2025 Passer Preview, Part 1: AFC North Quarterbacks
As the NFL landscape shifts toward a new era of quarterback play, the 2025 season promises a fascinating mix of established elites, rising stars, aging legends, and system-driven wildcards. This eight-part series breaks down each division’s projected starting quarterbacks, blending statistical output from 2024 with contextual analysis and forward-looking insight.
As a part of this series, each passer will be evaluated based on situation, skill, and projections for what they bring to the table in 2025 for their team. In addition, every QB will be placed in one of the following 5 Tiers:
1. The Big 4
2. Elite
3. Above Replacement
4. Risers/Bridge Guys/Rookies
5. Cellar Dwellers
Let’s kick things off with the AFC North for Part 1 of this “2025 Passer Preview,” a division where experience meets volatility and every QB enters 2025 with something to prove in a different way.
LAMAR JACKSON — BALTIMORE RAVENS 
2024 STATS:
Age: 28 | Exp: 7 | CMP: 316 | ATT: 474 | YDS: 4,172 | TD: 41 | INT: 4 | RTG: 119.6 | Rush Yds: 915 | Rush TDs: 4
QB Tier 1: The Big 4
2025 Projection: MVP Candidate
Lamar Jackson makes things go for the most explosive total offense in the league. He’s one of the four QBs that are currently the face of the league, and if he hung up his cleats today, he’d already be the greatest dual threat QB of all time. The Ravens have nothing but Super Bowl expectations with him under center. While he has to play better in January, Jackson should be in line for another All-Pro/MVP caliber season if he stays healthy.
JOE BURROW — CINCINNATI BENGALS 
2024 STATS:
Age: 28 | Exp: 5 | CMP: 460 | ATT: 652 | YDS: 4,918 | TD: 43 | INT: 9 | RTG: 108.5 | Rush Yds: 201 | Rush TDs: 2
QB Tier 1: The Big 4
2025 Projection: MVP Candidate
The AFC North is home to 2 of “The Big 4” superstar QBs in the league today. Joe Burrow is the league’s best pure passer, displaying pristine pocket management, anticipation, recognition, and accuracy. No QB has more riding on him in 2025, as he looks to carry his team’s Super Bowl expectations despite a defense that projects to be one of the worst in football. If anyone caan do it, it’s Joe Burrow.
AARON RODGERS — PITTSBURGH STEELERS 
2024 STATS:
Age: 41 | Exp: 20 | CMP: 368 | ATT: 584 | YDS: 3,897 | TD: 28 | INT: 11 | RTG: 90.5 | Rush Yds: 107 | Rush TDs: 0
QB Tier 3: Above Replacement
2025 Projection: Borderline Top 12 QB
Rodgers isn’t playing anymore like the All-Time great QB he once was, but there seems to be some juice left in the tank even after a nightmare stint with the Jets. Entering his 21st year, Rodgers will look to turn back the clock in an epick “Last Ride” season with Pittsburgh. He still brings an elite arm, pocket awareness, and the veteran savvy to be effective in situational ball, but can he recapture some of the magic that made him so dangerous as a passer? The Steelers hope so.
JOE FLACCO — CLEVELAND BROWNS 
2024 STATS:
Age: 40 | Exp: 17 | CMP: 162 | ATT: 248 | YDS: 1,761 | TD: 12 | INT: 7 | RTG: 90.5 | Rush Yds: 26 | Rush TDs: 0
QB Tier 4: Risers/Bridge Guys/Rookies
2025 Projection: Stand in for mid-season Rookie takeover
Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski announced on Monday that Joe Flacco will be the Week 1 starting Quarterback. As expected. Joe Flacco is the obvious choice, with neither Rookie (Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders) ready to begin the season as the starter. Joe Flacco gives the team a baseline for QB play. He can still sling it, and he diagnoses defenses well pre-snap, but he’ll be on the shortest of leashes. With the Browns projected to not be very good in 2025, it’s doubtful the 40-year-old plays the full season, with Stefanski and co. wanting to take a look at the young guys before a highly consequential 2026 Offseason.
For more NFL analysis from Jeremy Betz, click HERE.