Wolverines in the NFL: Tom Brady now the oldest QB to start a game, Kwity Paye with monster performance
Sixteen of the 33 former Michigan Wolverines football players on NFL active rosters started Week 1 games, and several enjoyed standout performances. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 45-year-old Tom Brady, now the oldest player to ever start an NFL game at quarterback, led the way with a victory on Sunday Night Football.
After an unusual offseason that included Brady retiring before returning and missing 11 days of training camp due to an unknown reason, the former Michigan signal-caller led his team to a season-opening victory. He completed 18 of his 27 pass attempts for 212 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception, with his Bucs beating the Dallas Cowboys, 19-3.
Tampa Bay settled for 4 field goals, leaning on its defense to keep a lead throughout the majority of the game, before Brady threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to wideout Mike Evans to put the Buccaneers up 16 points at the end of the 3rd quarter.
After the game, Brady said he was more than fine taking a back seat to his team’s running game and outstanding defense, but that he and the offense will work to be more efficient.
“We just didn’t finish in the red area,” the former Michigan quarterback said. “I threw a bad interception. A lot of room for improvement, so we’ll get back to work.”
Elsewhere, former Michigan and current Indianpolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye had a monster game in a 20-20 tie with the Houston Texans to begin his 2nd NFL season. One of 11 players in the league with multiple sacks so far, Paye posted 2 quarterback takedowns, 2 tackles for loss and 7 total tackles.
Both of Paye’s sacks came on the Texans’ final drive of regulation, including for a loss of 4 yards on 3rd and 22 before the opponent punted.
Paye’s former Michigan teammate, Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary, also notched a sack in a 20-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 1:
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Tom Brady (Played at Michigan from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 212 yards and 1 touchdown with 1 interception in a 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night … Brady has still never lost to the Cowboys during his career (7-0) … He was under pressure on 31 percent of his dropbacks and sacked twice, per Pro Football Focus (PFF) … Last season, Brady faced heat on just 20.6 percent of designed passing plays … He averaged 9.3 yards per attempt when kept clean Sunday evening.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OL, New York Giants
Started at left guard but rotated in and out of the game in a 21-20 win over the Tennessee Titans, playing 53 percent of his team’s offensive snaps … Posted a 38.0 overall PFF grade.
Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan consensus All-American opened the game and posted 5 tackles in a 23-20 win over division rival and reigning AFC champion Cincinnati.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
Snapped 5 times in a 28-22 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
The former Michigan defensive end started and made 1 tackle in a 44-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs … Generated pressure on 2 pass-rush downs, per PFF.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan offensive lineman started and played 94 percent of the Steelers’ offensive snaps in a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals … Posted a 54.9 overall PFF grade.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Started and hauled in 2 receptions for 26 yards in a 20-20 tie with the Indianapolis Colts.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Came off the bench to make 2 tackles in a 44-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Registered 6 pressures (tied 1st on the team) and graded out as the Chiefs’ highest-rated pass rusher (82.4), per PFF.
Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan running back saw time on special teams in the Bengals’ 23-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
Started and recorded 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 stop for loss and 2 hits on the quarterback in a 23-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings … His 5 pressures were tied for 2nd on the team, according to PFF.
Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Caught 2 passes for 40 yards while coming off the bench in a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals … His 86.4 PFF receiving rating led the team in Week 1.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos
Played right guard off the bench in a 17-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks Monday night … He gave up 2 pressures and registered a 50.1 overall PFF grade.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
The former Michigan defensive end returned to his hometown for his 1st game back after suffering a torn Achilles in Week 2 last year … He came off the bench to notch 1 tackle, a half-sack, and 1 quarterback hit in a 38-35 win over the Detroit Lions … He led the Eagles with 1 pressures.
Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Tennessee Titans
Played 9 snaps on offense and 21 special teams plays but did not record any statistics in a 21-20 loss to the New York Giants … Had an 84.6 PFF pass-blocking grade (2nd on team).
Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Played 5 snaps and fumbled once (the Chiefs recovered) in a 44-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
Saw 6 defensive snaps and 11 special teams plays in a 23-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Did not record any statistics.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
The former Michigan star started and made 1 tackle in a 38-35 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … He was tied for 1st on the team with 3 pressures.
Taylor Lewan (2009-13), OL, Tennessee Titans
Started in a 21-20 loss to the New York Giants … Had a 67.1 overall PFF Grade with a stellar 79.2 pass-blocking rating.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan cornerback started and tallied 5 tackles in a 19-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday night … He gave up 4 receptions for 50 yards on 5 targets, per PFF.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Came off the bench to make 3 tackles in a 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills Thursday night … Yielded 3 receptions on 3 challenges down field for 60 yards, per PFF.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Made 2 tackles on special teams in a 23-7 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan defensive tackle served as a backup and totaled 1 tackle in 9 snaps in a 17-16 win over the Denver Broncos Monday night.
Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right guard and posted a 68.9 overall PFF grade (76.7 pass blocking rating) in a 20-7 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Opened the game and recorded 2 tacks and 2 tackles for loss with 7 total tackles in a 20-20 tie with the Houston Texans … He tallied a team-high 3 total pressures … He’s 1 of 11 players in the league to have multiple sacks after 1 week.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
Started and was targeted 11 times in a 26-24 win over the Carolina Panthers … Brought in 6 receptions for 60 yards, both team bests … Had 1 drop, per PFF.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
Saw 18 defensive snaps and 11 special teams plays in a 20-7 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Josh Ross (2017-21), LB, Baltimore Ravens
The former Michigan linebacker made 1 tackle on special teams in a 24-9 win over the New York Jets.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), OL, New Orleans Saints
Started at right guard in a 27-26 win over the Atlanta Falcons … Gave up 1 sack and posted a 46.3 overall PFF rating.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers
Started at left guard and played 51 percent of the Packers’ offensive snaps in a 20-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings … He was 1 of 2 Packers’ offensive linemen to not allow a pressure, joining Josh Myers … His 84.6 pass-blocking rating was the 2nd best on the team.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
Made 1 tackle on special teams in a 19-10 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
The former Michigan outside linebacker played off the bench and tallied 1 tackle in a 20-7 loss to the Miami Dolphins … He was 2nd on the team with 3 pressures despite rushing the passer just 13 times, per PFF.
Chase Winovich (2014-18), DE, Cleveland Browns
Played 7 special teams plays in a 26-24 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Chris Wormley (2012-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Came off the bench and registered 2 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage, in a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals … Tied for 3rd on the team with 3 pressures, according to PFF.
Injured reserve
The following are Michigan football players who are currently on teams but listed as on the injured reserve:
• Patriots K Quinn Nordin
• Patriots OL Andrew Stueber
• Cowboys TE Ian Bunting
• Ravens OLB David Ojabo
• Falcons OL Jalen Mayfield
