Why many rookie quarterbacks don’t start Week 1
This year’s rookie draft class was full of talent at the quarterback position, but don’t expect coaches to hand over the keys of the offense in Week 1.
There were six quarterbacks drafted in this year’s NFL Draft, including three in the first four picks of the opening round. Teams’ will be hoping that these young gunslingers will be the face of the franchise in the future, but chances are won’t be starting once Week 1 comes rolling around.
QB heavy Top 5 in 2023 Draft
Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson were all taken in the Top 5 in April’s NFL Draft after brilliant seasons in college last year. Being drafted that high generally means you are going to a team that is in desperate need of a change to turn the tides for the franchise. That’s the case with Carolina, Houston and Indianapolis who are all coming off of torturous seasons.
While the hype and the excitement surrounding these QBs may be sky high in their new hometowns, fans shouldn’t expect to see their rookie signal callers during Week 1. Historically, NFL franchises and coaches are reluctant to throw their first year quarterbacks to the lions to start the season, and with good reason.
One of the main reasons QBs aren’t tossed into the fire in the opening week of their NFL careers is because, as we mentioned, the teams they get drafted by generally stink. While it is a privilege, and there are most certainly financial benefits of going in the Top 5, the reality is that there’s teams that had Top 5 picks were in that position for a reason. The Panthers, Texans and Colts combined for 14 wins last season, and while the Panthers did have 7 of those wins, they are a franchise in desperate need of some direction.
Maybe Bryce Young will bring that direction and stability at the quarterback position, but he and the other quarterbacks drafted this year will need some time to get acclimated to the speed and the strength in the NFL. All three QBs drafted in the Top 5 are mobile quarterbacks who are as dangerous running the football as they are throwing it.
The physical and emotional effect on rookie QBs
The new look NFL almost requires quarterbacks to be able to move out of the pocket, and tuck the ball if they have to scramble. While being a running quarterback keeps a defense on it’s toes, these rookies aren’t used to playing at the highest level yet. To put a first year QB under center before they are ready would be risking his and the franchises future.
While the physical risks are evident, the other factor teams have to consider is how a young QB will handle the challenges of running an offense in their first year. No matter how good a player is, turning a team around in the first year in the NFL is almost impossible.
It’s more than likely that the QBs who were drafted with the first few picks in the draft aren’t very accustomed to losing. Whether in college, high school or pee wee on their talent alone they could lead their teams to titles. That’s not going to be the case in the NFL. There will be a learning curve and there will no doubt be plenty of moments of difficulty. Which is why many coaches stray away from putting their rookies through that much physical and emotional stress.
The QB competitions are well under way in training camps around the country, and there may even be rookies who look ready to start Week 1. Even if they are looking good, it won’t be an easy choice for coaches to pull the trigger and start their rookies in Week 1.