NFC West quarterbacks with the most to prove heading into 2025 season

Matthew Stafford revived the Rams from an atrocious 1-4 start in 2024 and went on to win the division. Los Angeles was the closest team to dethroning the Philadelphia Eagles on their way to their Super Bowl victory and have plenty of confidence in the duo of Stafford and head coach Sean McVay. Stafford lost his top target in former Triple Crown winner Cooper Kupp, but replaced him with former college teammate Davante Adams.

Stafford is already a Super Bowl champion and is likely secured his spot in the Hall of Fame in the future. However, to make his Hall of Fame case undeniable, Stafford could continue his dominance over the NFC West by securing his third title in five years at 37 years old.

3. Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold had one of the greatest career resurgence in recent memory. The 2018 3rd overall pick was viewed for the first four seasons of his career as a bust, with a 17-32 record and 54-32 TD/INT ratio. However, Darnold worked his way from the Carolina Panthers to the 49ers as a backup to work his way back up as a starting quarterback.

He got his chance with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and didn’t waste the opportunity. Darnold threw for 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, both fifth overall in the NFL. The Vikings were eliminated in the Wild Card round by Stafford’s Rams, but Darnold’s season still remains as one of the best comebacks in recent memory.

The Seahawks traded away DK Metcalf and lost Tyler Lockett in free agency, but replaced them with a Pro Bowler in Kupp. Darnold enters 2025 to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke and replicate his Pro Bowl season with another franchise to win an NFC West division title.

2. Kyler Murray

The longest tenured NFC West quarterback is Kyler Murray, yet he remains without a division title. The seven-year Cardinals quarterback has endured endless injuries, criticisms, and coaching changes in his time in the Valley. Murray has made it clear that his zero career playoff wins bothers him and has a chance to change that in 2025.

Next year will be the best defense that Murray has had in his time with the franchise, while his weapons in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride will help his production to possibility earn his first Pro Bowl selection since 2021. Murray since Head coach Jonathan Gannon and offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s arrival has led the Cardinals to an elite running offense and should continue that trend heading into next season.

1. Brock Purdy

Purdy just inked a five-year, $265 million contract extension with the 49ers, making him seventh highest paid quarterback in the NFL. The 26-year-old is set to make $53 million for next five years, despite coming off the team’s worst season with him under center. San Francisco went 6-11 in 2024, its worst winning percentage since 2018.

The 25-year-old recorded 3,864 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The injury to running back Christian McCaffrey derailed Purdy and the 49ers entire season. The injuries to the offense couldn’t save the team from the fourth-worst scoring defense in the NFL last year. And after saying goodbye to 17 players in free agency, the pressure falls onto Purdy shoulder to live up to his new payroll and lead the 49ers back to an NFC West title and to the Super Bowl.