[Chronicle] How C.J. Stroud's Texans debut compares to those of notable recent NFL rookie quarterbac

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The C.J. Stroud era began Sunday in Baltimore, with the Texans hoping the rookie from Ohio State finally gives them the long-term franchise quarterback they’ve sought for most of their 22-season existence.

Stroud put up respectable numbers in the 25-9 loss to open the season, going 28-of-44 for 242 yards and no interceptions.

How did that compare to other notable rookie QBs over the years? We looked up the debuts of some notable rookie signal-callers since 2002, when the Texans entered the league.

For comparable situations to Stroud’s, we limited our search to fellow QBs drafted in the top five who saw action as rookies because those players, with few exceptions, often went to bad teams in dire need of help.

The QBs below ran the gamut from wild successes to all-time busts.

DAVID CARR
Team: Texans
Drafted: 2002, first overall out of Fresno State
Debut: Week 1, 2002 vs. Cowboys (19-10 win)

How he fared: His numbers weren’t pretty (10-of-22, 145 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception), but Carr engineered a stunning upset of Dallas in the Texans’ inaugural game. He hooked up with Corey Bradford for a 65-yard TD pass for the go-ahead score early in the fourth quarter.

His career: It was all downhill for Carr, as he took a pounding behind a woeful offensive line on an expansion team. He was gone from Houston by 2007. He started a few games for Carolina before toiling as a backup for his final four seasons.

JOEY HARRINGTON
Team: Lions
Drafted: 2002, third overall out of Oregon
Debut: Week 1, 2002 at Dolphins (49-21 loss)

How he fared: Harrington backed up Mike McMahon before being thrown in late in the opener. He completed 4-of-11 passes for 41 yards in a mop-up role.

His career: Harrington became the Lions’ starter in Week 3 of his rookie season, winning just three of his 14 starts. He struggled in four seasons as Detroit’s main starter, with his cause not helped by the chaotic regime of GM Matt Millen. Harrington finished his career with two pedestrian seasons in Miami and Atlanta.

ELI MANNING
Team: Giants
Drafted: 2004, first overall out of Ole Miss
Debut: Week 1, 2004 at Eagles (31-17 loss)

How he fared: Manning, who memorably refused to play in San Diego and was traded to New York, relieved Kurt Warner in a season-opening loss, going 3-of-6 for 66 yards in limited action.

His career: Manning became the Giants’ starter in Week 10 as a rookie, and didn’t notch a win until the season finale. That began a 16-season run in New York that included two Super Bowl wins in 2007 and 2011, both over the Patriots. Manning only won playoff games in two postseasons, but the Giants won it all each time. His postseason heroics and doing it in New York should make him a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame at some point.

ALEX SMITH
Team: 49ers
Drafted: 2005, first overall out of Utah
Debut: Week 2 at Eagles (42-3 loss)

How he fared: Smith backed up Tim Rattay and threw a single incomplete pass in his first NFL action.

His career: Smith became the 49ers’ full-time starter late in his rookie year, famously beating the Texans in the season finale that gave Houston the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. After some lost years in San Francisco, Smith thrived after coach Jim Harbaugh’s arrival in 2011. But he was hurt in 2012 and with Colin Kaepernick taking the 49ers to the Super Bowl, Smith was traded to Kansas City. He enjoyed some strong years with the Chiefs, leading them to the playoffs three times, before being supplanted by Patrick Mahomes. Smith finished his career with three years in Washington, returning from a horrific leg injury suffered in 2018 against the Texans that cost him a full season.

VINCE YOUNG
Team: Titans
Drafted: Third overall in 2006 out of Texas
Debut: Week 1 vs. Jets (23-16 loss)

How he fared: He went 3-of-4 for 27 yards and an interception in relief of starter Kerry Collins.

His career: The Madison and Texas legend became the Titans’ starter in Week 4 as a rookie. He won eight of his 13 starts, including a memorable overtime touchdown run to beat his hometown Texans at NRG Stadium in Week 14. He made one postseason and two Pro Bowls as the Titans’ starter but was gone after the 2010 season. He finished with one season in Philadelphia, getting three starts.

JaMARCUS RUSSELL
Team: Raiders
Drafted: 2007, first overall out of LSU
Debut: Week 13 vs. Broncos (34-20)

How he fared: After missing all of training camp and the preseason in a contract dispute, Russell didn’t see his first action until he relieved Josh McCown, who had been starting for injured starter Daunte Culpepper. Russell was 4-of-7 for 56 yards

His career: Russell, who didn’t make his first start until Week 17 of his rookie season, turned out to be one of the biggest busts in NFL draft history. He was out of the league after three seasons, 25 starts and a 65.2 passer rating.

MATT RYAN
Team: Falcons
Drafted: Third overall in 2008 out of Boston College
Debut: Week 1 vs. Lions (34-21 win)

How he fared: Ryan was an instant starter, and his first pass went for a 62-yard touchdown to Michael Jenkins. He was 9-of-13 for 161 yards in his debut.

His career: It’s easy to make a case for Ryan as the best quarterback in Falcons history. He started 14 seasons, was the 2016 MVP, led six playoff teams and went to the Pro Bowl four times. Of course, his Atlanta tenure also includes the infamous collapse in Super Bowl LI against the Patriots, when the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead and lost in overtime at NRG Stadium.

MATTHEW STAFFORD
Team: Lions
Drafted: First overall in 2009 out of Georgia
Debut: Week 1 at Saints (45-27 loss)

How he fared: Stafford was a day one starter, going 16-of-37 for 205 yards and throwing three interceptions in a loss to the eventual Super Bowl champs.

His career: Stafford had an up-and-down tenure with the star-crossed Lions, only making the playoffs three times in 12 seasons. But after being traded to the Rams in 2021, he finally got over the playoff hump as he led Los Angeles to a comeback win over the Bengals in the Super Bowl.

MARK SANCHEZ
Team: Jets
Drafted: Fifth overall in 2009 out of USC
Debut: Week 1 at Texans (24-7 win)

How he fared: He was efficient, going 18-of-31 for 272 yards with a TD and interception in beating the Texans.

His career: Sanchez led the Jets to AFC championship game appearances in each of his first two seasons. It was downhill from there, as he never played another playoff game. After four years in New York and being on the wrong end of the infamous “Butt Fumble” blooper, he bounced around to Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington in his final four NFL seasons.

SAM BRADFORD
Team: Rams
Drafted: First overall in 2010 out of Oklahoma
Debut: Week 1 vs. Cardinals (17-13 loss)

How he fared: Bradford came out firing, completing 32-of-55 passes for 253 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions on his way to being the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

His career: He played eight seasons for four different teams, but never made the playoffs. He also missed significant time with knee injuries in 2013 and 2014. Bradford was better known for his business acumen with his ability to land lucrative contracts.

 

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CAM NEWTON
Team: Panthers
Drafted: First overall in 2011 out of Auburn
Debut: Week 1 at Cardinals (28-21 loss)

How he fared: The Heisman Trophy winner was a plug-and-play starter for the Panthers and had an impressive debut, going 24-of-37 for 422 yards and two touchdown passes to commence an Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign

His career: Newton was a fixture in Carolina for nine seasons, winning NFL MVP when he led the Panthers to a 15-1 record and the Super Bowl in 2015 among four playoff appearances. But his rugged style led to him taking a pounding over time, diminishing his effectiveness in New England and his second stint in Carolina.

ANDREW LUCK
Team: Colts
Drafted: First overall in 2012 out of Stanford
Debut: Week 1 at Bears (41-21 loss)

How he fared: Luck, the successor to Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, was 23-of-45 for 309 yards with one TD to three interceptions.

His career: Luck, a Stratford graduate. led the Colts to playoffs in each of his first three seasons, making the AFC championship game in 2014 (the infamous “Deflategate” game). His career was then derailed by injuries playing behind a subpar offensive line, missing the entire 2017 season. He returned to make his fourth Pro Bowl in 2018 and was Comeback Player of the Year as he led the Colts to the playoffs (and a win in Houston), but shocked the NFL when he retired on the eve of the 2019 season, citing the toll of the injuries he’d suffered.

ROBERT GRIFFIN III
Team: Washington
Drafted: Second overall in 2002 out of Baylor
Debut: Week 1 at Saints (40-32 win)

How he fared: Griffin won a shootout with Drew Brees, going 19-of-26 for 320 yards and a pair of TD passes.

His career: Griffin, acquired after Washington traded three first-round picks to the Rams in order to move up and draft him, was an instant star, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year and helping win the NFC East in a Pro Bowl campaign. But the Heisman Trophy winner hurt his knee in a playoff loss to Seattle and never was the same. Griffin eventually lost his job to Kirk Cousins. He then had an injury-marred 2016 season in Cleveland before finishing with three years in Baltimore as Lamar Jackson’s backup.

BLAKE BORTLES
Team: Jaguars
Drafted: Third overall in 2014 out of Central Florida
Debut: Week 3 vs. Colts (44-17 loss)

How he fared: Bortles relieved Chad Henne during a blowout loss and went 14-of-24 for 223 yards, 2 TDs and 2 interceptions.

His career: Bortles took over as the Jaguars’ starter the next week and was at the controls through three brutal seasons and a combined 11 wins. But in a surprising 2017 season, he and Jacksonville had a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game before collapsing late at New England. Bortles started one more season for the Jaguars before brief stints with the Rams, Broncos, Packers and Saints before retiring in 2022.

JAMEIS WINSTON
Team: Buccaneers
Drafted: FIrst overall in 2015 out of Florida State
Debut: Week 1 vs. Titans (42-14 loss)

How he fared: Winston threw for 210 yards on 16-of-33 passing with a pair of TD passes and two interceptions.

His career: In five season with the Buccaneers, he put up gaudy numbers, throwing for 4,000 yards each of his first two seasons and leading the NFL with 5,109 in 2019 but also throwing 30 interceptions. Winston is entering his fourth season in New Orleans, where he’s been plagued by injuries the past couple years.

MARCUS MARIOTA
Team: Titans
Drafted: Second overall in 2015 out of Oregon
Debut: Week 1 at Buccaneers (42-14 win)

How he fared: Facing first overall pick Jameis Winston, Mariota went 13-of-15 for 209 yards and threw four TD passes in an auspicious debut.

His career: He was the TItans’ starter for five years, winning a playoff game in 2017, but lost his job to Ryan Tannehill in 2019. Mariota then logged time with the Raiders and Falcons and is with the Eagles as a backup.

JARED GOFF
Team: Rams
Drafted: First overall in 2016 out of California
Debut: Week 11 vs. Dolphins (14-10 loss)

How he fared: After sitting behind Case Keenum, Goff was 17-of-31 for 134 yards in a game the Rams lost after giving up two touchdowns in the final four minutes.

His career: Goff took over as the starter and saw dramatic improvement after Sean McVay was hired as coach, earning Pro Bowl nods in 2017 and 2018, with the Rams reaching the Super Bowl in the latter season. Goff was traded to Detroit in 2021 and enjoyed a bounce-back season on an emerging Lions team in 2022.

CARSON WENTZ
Team: Eagles
Drafted: Second overall in 2016 out of North Dakota State
Debut: Week 1 vs. Browns (29-10 win)

How he fared: Wentz immediately became the Eagles starter and enjoyed a solid debut, going 22-of-37 for 278 yards and a pair of touchdowns against a terrible Cleveland team.

His career: Wentz was an MVP candidate when he suffered a season-ending knee injury late in the 2017 season. Backup Nick Foles stepped in and led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl championship. Wents was then hurt again in 2018 and by 2021, fell out of favor in Philadelphia and was traded to Indianapolis. His Colts tenure ended in disaster in Week 18 when they laid an egg against the league-worst Jaguars with a playoff spot at stake. Wentz was then traded again to Washington and released after starting just seven games in 2022.

MITCH TRUBISKY
Team: Bears
Drafted: Second overall in 2017 out of North Carolina
Debut: Week 5 vs. Vikings (20-17 loss)

How he fared: After sitting behind Mike Glennon, Trubisky got his shot and went 12-of-25 for 128 yards, a touchdown and interception.

His career: Trubisky had a Pro Bowl season in 2018, but that was his high-water mark. The Bears declined his fifth-year option, and he has since played for Buffalo and Pittsburgh, where he lost his starting job to rookie Kenny Pickett in 2022. Trubisky’s time in Chicago will be better known for the fact the Bears passed on Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson to trade up and pick Trubisky.

BAKER MAYFIELD
Team: Browns
Drafted: First overall in 2018 out of Oklahoma
Debut: Week 3 vs. Jets (21-17 win)

How he fared: Mayfield relieved Tyrod Taylor and led the Browns to a comeback victory that ended a 19-game winless streak for Cleveland, the second-longest in the modern era. He was 17-of-23 for 201 yards.

His career: Mayfield took his lumps in Cleveland, but led the Browns to an 11-5 record in 2020 and their first playoff win since 1994. But he was jettisoned after Cleveland traded for Deshaun Watson. Mayfield split last season between the Panthers and Rams and is currently with the Buccaneers.

 

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SAM DARNOLD
Team: Jets
Drafted: Third overall in 2018 out of USC
Debut: Week 1 at Lions (48-17 win)

How he fared: Darnold was quite efficient, going 16-of-21 for 198 yards, 2 TDs and an interception.

His career: Darnold started three seasons for the Jets, but they traded him to Carolina after the 2020 season. Darnold then started 17 games in two seasons for the Panthers before landing with the 49ers this season as a backup.

KYLER MURRAY
Team: Cardinals
Drafted: First overall in 2019 out of Oklahoma
Debut: Week 1 vs. Lions (27-27 tie)

How he fared: Murray replaced Josh Rosen, drafted a year earlier in the first round, as the Cardinals’ franchise QB. He went 29-of-54 for 308 yards, 2 TDs and an interception.

His career: Murray led the Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021 but suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2022 as Arizona bottomed out. He’s expected back at sometime in the 2022 season but his future in Arizona is uncertain given fellow Heisman winner Caleb Williams’ possible availability in next year’s draft and the Cardinals expected to be in the running for the top pick.

JOE BURROW
Team: Bengals
Drafted: First overall in 2020 out of LSU
Debut: Week 1 vs. Chargers (16-13 loss)
How he fared: Burrow was 23-of-36 for 193 yards and an interception.

His career: Burrow’s arrival instantly transformed the Bengals franchise. His first season ended early because of a knee injury, but he returned to lead Cincinnati to the Super Bowl in 2021. The Bengals returned to the AFC championship game last season and with Burrow signed to a new five-year extension, figure to be a contender for years to come.

TUA TAGOVAILOA
Team: Dolphins
Drafted: Fifth overall in 2020 out of Alabama
Debut: Week 6 vs. Jets (24-0 win)

How he fared: Tagovailoa relieved Ryan Fitzpatrick and went 2-for-2 for 9 yards.

His career: Tagovailoa took over as the Dolphins’ starter the next week and the team won seven of his 10 starts. He’s entering his fourth season in that role with the biggest issue being injuries, namely a series of concussions. He took a step forward in 2022 working with offensive-minded head coach Mike McDaniel.

TREVOR LAWRENCE
Team: Jaguars
Drafted: First overall in 2021 out of Clemson
Debut: at Texans (37-21 loss)

How he fared: Lawrence was 28-of-51 for 332 yards, 3 TDs and 3 interceptions.

His career: A day one starter, his rookie season was marred by the sideshow of Urban Meyer’s tenure as coach and dismissal late in the year. Lawrence took a step forward in 2022 under new coach Doug Pederson, helping the Jaguars make the playoffs and then engineering a comeback from a 27-0 deficit to beat the Chargers in the wild-card round. He appears to have a long future in Jacksonville ahead of him.

ZACH WILSON
Team: Jets
Drafted: Second overall in 2021 out of BYU
Debut: Week 1 at Panthers (19-14 loss)

How he fared: Wilson was 20-of-37 for 258 yards, 2 TDs and an interception.

His career: Wilson started from the jump but a knee injury cost him time during his rookie year as the Jets struggled again. During a rocky sophomore year, he again missed time with injuries and poor play saw him demoted to third string. The Jets, looking to upgrade, traded for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers this past offseason, supposedly ending Wilson’s run as starter. Until Rodgers, per typical Jets luck, got hurt in his debut Monday.

TREY LANCE
Team: 49ers
Drafted: Third overall in 2021 out of North Dakota State
Debut: Week 1 at Lions (41-33 win)

How he fared: Lance saw limited action behind starter Jimmy Garoppolo, completing one pass for 5 yards and a touchdown.

His career: Lance, drafted after the 49ers traded three first-round picks to Miami to move up and take him, made two starts as a rookie, beating the Texans in Week 17. He began the 2022 season as the starter but suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2. After Brock Purdy’s emergence, the 49ers cut bait on Lance and traded him to the Cowboys during the 2023 preseason for a fourth-round pick.

 

Marcus Mariota sheesh