In today’s pass-heavy NFL, quarterback play is the difference between contention and mediocrity. Teams with elite signal-callers compete for championships, while those with inadequate quarterback situations often struggle.
As we approach the 2025 season, several franchises find themselves with the worst QB rooms in the NFL – combinations of unproven rookies, journeyman veterans, and questionable depth charts that could spell trouble.
Let’s examine which teams are facing the most significant quarterback challenges heading into the new season.
New England Patriots: Searching for an Identity
Since Tom Brady’s departure, New England has struggled to find stability at quarterback. Their current situation epitomizes what makes up the worst QB rooms in the NFL.
The Patriots are pinning hopes on rookie Drake Maye, who possesses impressive physical attributes but remains a developmental project.
Veteran Jacoby Brissett provides leadership but limited upside as a placeholder. With a rebuilding offensive line and few proven weapons, whoever takes snaps in Foxborough faces an uphill battle. The Patriots are banking on potential rather than proven production.
-
Denver Broncos: A Costly Reset
After the Russell Wilson experiment failed spectacularly, Denver pivoted to Bo Nix with their first-round selection. Sean Payton clearly believes in Nix’s collegiate experience, but questions remain about his ceiling at the professional level.
Behind him, Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci offer minimal security. The Broncos are still paying for Wilson’s contract while fielding one of the worst QB rooms in the NFL in terms of proven talent. Payton’s system may elevate their performance, but the raw materials are concerning.
2. Washington Commanders: All Eggs in One Basket
Selecting Caleb Williams first overall gave Washington its most exciting quarterback prospect in decades.
However, the Commanders’ quarterback depth is alarmingly thin. Marcus Mariota represents the insurance policy of a once-promising starter whose career has devolved into backup status.
The offensive line remains a work in progress, creating significant risk for their prized rookie. If Williams struggles or gets injured, Washington has no viable Plan B, landing them firmly among teams with questionable quarterback situations.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Awkward Transition Phase
Minnesota’s post-Cousins strategy involves Sam Darnold as a bridge starter and first-rounder J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings. This arrangement creates natural tension, with Darnold’s inconsistent career offering little confidence as a long-term solution.
McCarthy is widely considered raw and potentially years away from his ceiling. For a team with elite weapons like Justin Jefferson, this quarterback uncertainty could waste prime years of their offensive talent. The Vikings exemplify how even talented rosters can be undermined by the worst QB rooms in the NFL.
4. Las Vegas Raiders: Mediocrity Personified
The Raiders’ quarterback competition between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell inspires little excitement.
O’Connell showed flashes as a rookie but remains largely unproven, while Minshew has established himself as a high-end backup rather than a franchise cornerstone.
Las Vegas passed on multiple opportunities to draft a potential quarterback of the future, instead embracing a holding pattern that fails to maximize stars like Davante Adams. This lack of direction places them squarely among the worst QB rooms in the NFL.
Honorable Mentions
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Baker Mayfield’s resurgence was impressive, but sustainability questions remain with limited depth behind him.
- Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins provides experience but is recovering from a major injury, while rookie Michael Penix Jr. creates an uncertain succession plan.
- Seattle Seahawks: Geno Smith regressed in 2023, and the team lacks developmental prospects behind him.
Defining Quarterback Room Weakness
What truly constitutes one of the worst QB rooms in the NFL? Several factors typically contribute:
- Absence of a clear franchise quarterback
- Insufficient depth if injuries occur
- Misalignment between the coach and quarterback skills
- Limited development infrastructure
Elite teams prioritize not just their starter but the entire quarterback ecosystem – something these struggling franchises have failed to accomplish.
Expert Editorial Comment
The 2025 season will be particularly challenging for teams with the worst QB rooms in the NFL. While franchises like Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Buffalo enjoy stability and excellence at the position, others scramble with stopgap solutions and unproven talents.
History shows that without competent quarterback play, even the most talented rosters struggle to compete. For these five teams especially, quarterback performance will likely determine whether they’re drafting early again in 2026 or finally turning their fortunes around.