost in Carolina
The Panthers bet big on Bryce Young, and he rewarded them by looking overwhelmed all season. Well, maybe not all season, but he still looks like a deer in headlights almost every Sunday.
Read More: Every NFL Starting Quarterback, Ranked
2. Derek Carr – The King of Almost Good
Every year, people try to convince themselves that Derek Carr is an above-average quarterback, and every year, he proves he’s just almost good. If throwing checkdowns were an art form, he’d be the Picasso of mediocrity.
Read More: Ranking the 30 Best NFL Quarterbacks Playing Now
1. Daniel Jones – The $160 Million Disaster
Daniel Jones got paid like a franchise quarterback and then played like… well, Daniel Jones. Between the injuries and turnovers, it turns out the Giants accidentally gave $160 million to a backup and then decided to let him go.
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