10 NFL quarterbacks who could be axed by November – Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson and $212m superstar

Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow do not have to worry.

Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen have both won the NFL MVP award, so neither are getting benched anytime soon.

But Spencer Rattler better watch his back in New Orleans, while Bryce Young’s Week 1 disappointment brought back echoes of the past in Carolina.

The return of the NFL means that Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are back on prime time TV across the globe, as the NFL expands internationally and the best quarterbacks in the league shine weekly.

It also means that head coaches can be fired at anytime, and lesser QBs are one bad throw away from riding the pine.

Aaron Rodgers, Trevor Lawrence leapt off this list thanks to their impressive Week 1 performances.

Here is talkSPORT’s look at the NFL quarterbacks most likely to be benched in 2025.

Check back every week, because the rankings will keep changing from Week 2 until Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

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10. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Prescott has top-10 QB potential and finished second in NFL MVP just two years ago.

But he’s 32-years-old, coming off a major injury, is making too much money not to be playing in the Super Bowl, and didn’t throw a touchdown during Dallas’ frustrating season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

With $296 million in his personal NFL bank, the former fourth-round draft pick is set for life.

Owner Jerry Jones was intrigued by backup Joe Milton during training camp, and is known to make impulsive decisions.

“I’m just excited that we had a chance to get him,” Jones said.

“And he hasn’t disappointed. We’re just more and more encouraged by what we’re seeing.”

If the Cowboys float around .500 this year, Prescott could watch his job go to a younger and much cheaper option.

9. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

If it all goes well, Penix plays all 17 games for the Falcons and becomes a franchise QB.

He’s also playing in front of a proven and respected veteran in Kirk Cousins, who received a massive $180m contract from Atlanta in March 2024.

Penix will get time to prove he’s worthy of the Falcons’ starting role.

He impressed in Week 1, completing 27-of-42 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown and almost knocking off Baker Mayfield‘s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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But it’s a long season and if Penix falters, promoting Captain Kirk is just one conversation away.

8. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

Darnold is coming off the best year of his career.

He also changed teams, and received $105m contract to lead a squad that will likely have to fight for a playoff spot.

Minnesota was willing to invest in second-year QB J.J. McCarthy, who’s yet to play an NFL snap, rather than pay Darnold.

There’s no doubt that the ex-Jet, Panther, 49er and Viking is Seattle’s starter.

But for how long?

The clock is already ticking on Darnold with the Seahawks.

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7. Justin Fields, New York Jets

Fields is on his third team since being drafted No. 11 overall in 2021 by the Chicago Bears.

He signed a two-year, $40m deal with the Jets that is team friendly because it’s only worth $40m.

Tyrod Taylor isn’t the answer in New York in 2025, but new head coach Aaron Glenn is known for his intensity and won’t tolerate weekly losses.

Fields is in a funny spot — he’s a top 20 QB, but he also isn’t guaranteed anything in New York.

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6. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

Throwing two interceptions and posting a 49 passer rating against Jacksonville won’t cut it.

Young was drafted ahead of C.J. Stroud, but the Panthers have to be running out of patience with the former No. 1 overall pick.

Young’s 6-23 record as a starter leans toward another benching in 2025.

5. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Miami has a lot of problems right now, topped off by Tyreek Hill.

Tagovailoa’s future is also shaky, and he’s coming off a Week 1 letdown that was hard to believe.

Mike McDaniel could be the first head coach fired this year.

Tagovailoa has Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers behind him, and the rebuild button could see both backups take the field.

4. Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns

In some ways, the 40-year-old from Delaware is the most likely QB to be benched, just because he has so many QBs behind him in Cleveland.

Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson could all argue they deserve a shot this season.

If Flacco plays well and wins, he’s fine — he’s well-liked by Browns fans and was a Cleveland hero in 2023.

If the former Super Bowl winner and MVP with Baltimore falters in the early season, Sanders’ social-media army will be ready to pounce.

Flacco started the new year in an 0-1 hole.

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3. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts

Jones is athletic, possesses a solid arm and still has upside.

He also lost his job in New York and is 25-44-1 as a starting QB.

Throw in a one-year deal worth $14m, and Anthony Richardson better be ready.

It’s hard to imagine Jones lasting a full season as the Colts’ starting arm.

But his Week 1 standout vs Miami was a reminder that Danny Dimes still exists.

2. Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints

The 2026 NFL Draft is only seven months away.

Rattler has one good chance to prove that he can inspire the Saints.

Tyler Shough is a recent second-round pick, and almost won the starting job during training camp.

New Orleans is expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this year.

Flip-flopping between QBs could be a regular occurrence for Saints fans until the next draft arrives.

Rattler’s leash got a little longer in a gritty Week 1 performance.

1. Russell Wilson, New York Giants

Jaxson Dart in 3, 2, 1 …

Mr. Unlimited is almost out of time in New York.

With head coach Brian Daboll still fighting for his long-term job security, going 6-11 with Dart is much more promising than winning just six games with Wilson.

Week 5 against New Orleans could create an opening for the strong-armed rookie from Ole Miss.

“I really think this is set up for Jaxson Dart,” said Will Gavin, host of talkSPORT’s NFL Show.

“He’s going to come in … he’s going to be the savoir. He’s going to carry them to around a six or seven week win record, and New York will have found their new hero.”

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