Ranking Veteran QB Debuts: The Jordan Love Era Begins

All four led their teams to a win in Week 1, but Green Bay’s starter was more ready for his new role than were Derek Carr, Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo.

The rookie quarterbacks weren’t the only ones making debuts in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season. Derek Carr, Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo also started their first games with their new respective teams.

We kept a close eye on the veteran trio, but we also included Jordan Love, the first-year starting quarterback of the Packers. Love, the 2020 first-round pick with only one career start, replaced Aaron Rodgers, who’s now with the Jets after 15 seasons in Green Bay.

Love’s longest pass Sunday was for 51 yards :: Jamie Sabau/USA TODAY Sports

Love had a fast start against the Bears in his season opener. Mayfield, on the other hand, started slow, but he found his stride to guide the Buccaneers to an upset win on the road against the Vikings.

Carr was also victorious in his Saints debut, but he had some help from the Titans. Garoppolo’s first Raiders start came against a pesky Broncos squad.

Here’s how the veteran quarterbacks fared, with rankings and analysis of the Week 1 performances.

1. Jordan Love, Packers

Stat line: 15-of-27 (55.6%), 245 yards (9.1 yards per attempt), 3 TDs 

Final score: Packers 38, Bears 20

Analysis: Two years removed from his sluggish first career start, Love showed he’s ready to be the full-time starter in Green Bay after throwing three touchdowns passes vs. Chicago.

Love didn’t have the best completion percentage, but he did enough for an inexperienced offense that was missing No. 1 target Christian Watson, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury. After Love opened with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs, the Packers’ offense hit a wall against the Bears’ defense. But Love made the wise decision to feed running back Aaron Jones—the two connected on a 35-yard touchdown pass. Jones, however, left the game because of injury, which could be another blow for the short-handed offense, but that’s next week’s problem.

Love also flashed his strong arm after uncorking a 37-yard pass to rookie tight end Luke Musgrave, a memorable play that started with Love dropping the ball. To put in perspective how much Love has improved since his sluggish starting debut two years ago: Love went 19-of-34 for 190 yards, one touchdown and one interception vs. the Chiefs. He did a lot more than that for his second career start.

2. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers

Stat line: 21-of-34 (61.8%), 173 yards (5.1 yards per attempt), 2 TDs

Final score: Buccaneers 20, Vikings 17

Analysis: Mayfield has never been a consistent quarterback since the Browns took him No. 1 in the 2018 draft.

Now on his fourth team, the quarterback had more highs and lows Sunday, but his hot streaks occurred in timely moments against the Vikings. Mayfield started 3-of-9 for 12 yards but got going late in the first half after connecting with Mike Evans for a 28-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 10–10. Mayfield bought enough time for Evans to beat safety Josh Metellus before rifling a perfect pass near the middle of the field.

The Buccaneers’ offense struggled most of the game, but they stood within striking distance thanks to their defense limiting the damage from Vikings receivers Justin Jefferon and Jordan Addison. Mayfield sealed the victory with a clutch completion on third down to Chris Godwin to run the clock out.

Mayfield continues to be an inconsistent quarterback, but the Buccaneers still have a chance to win the NFC South with a veteran-filled roster.

3. Derek Carr, Saints

Stat line: 23-of-33 (69.7%), 305 yards (9.2 yards per attempt), 1 TD, 1 INT

Final score: Saints 16, Titans 15

Analysis: Carr had an ugly performance in his first game with the Saints, but he can thank Titans coach Mike Vrabel for the win.

Carr and the Saints’ offense did their part after Vrabel surprisingly opted for a field goal on a critical fourth down, with Tennessee down four points and 2:17 left in regulation. Carr had an impressive 41-yard completion to Rashid Shaheed on third down during the final drive before eventually sealing the win with kneel downs.

Overall, Carr had a decent performance, but the Saints’ offense struggled to find a rhythm with only 15 first downs compared to Tennessee’s 16. Carr, however, had plenty of success throwing to second-year wide receiver Chris Olave, who had 10 targets and eight receptions for 112 yards. Carr will need to figure out how to get more playmakers involved in his second game, including Michael Thomas, who recorded five catches for 61 yards.

4. Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders

Stat line: 20-of-26 (76.9%), 200 yards (7.7 yards per attempt), 2 TDs, 1 INT

Final score: Raiders 17, Broncos 16

Analysis: Garoppolo never played with wide receiver Jakobi Meyers in New England, but the two former Patriots and first-year Raiders quickly established chemistry vs. the Broncos.

Garoppolo and Meyers connected on a three-yard touchdown pass during the opening drive, and again for the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter: a six-yard touchdown pass that gave Las Vegas a 17–16 advantage. But Garoppolo and the Raiders’ offense stalled throughout the second and third quarters.

Garoppolo went to Meyers again on a critical third down to potentially close the game, but Meyers was stopped short and took a scary hit. (He eventually walked off the field with help from the medical staff). After the unnecessary roughness penalty, Garoppolo sealed the win by running for another first down. Garoppolo did enough in his debut, but he needs to get more players involved, including star wideout Davante Adams.