The 2025 NFL season has been wildly unpredictable, however down quarterback play has been a continuing. A mixture of inconsistent offensive line play and defensive changes have led to the bottom passing in 14 years, and a regression that started in 2020.
5 years in the past quarterbacks across the league threw for a median of 240.2 yards per sport. Now that has plummeted to 212.3 league large. In that very same 2020 season we had 12 passers who completed with over 4,000 yards passing, whereas in 2025 we’re projected to have six quarterbacks cross the 4,000 yard mark.
Whereas yardage is down, we’re seeing some fascinating developments with a number of the high quarterbacks. Superior metrics which present why some quarterbacks are thriving in 2025, and there’s some fascinating particulars contained in the numbers.
No. 1: Drake Maye is on one other degree
There’s good motive Drake Maye is on the hype prepare for MVP this season as he’s introduced the Patriots again from mediocrity and turned them into among the best groups within the NFL, however contained in the superior numbers he’s been completely gorgeous.
Maye’s 135 score in yards-per-attempt nearly places him among the many best single seasons in NFL historical past. Averaging 8.7 yards on each play, this sort of deep passing is often indicative of inaccuracy or excessive risk-reward variance. That’s simply not occurring with the Patriots’ QB. He’s managing to throw deep and throw effectively, which is incongruous.
Not solely does Maye have a 122 completion share index (league-leading), however solely 13.5% of his passes are categorized as unhealthy throws. As well as he’s solely had a median of two.2 seconds in pocket time this yr, which is historically a marker for fast, brief yardage throwing, and numerous errors.
Principally nothing Maye is doing is sensible, however every part is elite. If the Patriots had a high-tier offensive line he might be having one of many best seasons in NFL historical past.
No. 2: Caleb Williams is not like anybody within the NFL
It’s slightly tough to guage Williams primarily based on his entire season efficiency, as a result of frankly he wasn’t at his finest to begin the yr whereas adapting to Ben Johnson’s system. Now we’re seeing Williams and Johnson marry their techniques collectively, which is having some enormous outcomes.
The Bears have accepted that Williams doesn’t have the precision accuracy the Johnson system usually calls for, and thats okay. Caleb has been a 57.8% passer this season, which is beneath the suitable degree for contemporary QBs — and he has a fairly staggering 20.7% unhealthy throw charge. When he misses, he misses large — however there are additionally numerous explosive performs popping out of those makes an attempt.
Very a lot a feast or famine quarterback at this level in his profession, the place Williams is actually dominating is his off platform throwing. Not solely does Williams have a 116 sack score, displaying he’s among the best QBs within the league at avoiding stress — however he has a 116 interception score as nicely. This implies he’s escaping stress, throwing deep, however not turning it over. It is a successful method, particularly when the protection is producing turnovers.
No. 3: Trevor Lawrence is the king of construction
Rather a lot has been made out of the work Liam Coen has achieved to right the mechanics of Trevor Lawrence this season, and it’s actually displaying because the season has gone on. Maybe probably the most fascinating aspect of that is how the Jaguars don’t want to make use of numerous particular offensive scheming or packages for Lawrence to derive his success.
Of Lawrence’s over 3,400 passing yards this season, solely 790 have come on play motion, and fewer than 100 yards on RPO performs — which aren’t actually part of the Jaguars playbook. What this implies is that Coen and the Jags aren’t needing to attempt to create situations the place Lawrence can win within the passing sport, he’s merely doing it himself within construction, significantly out of the shotgun.
We additionally see how a lot room there may be to enhance much more. Solely 14% of Lawrence’s passes are outlined as unhealthy throws, placing him up close to Drake Maye — nonetheless his completion share remains to be beneath common. Lawrence is lacking small, and this implies there’s only some extra changes to be made to his passing and we’re going to see him get even higher.
No. 4: Jared Goff’s mistake-free play in unreal
We all know Jared Goff’s finest trait is his intelligence relating to choice making. Naturally a risk-averse QB who’s joyful to sacrifice a possible large play for an general win on a drive, Goff’s accuracy and choice making have been subsequent degree in 2025.
This season he he has a career-best 1% interception charge on his passes, which means that on common he’s solely throwing a decide each three video games, whereas throwing the ball over 33 instances per sport. That is occurring regardless of having a profession low 2.0 seconds of pocket time this yr. Whereas that has actually impacted Goff’s on-target throwing this season (which is right down to 70.1% from 80.5% a yr in the past), he’s not turning the ball over.
No. 5: Matthew Stafford is having a profession yr
The wildest factor about Stafford’s season is what number of dang touchdowns he’s throwing. At a TD charge of seven.7% he’s successfully scoring with the soccer each 14 go makes an attempt — which is exceptional for a quantity thrower. Not solely that, however he’s setting career-highs in quite a few superior metrics.
- Adjusted yards-per-attempt
- Adjusted web yards-per-attempt
- Highest TD%
- Lowest INT%
- Passer score index
By no means lauded as being probably the most correct passer, Stafford remains to be within the mid-65% vary, which is a lot ok. The most important factor is that he’s throwing lots of touchdowns, an not turning the ball over. That is the distinction.
No. 6: Patrick Mahomes was flat-out unhealthy this yr for the primary time
It doesn’t take a sage to note that the Chiefs have been unhealthy this yr, however within that Mahomes was actually beneath common this season. This wasn’t merely a case of everybody letting Pat down, however he let the Chiefs down as nicely.
Most critically the 2025 season was a yr the place Mahomes was simply common in numerous key areas, which is unhealthy in his ebook. He had a 100 rating in interception charge, which places him lifeless common. This was paired by a below-average landing and completion charge. Additionally, whereas he’s obscenely accuracy, Mahomes had a career-low in on track throwing at 74.3% and a excessive in unhealthy throws.
It was a middling season by NFL requirements, which makes it an terrible season by Mahomes’ requirements.
No. 7: Bryce Younger is placing all of it collectively
The Panthers are the weirdest group within the NFL, and within that weirdness we’ve seen Bryce Younger change into a lightning rod for criticism. There was some critical up-and-down play, however watching the movie there are numerous exterior elements chargeable for that — and the numbers bear it out.
Younger solely had 15.7% unhealthy throws on the season, placing him within the higher echelon of NFL quarterbacks this yr. His success charge as a passer has additionally taken an enormous soar from 39% final yr, to 44.6% this season — which is above Trevor Lawrence or Caleb Williams.
The most important space that Younger has thrived this season is within the clutch. He has the best passer score within the fourth quarter of any quaterback, in addition to registering 4 4th quarter comebacks, and a league-leading six game-winning drives (tied with Bo Nix and Caleb Williams). These 10 clutch video games characterize the Panthers season they usually’ve struggled numerous protection and required the QB to play them again into the sport, and Younger has achieved it.
