Just months after graduating from college football, quarterbacks are often tasked with having the answers right away in the pros.
There is no entry-level position available in the NFL world and the transition period is quick. Many rookies are thrown into the fire, training on the fly as they look to make their mark on the franchise.
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Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans appears ready to have that honor in 2025, likely to start in Week 1 and beyond. It’s a difficult needle to thread, especially as teams try to enjoy the fruits of their misfortune from a year prior. The hope is that those rookies will transform the team into a winner, which typically isn’t the case in the season’s opening game.
There have been 53 quarterbacks to start in Week 1 as a rookie. The evidence shows that results may vary.
Here’s a look at the record for every rookie quarterback that started the first game of the season and how each of them fared in their debut.
Rookie quarterbacks record in Week 1
There have been 53 quarterbacks to start in Week 1 as a rookie. The results have not been favorable to them, however, posting a 17-35-1 record in those contests.
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Of course, many of these rookies are walking into situations that are far from favorable, leading to those early struggles.
Since 2020, rookies are just 1-9 in Week 1. The Chicago Bears‘ Caleb Williams is the only one to walk away victorious in his first game during that time.
Rookie quarterbacks to start in Week 1Round 1
Terry Bradshaw, Pittsburgh Steelers – No. 1 pick (1970) | Loss vs. Oilers 19-7
Jim Plunkett, New England Patriots – No. 1 pick (1971) | Win vs. Raiders 20-6
Steve Bartkowski, Atlanta Falcons – No. 1 pick (1975) | Loss @ Cardinals 23-20
Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys – No. 1 pick (1989) | Loss @ Saints 28-0
Drew Bledsoe, New England Patriots – No. 1 pick (1993) | Loss @ Bills 38-14
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts – No. 1 pick (1998) | Loss vs. Dolphins 24-15
David Carr, Houston Texans – No. 1 pick (2002) | Win vs. Cowboys 19-10
Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams – No. 1 pick (2010) | Loss vs. Cardinals 17-13
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts – No. 1 pick (2012) | Loss @ Bears 41-21
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers – No. 1 pick (2023) | Loss @ Falcons 24-10
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears – No. 1 pick (2024) | Win vs. Titans 24-17
Bert Jones, Baltimore Colts – No. 2 pick (1973) | Loss @ Browns 24-14
Ryan Leaf, San Diego Chargers – No. 2 pick (1998) | Win vs. Bills 16-14
Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins – No. 2 pick (2012) | Loss @ Saints 40-32
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans – No. 2 pick (2015) | Win @ Buccaneers 42-14
Zach Wilson, New York Jets – No. 2 pick (2021) | Loss @ Panthers 19-14
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans – No. 2 pick (2023) | Loss @ Ravens 25-9
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders – No. 2 pick (2024) | Loss @ Buccaneers 37-20
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons – No. 3 pick (2008) | Win vs. Lions 34-21
Sam Darnold, New York Jets – No. 3 pick (2018) | Win @ Lions 48-17
Mark Sanchez, New York Jets – No. 5 pick (2009) | Win @ Texans 24-7
Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins – No. 8 pick (2012) | Loss @ Texans 30-10
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos – No. 12 pick (2024) | Loss @ Seahawks 26-20
Mac Jones, New England Patriots – No. 15 pick (2021) | Loss vs. Dolphins 17-16
EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills – No. 16 pick (2013) | Loss vs. Patriots 23-21
Doug Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – No. 17 pick (1978) | Loss vs. Giants 19-13
Kyle Boller, Baltimore Ravens – No. 19 pick (2003) | Loss @ Steelers 34-15
Round 2
Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals – No. 35 pick (2011) | Win @ Browns 27-17
Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders – No. 36 pick (2014) | Loss @ Jets 19-14
Geno Smith, New York Jets – No. 39 pick (2013) | Win vs. Buccaneers 18-17
DeShone Kizer, Cleveland Browns – No. 52 pick (2017) | Loss vs. Steelers 21-18
Quincy Carter, Dallas Cowboys – No. 53 pick (2001) | Loss vs. Buccaneers 10-6
Round 3
Joe Ferguson, Buffalo Bills – No. 57 pick (1973) | Win @ Patriots 31-13
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks – No. 75 pick (2012) | Loss @ Cardinals 20-16
Round 4
Mike Pagel, Baltimore Colts – No. 84 pick (1982) | Loss vs. Patriots 24-13
Chris Weinke, Carolina Panthers – No. 106 pick (2001) | Win @ Vikings 24-13
Kyle Orton, Chicago Bears – No. 106 pick (2005) | Loss @ Washington 9-7
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys – No. 135 pick (2016) | Loss vs. Giants 20-19
Round 5Round 6Round 7Round 8
Randy Hedberg, No. 196 pick (1977) | Loss @ Eagles 13-3
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL rookie quarterback record: List of results for Week 1