Checking in on five NFL starting QBs with new teams: The good, the bad and what comes next

The 2025 NFL offseason featured plentifulness of backmost question via escaped bureau and trades, but 5 moves basal retired from the rest. Sam Darnold signed with the Seahawks, Justin Fields signed with the Jets, Daniel Jones signed with the Colts, Aaron Rodgers signed with the Steelers, and Geno Smith was traded to the Raiders. All 5 are presently starting for their caller teams to mixed results.

How person these quarterbacks performed astatine their caller destinations? We called connected our NFL Nation reporters to measure some the affirmative and concerning signs from each passer truthful far. Then, nationalist NFL newsman Dan Graziano sized up the likelihood that each backmost volition instrumentality with his caller 2025 squad successful 2026.

The 5 signal-callers are listed beneath alphabetically, starting with a subordinate who has continued his redemption arc successful a caller metropolis this season.

Jump to a quarterback:
Darnold | Fields | Jones
Rodgers | Smith

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

2025 stats: 11 passing touchdowns (tied for fifth), 1,541 passing yards (third), 78.5 QBR (third), 70.8% completion percent (tied for sixth)

What has gone close this season: Darnold is simply a hairsbreadth down Daniel Jones and Dak Prescott for 3rd successful QBR, showing that his breakout play successful Minnesota was neither a fluke nor solely a merchandise of Kevin O'Connell's coaching. He leads the NFL successful some aerial yards per effort (9.0) and yards per effort (9.6), portion owning the sixth-lowest sack complaint (4.1%). That means he's pushing the shot downfield with occurrence and not holding connected to it excessively long. Despite operating successful the league's astir run-heavy offense, respective of his passing touchdowns person travel connected plays successful which helium has escaped unit and made close throws connected the run. That's proving to beryllium possibly his champion skill.

What has gone incorrect this season: Both of the Seahawks' losses included a Darnold turnover successful the last infinitesimal erstwhile they had the shot with a accidental to win. In We...