Epic Battles: Who will be the starting QB in Browns and Colts for Week 1?

The Most Fascinating NFL Quarterback Battles in 2025

The 2025 NFL training camp season presents some quarterback battles that promise to be exciting. Although not all franchises face open competition in this key position, there are four situations that stand out for their intrigue and potential impact on the season. The Saints, the Giants, the Colts, and the Browns are the teams that star in these disputes. Each with unique dynamics, whether it’s the emergence of a rookie, the presence of veterans seeking a last chance, or unprecedented competition. Here’s an analysis of each team’s situation, based on conversations with league sources and projections for the start of the season.

Cleveland Browns

Candidates: Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders. The Browns find themselves in an unusual situation, with multiple high-caliber contenders. Flacco and Pickett, both former first-round picks, compete with rookies Gabriel and Sanders, chosen in this year’s draft. Flacco, a 40-year-old veteran and Super Bowl XLVII MVP, seeks to extend his career after a brief but successful stint in Cleveland in 2023. Pickett, coming from the Steelers, arrives after a season as a backup. Gabriel and Sanders, selected in the draft, represent the future of the franchise. Internal competition in Cleveland is complicated by the need to effectively distribute practice repetitions. This could affect the development of rookies, who started the spring behind Flacco and Pickett on the depth chart. The Browns are open to any of the four earning the starting position for Week 1, and how the coaching staff divides the repetitions in the coming weeks could be crucial. Prediction for the starting quarterback in Week 1: Pickett. Despite the competition, the franchise could give Pickett the opportunity, whom they actively sought. Although it is expected that at least one of the rookies will have opportunities to play during the season to evaluate their potential.

Indianapolis Colts

Candidates: Anthony Richardson Sr., Daniel Jones. In Indianapolis, the competition focuses on Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. Richardson, selected at number 4 in 2023, has struggled with injuries, which has limited his playing time. Jones, who joined the team this year, seeks to seize the opportunity to prove his worth. Both quarterbacks offer athletic abilities, but Richardson, with his size and speed, represents the Colts’ long-term project.

McAfee: Anthony Richardson looks like he’s about to take over the entire AFC

The pressure on general manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen is high, as the Colts haven’t won the AFC South since 2014. Although Richardson is the future, Jones could be an option to win games immediately. Richardson’s health will be key to their success. Prediction for the headline in Week 1: Richardson. Despite a possible initial advantage for Jones due to Richardson’s injuries in the spring, Richardson is expected, if healthy, to outperform Jones in training camp.

New Orleans Saints

Candidates: Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener. The Saints present a three-way competition. Shough, a rookie selected in the second round of the draft, competes with Rattler and Haener. Shough, with experience at several universities, could be one of the best quarterback selections of the 2025 class. Following the retirement of Derek Carr, Shough is emerging as the favorite, but the internal competition is intense. The technical staff is dividing the first team’s repetitions equally, and the final decision could depend on the preseason games. Rattler and Haener will seek to prove their worth, although current numbers suggest that Shough could have an advantage. Prediction for the headline in Week 1: Shough. Coach Kellen Moore could give Shough the opportunity, who already had his support before being selected.

New York Giants

Candidates: Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Jaxson Dart. The Giants, with Tommy DeVito on the roster, have added Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to compete with Jaxson Dart, a rookie selected in the first round. Dart, after a standout season at Ole Miss, seeks to become the franchise quarterback. Wilson, a veteran with Super Bowl experience, is seen as the initial starter, with Dart learning and developing. Coach Brian Daboll has stated that Wilson is the starter. However, Dart could get the opportunity if he shows exceptional performance. Winston could be an option as a backup or even a possible trade if Dart proves to be ready sooner than expected. Prediction for the starting quarterback in Week 1: Wilson. Although Dart is the future, Wilson will start to allow Dart to develop without pressure.