Each week this season, the Sun-Times will examine the play of the starting rookie quarterbacks picked in the top 12 of the NFL draft. One is already out for the season — the Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy is recovering from right knee surgery — while the Patriots’ Drake Maye will sit to start the season. The Falcons’ Michael Penix is expected to back up Kirk Cousins.
A look at the three Week 1 starters:
No. 1 overall pick: Bears QB Caleb Williams. The Bears never wavered from wanting to draft the USC star to replace Justin Fields, and he’s rewarded them with a steady performance — by rookie standards, at least — during training camp. His 79.2 passer rating was the lowest among the team’s four quarterbacks, but his election as one of the Bears’ four captains shows the respect he’s already starting to garner inside Halas Hall.
No. 2 overall pick: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels. It took two preseason games for the Commanders to announce what had been presumed: that the LSU alum would start over Marcus Mariota. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner’s 100.8 passer rating on 15 preseason passes was impressive, but his rushing ability will make him stand out in the crowded rookie class.
No. 12 overall pick: Broncos QB Bo Nix. The Oregon product posted a 116.7 passer rating to become the first rookie quarterback to start Week 1 in Denver since John Elway. He’s as experienced as a rookie can be, though; he started 61 college games, the most in NCAA history for a passer, and is older than all any first-round passer drafted this year — or last.
