Matt Johnson
We’re nearly two weeks into NFL training camp and players finally got to put on their pads for contact practices this past week. While it’s always important not to overreact too much to how quarterbacks are performing in the summer, with offenses typically behind defenses, we can take stock of how they are doing.
Let’s dive into our analysis of how some notable quarterbacks are performing this summer based on a collection of reporting throughout NFL training camps.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots: Stock Up
The New England Patriots have a pretty good feeling that they’ve found their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye—and for good reason. In his rookie year, Maye showcased the caliber of athleticism, arm strength, and playmaking that is only found in great quarterbacks. Now, with a better supporting cast around him, he needs to polish up his game. Fortunately, per Chad Graff of The Athletic, Maye is really doing a great job taking care of the football this summer. After throwing 10 interceptions in 11 appearances as a rookie, he’s done a great job improving his decision-making and cutting down on interceptions so far. It has come at a bit of a cost, as Graff detailed, but Maye did show last year that he’s plenty comfortable throwing downfield.
Related: New England Patriots Schedule Predictions 2025, Game by Game Picks
Michael Penix Jr, Atlanta Falcons: Stock Down
The Atlanta Falcons are all-in on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and a lot is riding on the shoulders of the second-year player. He’s not being challenged for the starting job this summer, allowing him to get all of the first-team reps to build more rapport with the likes of Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson. He’s not exactly seizing on the opportunity thus far. Josh Kendall of The Athletic wrote in his Falcons training camp observations that Penix’s accuracy has been an issue, completing under 50 percent of his passes in a third of practices. While the Falcons’ coaching staff has stated they’ve made practices “intentionally difficult” for the franchise quarterback, the penchant for missed throws was also an issue last season.
Related: Worst NFL Rosters 2025, including the Falcons
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: Stock Up
In his rookie year, quarterback Bo Nix struggled early with calling plays on time in Denver Broncos training camp and he would draw the ire of head coach Sean Payton. A year later, after a very promising rookie campaign, Nix is one of the standouts in Denver this summer. Nix excelled in Day 8 of camp and Payton has even called Dianna Russini of The Athletic to rave about how good the offense is looking this summer with his second-year quarterback at the helm. Nix is showing a far better feel for Payton’s system than he did a year ago, which bodes very well for those who believe Denver becomes a Super Bowl contender this fall.
Related: Bold NFL Predictions 2025, including Bo Nix
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks: Stock Down
There’s an old saying in the NFL that if you have two quarterbacks, you have none. The Cleveland Browns came into NFL training camp with four quarterbacks, each claiming to have a shot at the Week 1 starting job. That’s the problem. After being eased into action heading into his age-40 season, Joe Flacco got off to a slow start and has completed under 60 percent of his pass attempts through nine training camp sessions. That would seemingly open the door for Kenny Pickett to claim the starting job, but he’s been sidelined by a hamstring injury and is only slowly being eased back into the fold.
As for the rookies, reporters and attendees haven’t exactly been impressed by third-round pick Dillon Gabriel. The rookie has completed under 55 percent of his passes, thrown 2 interceptions, and his arm strength remains an issue. Shedeur Sanders, who didn’t receive a single rep with the first-team offense this summer until last week, was sidelined by an injury on Saturday. He’s put up great numbers—6 touchdowns and a 70 percent completion rate—but an overwhelming amount of that success is coming against defenders who might not make the Browns’ roster.
Related: Shedeur Sanders Sidelined by Injury
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: Stock Up
For second-year quarterbacks, impressing at NFL training camp isn’t necessarily all about physical improvements. In the case of Washington Commanders star Jayden Daniels, it’s also about standing out more as a leader. ESPN‘s Dan Graziano highlighted the latest example as one of his notes from Commanders training camp. Daniels is willing to kick teammates out of drills if they aren’t executing their assignments, including for false starts. Coming off an MVP-caliber season, Daniels is taking the next step in his evolution as the face of the franchise.
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Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears: Stock Down
This isn’t about the clips that made the rounds of Caleb Williams repeatedly missing throws during a net drill this past week. After all, the second-year quarterback has also made some highlight-reel worthy shows and delivered some precision strikes downfield. However, ‘sloppy‘ mental mistakes are plaguing the Chicago Bears offense, resulting in Johnson calling the issues out multiple times publicly. The alarm bell shouldn’t be going off for Bears fans; there’s no reason to panic right now. However, this should be a good reminder that it takes a lot of time to learn Johnson’s system and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Williams’ second season starts slow before he starts showing why he can be a franchise quarterback as he settles down in this new scheme.
Related: NFL Breakout Candidates 2025, including Caleb Williams
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars: Stock Up
It’s now or never for Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He’s got an excellent receiver tandem in Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter, two playmakers who can create yards after the catch if he delivers throws on time. On top of that, Liam Coen’s offense will revitalize the run game, and the play-calling itself is tailored to Lawrence’s strengths. So far, the results in NFL training camp are promising. Reporting from ESPN‘s Michael DiRocco on Lawrence and the Jaguars’ practices has been very positive. Of course, Lawrence now has to carry that momentum over into the season.
Related: Predicting NFL Breakout Teams in 2025, including the Jaguars
Aaron Rodders, Pittsburgh Steelers: Stock Down
The Pittsburgh Steelers put all their proverbial eggs in the basket of a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers for this season. It’s safe to say that the early returns don’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence. Among the offensive concerns highlighted by Mike DeFabo of The Athletic from Steelers training camp, the vertical passing game remains out of sync and Rodgers hasn’t shown any real chemistry with any of the receivers competing for the No. 2 role. Some might downplay the disconnect in the vertical passing attack with the lack of reps he’s taken with DK Metcalf. Just keep in mind that these two have been doing throwing sessions together since March, so it’s not as if they just met last month.
Related: NFL QBs Who Could Get Benched in 2025
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers: Stock Up
When Los Angeles Chargers head coach John Harbaugh challenges everyone in the organization to play up to his standard, that’s quite the endorsement. Justin Herbert has shined in Chargers training camp this summer, showing both a greater willingness to use his athleticism and some exceptional playmaking ability. He already has outstanding chemistry with top receiver Ladd McConkey, and the rapport with Tre Harris, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, is making leaps and bounds. Herbert is performing like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Now, the talent around him needs to keep improving.
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Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers: Stock Up
The two most common criticisms of Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love last season were that he didn’t run enough and that his penchant for reckless, off-platform throws led to many of his turnovers. Fully recovered from last season’s injuries, Love’s athleticism is back, and he’s showcasing it more in Packers training camp. A version of Love who can extend plays and even run for first downs would be a huge boost for Matt LaFleur’s offense. Just as important, per ESPN, Love is playing with better urgency and improving his technique. The version of the quarterback Green Bay hoped for might be arriving this fall.
Related: Green Bay Packers Schedule Predictions, Game by Game Picks
