Josh Rosen’s NFL journey has featured several detours, even if he has been in the league for just three seasons.
His career started high when the Arizona Cardinals selected him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The California native became the team’s starter and played 14 games in his rookie year.
However, he only won three times and threw for 14 interceptions against 11 touchdowns.
The following year, the Cardinals drafted Kyler Murray to make Rosen expendable.
👀 Josh Rosen's top 🔟 plays from his time with the Arizona Cardinals.
📺: Sunday, 8pm vs CLE on NBC pic.twitter.com/B8kFAyXItf
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 24, 2021
The former UCLA Bruin got another lease on his NFL life with the Miami Dolphins.
But he lost all three games that he started.
Rosen had 537 passing yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions throughout six games with the Dolphins.
It was the same story, a different chapter for Rosen as Miami let him go after drafting Tua Tagovailoa.
The third part of his career started by joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad.
He didn’t stay long there because the San Francisco 49ers signed him after injuries to Nick Mullens and Jimmy Garoppolo.
Unfortunately, he did not see action at all, even if he was on the active roster.
Yet his career hanged in the balance as the 49ers signed him to a one-year deal this offseason.
By August, the Niners released him after drafting Trey Lance.
At that point, Rosen’s window of opportunity was all but shut down.
Then, the Atlanta Falcons came calling and signed Rosen to compete for the backup quarterback role.
A.J. McCarron suffered a season-ending injury which left an opening for Rosen.
It was a quick turnaround in Atlanta for a quarterback in the same draft class as Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson.
This time, he made the most of his opportunity.
Five Teams, Four Seasons
He’s already a journeyman despite his relatively short NFL career.
Having learned a lot throughout his various stops, Rosen knows that his shot can start and end on the same day.
No wonder he played inspired football during the Falcons’ preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.
Forget the fact that he lined up against the Browns reserves.
At least for one game, Rosen manifested what might have been.
He did struggle early on after fumbling a snap and missing some targets by a mile.
After which, he found his groove and showed potential.
Rosen threw the Falcons’ only touchdown pass for the entire preseason.
JOSH ROSEN with a TEARDROP!@josh3rosen | @304_wan
📺: #CLEvsATL on NBC
📱: https://t.co/Sd6C5q3J9M pic.twitter.com/HI1tDVnd7d— NFL (@NFL) August 30, 2021
The California native ended the game with nine completions for 118 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions.
That game prompted the Falcons to retain him on their final roster heading into Week 1 of the 2021 season.
The team saw enough to sign him and Feleipe Franks as Matt Ryan’s deputies.
Barring any injury, Rosen won’t see much action during the regular season.
But if he continues to put in the work, the break that he’s been waiting for might happen.
Ryan is 36 years old and may have a couple of seasons left in his decorated career.
If Rosen hangs onto his spot and keeps his progression, signing him won’t be a mistake.
NEXT: Josh Rosen Finally Has A Positive Highlight With The Falcons