How every rookie QB performed in Week 1, from Ty Simpson to Fernando Mendoza

This week brought the first set of preseason games in the NFL, and while it's far from the product we'll see on the field in the regular season, it's valuable for many reasons. For the rookies, it's the first chance to prove to teams why you're a building block for the future while getting acclimated to the speed of the game.

For rookie quarterbacks, the preseason could be the only action they get in games all season, as most won't have a chance to dethrone starters this year. While the first-round picks get all the attention, late-round draftees showed a ton of promise in their first appearances for their new franchises.

How every rookie QB fared in Preseason Week 1

Thursday's Games

Drew Allar - Penn State - Pittsburgh Steelers

While it's only the preseason, it's hard not to be excited about what Penn State rookie Drew Allar put on film on Thursday. Drew Allar went 10-13 for 153 yards and a pair of touchdowns while adding 2 rushing yards and a touchdown with his legs. Drew Allar has always had the talent, but needed to put it all together, and Thursday Night's performance is a great start to his career.

Kyron Drones - Virginia Tech - Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers already have their starting quarterback in place with Jordan Love, but after losing Malik Willis in free agency, Matt LaFleur will need to find a new backup. Kyron Drones signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent, and he wasn't given much of a chance to prove his worth, going 0-1 passing in his preseason debut.

Luke Altmyer - Illinois - Detroit Lions

Teddy Bridgewater's retirement gives Luke Altmyer a chance to earn the backup role behind Jared Goff. Luke Alymyer's first shot at the role came with some ups and downs as he went 13-22 for 130 yards and a touchdown, but he did also throw a pair of interceptions. The rest of the preseason, Altmyer is going to need to clean up on the mistakes if he's going to be first in line behind Goff.

Fernando Mendoza - Indiana - Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders fans got to take a look at the future of their franchise on Thursday Night when Fernando Mendoza made his Raiders debut. It wasn't the most exciting debut for Fernando Mendoza, but he made some impressive plays with the young weapons the Raiders are hoping he'll grow with for the future.

Behren Morton - Texas Tech - New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are set at quarterback for a long time with Drake Maye on the roster, but Mike Vrabel will continue to develop assets. Behren Morton had a decent showing, finishing 7 for 13 for 66 yards without a touchdown or an interception. Morton's fate will depend on how many quarterbacks the team has, as Tommy DeVito will serve as the backup to Maye.

Friday's Games

Jack Strand - Minnesota-Morehead - Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have a bizarre quarterback picture, as no one feels great about either Michael Penix Jr or Tua Tagovailoa. Undrafted Free Agent Jack Strand is in the mix to make the roster as the third-string quarterback, and he finished his NFL debut 6-12 for 50 yards while rushing for a touchdown. It'll be an uphill battle for Strand to make the roster as he's behind Cooper Rush, but showing promise could land him on a practice squad.

Jalon Daniels - Kansas - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield still hasn't signed a contract extension, making his future in Tampa Bay uncertain at best. Kansas rookie Jalon Daniels showed some promise for the future in his preseason debut, completing 10 of 15 attempts for 111 yards while rushing for 9 yards and a touchdown. Daniels is a developmental piece hoping to make the roster, and if he can continue to flash as he did in the preseason opener, he'll have a great chance to do so.

Cade Klubnik - Clemson - New York Jets

Geno Smith missed the preseason opener with an injury, cracking the door for some of the Jets' depth pieces to make a strong impression. Cade Klubnik earned the start and finished the day 5-7 for 56 yards, building quick chemistry with Mason Taylor and Garrett Wilson. Klubnik, impressing in camp and the preseason, could give him a chance to replace Smith during the season as an audition for the team.

Athan Kaliakmanis - Rutgers - Washington Commanders 6-10 87 yards

Last season, the Commanders' season was derailed by Jayden Daniels' injuries, making backup quarterbacks a priority. Athan Kaliakmanis flew under the radar due to Rutgers' team struggling around him. Kaliakmanis continued to show flashes of what he could be, going 6-for-10 passing for 87 yards, but took a pair of sacks that will need to be cleaned up.

Saturday's Games

Ty Simpson - Alabama - Los Angeles Rams

The Rams' decision to pick Ty Simpson in the 1st round came with a ton of hate, as many thought the team should've used the pick elsewhere in an all-in season. Saturday's performance shows just how impactful Ty Simpson could be in Sean McVay's offense, as he finished the day 21-25 for 190 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Rams will want to see Simpson push the ball downfield more often, but he had a solid day taking what the defense gave him.

Miller Moss - Louisville - Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams is the face of the franchise in Chicago, and with a backup quarterback the team loves in Tyson Bagent, Miller Moss faces an uphill battle to crack the Bears as QB3 ahead of Case Keenum. Moss' preseason debut left a ton to work on as he finished the day just 3 of 8 passing for 48 yards while the 2 backup QBs ahead of him each posted solid showings.

Garrett Nussmeier - LSU - Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have no need for a quarterback with Patrick Mahomes under center, but Andy Reid has shown over decades that he can develop quarterbacks. After an injury-riddled Senior season, Garrett Nussmeier fell all the way to the 7th round, where the Chiefs scooped him up. Nussmeier impressed in his preseason debut, going 13-19 for 98 yards, showing an ability to take what the defense gave him compared to the gunslinger mentality everyone saw at LSU.

Joey Aguilar - Tennessee - Jacksonville Jaguars

After attempting to come back to college football, Joey Aguilar went undrafted, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Liam Coen and his staff didn't give Aguilar a ton of opportunities in his first NFL appearance, but he made the most of it, connecting with Trebor Pena for a 43 yard gain on his lone pass of the game.

Joey Fagnano - UConn - Baltimore Ravens 22-28 224 yards 1-1 TDINT

Lamar Jackson's injury history makes having solid backup quarterbacks a priority for the Baltimore Ravens. The team signed both Diego Pavia and Joey Fagnano as undrafted free agents, and with Pavia cut, Fagnano's chances of making the team are high. Fagnano showed a ton to be excited about as a developmental piece in his debut, finishing 22-28 for 224 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

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