The 2024 quarterback class entered the league with enormous expectations. Now that they have two seasons under their belts, it’s high time to evaluate their performance thus far.
Caleb Williams: Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams was the first draft pick of 2024 by the Chicago Bears. He did efficient playmaking during games but inconsistently performing during his rookie year. In 2024, he showed his creativity and arm talent, however, he lost his way with timing and decision making when facing complicated defenses. In 2025, he is now playing at a completely different level. Looking at the statistics, he seems to be much more composed and his footwork is much neater while the number of his careless turnovers has dropped drastically. Also, he’s operating more confidently within structure, having tremendous composure in the final minutes of a game.
Jayden Daniels: Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders used their No. 2 pick on Jayden Daniels, and he marked his rookie season with a lot of explosive play. Jayden showed that his running skills would be one of his main assets to break open games from the very first season. However, he sometimes took too many hits because of that. In 2025, there are signs of Daniels being more wary in his running and even more refined in his passing skills. He has come a long way in his pocket presence and now, instead of simply reacting to the play breaking down, Daniels can look further downfield to make throws with greater anticipation.
Drake Maye: New England Patriots
Drake Maye had a developmental rookie season for the Patriots. In 2024, while adapting to the speed of the NFL, Maye mostly used his arm strength and size. This season, it seems that Maye’s confidence skyrocketed. He makes his decisions faster, and ‘he’s gotten good at tricking defenders with his eyes’, as several coaches highlight. The development is most evident in the way he’s able to successfully execute plays in the red zone and convert third downs.
J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota Vikings
J. J. McCarthy got drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. He barely had a role in the team in his rookie year mainly because of an injury and the fact that he was low in the depth chart. McCarthy, also commonly referred to as ‘nine’, is showing a better understanding of the offense this year as he is getting more snaps and has more responsibility. He is still developing, where accuracy has become one of his assets and he seems to be at ease making full field reads.
Bo Nix: Denver Broncos
Bo Nix, joined by the Denver Broncos, was seen as one of the more pro-ready prospects at the start of 2024. As a first year player, he played very efficiently but without taking too many risks. In 2025, Nix is going after deep throws more frequently and relying on his arm to throw into small windows. This change in focus from managing the game to looking for plays is his most significant progression in the 2025-2026 season, making it all the way to the AFC championship game–which they lost as Nix was injured.
Michael Penix Jr: Atlanta Falcons
After being picked up by the Atlanta Falcons, Michael Penix Jr. was mainly a backup player in 2024 as the team chose to stick to the experienced starter Kirk Cousins. Given extra chances this year, his arm talent has been one of the highlights. Contrasting with glimpses of his rookie season, Penix is now more at ease finding his way in pressurized situations and throwing in rhythm, as opposed to just relying on power–and hope to see better performance from him next season.
Overall, the 2024 to 2025 draft class may be one of the most special classes for quarterbacks-ever. When they first came into the league, each quarterback mainly depended on their physical attributes. However, this second season, the players have grown: faster thinking, making better decisions, and having a stronger grasp of the playbook. It is true that the features of the players’ long, term careers are still to be written, but the second year has already been the time when the raw talent has been set apart from the potential franchise leader–seen by the relatively monstrous performances given by Maye, Nix, and Williams this season.
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