A total of six quarterbacks were selected throughout the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. A variety of factors over the next few months will help decide whether those prospects are ready to serve as Week 1 starters.
It's the age-old debate. We've seen prospects such as Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes benefit from sitting and learning. Quarterbacks such as Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud hit the ground running.
Supporting cast and readiness should be at the forefront of every decision. Every situation this year is different. Caleb Williams is hailed as the savior of the Chicago Bears, whereas Michael Penix Jr. is expected to support Kirk Cousins as his backup. We've identified every first-round quarterback that should start right away in Week 1.
CALEB WILLIAMS, CHICAGO BEARS
The Bears are understandably all-in on Caleb Williams. They shipped Justin Fields, a 2021 first-rounder who had shown flashes of franchise quarterback potential, to the Pittsburgh Steelers via trade and anointed Williams as the franchise quarterback. There will be no position battle through training camp. Williams is the Week 1 starter.
General manager Ryan Poles didn't bother adding a veteran quarterback in free agency. Although Tyson Bagent showcased long-term backup quarterback qualities last season, the Bears aren't going to thrust him into the starting lineup ahead of Williams. Brett Rypien and Austin Reed are the other quarterbacks on the roster.
JAYDEN DANIELS, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
The Commanders had a sizable decision to make at No. 2 overall. New general manager Adam Peters selected Jayden Daniels with a sense of conviction. There's no reason to believe the dual-threat reigning Heisman winner won't be Washington's starting quarterback in Week 1.
Peters traded Sam Howell, the starting quarterback he initially inherited, to the Seattle Seahawks earlier this offseason. It was that very moment Peters and head coach Dan Quinn committed to their rookie quarterback (whoever it was going to be) as an instant starter. There isn't an alternative quarterback on the roster capable of starting right away.
Peters signed Marcus Mariota in free agency. Mariota has been a journeyman backup as of late. His recent string of play in Atlanta and Philadelphia does not indicate he's even a bridge-type starter at this point.
J.J. MCCARTHY, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Vikings landed J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 as opposed to their long-rumored trade-up to fourth or fifth overall. McCarthy has arguably landed in the best overall situation of any rookie quarterback to experience immediate success. The supporting cast includes three high-level pass catchers in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson, a veteran running back in Aaron Jones, and two bookend tackles in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill. Not to mention a brilliant offensive-minded head coach in Kevin O'Connell.
The Vikings did sign Sam Darnold in free agency, who I believe is capable of keeping Minnesota afloat. But the Darnold addition was made on an emergency basis in case the Vikings couldn't successfully move up to draft their quarterback of the future. McCarthy could lead the Vikings to 10-plus victories in 2024.
BO NIX, DENVER BRONCOS
It cost the Broncos a historic amount of dead money to separate from Russell Wilson this offseason. The Broncos then drafted Bo Nix at No. 12 overall. Nix is a seasoned prospect with five years of college football experience and nearly 2,000 passing attempts. The Oregon standout doesn't require time to develop behind the scenes.
The Broncos traded for Zach Wilson, but he's more of a pet reclamation project for Sean Payton. Neither Wilson nor Jarrett Stidham should be Denver's opening-week starter. Drafting Nix with a top-12 pick was somewhat controversial, so the onus is now on Payton to prove Nix was worthy.