Jack Strand’s NFL regular-season debut for the Atlanta Falcons was absolutely unforgettable, just not for the reasons he’d hoped. Late in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers, the undrafted Minnesota State Moorhead rookie quarterback came in after Cooper Rush couldn’t get the offense moving. And on his *very first pass attempt*, he got picked off by Panthers linebacker Devin Lloyd for a quick pick-six. Talk about a brutal welcome to the league, right?
Welcome to the Club, Rookie
This wasn’t just any bad play, though, folks. Strand joined some truly “elite” company, becoming only the fourth quarterback since at least 1991 to throw an interception returned for a touchdown on his first professional pass. Can you even imagine that kind of pressure? The other three signal-callers who share this wild stat are Jameis Winston from back in 2015, Brett Favre in 1991, and our very own Seahawks QB, Sam Darnold, who did it in 2018. The good news, if there is any? Both Favre and Darnold went on to win Super Bowls, and Winston’s had a pretty solid NFL career, so Strand’s future isn’t automatically doomed. It’s a rough start, but hey, at least he’s in a club with some serious talent.
Beyond the Pick-Six: A Brief Stint
Beyond that historic blunder, Strand’s time under center against the Panthers was, well, short and not exactly stellar. He completed 8-of-15 passes for 59 yards, averaging just 3.9 yards per attempt. He just couldn’t ignite that offense after Rush also struggled. It was a tough spot for a rookie, no doubt. His stint under center is likely going to be super short-lived, too. While Tua Tagovailoa is dealing with an oblique injury, it looks like 2024’s No. 9 overall pick, Michael Penix Jr., should be good to go for Thursday night’s matchup against Green Bay.
So, while Strand’s name is now in the record books for all the wrong reasons, that silver lining with Favre and our own Sam Darnold at least gives some hope. Still, with Penix Jr. reportedly ready for Thursday night’s battle against Green Bay, it looks like Strand’s time under center might be over before it even really began. Tough break for the rookie, but that’s the NFL for ya.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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