I know the pain of having disappointing seasons from your fantasy football quarterbacks. It could mean the gaping hole in the side of your ship that sinks your team’s championship aspirations.
But the good news is that for some players, pain can also lead to gain. While many fantasy owners employ a “hands off” approach to those who ruined their previous seasons, you can swoop in and find those players primed for a bounce-back season.
Here are 7 quarterbacks who are set up to have a much better 2025 than they had last year.
Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars): Lawrence entered 2024 with high hopes, but the season didn’t deliver the fantasy breakout many expected. Perhaps inconsistent play, minor injuries, or an offensive system that struggled to find its rhythm contributed to his underwhelming output. However, Lawrence remains a supremely talented quarterback with the prototypical size and arm strength. The Jaguars have invested heavily in their offense, and Liam Coen, now the head coach, is known for installing quarterback-friendly schemes that emphasize rhythm and timing. Early reports from offseason workouts in 2025 indicate significant progress in Lawrence’s footwork and command of Coen’s system. With a full offseason to further assimilate into the new scheme and a strong supporting cast, Lawrence is in an excellent position to rebound and deliver on his long-held potential in 2025.
Justin Fields (New York Jets): Fields’ 2024 was a pivotal season that saw him traded to the Steelers after a short stint with the Bears. Now entrenched as the unquestioned starter for the Jets, Fields has a full offseason to build chemistry with his new teammates, particularly Garrett Wilson, with whom he has a pre-existing rapport from their Ohio State days. Fields’ elite rushing ability provides a high fantasy floor, and if he can improve his passing accuracy and decision-making within the Jets’ new offensive system under Tanner Engstrand, he could be one of the biggest fantasy steals of 2025. The Jets specifically targeted Fields, suggesting their offensive philosophy aligns with his skillset.
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears): As the 2024 first-overall pick, Williams likely experienced the typical growing pains of a rookie quarterback in the NFL. Despite flashes of brilliance, the Bears’ offensive line and overall scheme might not have allowed him to fully flourish for fantasy purposes in his debut season. Looking ahead to 2025, the Bears have surrounded Williams with significant talent, including DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, and rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. Crucially, new head coach Ben Johnson, renowned for his success with Jared Goff in Detroit, is now orchestrating the Bears’ offense. Johnson’s system emphasizes play-action and getting the ball out quickly, areas where Williams could excel. With a year of experience, an improved supporting cast, and a highly regarded offensive mind at the helm, Williams is perfectly positioned for a significant fantasy leap in his sophomore season.
Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys): Prescott’s 2024 season was bad for fantasy, with a combination of injury issues plus regression in his passing efficiency and rushing volume. Historically, Prescott has been a fairly reliable QB1, capable of putting up big numbers. The Cowboys’ offense remains high-octane. Prescott has a strong connection with CeeDee Lamb, the team added George Pickens, and if Prescott is entering 2025 fully healthy and with a renewed commitment to utilizing his legs more often, he could easily re-ascend the fantasy rankings. A healthy and motivated Prescott in a dynamic Cowboys offense presents a strong bounce-back narrative.
Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins): Tagovailoa’s 2024 season was impacted by recurring injuries and a dip in production, leading to a disappointing fantasy finish. However, when healthy, Tagovailoa operates one of the most explosive offenses in the league, boasting elite speed at receiver with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. His accuracy and quick release are ideal for Mike McDaniel’s system, which prioritizes getting the ball into the hands of playmakers in space. If Tagovailoa can maintain his health throughout 2025, he has the built-in advantage of playing with two of the NFL’s most dangerous pass-catchers. The offensive scheme provides high-percentage throws and opportunities for massive YAC, making him a prime candidate to rebound if the injury luck turns in his favor.
C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans): Stroud burst onto the scene in 2023 with an exceptional rookie campaign, but his 2024 season saw a “sophomore slump” in fantasy production. This was largely due to offensive line struggles and injuries to key receivers. The Texans made moves in the offseason to fortify their offensive line and receiving corps around him for 2025. While there might be an adjustment period to Nick Caley’s new system, Stroud has demonstrated elite talent and poise. With an improved supporting cast and another year of development, the highly competitive Stroud is in a great position to rekindle his rookie-year magic and become a top-tier fantasy quarterback once again.
Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers): Love exceeded expectations in the latter half of 2023, carrying that momentum into 2024. But his 2024 season for fantasy was considered a disappointment, due to an early-season injury (MCL sprain) and a shift to a more run-heavy offensive philosophy by the Packers. Despite all that, Love has a solid group of young, developing receivers and tight ends and plays for a strong offensive-minded coach in Matt LaFleur. The Packers invested further in their receiving corps in the 2025 NFL Draft, adding speed and talent. With a full, healthy offseason and continued growth within the Packers’ scheme, Love is poised to improve upon his 2024 fantasy output and solidify his status as a valuable fantasy QB.
