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A small number of NFL quarterbacks started all 17 games in 2023; we break down all 32 teams

Jacksonville Florida Times-Union

It seemed like 2023 was a bad year for starting quarterbacks in the NFL.

When all was said and done with the regular season, only nine QBs started all 17 weeks. By comparison, 10 QBs started every game in 2022.

In 2023, the nine included: Josh Allen, Dak Prescott, Jared Goff, Jordan Love, Tua Tagovailoa, Derek Carr, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield and Sam Howell.

Three more QBs started the first 16 games but sat the final week with playoff seeding locked in. They included: Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy.

One other QB, Russell Wilson, might have made it after starting the first 15 games, but he was benched the final two games in favor of Jarrett Stidham.

Allen and Goff are the only QBs to have started all 34 games the past two years.

Allen holds the longest active regular-season starting streak by a QB with 88. It could be 89, but a game in 2022 was abandoned after the near-death injury to Damar Hamlin. Goff is next at 35.

Here's a look at all 32 NFL teams, who started which game and what their situation was.

Arizona Cardinals (4-13)

Week 1: Josh Dobbs
2: Dobbs
3: Dobbs
4: Dobbs
5: Dobbs
6: Dobbs
7: Dobbs
8: Dobbs
9: Clayton Tune
10: Kyler Murray
11: Kyler Murray
12: Kyler Murray
13: Kyler Murray
14: BYE WEEK
15: Murray
16: Murray
17: Murray
18: Murray

What happened: Joshua Dobbs started the first eight games of the season, but was then traded to Minnesota. Clayton Tune started Week 9 and was dreadful (58 yards, 2 INTs). Kyler Murray returned the following week and started the final eight games of the season.

Atlanta Falcons (7-10)

Week 1: Desmond Ridder
2: Ridder
3: Ridder
4: Ridder
5: Ridder
6: Ridder
7: Ridder
8: Ridder/Taylor Heinecke
9: Heinecke
10: Heinecke/Ridder
11: BYE WEEK
12: Ridder
13: Ridder
14: Ridder
15: Ridder
16: Heinecke
17: Heinecke/Ridder)
18: Ridder

What happened: The Falcons just couldn’t make up their minds. Desmond Ridder started the first eight games of the season, but left the eighth game to be checked for a concussion after being sacked five times before the half. Taylor Heinecke started the next two games but was benched in the second start for Ridder. Ridder then started the next four games before being benched for Heinecke. But in his second straight start in Week 17, Heinecke was benched for Ridder. Ridder started Week 18, and the Falcons got pasted by the Saints. What will they do going forward in Atlanta?

Baltimore Ravens (13-4)

Week 1: Lamar Jackson
2: Jackson
3: Jackson
4: Jackson
5: Jackson
6: Jackson
7: Jackson
8: Jackson
9: Jackson
10: Jackson
11: Jackson
12: Jackson
13: BYE WEEK
14: Jackson
15: Jackson
16: Jackson
17: Jackson
18: Tyler Huntley

What happened: Lamar Jackson started the first 16 games for the Ravens, but sat the final game of the regular season because the team was locked into the No. 1 spot in the AFC. Not a bad reason to miss your only game of the season. Tyler Huntley got the start for the resting Jackson.

Buffalo Bills (11-6)

Week 1: Josh Allen
2: Allen
3: Allen
4: Allen
5: Allen
6: Allen
7: Allen
8: Allen
9: Allen
10: Allen
11: Allen
12: Allen
13: BYE WEEK
14: Allen
15: Allen
16: Allen
17: Allen
18: Allen

What happened: Josh Allen started all 17 games for the Buffalo Bills.

Carolina Panthers (2-15)

Week 1: Bryce Young
2: Young
3: Andy Dalton
4: Young
5: Young
6: Young
7: BYE WEEK
8: Young
9: Young
10: Young
11: Young
12: Young
13: Young
14: Young
15: Young
16: Young
17: Young
18: Young

What happened: Give it up for the No. 1 pick Bryce Young, who despite a dreadful rookie season, started all but one game. He missed Week 3 with an ankle injury, but started every other game this season. Andy Dalton got the nod in the lone game not started by Young. It should be noted Dalton threw for 361 yards, two TDs and no interceptions. Young’s best performance consisted of 312 yards passing in a Week 16 loss.

Chicago Bears (7-10)

Week 1: Justin Fields
2: Fields
3: Fields
4: Fields
5: Fields
6: Fields/Tyson Bagent
7: Bagent
8: Bagent
9: Bagent
10: Bagent
11: Fields
12: Fields
13: BYE WEEK
14: Fields
15: Fields
16: Fields
17: Fields
18: Fields

What happened: Justin Fields missed four starts after dislocating his right thumb in Week 6. This ushered in the Tyson Bagent era. He had some bright moments and led the team to a 2-2 record as a starter before Fields’ return. Fields started the final seven games of the season.

Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)

Week 1: Joe Burrow
2: Burrow
3: Burrow
4: Burrow
5: Burrow
6: Burrow
7: BYE WEEK
8: Burrow
9: Burrow
10: Burrow
11: Burrow/Jake Browning
12: Browning
13: Browning
14: Browning
15: Browning
16: Browning
17: Browning
18: Browning

What happened: Joe Burrow started the season with a foot injury, and his season ended with a wrist injury in Week 11. He started 10 games, and after his exit was replaced by Jake Browning. All Browning did was go 4-3 in his seven starts, throwing for 1,936 yards, 12 TDs and 7 INTs.

Cleveland Browns (11-6)

Week 1: Deshaun Watson
2: Watson
3: Watson
4: Dorian Thompson-Robinson
5: BYE WEEK
6: PJ Walker
7: Watson/Walker (Watson departed early)
8: Walker
9: Watson
10: Watson
11: Thompson-Robinson
12: Thompson-Robinson/Walker
13: Joe Flacco
14: Flacco
15: Flacco
16: Flacco
17: Flacco
18: Jeff Driskel

What happened: Joe Flacco? Who’d a thunk it? The Browns started five different QBs in 2023. Injuries kept sidelining the team’s starting signal caller, yet the Browns still won 11 games and made the playoffs. At one point, the Browns started three different QBs three weeks in a row. Despite less than stellar play, Deshaun Watson was 5-1 as a starter while Flacco was 4-1. Dorian Thompson-Robinson and PJ Walker also posted mid-season starts, but were sidelined by injury. You might notice Jeff Driskel got one start. That was because Flacco sat the final week with a playoff spot already locked up.

Dallas Cowboys (12-5)

Week 1: Dak Prescott
2: Prescott
3: Prescott
4: Prescott
5: Prescott
6: Prescott
7: BYE
8: Prescott
9: Prescott
10: Prescott
11: Prescott
12: Prescott
13: Prescott
14: Prescott
15: Prescott
16: Prescott
17: Prescott
18: Prescott

What happened: Dak Prescott started all 17 games for the Cowboys.

Denver Broncos (8-9)

Week 1: Russell Wilson
2: Wilson
3: Wilson
4: Wilson
5: Wilson
6: Wilson
7: Wilson
8: Wilson
9: BYE WEEK
10: Wilson
11: Wilson
12: Wilson
13: Wilson
14: Wilson
15: Wilson
16: Wilson
17: Jarrett Stidham
18: Stidham

What happened: Russell Wilson started the first 15 games for the Broncos before getting unceremoniously benched by head coach Sean Payton. Jarrett Stidham started the final two games for the Broncos.

Detroit Lions (12-5)

Week 1: Jared Goff
2: Goff
3: Goff
4: Goff
5: Goff
6: Goff
7: Goff
8: Goff
9: BYE WEEK
10: Goff
11: Goff
12: Goff
13: Goff
14: Goff
15: Goff
16: Goff
17: Goff
18: Goff

What happened: Jared Goff started all 17 games for the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers (9-8)

Week 1: Jordan Love
2: Love
3: Love
4: Love
5: Love
6: BYE WEEK
7: Love
8: Love
9: Love
10: Love
11: Love
12: Love
13: Love
14: Love
15: Love
16: Love
17: Love
18: Love

What happened: Jordan Love started all 17 games for the Green Bay Packers.

Houston Texans (10-7)

Week 1: CJ Stroud
2: Stroud
3: Stroud
4: Stroud
5: Stroud
6: Stroud
7: BYE WEEK
8: Stroud
9: Stroud
10: Stroud
11: Stroud
12: Stroud
13: Stroud
14: Stroud
15: Case Keenum
16: Keenum
17: Stroud
18: Stroud

What happened: CJ Stroud had one of the more remarkable rookie QB performances in NFL history. He started 15 of 17 games, missing Weeks 15 and 16 with a concussion. Case Keenum started both games in his absence, but was benched in the second game for poor performance in favor of Davis Mills.

Indianapolis Colts (9-8)

Week 1: Anthony Richardson
2: Rochardson
3: Gardner Minshew
4: Richardson
5: Richardson (injury occurred)/Minshew relieved
6: Minshew
7: Minshew
8: Minshew
9: Minshew
10: Minshew
11: BYE
12: Minshew
13: Minshew
14: Minshew
15: Minshew
16: Minshew
17: Minshew
18: Minshew

What happened: Gardner Minshew started 13 games and nearly delivered the Colts a playoff berth. First-round draft pick Anthony Richardson couldn’t stay healthy, first suffering a concussion, and next a shoulder injury that ended his season.

Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)

Week 1: Trevor Lawrence
2: Lawrence
3: Lawrence
4: Lawrence
5: Lawrence
6: Lawrence
7: Lawrence
8: Lawrence
9: Lawrence
10: BYE
11: Lawrence
12: Lawrence
13: Lawrence
14: Lawrence
15: Lawrence
16: Lawrence
17: CJ Beathard
18: Lawrence

What happened: Trevor Lawrence battled through a knee injury, concussion and ankle injury without missing a start, but a right shoulder injury did him in and forced him to miss his first NFL start after 50 straight. CJ Beathard relieved him and Lawrence returned for the final week of the season, where the Jaguars fell in disappointment to the Titans, making them miss the playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)

Week 1: Patrick Mahomes
2: Mahomes
3: Mahomes
4: Mahomes
5: Mahomes
6: Mahomes
7: Mahomes
8: Mahomes
9: Mahomes
10: BYE
11: Mahomes
12: Mahomes
13: Mahomes
14: Mahomes
15: Mahomes
16: Mahomes
17: Mahomes
18: Blaine Gabbert

What happened: Patrick Mahomes could have started all 17 games, but he was rested the final week with the AFC West Division title wrapped up and no need to risk getting injured. Blaine Gabbert started in his place.

Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)

Week 1: Jimmy Garoppolo
2: Garoppolo
3: Garoppolo
4: O’Connell
5: Garoppolo
6: Garoppolo (Hoyer relived injured Garoppolo)
7: Brian Hoyer (Aidan O’Connell in for benched Hoyer)
8: Garoppolo
9: O’Connell
10: O’Connell
11: O’Connell
12: O’Connell
13: BYE WEEK
14: O’Connell
15: O’Connell
16: O’Connell
17: O’Connell
18: O’Connell

What happened: After signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract in the offseason, Jimmy Garoppolo struggled through the first half of the season, ultimately getting benched for Aidan O’Connell after the eighth week. O’Connell finished the season, going 5-4 after taking over the starting job.

Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)

Week 1: Justin Herbert
2: Herbert
3: Herbert
4: Herbert
5: BYE WEEK
6: Herbert
7: Herbert
8: Herbert
9: Herbert
10: Herbert
11: Herbert
12: Herbert
13: Herbert
14: Herbert
15: Easton Stick
16: Stick
17: Stick
18: Stick

What happened: During Week 14, Justin Herbert broke the index finger on his throwing hand, ending his season. Easton Stick, one of the greatest names in the NFL, took over for Herbert and promptly went 0-4.

Los Angeles Rams (10-7)

Week 1: Matthew Stafford
2: Stafford
3: Stafford
4: Stafford
5: Stafford
6: Stafford
7: Stafford
8: Stafford
9: Brett Rypien
10: BYE
11: Stafford
12: Stafford
13: Stafford
14: Stafford
15: Stafford
16: Stafford
17: Stafford
18: Carson Wentz

What happened: Stafford exited the Week 8 game against the Dallas Cowboys and couldn’t start the following week, yielding to Brett Rypien. The team then had a bye week, and Stafford returned to start the rest of the season until Week 18, when he sat with the Rams already in the playoffs. Carson Wentz (who knew he was a Ram?) started in place of Stafford.

Miami Dolphins (11-6)

Week 1: Tua Tagovailoa
2: Tua
3: Tua
4: Tua
5: Tua
6: Tua
7: Tua
8: Tua
9: Tua
10: BYE
11: Tua
12: Tua
13: Tua
14: Tua
15: Tua
16: Tua
17: Tua
18: Tua

What happened: Tua started all 17 games for the Miami Dolphins.

Minnesota Vikings (7-10)

Week 1: Kirk Cousins
2: Cousins
3: Cousins
4: Cousins
5: Cousins
6: Cousins
7: Cousins
8: Cousins
9: Jaren Hall/relieved by Dobbs after injury
10: Josh Dobbs
11: Dobbs
12: Dobbs
13: BYE
14: Dobbs
15: Nick Mullens
16: Mullens
17: Hall
18: Mullens

What happened: Kirk Cousins was having a solid season before tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 8. Rookie Jaren Hall got the start the following week, but promptly suffered a concussion. He was relieved by Joshua Dobbs, who had only been in Minnesota for a few days after the Vikings traded with the Cardinals. Dobbs was benched during Week 14 in favor of Nick Mullens. Mullens was then benched in favor of Hall, who started in Week 17. He was benched at halftime for Mullens, who then started the final game of the season.

New England Patriots (4-13)

Week 1: Mac Jones
2: Jones
3: Jones
4: Jones
5: Jones
6: Jones
7: Jones
8: Jones
9: Jones
10: Jones
11: BYE
12: Jones
13: Bailey Zappe
14: Zappe
15: Zappe
16: Zappe
17: Zappe
18: Zappe

What happened: Bill Belichick held onto Mac Jones as long as he could, but he had to bench him after the team fell to 2-9, scoring just 13 points in his final two starts. Bailey Zappe took over and didn’t fare much better, going 2-4 during his late-season tenure.

New Orleans Saints (9-8)

Week 1: Derek Carr
2: Carr
3: Carr
4: Carr
5: Carr
6: Carr
7: Carr
8: Carr
9: Carr
10: Carr
11: BYE WEEK
12: Carr
13: Carr
14: Carr
15: Carr
16: Carr
17: Carr
18: Carr

What happened: Derek Carr started all 17 games for the New Orleans Saints.

New York Giants (6-11)

Week 1: Daniel Jones
2: Jones
3: Jones
4: Jones
5: Jones
6: Tyrod Taylor
7: Taylor
8: Taylor
9: Jones
10: Tommy DeVito
11: DeVito
12: DeVito
13: BYE WEEK
14: DeVito
15: DeVito
16: DeVito
17: Taylor
18: Taylor

What happened: Daniel Jones had a tough start to the season, and things were made worse by injuries. Tyrod Taylor tried to bring the Giants back, but injuries took him down. Tommy DeVito stepped in and briefly was a darling, even winning NFC Player of the Week, but it was short-lived. DeVito struggled, Taylor was brought back in and the Giants limped to a 6-11 record.

New York Jets (7-10)

Week 1: Aaron Rodgers/Zach Wilson
2: Wilson
3: Wilson
4: Wilson
5: Wilson
6: Wilson
7: BYE
8: Wilson
9: Wilson
10: Wilson
11: Wilson/Boyle
12: Boyle
13: Tim Boyle (Relieved by Trevor Siemian)
14: Wilson
15: Wilson/Siemian believed concussed Wilson)
16: Siemian
17: Siemian
18: Siemian

What happened: The Jets’ hopes were dashed just minutes into their season when Aaron Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles. Zach Wilson ran the gamut from really good, winning AFC Player of the Week honors for his Week 14 performance against the Texans, to really bad, being benched for Tim Boyle in Week 11. Boyle was benched during his second start in favor of Trevor Siemian. However, Wilson would regain his starting spot until leaving with a concussion in Week 15 against the Dolphins. Siemian finished out the season for the Jets.

Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)

Week 1: Jalen Hurts
2: Hurts
3: Hurts
4: Hurts
5: Hurts
6: Hurts
7: Hurts
8: Hurts
9: Hurts
10: BYE WEEK
11: Hurts
12: Hurts
13: Hurts
14: Hurts
15: Hurts
16: Hurts
17: Hurts
18: Hurts

What happened: Jalen Hurts started all 17 game for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

Week 1: Kenny Pickett
2: Pickett
3: Pickett
4: Pickett
5: Pickett
6: BYE WEEK
7: Pickett
8: Pickett
9: Pickett
10: Pickett
11: Pickett
12: Pickett
13: Kenny Pickett (Injured, Mitch Trubisky enter)
14: Trubisky
15: Trubisky (Mason Rudolph enters)
16: Rudolph
17: Rudolph
18: Rudolph

What happened: Kenny Pickett was having a nice season before an ankle injury sidelined him. Mitch Trubisky replaced him, but he was benched during his second start in favor of Mason Rudolph. Rudolph led the team to three straight wins in his three starts, and the Steelers made the playoffs.

San Francisco 49ers (12-5)

Week 1: Brock Purdy
2: Purdy
3: Purdy
4: Purdy
5: Purdy
6: Purdy
7: Purdy
8: Purdy
9: BYE WEEK
10: Purdy
11: Purdy
12: Purdy
13: Purdy
14: Purdy
15: Purdy
16: Purdy
17: Purdy
18: Sam Darnold

What happened: Brock Purdy started the first 16 games of the season but sat Week 18 with the No. 1 seed in the NFC locked up. Sam Darnold (who knew he was a Niner?) started in his place.

Seattle Seahawks (9-8)

Week 1: Geno Smith
2: Smith
3: Smith
4: Smith
5: BYE
6: Smith
7: Smith
8: Smith
9: Smith
10: Smith
11: Smith
12: Smith
13: Smith
14: Drew Lock
15: Lock
16: Smith
17: Smith
18: Smith

What happened: Smith missed two games after suffering a groin injury against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13. Drew Lock started the next two games, and Smith returned to finish out the season. He started 15 games a season after starting all 17.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8)

Week 1: Baker Mayfield
2: Mayfield
3: Mayfield
4: Mayfield
5: BYE
6: Mayfield
7: Mayfield
8: Mayfield
9: Mayfield
10: Mayfield
11: Mayfield
12: Mayfield
13: Mayfield
14: Mayfield
15: Mayfield
16: Mayfield
17: Mayfield
18: Mayfield

What happened: Baker Mayfield started all 17 game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tennessee Titans (6-11)

Week 1: Ryan Tannehill
2: Tannehill
3: Tannehill
4: Tannehill
5: Tannehill
6: Ryan Tannehill/Malik Willis relieved him
7: BYE
8: Will Levis (Debut, 4 TD passes)
9: Levis
10: Levis
11: Levis
12: Levis
13: Levis
14: Levis
15: Levis
16: Tannehill
17: Levis
18: Tannehill

What happened: Ryan Tannehill struggled through the first half of the season and was benched in Week 6 for Malik Willis. Willis played poorly, and after the bye week, rookie Will Levis was named starter. Levis started until Week 15, where he sprained his ankle. Levis sat the following week as Tannehill returned to start. In Week 17, Levis returned to start, but injured his foot and his season was done. Tannehill finished out the season in Week 18, pulling off the upset over the Jaguars, thus eliminating Jacksonville from the playoffs.

Washington Commanders (4-13)

Week 1: Sam Howell
2: Howell
3: Howell
4: Howell
5: Howell
6: Howell
7: Howell
8: Howell
9: Howell
10: Howell
11: Howell
12: Howell
13: Howell
14: BYE WEEK
15: Howell
16: Howell
17: Howell
18: Howell

What happened: Sam Howell started all 17 games for the Washington Commanders.