Key Highlights

• Seventeen veteran starters dropped back 231 times in the 2023 preseason and took just five combined sacks
• The sack rate was 2.2%, almost three times lower than the regular season league average
• The bigger injury risk is to unproven quarterbacks, who play more snaps and don’t throw the ball away as often
• Preseason production had zero correlation with regular season success

The first game action of the preseason is upon us, which brings up the annual debate: should veteran starting quarterbacks see the field?

While the injury downside is scary, All-Pros like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen saw action last year so they could improve timing and communication in a live setting.

And the data shows it’s not that much of a risk.

Seventeen veteran starting quarterbacks played in the preseason a year ago, and they were sacked a combined five times on 231 dropbacks. That equates to a 2.2% sack rate.

Comparatively, Josh Allen led the NFL with a 4.0% sack rate last year, and the average sack rate over the past half-decade is about 6.5%.

Mac Jones was the only veteran starting quarterback sacked more than once last preseason.

Veteran Starting QBs, 2023 Preseason

Can a key quarterback injury happen in a preseason game? Of course.

But training camp is a much bigger culprit, as Justin Herbert and Geno Smith have already gotten hurt in non-game-settings this year, while Joe Burrow suffered a major practice injury last year.

There have been injuries to veteran starting quarterbacks in preseason games, highlighted by Trent Green (knee injury in 1999), Michael Vick (broken leg in 2003), Sam Bradford (torn ACL in 2014) and Tony Romo (fractured back in 2016).

But the risk is much lower now since the veterans take fewer snaps and get the ball out quicker than in the past. The real injury danger seems to lie with young, unproven quarterbacks.

Unproven QBs, 2023 Preseason

The youngsters were sacked eight times on 183 dropbacks for a sack rate of 4.4%. They saw the field more than their veteran counterparts, and were more apt to process slower or try to extend plays.

There were six quarterbacks chosen in the first round of this year’s draft, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see some or all get extensive playing time.

They need the reps, but between the longer playing time and expected increased sack rate, the injury risk will be higher for that group this preseason.

As for preseason dominance – is there any carry-over to regular season success? Let’s check out the top-5 quarterbacks in passer rating from the 2023 exhibition slate.

2023 Preseason Passer Rating Leaders Among Starting QBs

Nice numbers (that didn’t last).

Pickett, of the perfect preseason passer rating, and Fields were traded after uninspiring regular seasons, while Carr and Jones underperformed. But, hey, good for Baker riding that fake wave of preseason momentum.

Oh, and the sixth-best preseason passer rating among starters last season went to Sam Howell (122.0), who also got traded, while C.J. Stroud and Tua Tagovailoa were among the worst preseason starting quarterbacks in the league last year.

2023 Preseason Passer Ratings Among Starting QBs