Worst first starts in NFL history: Where Nathan Peterman, Max Brosmer rank in league infamy

David Suggs

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Worst first starts in NFL history: Where Nathan Peterman, Max Brosmer rank in league infamy image

It's not easy being an NFL quarterback.

The money is long for the league's best hurlers. And the spotlight is all-encompassing. But the actual craft of throwing accurate passes while titans storm the gates is a challenging one.

For every great first start from an NFL quarterback -- think Robert Griffin III, Jordan Love, Cam Newton and Fran Tarkenton -- there's a sea of lowly outings, pockmarked by interceptions, fumbles and a general lack of composure.

So, which first start ranks as the worst in league history? Here's what you need to know.

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Worst first starts in NFL history

Nathan Peterman, Bills, Nov. 19, 2017

It will be hard to top Peterman's level of impotency. Impressing in relief after taking over for Tyrod Taylor in a 47-10 loss to the Saints in Week 10 of the 2017 season, Peterman was handed the reins to Buffalo's offense ahead of its Week 11 tilt with the Chargers.

In hindsight, that wasn't the most inspired of choices. Peterman completed just 6-of-14 passes for 66 yards and zero touchdowns across the first two periods of action vs. Los Angeles. Five of his eight "incompletions" ended up in Chargers' players' arms. Two ended in pick-sixes.

Peterman's five interceptions are the joint-most in a player's first career start in league history. He was summarily replaced by Taylor, who scored two touchdowns as the Bills fell, 54-24.

Peterman only started four more games since his infamous debut. He hasn't thrown a pass at the NFL level since 2022.

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Max Brosmer, Vikings, Nov. 30, 2025

Brosmer got his first start as a result of injury, with J.J. McCarthy held out when the Vikings took on the Seahawks in Week 13 of the 2025 season. Given McCarthy's toils across his maiden season, there was hope that Brosmer could inject life into a Minnesota attack that was star-laden but proved largely ineffective throughout the season.

Instead, Brosmer authored perhaps the worst quarterbacking display of the season. The former New Hampshire and Minnesota star was far more efficient than Peterman, completing 19-of-30 passes for 126 yards against Seattle.

Nevertheless, his final line painted a grim picture. Brosmer threw four interceptions on the day, one of which resulted in perhaps the worst pick-six in recent league history.

Justin Jefferson was held to two catches for four yards -- by far the worst outing of his career. Minnesota failed to tally a point in the Emerald City. It was the first time the Vikings were held scoreless since 2007, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

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Keith Null, Rams, Dec. 9, 2009

Null bettered Peterman and Brosmer in terms of touchdowns, recording a single solitary score against the Titans in his first NFL start. However, he also threw five interceptions in his first -- and last -- NFL start as Tennessee raced to a 47-7 win.

Called into action after Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller were ruled out with injury, Null huffed and puffed through the bout. But a 3.8 yards per throw average, 11.4 QBR and 38.7 passer rating are indicative of an outing from hell for the then-24-year old. He started three more games in 2009, then never threw another pass in the NFL.

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Honorable mention: Tom O'Malley, Packers, Sept. 17, 1950

O'Malley's first "start" is a bit of a misnomer. He only appeared in one NFL game, replacing Tobin Rote after the then-rookie suffered a shoulder injury. Technically, O'Malley's three-quarter appearance doesn't count as a start.

Still, his display lives on in infamy. The Cincinnati alum tossed six interceptions in his lone NFL outing, the most in league history for a debuting QB. Green Bay dropped its bout with the Bobby Layne-led Lions, 45-7 as O'Malley completed just four of his 15 pass attempts.

O'Malley never played another NFL down, instead taking his talents up north to join the CFL. In 1951, O'Malley led the Ottawa Rough Riders to the Grey Cup.

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Honorable mention: Shedeur Sanders, Browns, Nov. 16, 2025

Like O'Malley, Sanders was a victim of circumstance more than anything else. His actual first start was promising — the Cleveland rookie showed flashes of potential in the Browns' 24-10 win over the Raiders in Week 12, recording a handful of impressive tosses and recording his first NFL touchdown.

His first official NFL outing was far more harrowing, though. Sanders struggled amid a fervent Ravens pass rush, completing just 4-of-16 passes for 47 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. Cleveland's defense kept the Browns in the game, coaxing Lamar Jackson into a pair of uncharacteristic interceptions.

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But Baltimore's defense was too stout. The Browns fell 23-16 to the Ravens, with their insistence on not giving Sanders' first-team reps largely blamed for his inefficient outing.

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