In light of recent development read also ……………………..
Estimating the First Start Dates for Every Rookie NFL Quarterback in 2024……………………….
At least one rookie quarterback has started the first game of at least 15 of the previous 16 NFL seasons. The 2022 season was the only outlier, even though nine different rookies, including Brock Purdy and Kenny Pickett, eventually began games that year.
It’s reasonable to predict that several rookie quarterbacks will be captaining teams in 2024. A total of eleven were drafted, with six coming from the top 12.
When will each rookie get his first start, in your opinion? We’ve made some educated assumptions following the NFL’s publication of each team’s schedule on Wednesday.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears quickly declared Caleb Williams as their starting quarterback after choosing him with the first overall pick in the draft.
Earlier this month, head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters, “No conversation.” “He’s the starter.”
Prior to the draft, the Bears traded Justin Fields, a former starter, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick. This move made room for Williams. The only other quarterbacks on the Bears roster are Brett Rypien, Austin Reed, and Tyson Bagent; none of them were selected in the draft.
If Williams stays healthy, the Bears will start the 2024 regular season at home against the Tennessee Titans on September 8.
First start predicted: Week 1 against the Titans
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Although Caleb Williams appears to be the Bears’ surefire starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels, the second overall choice, still needs to prove himself. Daniels and Dan Quinn, the head coach of the Washington Commanders, have already expressed this.
That may seem unlikely given his draft position. If the Commanders opt to ease Daniels into play, Marcus Mariota is a capable substitute.
This offseason, the 30-year-old Mariota inked a one-year, $6 million contract with the Commanders. He may perhaps serve as a stopgap, much like he did with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022 before Desmond Ridder supplanted him late in the season.
One could be tempted to assume that the Commanders will wait to make Daniels’ debut until Week 2 versus the New York Giants, a rather easy home opener. Nonetheless, Daniels has received nothing but positive reviews thus far, so it wouldn’t be shocking if he starts the Commanders’ season-opening game against the Bucs.
First start anticipated: Week 1 versus the Buccaneers
Drake Maye, New England Patriots
At the beginning of the Drake Maye era, the New England Patriots are probably aware that they won’t be Super Bowl contenders this year. Even though they invested the third overall pick on Maye, they may choose to take their time with his NFL professional debut.
Experienced journeyman Jacoby Brissett, who started 11 games for the Cleveland Browns the previous season, inked a one-year, $8 million contract with the Patriots this offseason. DraftKings Sportsbook presently has the 31-year-old as a -250 favourite to start for the Patriots in Week 1.
Although Maye is a year younger than Caleb Williams and two years younger than Jayden Daniels, he had two excellent seasons as a starter at North Carolina. He might require more time than those two to get used to life in the NFL. Besides, in New England, he’s not exactly got an all-star supporting cast.
The Patriots face the Bengals, Seahawks, Jets, 49ers, and Dolphins in a tough opening stretch. After that, they might switch their focus to Maye in preparation for their home game against the Houston Texans in Week 6 and the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, C.J. Stroud.
First start predicted: Week 6 against the Texans
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold was signed by the Minnesota Vikings to a one-year, $10 million contract after Kirk Cousins was lost to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. A month later, they selected Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy by moving up one pick in the draft.
McCarthy could be the Vikings’ long-term centre, but Darnold is a competent quarterback who can carry a team when it’s needed. Regardless of who starts under centre, Minnesota boasts a strong backup cast that includes Aaron Jones, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Justin Jefferson.
McCarthy can take the field early while Darnold, the third overall selection in the 2018 draft, adjusts to life in the NFL. After all, the 21-year-old only started 28 games while at Michigan. In addition, the Vikes’ first five games will see them play the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers, both of whom Darnold is familiar with.
Following that, they play the Detroit Lions at home and have a bye week. It seems like the right place for McCarthy to make his regular-season debut.
First start predicted: Week 7 against the Lions
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
The only other quarterbacks on the Denver Broncos roster are Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham, aside from Bo Nix, the 12th overall selection.
In Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, can you really envision Broncos head coach Sean Payton starting either of those players over Nix?
Given that Nix joins the league as a 24-year-old rookie and started an FBS-record 61 games in college, that seems incredibly unlikely.
Although Wilson is talented, he didn’t work out in New York and doesn’t know much more about Payton’s offence than Nix does. Nix is a fantastic fit for that offence, and against a Seattle defence that finished 28th in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) in 2023, he’ll probably get the go-ahead straight away.
First start predicted: Week 1 vs the Seahawks
The Long-Shot Club
Atlanta Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. Kirk Cousins was just signed by the Falcons this summer to a four-year, $180 million contract. Penix will only start if the 35-year-old is hurt or if there are no postseason implications for the team’s Week 18 matchup with the Carolina Panthers.
Derek Carr is the New Orleans Saints’ obvious starter, according to Spencer Rattler. However, if the Saints’ season blows apart before the home stretch, we might get to see more of Rattler when they play the Giants, Commanders, Packers, Raiders, and Bucs in their last games starting in Week 14.
Jordan Travis, New York Jets: There’s a fair possibility the desperate Jets would start Tyrod Taylor or make a trade before starting a rookie fifth-round choice at quarterback, even if Aaron Rodgers is hurt again.
Joe Milton III, Patriots of New England: While we’ve already discussed Jacoby Brissett and Drake Maye, Bailey Zappe might end up in New England ahead of Milton, a sixth-round selection. If he were to take any pictures in 2024, it would be shocking.
Devin Leary, Baltimore Ravens: Rodgers and Travis are in a similar scenario to the Jets. In the event that Lamar Jackson suffered an injury, Baltimore would probably turn to Josh Johnson or look elsewhere. Leary, a sixth-round pick, most likely wouldn’t get a chance.
Green Bay Packers’ Michael Pratt: Jordan Love would have to absolutely blow it to cap off his incredible run to wrap out his first season as a starter in Green Bay. And even then, or in the event of an injury, a seventh-round rookie might not have the same priority as Sean Clifford or someone else who isn’t on the team right now.