NFL: Recapping Rookie QBs Preseason Week 1

There is a ton of pressure on this year’s rookie camp to come out and perform. While each year is met with the same expectations for quarterbacks in the draft, this year has a bit more. With teams making so many moves to try and guarantee they got their guy, these guys have to perform to a higher standard. How did they fare in Week 1 of the NFL preseason?

Mac Jones

All camp long, all we heard how well Mac Jones was doing in camp. He would finish his first game against the Washington Football Team 13/19 for 87 yards with 0 touchdowns or interceptions. While that can be promising for a rookie as there weren’t many mistakes, what the Patriots didn’t show was the ability to get the ball downfield. This, however, is typical of the Patriots. Their offense has always been quick release and Yards After Catch. Jones will have to show big plays when needed to keep pace with the other high-powered offenses.

Justin Fields

Of the rookie QBs, Justin Fields looked more NFL-ready. Statistically, he was no better off than the rest of the rookie quarterbacks but he had a lot of command. While there were a few instances that could have been mistakes, he took them in stride and shook them off. Finishing 14/20 for 142n yards and a TD, it’s not a matter of things going right. His judgment will be solely on how he responds when those close plays go wrong.

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Trevor Lawrence

While Urban Meyer wants to give the impression that there’s a quarterback controversy, the rest of the NFL world ain’t buying it. He’d finish the day just 6 for 9 for 71 yards but he faired a little better than his competition. Gardner Minshew would only go 4 for 8 for 47 yards and an INT. Not only did Lawrence take care of the football a little better, he showed he can stretch the field a little more as well. Mistake-free football is key when you’re coming off a 1-win season and trying to catch an 11-win division.

Zach Wilson

No matter what Zach Wilson does, it will almost always seem better than the Jets’ 2020 campaign. In almost dead last in most statistically categories, Wilson has nowhere to go but up. Another average day going 6 for 9 for 63 yards but he did show the ability to push the ball downfield. In an up-and-coming division, the AFC East is growing to be full of young talent for the NFL. If Wilson can continue to improve, the division race will be might tighter.

Trey Lance

If you look at the San Francisco box score for Trey Lance, statistically it looks good. When you investigate a little further you can see the struggle. The 49ers struggled with him in but not every debut is going to go fantastic. Going 5 for 14 for 128 yards looks like he moved the ball despite incomplete passes but that is not the case. Take away his one spectacular play of an 80-yard touchdown pass and it speaks volumes. Without that, 4 for 13for 48 yards is a bit concerning. Even with that pass on record, he barely completed 35% of his passes.

The NFL is only in preseason Week 1 and there are two more games before they actually count. Each young QB has the opportunity to go back to practice, review their tape, and improve their mistakes. The only question is, which rookie will turn the corner quickest?