NFL Quarterbacks 2021: Who Will Start For The Bears, Saints, 49ers, Broncos, Patriots In Week 1?

With just two exhibition games left on the schedule, several NFL teams have yet to name their starting quarterback for the 2021 season. A handful of other quarterback situations could potentially change as highly touted rookies show what they can do in the preseason.

The Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers are in the second camp. Bears head coach Matt Nagy insists that Andy Dalton will start the season over Justin Fields. At the start of training camp, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear that Jimmy Garoppolo was ahead of Trey Lance on the depth chart.

Will either rookie play their way into the starting role for Week 1? The betting odds suggest it’s unlikely.

Fields has +190 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook to take Chicago’s first snap of the season. Lance is more of a long shot to get the starting job with +250 odds to take San Francisco’s first snap.

Of all the quarterbacks picked in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields had the most impressive stat line in his preseason debut. The No. 11 overall pick went 14-20 for 142 passing yards and a touchdown, in addition to his 33 yards on the ground and one rushing touchdown. Lance only completed five of 14 passes, but one attempt was an 80-yard touchdown pass.

Mac Jones is in a similar situation after being taken 15th overall by the New England Patriots. Jones is given +250 odds to be the Week 1 starter, though Cam Newton told reporters that coach Bill Belichick hasn't yet said that he'll start the regular-season under center.

Jones and Newton had similar passer ratings in Week 1 of the preseason. Newton went 7-8 in his first season as the Patriots quarterback.

The New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos have more uncertain quarterback competitions. Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill are vying to replace Drew Brees in New Orleans. Denver traded for Teddy Bridgewater, putting Drew Lock’s status as the starter in jeopardy.

With 70 career NFL starts, Winston is the favorite to win the job at -185. Hill got the starting nod when Brees missed four games last season, but he has more combined rushing and receiving yards than passing yards in four years with the Saints.

Denver’s second-round pick in 2019, Lock is given the edge over Bridgewater. Lock is a -175 favorite to start in Week 1, and Bridgewater has +125 odds.

Lock went 4-9 with an NFL-high 15 interceptions last season for the Broncos. Bridgewater has a lower ceiling but a higher floor than Lock with a career 89.5 passer rating.

The Bears, 49ers, Patriots, Saints and Broncos will all open the regular season on Sept. 12.