ClutchPoints
Quarterback is often the position that gives fantasy football managers the most peace of mind. With so many viable starters across the NFL, it feels safe to draft an early-round passer or wait until the later rounds for upside plays. That depth is also deceptive, though. Unlike running backs or wide receivers, a quarterback can finish with decent numbers and still be a fantasy football liability if he doesn’t meet his draft cost. In 2025, a handful of big-name quarterbacks carry more risk than reward.
The 2025 NFL season arrives with no shortage of intrigue. The reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles look poised to defend their crown behind Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers debut a bold new era with Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf. Elsewhere, the Kansas City Chiefs face questions after years of dominance, the Jacksonville Jaguars aim to rise with their explosive young offense and rookie sensation Travis Hunter, and the Baltimore Ravens enter what feels like a make-or-break campaign.
When it comes to fantasy football, quarterback busts can be trickier to spot than at other positions. The position is so deep that steady production alone won’t separate a fantasy football starter from the pack. Instead, busts often emerge when quarterbacks are overvalued, capped by their offensive environment, or due for regression. The goal isn’t to predict total collapse, but to identify the passers unlikely to deliver returns worthy of their draft slot.
Here are five quarterbacks who could cost fantasy football managers in 2025.
Jared Goff was one of the pleasant surprises of 2024. He finished inside the top tier of fantasy football quarterbacks. However, the warning signs of a regression are flashing. His career averages simply don’t match the gaudy totals he put up last season, and without offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Goff may struggle to sustain top-10 production.
Yes, Goff has finished as a top-10 fantasy football quarterback in each of the last three years. That said, history shows that when quarterbacks lose elite coordinators, efficiency and consistency take a hit. Unless he quickly builds chemistry with a new play-caller, Goff’s ceiling could fall sharply. This could leave fantasy football players who draft him at his 2024 level of expectation sorely disappointed.
Justin Herbert should be the definition of a fantasy football star. He has a strong arm, weapons at his disposal, and youth on his side. Yet the numbers tell a different story. He ranked just 16th in fantasy football points per game last season. His lack of red-zone opportunities was glaring. Only 57 passes inside the 20-yard line, which was tied for 17th in the league, made his touchdown numbers plateau at 25.
That’s not enough when fantasy football managers are drafting him as a top-10 quarterback. Even worse, Herbert enters 2025 adjusting to yet another offensive system. Coaching turnover rarely helps consistency. With uncertainty around...
