Rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Bo Nix are currently facing challenges as they hit a midseason rough patch. This year’s highly touted rookie class, which also includes Drake Maye from the Patriots, started strong but has seen a noticeable decline in performance over the past month.
In Week 6, these young quarterbacks collectively achieved a historic milestone, throwing 12 touchdown passes—the highest recorded by rookies in a single week. However, their production has since normalized, with only 13 touchdowns combined over the following four weeks, reflecting the typical ups and downs of rookie performance in the NFL.
The reality of being a rookie quarterback is tough. Recently, these players have each recorded a 1-3 record over the last two weeks. Nix’s Broncos had a near upset against the Chiefs, thwarted by a blocked field goal, while Daniels faced a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Steelers, where he attempted to rally his team with a risky fourth-down pass.
Williams, in particular, has struggled recently, with the Bears’ offense stalling so significantly that it resulted in the firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. After a promising 4-2 start, the Bears have lost three consecutive games, averaging just nine points per game during that stretch. Williams has not thrown a touchdown in those outings, and his completion rate has dropped from 65% to 51%.
Despite these setbacks, one area where this year’s rookie quarterbacks have excelled is in minimizing interceptions. Among the current starters, only Maye has an interception percentage above 2%. In contrast, last year’s rookie class saw all players exceed that mark. This year’s average interception rate stands at 1.77%, a significant improvement compared to previous years.
Looking ahead, this week presents tough matchups for these rookie quarterbacks. Daniels will face the Eagles in a high-profile Thursday night game, while Williams will debut under new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown against the Packers. Nix’s Broncos are set to challenge the division-leading Falcons, and Maye has a home game against the Rams. However, the trend suggests another difficult week may await these rookie starters.
Adonai Mitchell finally arrives
This year’s rookie receiver class has seen a mix of immediate impact players and those struggling to find their footing. Among the nine receivers selected in the first 34 picks, many have made significant contributions, while others have faced challenges in securing catches and touchdowns.
For instance, Patriots second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk has only 80 receiving yards this season, while Jets third-rounder Malachi Corley has just six yards to his name. Meanwhile, Steelers third-rounder Roman Wilson has been limited by injuries, managing to play in only one game without any receptions.
Colts second-round pick Adonai Mitchell also struggled early in the season, with only 12 catches on 32 targets and a catch rate of 37.5%. However, in a recent game against the Bills, Mitchell stepped up significantly, catching all six passes thrown his way for 71 yards, five of which resulted in first downs. Although the Colts lost, this performance showcased the potential he displayed in college, where he scored 11 touchdowns at Texas last season.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. emerges for New York
Despite the Giants’ five-game losing streak, rookie running back Tyrone Tracy has emerged as a standout player. A fifth-round pick who played at Iowa and Purdue, Tracy has taken over as the primary back for the past six weeks. He currently ranks fifth in the NFL with 516 rushing yards, averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry, trailing only Derrick Henry of the Ravens and Saquon Barkley of the Eagles among players with similar carry counts.
Another rookie shining for the Rams
Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports, previously covering the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. Follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.
