While 10 quarterbacks were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, only a select few will receive starts this year. From Chicago’s Justin Fields to San Francisco’s Trey Lance, there are situations murkier than others. When will each rookie QB have their number called in 2021?
When will each rookie QB start in 2021?
Let’s get the easy ones out of the way.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars: Week 1
There is no competition here, no matter how many weeks Gardner Minshew has held in his No. 2s. Trevor Lawrence will start Week 1 on the road against the Houston Texans. If Deshaun Watson is a Texan, Lawrence may open the year with a loss. However, if Watson is out of town, Lawrence and the Jaguars can come in and earn their first win of the season.
Zach Wilson, New York Jets: Week 1
Like Lawrence, Zach Wilson does not have to worry about job security. Behind Wilson, the Jets currently employ Mike White and James Morgan. I think it is safe to say no matter how poorly Wilson plays, rookie head coach Robert Saleh is not pulling him.
Traveling to Carolina for the season opener is a tall task. To make the game even more entertaining, Sam Darnold gets to face the 22-year-old rookie QB that replaced him. Jets at Panthers is building up to be one of the most exciting matchups on the slate.
Will Trey Lance or Justin Fields start this season?
Everyone knows Lawrence and Wilson are QB1 on their respective teams, but what about the rest of the rookie QBs?
Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers: Week 1
While the first two picks of the 2021 NFL Draft are locks to start Week 1, there is controversy for the third overall selection.
The 49ers have Jimmy Garoppolo on the roster, who led them to the Super Bowl just two seasons ago. Health has been a major concern, as he has only played more than six games once (2019). Regardless, Jimmy G seems to be looking good at training camp. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, GM John Lynch stated, “[Garoppolo] is playing his best football since he’s been here.”
While all reports point to the veteran having an excellent offseason, I believe Lynch is building hype to eventually trade Garoppolo. Considering how the 49ers handled the pre-draft process around the No. 3 pick, we have to take everything Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan say with a grain of salt.
Further adding to the allure, Trey Lance took snaps with the first team on August 2. Still, Shanahan explained that was a play specifically built for Lance, so it wasn’t a “true” first-team play.
Regardless, I see San Francisco parting ways with the veteran to allow their rookie QB to hit the ground running. What better way to get your feet wet in the NFL than battling the Detriot Lions, who are in the running for the No. 1 selection in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Justin Fields, Chicago Bears: Midseason or not at all
The Bears traded up from 20 to 11 to draft Fields, effectively making him the new face of the franchise. And by all accounts, he has looked the part in training camp. Just look at the ball placement and timing on this pass:
Justin Fields with the BOMB to @rodney_adams87!! 🔥🔥🔥#BearDown pic.twitter.com/3lT7330Yrc
— Braggs In The Stands (@BraggsInStands) August 3, 2021
Don’t get it twisted; it is just training camp. But if you don’t look good now, how are we supposed to expect you to look good during the season? Head coach Matt Nagy said Fields has already “mastered” the huddle and calling plays. Next, he has to work on his progressions and how to read them.
So, if Fields is thriving, why won’t he start Week 1? Well, the Red Rifle himself is under center. Nagy affirmed that Andy Dalton has “full control of the offense” and that he’d be comfortable with Dalton starting the season if it began this week.
Chicago’s front office seems to want Fields to sit Year 1 as Patrick Mahomes did behind Alex Smith in Kansas City. The thing is, Dalton is not Smith, especially at that point in his career. The moment Dalton begins to play poorly, the entire Windy City will be calling for Fields to enter the contest. Nevertheless, if Dalton plays well enough, Fields won’t see the field as a rookie.
Mac Jones, New England Patriots: Midseason or not at all
Mac Jones has his own veteran signal-caller to try and dethrone. Cam Newton is far from his 2015 MVP-winning form, but he still has something left in the tank. In fact, most of New England’s moves this offseason seem to be building around Newton’s strengths. Bill Belichick has already stated Newton is the starter, but Jones isn’t backing down.
At Alabama last season, Jones steamrolled opponents to the tune of 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns against 4 interceptions. Additionally, he completed an exceptional 77.4% of his passes. The accuracy and timing are there, but his physical tools offer a limited upside. Outside of Newton struggling to the point of incompetency, Jones will likely see more of the sideline than the hashes in 2021.
Davis Mills, Houston Texans: Midseason or not at all
Considering the Texans’ off-field issues with Deshaun Watson, Davis Mills is thrust into the spotlight. Late in the process, Mills began to garner some first-round traction. Ultimately, the Texans took him on Day 2, although who knows how far he would have fallen past that.
At Stanford, the Georgia native flashed quick decision-making and mechanics that NFL scouts and GMs covet. Nonetheless, his athleticism is average at best, and he provides little outside of structure. If Watson stays in Houston and actually plays, Mills won’t start as a rookie. On the other hand, if Watson is dealt or suspended, a door could open for the former Cardinal.
Tyrod Taylor is the QB2, and while he possesses some talent, it wouldn’t make sense for the franchise to start him the entire season. In this script, Mills could relieve Taylor of his services mid-to-late season as the Texans try to evaluate their newcomer.
Worst-case scenario, Mills fails and Houston secures the No. 1 overall pick and drafts one of Spencer Rattler or Sam Howell. Best-case scenario, Mills flashes potential, and the Texans can use their first-rounder to build the rest of the roster or even trade Mills for further draft capital.
Will any other rookies start in 2021?
Kyle Trask of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seems to be the franchise’s first crack at finding a future replacement for the 44-year-old Tom Brady. That is the keyword — “future.” Trask may start in Week 17 or 18 if the Bucs have already clinched the playoffs, but that is about it.
The same can be said for Minnesota Vikings QB Kellen Mond. Unless Kirk Cousins misses time due to injury or COVID protocols, Mond won’t step on the turf.
Although the New Orleans Saints drafted the winningest passer in Notre Dame history, Ian Book won’t receive a start with Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill ahead of him. The best he can do is learn as much as he can from the offensive guru that is head coach Sean Payton.
Lastly, we have Sam Ehlinger. The former Texas QB finds himself in a backup role with the Indianapolis Colts. Starter Carson Wentz will undergo surgery to correct an issue in his foot. His timeline to return is anywhere from 5-12 weeks. Second-year QB Jacob Eason is receiving all the first-time snaps, and the team may look externally for reinforcements.