Since the media and football fans started caring about such things there's been a debate as to when's the best time to start a rookie, first-round quarterback. The answer's actually quite easy. When he's ready. Sometimes a team's forced to start him early so he has to (hopefully) get ready on the go. Sometimes it takes while. Sometimes it doesn't happen at all. Due to DeShaun Watson's early success and Mitchell Trubisky starting this week, Monday Morning Quarterback's Albert Breer posted when all of the first round quarterbacks since 2000 got their first starts. It's interesting viewing.
2017
Mitchell Trubisky-5th game
Patrick Mahomes-???
DeShaun Watson-2nd game
2016
Jared Goff-10th game
Carson Wentz-1st game
Paxton Lynch-5th game
2015
Jameis Winston-1st game
Marcus Mariota-1st game
2014
Blake Bortles-4th game
Johnny Manziel-14th game
Teddy Bridgewater-14th game
2013
E.J. Manuel-1st game
2012
Andrew Luck-1st game
Robert Griffin III-1st game
Ryan Tannehill-1st game
Brandon Weeden-1st game
2011
Cam Newton-1st game
Jake Locker-17th game
Blaine Gabbert-3rd game
Christian Ponder-7th game
2010
Sam Bradford-1st game
Tim Tebow-14th game
2009
Matthew Stafford-1st game
Mark Sanchez-1st game
Josh Freeman-8th game
2008
Matt Ryan-1st game
Joe Flacco-1st game
2007
Jamarcus Russell-16th game
Brady Quinn-25th game
2006
Vince Young-4th game
Matt Leinart-5th game
Jay Cutler-12th game
2005
Alex Smith-5th game
Aaron Rodgers-49th game
Jason Campbell-26th game
2004
Eli Manning-10th game
Philip Rivers-33rd game
Ben Roethlisberger-3rd game
J.P. Losman-17th game
2003
Carson Palmer-18th game
Byron Leftwich-4th game
Kyle Boller-1st game
Rex Grossman-14th game
2002
David Carr-1st game
Joey Harrington-3rd game
Patrick Ramsey-5th game
2001
Mike Vick-8th game
2000
Chad Pennington-41st game
It's a surprise to be reminded that Carson Palmer, the first pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, was the last of the four first round quarterbacks that year to start. It's surprising mostly because of the quarterbacks that got their shot before him. It's a little less of a surprise to see that Eli Manning and Phillip Rivers had to wait a bit before starting but those waits made sense at the time. The New York Giants had Hall of Famer Kurt Warner as a place holder for Manning and the San Diego Chargers had future Hall of Famer Drew Brees keeping Rivers on the bench for a couple seasons. It's difficult to grasp now that a team with Brees in place found it necessary to add another quarterback with a top pick.
Everybody seems to want a set script for the development of every young quarterback. That simply isn't possible. Every quarterback is different. There are so many variables that impact his development. Some of those variables include the college offense in which he played, the coaches that coached him, how he fits his new offense, how he works with his new coaches, the talent around him, avoiding both minor and major injuries. Then there's his physical and mental makeup. Physical talent isn't everything. Too many top picks have proven that. A young quarterback's mental makeup is probably the most important variable of all.
Every quarterback and their situation is different. If he has what it takes to be great, and sustain that greatness, he'll take advantage of his opportunity when it comes.
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