The first quarterback to start a season with zero NFL passes
In short: Imagine entering the biggest stage in American sports as a total unknown, having never thrown a single pass in your professional career. Trevor Siemian did exactly that, breaking an NFL record while leading a defending Super Bowl champion into their opening game.
Trevor Siemian's path to the NFL was defined by persistence and academic excellence. A standout multi-sport athlete at Olympia High School in Florida, he graduated with a 3.9 GPA before attending Northwestern University. During his college career, he became one of the program's most productive passers, ranking fourth all-time in both career passing yardage (5,931) and completions (550). Despite these accolades, he was only selected in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. At that time, many expected him to remain on the sidelines; he even lined up for a commercial real estate job in Chicago while awaiting his fate.
The opportunity arrived following the retirement of Peyton Manning and the departure of Brock Osweiler. On August 29, head coach Gary Kubiak named Siemian the starter. Siemian entered the record books during the Broncos' initial match against the Carolina Panthers—a repeat of Super Bowl 50—as he became the inaugural NFL quarterback to lead a defending champion into a season opener despite never having tossed a league pass. He managed the feat with composure, completing 18-of-26 passes for 178 yards and one touchdown in a narrow 21–20 victory.
Siemian's rookie campaign was marked by high-ceiling performances and physical toll. In his first career road start against the Cincinnati Bengals, he became the first quarterback to throw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in such a debut, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. However, his season was frequently interrupted by injuries, including a sprained AC joint and various shoulder issues. Despite these hurdles, he finished the year outperforming the Manning-Osweiler duo from the previous season on several key metrics, eventually being named an alternate for the 2017 Pro Bowl.
Siemian's journeyman career continued through the Vikings, Jets, Titans, Saints, and Bengals. His time with the New Orleans Saints was particularly notable; he stepped in for Jameis Winston during a Week 8 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While his career has seen him move between various roles—from primary starter to practice squad standout—his ability to step into high-pressure situations remains a testament to his unique trajectory from an overlooked draft pick to a record-breaking NFL opener.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Trevor Siemian
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