Just a few NFL groups had a youthful look beneath heart as three rookie quarterbacks made their debuts.
Prime general choose Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers, C.J. Stroud (second) of the Houston Texans and Anthony Richardson (fourth) of the Indianapolis Colts make up the trio of fresh-faced signal-callers.
After they went 0-3 of their first week of motion, Sam Darnold’s 2018 victory in his New York Jets debut stays the final time a rookie QB received his season opener.
This is how every star fared in Week 1:
Bryce Younger, Carolina Panthers
2023 draft choice: Spherical 1, Choose 1
Sport consequence: 24-10 loss at Atlanta Falcons
Stat line: 20-for-38, 146 passing yards, one passing TD, two INT, 14.5 QBR
Carolina posted its fewest factors in a season opener since 2013 in Younger’s debut. The Heisman winner tossed two interceptions — one thing he did solely twice in 27 video games with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Learn extra: Panthers’ Younger on 2-INT debut: ‘Unacceptable’
Regardless of the result, he confirmed promise, particularly on Carolina’s game-tying drive within the second quarter. He went 6-for-6 for 58 yards and capped it together with his first NFL landing, a 4-yard completion to Hayden Hurst.
Learn extra: Bryce Younger’s first NFL landing ball tossed to followers
All tied up in Atlanta! @_bryce_young‘s first NFL TD go is full to @haydenrhurst 🙌
📺: #CARvsATL on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/q8c5F00OeO— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2023
With the loss, David Carr remains to be the final quarterback drafted first general to win his first profession begin, in 2002 for the Houston Texans.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
2023 draft choice: Spherical 1, Choose 2
Sport consequence: 25-9 loss at Baltimore Ravens
Stat line: 28-for-44, 242 passing yards, 0 passing TDs, 0 INT, 21.2 QBR
Houston struggled to guard Stroud, who was sacked 5 instances, greater than in any single sport in his 25 begins with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Since 2011, he’s the fourth QB chosen as a top-five choose with no landing in his first profession begin, becoming a member of Joe Burrow, Jared Goff and Trey Lance.
Though he failed to supply a landing, his efficiency impressed teammates and first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans. Stroud’s 28 completions are tied for the fifth most within the NFL by way of Week 1.
Learn extra: Stroud impresses Texans teammates regardless of loss in NFL debut
DeMeco on C.J. after Week 1 pic.twitter.com/7cfZYliyWB
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 10, 2023
2023 draft choice: Spherical 1, Choose 4
Sport consequence: 31-21 loss vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stat line: 24-for-37, 223 passing yards, one passing TD, one speeding TD, one INT, 23.4 QBR
Richardson’s debut made him the Colts’ seventh completely different quarterback to start out Week 1 in as many seasons.
He displayed loads of upside, together with having the very best completion price by a Colts rookie QB in his debut (64.8%).
Richardson’s imaginative and prescient and athletic capability had been displayed on his first profession rush try, a 12-yard zone-read keeper. He is additionally simply the fifth QB in NFL historical past to have a speeding and passing TD in his debut.
First of many.
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/aA2Km0xF4X
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 10, 2023
Nevertheless, his 24 completions had been thrown a mean of solely 3.5 yards downfield. He additionally made 9 off-target throws (overthrown or underthrown), together with an interception within the fourth quarter with the Colts trailing 24-21 that led to the Jaguars’ remaining rating.
Up subsequent, Richardson and the Colts will go to Stroud and the Texans on Sunday as each rookie signal-callers search for their first win.
ESPN Stats & Data contributed to this story.