Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy earned a dubious distinction.
McCarthy, who missed the season with a knee injury during the preseason, is the first rookie since the league’s draft began in 1967 to be selected in the first round and miss his entire rookie season with an injury.
Other first-round quarterbacks sat on the bench all year, but never made it due to injuries they suffered before the season started:
Jordan Love spent the entire 2020 season on the sidelines behind Aaron Rodgers.
In 2005 Jason Campbell spent the entire season on the sidelines behind Mark Brunell and Patrick Ramsey.
In 2003, Carson Palmer spent the entire season on the sidelines behind Jon Kitna.
In 1987, Kelly Stover missed the entire season due to a contract dispute.
In 1983 Jim Kelly chose to play in the NFL instead of the AFL.
In 1983 Ken O’Brien spent the entire season on the sidelines behind Richard Todd.
In 1977 Steve Pisarkiewicz spent the entire season on the sidelines behind Jim Hart.
History tells us nothing about what kind of quarterback McCarthy will become. Campbell, Stover and Pisarkiewicz were never successful, but Kelly is now in the Hall of Famers, O’Brien and Palmer were pro bowlers, and Love is on the rise. McCarthy could have a bright NFL career ahead of him. But it won’t start until 2025.
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