Former Georgia Bulldogs Shine in NFL Week 1
Week 1 of the NFL season saw noteworthy performances from several former Georgia Bulldogs.
Matthew Stafford of UGA during the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA on November 25, 2006. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty ImagesWeek 1 of the NFL's 2025-2026 season showcased the talent of several outstanding former Georgia Bulldogs and their standout performances across multiple teams in the league.
Matthew Stafford joined an elite club by becoming the 10th quarterback for the Rams to amass more than 60,000 career yards for passing. He led the Rams to a narrow 14-9 victory over the Texans.
Former Georgia tight end Brock Bowers made a significant impact with the Raiders as he surpassed more than 100 yards receiving. That's the seventh-most in the NFL and the only tight end to surpass 80. Despite suffering a knee injury in the third quarter, Bowers has cemented his status as a rising star in the NFL.
Former Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the Philadelphia Eagles season opener. Carter's teammates Jordan Davis and Nolan Smith Jr. contributed notably to the Eagles' 24-20 win.
Seventeen rookies from Georgia made NFL rosters this year, including first-round picks Jalon Walker (Atlanta Falcons), Malaki Starks (Baltimore Ravens), and Mykel Williams (San Francisco 49ers), all of whom made their NFL debut in Week 1.
Multiple former Georgia running backs, including Nick Chubb (Texans), D'Andre Swift (Bears), James Cook (Bills), Zamir White (Raiders), and Trevor Etienne (Panthers), displayed their prowess in Week 1.
