How Do Zach Wilson’s First Four NFL Starts Compare To Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes?

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – How do Zach Wilson’s first four starts in the NFL compare to those of Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes?

Nearly a quarter of Wilson’s rookie season is in the books.

Before the former BYU star was drafted by the New York Jets, lofty comparisons were made between the young gunslinger and NFL greats like Rodgers and Mahomes.

"The throw that traveled about 56 yards… dropped absolutely right into a bucket way down field to his receiver is a Mahomes type throw. It just is." – @peter_king on comparing Zach Wilson to Patrick Mahomes#LocalsInTheNFL #YACPodcast #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL
📷: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/evn0zyC4HA

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 30, 2021

Unlike Wilson, who started the opening game of his rookie campaign, both Rodgers and Mahomes sat behind veterans quarterbacks for at least a season.

Here’s how the three quarterbacks looked and compare in their first three NFL starts:

First Four NFL Starts

Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers

First Start – 2008 Week 1 vs. Minnesota Vikings

Statistics: 18/22 passing for 178 yards and one touchdown, eight carries for 35 yards and a touchdown

Result: Won 24-19

This throw from @AaronRodgers12 first start makes absolutely no sense at all 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/1Mih3FzjPm

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) August 14, 2019

Second Start – 2008 Week 2 @ Detroit Lions

Statistics: 24/38 passing for 328 yards and three touchdowns, four carries for 25 yards, one fumble lost, sacked once

Result: Won 48-25

Third Start – 2008 Week 3 vs. Dallas Cowboys

Statistics: 22/39 passing for 290 yards, five carries for 10 yards and a touchdown, sacked five times

Result: Lost 27-16

Fourth Start – 2008 Week 4 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Statistics: 14/27 passing for 165 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, two carries for eight yards, sacked three times

Result: Lost 30-21

After First Four Starts

Record: 2-2

Completion Rate: 78/126 for 61.9 percent

Passing Yards: 961

Total Touchdowns: Eight

Turnovers: Four

"To me, this was the right decision by the #Jets because I think Zach Wilson's kind of that Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes type talent."

-Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) evaluates the Jets decision to trade Sam Darnold

For Simms' full appearance: https://t.co/dYRkdhonlP pic.twitter.com/jnSYcwWpqt

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) April 6, 2021

Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs

First Start – 2017 Week 17 @ Denver Broncos

Statistics: 22/35 passing for 284 yards and one interception, seven carries for 10 yards, sacked twice

Result: Won 27-24

Mahomes very 1st completion in his first start ever wasn’t only a DIME but also drew the Broncos offsides 🐐 pic.twitter.com/7Wy9pa7lXH

— CHIEFS HIGHLIGHTS (@ChiefsHighlight) October 23, 2020

Second Start – 2018 Week 1 @ Los Angeles Chargers

Statistics: 15/27 passing for 256 yards and four touchdowns, five carries for 21 yards, sacked once

Result: Won 38-28

Third Start – 2018 Week 2 @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Statistics: 23/28 passing for 326 yards and six touchdowns, five carries for 18 yards, sacked once

Result: Won 42-37

Fourth Start – 2018 Week 3 vs. San Francisco 49ers

Statistics: 24/38 passing for 314 yards and three touchdowns, five carries for seven yards, sacked twice

Result: Won 38-27

After First Four Starts

Record: 4-0

Completion Rate: 84/128 for 65.6 percent

Passing Yards: 1,180

Total Touchdowns: 13

Turnovers: One

Well done!! 💪🏽💪🏽😎 https://t.co/hwf5qVYn7h

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) October 17, 2020

Zach Wilson – New York Jets

First Start – 2021 Week 1 @ Carolina Panthers

Statistics: 20/37 passing for 258 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, sacked six times

Result: Lost 19-14

pic.twitter.com/oTdnvo0zpt https://t.co/nNt3uvCPp7

— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) September 12, 2021

Second Start – 2021 Week 2 vs. New England Patriots

Statistics: 19/33 passing for 210 yards and four interceptions, three carries for 19 yards, sacked four times

Result: Lost 25-6

Third Start – 2021 Week 3 @ Denver Broncos

Statistics: 19/35 passing for 160 yards and two interceptions, one carry for two yards, sacked five times

Result: Lost 26-0

Fourth Start – 2021 Week 4 vs. Tennessee Titans

Statistics: 21/34 passing for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, three carries for -2 yards, sacked once

Result: Won 27-24 in overtime

Zach Wilson 👀 #LocalsInTheNFL #TakeFlight #TENvsNYJ #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports pic.twitter.com/jQY5N2zf21

— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 3, 2021

After First Four Starts

Record: 1-3

Completion Rate: 79/139 for 56.8 percent

Passing Yards: 925

Total Touchdowns: Four

Turnovers: Eight

New York’s next game is against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, October 10 at 7:30 a.m. (MDT). The game will be televised on the NFL Network.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

[ss-signup design_id=”2205276″]