The landscape of the NFL in 2025 is brimming with fascinating trends, from evolving quarterback strategies to the remarkable pipeline of talent emerging from high school programs—especially in Georgia. As the season gets underway, two seemingly unrelated storylines are capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike: the ongoing debate over the NFL’s emergency quarterback rule, and the state of Georgia’s continued dominance in producing NFL talent.
Let’s start in Dallas, where Brian Schottenheimer is navigating his first season as head coach of the Cowboys. Two games into his tenure, Schottenheimer has yet to designate an emergency quarterback for game day—a decision that puts him in line with about half the league’s coaches. The rule, which returned to the NFL in 2023 after more than a decade on the shelf, allows teams to have a third quarterback available on game day without using up a precious active roster spot. But here’s the kicker: less than half of NFL teams have actually utilized it in the rule’s first two years back.
“I go back and forth,” Schottenheimer admitted when asked about the emergency QB designation. “Literally, you asked the question, so my mind is processing. It would be great to have three guys active just in case. But they certainly have done the studies and know kind of what they’re looking for. We’re all dealt the same cards, and you decide how you want to use your roster.” According to Schottenheimer, the Cowboys have contingency plans if both Dak Prescott and backup Joe Milton are sidelined, but he’s keeping those specifics close to the vest.
The Cowboys’ approach isn’t unique. During their thrilling 40-37 overtime win against the New York Giants on September 14, Will Grier—who currently occupies the third quarterback spot—wasn’t available, as he’s on the practice squad rather than the active 53-man roster. This mirrors a league-wide trend: game day rosters are capped at 48 players, making it tough for teams to justify a third quarterback when other positions demand depth.
“I think it’s a freebie (on game day), but it’s still tough because of the numbers,” Grier explained. “I think it just comes down to the teams with the numbers and the ability to do that.”
Practice squad quarterbacks like Grier and Tennessee’s Trevor Siemian face another challenge: limited opportunities for development. “In my opinion, nonexistent,” Grier said regarding quarterback development in the NFL. Siemian echoed the sentiment, noting, “I think just the onus is on you. This is pro sport. There’s not much hand-holding in this league. And if there is, it doesn’t last very long.”
Still, teams are trying to adapt. Titans quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree described how backup QBs go through the day’s practice script on their own, while Schottenheimer said the Cowboys have quarterbacks coach Steve Shimko ensure that Milton and Grier mirror Prescott’s practice throws. “So they’re getting their throws,” Schottenheimer said. “They’re getting their footwork. It’s not perfect, but they are getting the work and the throws that they need.”
The NFL’s emergency quarterback rule has a storied history. It was first introduced in 1991, phased out in 2010, and only revived in 2023 after a disastrous NFC championship game the previous season. In that game, San Francisco’s Brock Purdy suffered a serious elbow injury, and backup Josh Johnson left with a concussion. The 49ers were left with 47 yards in the second half and a clear need for a better contingency plan. “That probably shifted a lot of focus just because of the prominent moment that that was,” said New Orleans coach Kellen Moore. “I think it’s a luxury and when it’s available to us, certainly we want to utilize it as much as you can just because it gives you the insurance policy that you need.”
Yet, the league’s attempt to make it easier to elevate third quarterbacks from the practice squad was rejected by the NFL Players Association, which feared teams would stash talent on the practice squad and pay them less. As a result, emergency QBs technically aren’t active, and teams must make tough choices on game day.
That brings us to another remarkable trend: the sheer volume of NFL talent coming out of Georgia high schools, with Hillgrove High School leading all public schools nationally. As of opening week, Hillgrove boasts seven alumni on NFL active rosters—Bradley Chubb (Dolphins), Evan Engram (Broncos), Reuben Lowery (Ravens), Jaylen McCollough (Rams), Myles Murphy (Bengals), Chig Okonkwo (Titans), and Jalen Royals (Chiefs). Not far behind is North Gwinnett High School, with six NFL players, including D.J. Turner (Bengals), Barrett Carter (Bengals), Jordan Hancock (Bills), Jared Ivey (Seahawks), Josh Downs (Colts), and Tyler Goodson (Colts).
Georgia’s dominance doesn’t stop at the school level. For the fourth consecutive year, Georgia leads the nation in NFL players per capita, with one player for every 74,808 residents. That’s a staggering statistic, especially when you consider that 143 former Georgia high school players are on active NFL rosters for the 2025 season. Gwinnett County alone has 30 NFL players, a figure that outpaces most entire states. Only Texas (199), Florida (179), and California (165) have more total NFL players than Georgia, which sits at 143.
What’s driving this pipeline? The answer isn’t simple, but it’s clear that top-tier coaching, competitive high school programs, and a culture that prizes football are all factors. Hillgrove’s achievement is particularly notable, as it outpaces every other public school in the country. Meanwhile, IMG Academy in Florida has the most NFL alumni overall with 17, though many of those players originally hail from other states, including Georgia. Florida’s American Heritage and St. Thomas Aquinas private schools each have nine NFL players, showing that the Sunshine State’s private programs are also football powerhouses.
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama round out the top states for NFL players per capita, but Georgia’s numbers continue to set the bar. The Peach State’s influence on the league is undeniable, and it’s a testament to the depth of talent and commitment to the sport found in communities across the state.
Back in the NFL, the debate over quarterback depth and development continues. The 2020 pandemic season offered a cautionary tale, when Denver was forced to start practice squad receiver Kendall Hinton at quarterback after all four of its QBs were ruled out by COVID-19 protocols. “I think you guys have seen the disasters of what could happen,” Hardegree said. “Obviously it hurts the game, hurts the fans. You’re having to go to somebody that doesn’t play quarterback for a living if you don’t have one available.”
As the 2025 season unfolds, coaches like Schottenheimer are weighing the risks and rewards of roster management, while high school programs in Georgia and beyond continue to shape the next generation of NFL stars. The intersection of these two stories—how teams prepare for the unexpected, and where the league’s future stars are coming from—will be worth watching all season long.
Whether it’s the chess game of NFL roster construction or the grassroots talent pipeline from places like Hillgrove High, football’s evolving landscape is keeping fans and insiders on their toes. With so many variables in play, one thing’s for sure: the action on and off the field isn’t slowing down any time soon.
