Rookie QBs getting crash course in ups and downs
NEW YORK — No one said this was going to be easy, rookie.
Playing quarterback in the NFL is no simple task, and this year’s class of newcomers is getting a crash course — filled with sacks, interceptions and losses — in how difficult it is to immediately succeed under center.
Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, the New York Jets’ Zach Wilson and New England’s Mac Jones have started since Week 1. San Francisco’s Trey Lance, Chicago’s Justin Fields and Houston’s Davis Mills have stepped in during the past few weeks. And they’ve all experienced varying degrees of struggles.
No, they’re not in college anymore. “What’s happening to the rookies, in my opinion, is normal,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “What happens otherwise is abnormal. Most rookies struggle in their first couple of years. You can go through the history of all the great ones.”
True, Peyton Manning had a hideous rookie season. So did Troy Aikman and John Elway. Aaron Rodgers had to wait on Brett Favre. Tom Brady needed an injury to Drew Bledsoe to get on the field in his second year — but he ended up winning the Super Bowl. And six more after that. Patrick Mahomes wasn’t a full-time starter until his second season.
“There’s three things that nowadays in college that some of these guys come to our NFL and they haven’t done,” Jaguars offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. “No. 1, they haven’t taken a snap under center, so that’s a change for them. No. 2, they don’t call a cadence. You think that’s a little thing, but that’s a huge thing to be able to bark out the cadence, help you out. Then, they don’t call a play in the huddle. They’re looking off to the side or the coach is changing the play.”
Here’s a look at the six rookie quarterbacks currently starting:
Lawrence: Thrown for 873 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 57% of his passes for the 0-4 Jaguars. He had his most efficient game last week in a 24-17 loss at Cincinnati, going 17 of 24 for 204 yards. He had no touchdown throws, but ran for a score and also had his first interception-free performance.
Jones: The numbers aren’t eye popping for the 1-3 Patriots with four TDs and four INTs, but he has been extremely efficient while completing 70% of his passes in what has been a mostly short-passing game offense. He threw for 275 yards and had 19 consecutive completions — the most for an NFL rookie since 1991.
Wilson: The former BYU star had s, bounced back with his best game last week, going 21 of 34 for 297 yards and two TDs with one INT and one sack in the Jets’ first win of the season, 27-24 in OT over Tennessee.
Lance: Played just seven snaps through the first three games, throwing a TD pass and running for another score. He got his most extensive action last week when Garoppolo left at halftime with a right calf injury.
Fields: Threw two passes and ran for a score in the opener in spot duty. He replaced an injured Dalton the next week against Cincinnati, then started the next two games with Dalton sidelined. Fields is still looking for his first TD pass and has to improve on his 48.1 completion percentage.
Mills: He’s struggling. He has thrown for 357 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions in his 2 ½ games. He tied a franchise record with four INTs last week against Buffalo and his 23.4 quarterback rating is the worst of any starter this season.