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CHICAGO — As Caleb Williams performed an on-field interview after the Chicago Bears‘ 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, the participant accountable for the game-sealing interception snuck up behind the rookie quarterback.
“Protection obtained your again, one-eight,” cornerback Jaylon Johnson stated.
Chicago received its season opener with out scoring an offensive landing and whereas producing simply 148 internet yards. Particular groups, highlighted by Cairo Santos‘ three discipline objectives and a blocked punt returned for a landing, and a 43-yard pick-six from cornerback Tyrique Stevenson allowed the Bears to attain 21 unanswered factors after falling behind 17-3 on the half.
Williams struggled. Regardless of turning into the primary quarterback drafted No. 1 total to win his debut since David Carr in 2002, Williams was off track on 31% of his throws, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Info, whereas his longest completion was simply 13 yards.
Jaylon Johnson sneaks up behind him
“Protection obtained your again 1 8”
— Luke O’Grady (@LukeOGrady) September 8, 2024
The previous Heisman winner out of USC accomplished 14 of 29 passes for 93 yards (3.2 yards per try, the second fewest ever by a first-round choose in his NFL debut) and didn’t throw a landing or an interception. His QBR of twenty-two.0 was twenty eighth (the Buffalo Bills‘ Josh Allen was first at 89.9).
Williams regarded out of sync when throwing to his prime extensive receivers, going 10-of-23 for 76 yards when focusing on DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze (3.3 yards per try), which included a drop by Allen on the objective line.
“I might say there’s not an excessive amount of to it,” coach Matt Eberflus stated. “I might simply say because the chemistry builds all through the course of the season as we stack these video games up, it will get higher.
“He is obtained a really correct arm. His timing is sweet. And the chemistry with the receivers goes to enhance each week.”
Whereas Williams’ stat line would not mirror the quantity of “good throws” Eberflus stated he noticed from his rookie quarterback, the Bears coach discovered positives that Williams can lean on as he strikes ahead.
He is not the one quarterback drafted No. 1 total to have struggled in his first begin, both. This is how the earlier 5 quarterbacks who had been prime draft picks fared of their debuts. All the rookies began Week 1, besides Baker Mayfield, whose first begin was Week 4.
Younger threw a pair of interceptions in Carolina’s 24-10 loss. The previous Alabama quarterback accomplished 20 of 38 move makes an attempt for 146 yards with one landing and two picks. Younger’s longest completion was 14 yards.
“He is not going to play like that once more,” then-Panthers defensive finish Brian Burns stated.
Younger completed the season with the second-worst QBR within the league at 34.1.
Carolina fired coach Frank Reich after a 1-10 begin and completed 2-15.
The Panthers had been capable of draft Younger as a result of the Bears had traded the No. 1 choose in 2023 for a bundle that included the Panthers’ prime choose in 2024. That proved to be No. 1 and led to the Bears drafting Williams.
Lawrence was the primary rookie quarterback to start out a season opener in franchise historical past when the Jaguars misplaced 37-21 in Houston. His bumpy debut included throwing for 332 yards and three touchdowns together with three interceptions, the primary time at any stage of his soccer profession that he had thrown that many picks.
Lawrence made a number of spectacular throws, together with a 41-yard landing to DJ Chark Jr., however usually threw past or behind his meant receivers (28-of-51 passing).
“I performed actually unhealthy,” Lawrence stated.
Jacksonville coach City Meyer was fired 13 video games into the season whereas Lawrence went on to have eight video games with no passing landing. The Jaguars completed the season 3-14.
One season after profitable the Heisman Trophy at LSU, Burrow was the one rookie quarterback to start out Week 1 after the pandemic worn out the preseason.
Bengals coaches took a conservative method and relied on quick passes to maneuver the ball. Burrow went 23-of-36 passing for 193 yards (no passing TD) and scored a 23-yard landing on a designed run.
He additionally threw an interception on a shovel move to squander a late scoring probability and Cincinnati misplaced 16-13.
Burrow’s season was reduce quick with a knee damage that landed him on injured reserve in Week 12. The Bengals completed the 2020 season 4-11, however made the Tremendous Bowl one season later.
Murray, who received the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma in 2018, helped the Cardinals claw again from an 18-point deficit within the fourth quarter to salvage a 27-27 tie with the Lions.
The rookie accomplished 29 of 54 passes for 308 yards, two touchdowns and an interception and was sacked 5 instances.
Murray did not showcase his operating skill a lot, speeding 3 times for 13 yards, however strung collectively a number of dynamic throws, finishing 15 of 19 makes an attempt for 154 yards and two touchdowns within the fourth quarter.
The Cardinals completed Murray’s rookie season with a 5-10-1 file.
2018: Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns vs. Raiders
Mayfield’s first profession begin got here one week after he entered a recreation in reduction of Tyrod Taylor. In that recreation, he led the Browns again from a 14-0 deficit to a 21-17 win over the New York Jets for Cleveland’s first victory in 635 days.
In his first begin, Mayfield threw for 295 yards and two touchdowns towards the Oakland Raiders whereas committing 4 turnovers — two interceptions and shedding two fumbles — in a 45-42 additional time loss.
The in-fighting between coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley led to each being fired after Week 8. Mayfield quarterbacked 5 wins for Cleveland after the teaching change and threw for over 376 yards twice within the again half of a 7-7 season.
