As we head into the final stretch of the NFL regular season, the rookie quarterback class is starting to take center stage - not just as future prospects, but as present-day starters. Four first-year signal-callers have now taken over starting jobs, and while their situations vary, each has had moments that show why they were drafted and what kind of ceiling they might have.
Let’s break down how these rookies are stacking up, what they’ve shown on the field, and why their stories are worth watching as the season winds down.
1. Tyler Shough - New Orleans Saints
Drafted: Round 2, 40th overall
Stats: 144-of-216 (66.7%), 1,484 yards, 6 TDs | Record as starter: 3-3
Tyler Shough has brought something to New Orleans that the Saints have been chasing since Drew Brees hung up his cleats in 2021: stability. Since taking over for Spencer Rattler in November, the 26-year-old rookie has been a steadying force under center, helping the Saints to three wins - all against division rivals.
He’s not lighting up the stat sheet, but he’s doing what the Saints need: making smart decisions, keeping the offense on schedule, and giving them a real shot to win. In his second start, Shough led a 17-7 road win over Carolina - a game that marked a turning point for an offense that had been sputtering with Rattler.
What stands out is how much more competent this Saints unit looks with Shough at the helm. He’s shown poise in big moments, too.
Against Tampa Bay, he ran for two scores in a road upset. A week later, he threw for 272 yards against Carolina, including a clutch touchdown pass to tie the game and a drive to set up the game-winning field goal.
Chris Olave summed it up best: “Hell of a player.” And right now, Shough is giving the Saints something they haven’t had in years - a quarterback who looks like he belongs.
2. Jaxson Dart - New York Giants
Drafted: Round 1, 25th overall
Stats: 165-of-264, 1,802 yards, 13 TDs, 4 INTs | Record as starter: 2-7
The Giants haven’t had much to cheer about this season, but Jaxson Dart has at least made Sundays watchable again. The Ole Miss product stepped into a tough situation and has handled it with a calm, composed approach.
His numbers won’t blow you away, but 13 touchdowns to just four interceptions on a struggling team? That’s a solid start.
Dart’s first NFL start came in a surprise win over the Chargers back in September - a moment that gave Giants fans a glimpse of what might be coming. Since then, wins have been hard to come by, but Dart has shown enough flashes to justify the first-round investment.
The key moving forward will be the supporting cast. Injuries have taken their toll, including a season-ending one to rookie running back Cam Skattebo. If the Giants can get healthy and add more weapons around Dart, this offense could take a big step next season.
3. Cam Ward - Tennessee Titans
Drafted: Round 1, 1st overall
Stats: 278-of-469, 2,638 yards, 11 TDs | Record as starter: 2-12
Being the No. 1 overall pick comes with pressure, and Cam Ward has felt all of it. But let’s be real - this Titans team was expected to struggle, and Ward was thrown into the fire from day one. Despite the lack of talent around him, especially at receiver (tight end Chig Okonkwo leads the team with just 459 receiving yards), Ward has held his own.
He’s shown flashes of the dynamic playmaker he was in college - the arm angles, the mobility, the creativity. And lately, he’s started to settle in. Over his last six games, he’s thrown six touchdowns to just one interception, a sign that the game is starting to slow down for him.
Ward’s rookie season won’t be remembered for wins, but it might be remembered as the foundation for something better. The tools are there. Now it’s about building the right system and personnel around him.
4. Shedeur Sanders - Cleveland Browns
Drafted: Round 5, 144th overall
Stats: 72-of-138 (52.2%), 946 yards, 5 TDs, 5 INTs | Record as starter: 1-3
No rookie quarterback entered the league with a bigger draft-day chip on his shoulder than Shedeur Sanders. Projected by many to be a Day 1 or 2 pick, he slid all the way to the fifth round. Since taking over for fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, Sanders has had a rollercoaster start to his NFL career.
The numbers don’t lie - five picks in four and a half games and a completion rate just above 50% - but there have been moments that show why the hype was real. Against Cam Ward and the Titans, Sanders threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns in a breakout performance that hinted at what he’s capable of when things click.
The inconsistency is still there, though. In Week 15, he managed just 177 yards and turned the ball over three times in a blowout loss to Chicago. That’s part of the growing pains, especially for a rookie adjusting to NFL speed.
Still, Sanders has shown enough to stay in the conversation. He’s raw, but the arm talent and confidence are there. If he can clean up the decision-making and improve his efficiency, there’s a real path forward for him in Cleveland.
Also of Note:
Rookie QBs Dillon Gabriel (six starts for the Browns) and Max Brosmer (one start for the Vikings) have also seen action this season, but haven’t yet carved out consistent roles.
Final Takeaway:
This rookie quarterback class is still writing its story, but the early chapters have been compelling. Tyler Shough is making a case as the most NFL-ready of the bunch, while Jaxson Dart and Cam Ward are showing resilience in tough spots.
Shedeur Sanders? He’s the wild card - unpredictable, but undeniably talented.
With three weeks left in the regular season, there’s still time for these rookies to shape their narratives. And if what we’ve seen so far is any indication, the future at quarterback might just be in very good hands.