One Brock Alan Osweiler is scheduled to make his first NFL start Sunday when your Denver Broncos visit the Chicago Bears.
Research reveals that he will be the 15th QB to make his first pro start with the Broncos since the 1970 AFL-merger.
So how did they fare? Spoiler alert: Not so good.
But following is the list – you’ll find some familiar names, some names you haven’t seen in years and some you’ve never heard of – so have fun and judge for yourself.
Now, before we begin, this isn’t a list of quarterbacks drafted by the Broncos or how various QBs fared in their Denver debuts. Rather, I wanted to single out the quarterbacks who made their pro debuts while wearing the Orange and Blue as Osweiler will on his 25th birthday Sunday in the Windy City.
Here you go with the fine — or is it not-so-fine? — 14:
- Al Pastrana: Dec. 6, 1970 at Kansas City (L 0-16) – 9 completions-21 attempts-115 yards-0 TDs-5 interceptions; 1 rush-5 yards-0 TDs
- Steve Ramsey: 21, 1971 at Kansas City (L 10-28) – 17-37-231-0-3; 0-0-0
- John Hufnagel: Dec. 8, 1975 at Oakland (L 10-17) – 6-15-87-0-3; 2-5-0
- *Craig Penrose: Dec. 5, 1976 vs. Kansas City (W 17-16) – 11-27-176-2-2; 2-minus-3-0
- Mark Herrmann: Jan. 2, 1983 at Seattle (L 11-13) – 18-32-188-0-1; 3-7-1
- *John Elway: Sept. 4, 1983 at Pittsburgh (W 14-10) – 1-8-14-0-1; 0-0-0*
- *Gary Kubiak: Nov. 20, 1983 vs. Seattle (W 38-27) – 10-18-165-1-1; 3-13-1
- *#Ken Karcher: Oct. 4, 1987 vs. Houston (L 10-40) – 22-40-226-1-2; 2-0-0
- Tommy Maddox: Nov. 22, 1992 at .A. Raiders (L 0-24) – 18-26-207-0-2; 1-1-0
- Bill Musgrave: Dec. 8, 1996 at Green Bay (L 6-41) – 12-21-101-0-0; 1-6-0
- Brian Griese: Sept. 13, 1999 vs. Miami (L 21-38) – 24-40-270-3-0; 2-4-0
- Jarious Jackson: Dec. 28, 2003 at Green Bay (L 3-31) – 4-9-41-0-0; 1-9-0
- *Jay Cutler: Dec. 3, 2006 vs. Seattle (L 20-23) – 10-21-143-2-2; 4-10-0
- *Tim Tebow: Dec. 19, 2010 at Oakland (L 23-39) – 8-16-138-1-0; 8-78-1
*Denotes rookie; # NFL replacement game
Also note that 1996 start for Musgrave and the ’03 start for Jackson – ironically both in Green Bay – were late-season spot starts with the Broncos having already locked up their position in the postseason. Both were also the only NFL starts the two QBs ever made.
Finally, some quick totals from the 14 first starts: Three wins, 11 losses, 10 TD passes, three rushing scores and 22 interceptions.
Brock, you’re up.
