Nathan Peterman

BIOGRAPHY

Nathan Michael Peterman, born on May 4, 1994, is an American football player who holds the position of quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). A robust journey from college football to the NFL, showcasing highs and lows, marks his career graph.

Peterman’s tryst with football was evident in his high school years at Bartram Trail in St. Johns, Florida. Recognized as a four-star recruit, he represented the Bears football team and boasted a splendid record of 2,392 passing yards and 36 touchdowns as a senior student. Further nurturing his passion for the sport, he committed to the University of Tennessee to play under head coach Derek Dooley.

The year 2012 marked Peterman’s first year at Tennessee where he redshirted. However, subsequent to the season’s Vanderbilt game, Dooley was ousted from his position as head coach, significantly impacting Peterman’s growth trajectory. His freshman year saw him under the tutelage of Coach Butch Jones, and Peterman emerged as one of the three backup quarterbacks. Despite this, he managed to make his college debut in a home game against Austin Peay.

Peterman’s first career start was a rocky one, taking a hit both physically and performance-wise. In a game against #19 Florida, he suffered a broken hand leading to him being benched during the game. However, he proved his mettle by playing in seven games and made an important start against #4 Alabama at Neyland Stadium in 2014, displaying resilience.

In 2015, seeking new opportunities for growth, Peterman transferred to the University of Pittsburgh. He started as a backup, but skill and determination led to him securing the starter’s position. The rest of the year saw him complete 193-of-314 pass attempts for 2,287 yards, scoring 20 touchdowns.

Moving to the 2017 NFL draft, Peterman was picked by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round. However, the beginning of his professional career was marked by early struggles as he threw five interceptions during his starting debut’s first half and posted a 0.0 passer rating in the 2018 season opener. Peterman found himself being released by the Bills in the same season, leading to six seasons as a backup for the Raiders and Chicago Bears.

Peterman’s struggles did not end there – he became the butt of jokes among NFL fans for his play, which USA Today referred to as “historically bad”. Despite these challenges, his persistence saw him being signed by the Oakland Raiders as part of their practice squad in 2018. He signed a contract extension with the Raiders in 2021 and managed to make a brief appearance in a game against Bears when Derek Carr was injured.

Continuing his journey, Peterman was signed by the Chicago Bears in May 2022. However, he was released in August the same year and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. After the Bears’ primary backup Trevor Siemian sustained an injury, Peterman was flexed to the active roster on November 26, waits to make an impact against the New York Jets in Week 12.

Nathan’s journey from being a high school student with an unwavering passion for football, through his college days at two prestigious universities to a professional football career marked by trials, triumphs, and transformations is a testament to his resilience, talent, and determination. Despite the setbacks, he remains a crucial figure within the American football scenario. Determined as ever, Peterman continues his journey in the fiercely competitive world of NFL, etching his mark on the gridiron with every game he plays.