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Josh Rosen
Josh Rosen
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Joshua Ballinger Lippincott Rosen (born February 10, 1997) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for four seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, receiving Freshman All-American and Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2015. As a junior, Rosen set the school's record for single-season passing yards and earned second-team all-conference honors in the Pac-12 Conference.

Key Information

Rosen was selected 10th overall in the 2018 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Following an unsuccessful rookie season, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins, where he also struggled and was released after a year. Rosen spent his last two seasons as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons.

Early life

[edit]

Rosen was born on February 10, 1997, in Torrance, California,[1] to Charles Rosen, an orthopedic spine surgeon, and Liz Lippincott, a former journalist.[2]

Rosen's father is Jewish and was a nationally ranked ice skater who almost qualified for the Winter Olympics in the 1970s, and his mother is a Quaker, who was the captain of the Princeton lacrosse team.[3][4] Rosen had a bar mitzvah and identifies as Jewish, saying in 2016: "In retrospect, being Jewish is a big reason why I should have considered UCLA. Just because of how Jewish Hollywood is, and they really want someone to look up to because they just don't have professional athletes."[5][6] As for his spiritual beliefs, Rosen describes himself as "kind of an atheist."[7][8]

Rosen is the maternal great-great-great-grandson of Joseph Wharton, the co-founder of Bethlehem Steel and founder of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, which was named in his honor. Rosen is named after another ancestor, Joshua Ballinger Lippincott, who founded publishing house J. B. Lippincott & Co.[9]

Rosen grew up playing tennis. At age 12, he was the No. 1-ranked player for his age group in Southern California, and ranked nationally in the top-50.[2] Rosen became a top-10 player in junior rankings. He was introduced to football in elementary school by a friend's father who was a youth coach.[10] Right before high school, Rosen switched from tennis to football.[11]

Rosen attended St. John Bosco High School, a Catholic high school in Bellflower, California, where he had a 4.3 GPA.[5][12] As a senior, Rosen was named the Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and the Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team Player of the Year after passing for 3,186 yards, 29 touchdowns, and four interceptions.[11][13] He was named a 2014 USA Today High School All-American.[14] Rosen was also named the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame's Male High School Athlete of the Year.[15] During his high school career, he threw for 11,175 yards and 90 touchdowns.[11]

Rosen was rated by both Rivals.com and Scout.com as a five-star recruit and ranked as the best quarterback in his class.[16][17] Rivals also ranked him as the best overall recruit.[18] He verbally committed to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in March 2014 before officially signing in September.[19][20][21]

College career

[edit]

Freshman year

[edit]
Rosen in 2015

An economics major, Rosen began taking classes at UCLA in January 2015; he enrolled early so he could take part in spring practice.[3][10] With three-year starting quarterback Brett Hundley leaving UCLA early for the NFL, a large hole was created on the team.[10] Rosen was UCLA's best quarterback during the spring,[22] and he continued to compete during summer camp to be the team's starting quarterback as a true freshman.[10][23][24][25] On August 26, a week after being publicly criticized by head coach Jim Mora, Rosen was named the Bruins' starting quarterback.[22][26][27] He beat out Jerry Neuheisel, who had three years of experience in offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone's up-tempo spread offense, which was similar to the offense Rosen ran in high school. The freshman called Neuheisel "selfless" for helping him during the competition.[28]

UCLA entered the 2015 season ranked No. 13 by the Associated Press and No. 14 in the Coaches Poll.[26] During the season opener, Rosen completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns as UCLA defeated Virginia 34–16,[29] and he became the first true freshman to start a season opener at quarterback for UCLA.[30] Rosen was honored as the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Week.[31] In a 17–9 victory over No. 18 Utah, he broke Drew Olson's decade-old school record (199) for consecutive passes without an interception. The victory kept UCLA in contention for the Pac-12 championship entering their regular-season finale against their crosstown rivals, the USC Trojans.[32] However, they lost 40–21 to the Trojans as Rosen turned the ball over thrice on a fumble and two interceptions, ending his streak of passes without an interception at 245.[33] Rosen was named the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year and earned Freshman All-American honors from USA Today, Sporting News, and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).[14][30][34][35] He was also named The Sporting News' Freshman of the Year, Pac-12 Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year (coaches), and Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year (AP).[14]

Sophomore year

[edit]

In 2016, Rosen was injured in an October 8 loss to Arizona State Sun Devils, when he threw for a then-career high 400 yards. He missed the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.[36][37] Rosen had surgery on his throwing shoulder to repair soft-tissue damage.[38] UCLA was 3–3 in Rosen's six starts, and he suffered 13 sacks in the shortened season compared to 14 in all of 2015.[36] The Bruins were 1–5 in the final six games and missed bowl eligibility without Rosen.[39]

Junior year

[edit]

In the 2017 season opener at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, Rosen completed 35-of-59 passes for 491 yards and four touchdowns to rally UCLA to a narrow 45–44 comeback victory over Texas A&M, capped off by a touchdown pass to Jordan Lasley on a fake spike play with 48 seconds to go in the game.[40] The Bruins overcame a 34-point deficit, the largest comeback in school history and the second-most ever in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).[a] Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said: "We knew he was smart.... But the thing I was really impressed with was his toughness. We hit him and hit him a lot, and he got better. It's not supposed to work that way ... especially in the fourth quarter."[42]

The following week, Rosen was 22-of-25 for 329 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in a 56–23 victory over Hawaii. It was the 12th 300-yard game of his career, breaking the school record of 11 set previously by Cade McNown.[43] Rosen reached 2,000 yards for the season in five games, the fastest of any player in UCLA history.[44] After five games, he led the nation in passing yards (2,135), total offense (2,158), and touchdowns (17).[45] On October 4, 2017, CBS Sports published a 2018 mock draft that had the Cleveland Browns selecting Rosen with the first overall pick.[46] On October 28, in a 44–23 loss against Washington, Rosen was forced out of the game in the third quarter due to a concussion, which he had tried hiding from coaches after being injured on a sack in the game's opening drive.[39][47] Rosen completed 12 of 21 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, the first passing score the Huskies had surrendered in the Pac-12 all season.[39] After missing one game, Rosen returned to the lineup and threw for 381 yards and a touchdown while also scored on a one-yard run in a 44–37 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils.[48] In his first matchup against USC quarterback Sam Darnold, Rosen was 32 of 52 passing for 421 yards along with three touchdowns and an interception in a 28–23 loss to the Trojans. The two passers were among the top prospects for the 2018 NFL draft.[49][50] In the regular season finale against California, Rosen led the Bruins to a 17–9 lead at the half, but was held out the rest of the game after suffering his second concussion.[51][52] He suffered three sacks, including one late in the second quarter when he was slow to get up after being thrown to the ground. He finished 13-of-18 passing for 202 yards and two touchdowns, and the Bruins won 30–27 to become bowl-eligible.[52]

After leading the conference in passing yards per game, Rosen was voted second-team All-Pac-12.[53] He was retroactively credited with a 39-yard pass to Eldridge Massington that was originally ruled a run against Arizona State. It pushed his season total to 3,756 yards passing, breaking Brett Hundley's single season school record of 3,740 in 2012.[54] Rosen missed the Cactus Bowl after doctors did not clear him to play.[51]

On January 3, 2018, Rosen announced his intentions to enter the 2018 NFL draft.[55] During his time at UCLA, Rosen was nicknamed "Chosen Rosen" and the "Chosen One".[56][57]

College statistics

[edit]
Season Team GP Passing
Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg
2015 UCLA 13 292 487 60.0 3,670 7.5 23 11 134.3
2016 UCLA 6 137 231 59.3 1,915 8.3 10 5 138.9
2017 UCLA 11 283 452 62.5 3,756 8.3 26 10 147.0
Career 30 712 1,170 60.9 9,341 8.0 59 26 140.1

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Wonderlic
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m)
226 lb
(103 kg)
31+34 in
(0.81 m)
9+78 in
(0.25 m)
4.92 s 1.71 s 2.84 s 4.28 s 7.09 s 31 in
(0.79 m)
9 ft 3 in
(2.82 m)
29
All values from NFL Combine[58][59]

Arizona Cardinals

[edit]

Considered by many to be the "most NFL-ready" quarterback prospect in the draft,[60] Rosen was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round with the 10th overall pick of the 2018 NFL draft. They traded a first-, third-, and fifth-round pick in order to move up five spots to select him.[61][62] Rosen was the fourth of five quarterbacks chosen in the first round that year.[63] In a press conference following the draft, he referred to the selections made before him as "nine mistakes".[64]

On May 10, 2018, Rosen signed a four-year deal worth $17.84 million with an $11 million signing bonus.[65] During training camp, Rosen won the backup position over Mike Glennon. He made his first regular season appearance in Week 3, replacing starter Sam Bradford with 4:31 remaining against the Chicago Bears and the Cardinals trailing 16–14.[66] Arizona lost the game to fall to 0–3, while Rosen completed four of seven for 36 yards and an interception.[67] Entering the game, the Cardinals had scored just six points and ranked last in a number of offensive categories,[66] but jumped out to a 14–0 first quarter lead before six scoreless possessions prompted Arizona coach Steve Wilks to switch to Rosen.[68]

On September 24, the Cardinals named Rosen the starting quarterback for Week 4.[69] In his first career start, Rosen passed for 180 yards and a touchdown during the 20–17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.[70] He helped the Cardinals earn their first win the following week against the San Francisco 49ers, when he completed 10 of 25 passes for 170 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie receiver Christian Kirk.[71] Two weeks later, Rosen had two of his three interceptions returned for touchdowns, lost two fumbles, and was sacked six times in a 45–10 loss to the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football.[72] Still ranked among the worst offenses in the league, Arizona fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and replaced him with their quarterback coach, Byron Leftwich.[73]

During Week 8, Rosen led the Cardinals to an 18–15 comeback victory for a season sweep over the 49ers. He threw a career-high 252 passing yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score to Kirk with 34 seconds remaining to rally the team from a 15–3 fourth-quarter deficit.[74] During Week 13, Rosen completed 11 of 26 passes for 149 yards to upset the Green Bay Packers at home, 20–17. The loss, in which the Packers were 14-point favorites, ended Super Bowl-winning head coach Mike McCarthy's tenure in Green Bay as he was fired three hours after the game ended.[75]

Rosen finished his rookie season with 2,278 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions as the Cardinals finished 3–13 (3–10 with Rosen as starter).[76] His 66.7 passer rating was the worst among qualified passers that year.[77] Rosen praised his teammates during the season, and resisted criticizing the team's unimaginative playcalling or weak offensive line and receiving corps.[78] Arizona fired Wilks after the season and replaced him with Kliff Kingsbury,[79] who declared that "Josh is our guy".[80] The new coach, while coaching in college in 2018, had said that he would pick quarterback Kyler Murray if he had the first overall NFL draft pick.[80]

Miami Dolphins

[edit]

On April 26, 2019, after the Cardinals selected Murray first overall in the 2019 NFL draft, Rosen was traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for the Dolphins' 2019 second-round pick and their fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft.[81][82] Arizona general manager Steve Keim attributed the trade to the value they received and said that "all of us are big fans of Josh Rosen".[83][84] Josh Weinfuss of ESPN wrote that Rosen would have most likely been traded even if he had "put up big numbers" as a rookie.[83]

Rosen was named the backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick to start the season.[85] The Dolphins started the year 0–2 and were outscored 102–10.[86] After relieving Fitzpatrick in both contests,[87][88] Rosen was named the starter for Week 3,[86] and threw for 200 yards as the Dolphins lost 31–6 to the Dallas Cowboys.[89] During Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers, he threw for 180 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a 30–10 loss. Rosen's touchdown pass was his first and only as a member of the Dolphins.[90] Following a Week 5 bye week, Rosen started against the Washington Redskins, but was benched for Fitzpatrick after three quarters while throwing for only 85 yards and two interceptions. The Dolphins lost 17–16.[91] Rosen only appeared in one other game in 2019, serving as Fitzpatrick's backup for the rest of the season.[92]

The following offseason, the Dolphins drafted quarterback Tua Tagovailoa fifth overall in the 2020 NFL draft. Rosen was unable to surpass either Tagovailoa or Fitzpatrick on the depth chart, and Miami waived him on September 5, 2020, after failing to find a trade partner.[93][94]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]

On September 8, 2020, Rosen signed onto the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[95]

San Francisco 49ers

[edit]

On December 23, 2020, Rosen was signed by the 49ers off of the Buccaneers' practice squad following injuries to quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Nick Mullens, and practice squad quarterback Josh Johnson being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.[96][97] Rosen was active for the 49ers for their final two games, but did not see any action.

On February 8, 2021, the 49ers signed Rosen to a one-year contract extension.[98] On August 17, Rosen was waived by the 49ers after struggling to compete for the third quarterback spot behind Garoppolo and 2021 first round draft pick Trey Lance.[99]

Atlanta Falcons

[edit]
Rosen in 2021

Following a season-ending injury to second-string quarterback A. J. McCarron, Rosen signed with the Atlanta Falcons on August 24, 2021.[100][101] He was named the second-string quarterback for the season opener behind incumbent starter Matt Ryan and ahead of undrafted rookie Feleipe Franks.[102]

Rosen made his season debut in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he replaced Ryan for the Falcons' final drive. Rosen made two pass attempts, both of which were incomplete, during the 48–25 road loss.[103]

During Week 10 against the Dallas Cowboys, Rosen again relieved a struggling Ryan during the third quarter. He completed one of six passes for 14 yards and was intercepted by cornerback Jourdan Lewis in the 43–3 road loss.[104] The following week against the New England Patriots, Rosen made a third relief appearance in the fourth quarter after Ryan threw two interceptions on consecutive drives. Rosen completed one of two pass attempts before throwing an interception to linebacker Kyle Van Noy that was returned for a touchdown. He was replaced on the Falcons' final drive by Franks, who was also intercepted to end the 25–0 shutout loss.[105]

Cleveland Browns

[edit]

On July 21, 2022, the Cleveland Browns signed Rosen to a one-year contract.[106] They terminated his contract on August 30,[107] before signing him to their practice squad two days later.[108] Rosen was released on October 10.[109]

Minnesota Vikings

[edit]

On December 20, 2022, Rosen was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.[110] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 15, 2023.

Legacy

[edit]

Due to his highly touted potential, high draft pick, and lack of success to show for it, some sources have listed Rosen among the biggest draft busts in the history of the NFL and Arizona Cardinals.[111][112][113] The cause of his failure in the NFL has been debated among fans and analysts. Some argued that Rosen never had a stable offensive line, a capable coach, nor a stable offensive system in Arizona and Miami before being relegated to being a backup.[114] Others cited his lack of mobility, anticipation, and athleticism compared to many of his NFL peers and his lack of adjustment to the professional level.[62] Regardless, Rosen is noted to never have spent more than one full season with any team, becoming the only first-round quarterback to be jettisoned from the team that drafted him after playing only one season for it,[b][114] and having been on seven teams throughout his five-year career. The Cardinals, Dolphins, and 49ers each spent a first-round draft pick on a quarterback the year after playing Rosen before cutting or trading him.[113][93][99]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD Sck SckY Fum Lost
2018 ARI 14 13 3−10 217 393 55.2 2,278 5.8 11 14 66.7 23 138 6.0 0 45 320 10 5
2019 MIA 6 3 0−3 58 109 53.2 567 5.2 1 5 52.0 3 13 4.3 0 16 93 1 0
2020 SF 0 0 DNP
2021 ATL 4 0 2 11 18.2 19 1.7 0 2 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 24 16 3−13 277 513 54.0 2,864 5.6 12 21 61.1 26 151 5.8 0 61 413 11 5

Personal life

[edit]

As of 2024, Rosen is a student at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.[115]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Joshua Ballinger Lippincott Rosen (born February 10, 1997) is an American former professional football quarterback who transitioned to a career in business after a brief tenure. A highly touted prospect, Rosen starred at in , where he set 11 passing records as a three-year starter, leading his team to a in 2013. At the (UCLA), he played from 2015 to 2017, amassing 9,341 passing yards and 59 touchdowns in 30 games, while earning All-Pac-12 honors and the nickname "Chosen Rosen" for his standout performances, including a record-setting 34-point comeback victory against Texas A&M in 2017. Drafted tenth overall by the in the first round of the —the highest selection for a UCLA since 1999—Rosen debuted as a starter midway through his rookie season, appearing in 14 games with 2,278 passing yards, 11 , and 14 interceptions amid a 3-13 team record. Traded to the in 2019, he started three games, throwing for 567 yards, one , and five interceptions as part of a 1-15 squad, before bouncing between practice squads and brief stints with the , , (where he appeared in four games in 2021), , and Minnesota Vikings through 2022. Over his four-year , spanning 24 games with three starts beyond his rookie year, Rosen completed 277 of 513 passes for 2,864 yards, 12 , and 21 interceptions, often hampered by unstable offensive lines and coaching changes across seven franchises. Following his release from the in 2022, Rosen stepped away from professional football to focus on business interests, drawing on his early expressed aspirations for a post-athletic career in finance and . In 2024, he enrolled as an MBA candidate at the of the —where he is a maternal great-great-great-grandson of founder —aiming to build expertise in and strategic . As of 2025, Rosen continues his studies at Wharton while maintaining a low public profile, representing a pivot from gridiron promise to entrepreneurial pursuits.

Early life

Family background and upbringing

Joshua Ballinger Lippincott Rosen was born on February 10, 1997, in . He grew up in the affluent beach community of Manhattan Beach, in a four-bedroom house valued at nearly $8 million as of 2016, as the middle child of three siblings. Rosen's parents are , an orthopedic spine surgeon who was considered for under President Obama, and Liz Lippincott, a graduate and former editor at Sportstyle and Golfpro magazines. The couple, who were nationally acclaimed ice dancers and won medals in the , divorced in but maintained a close relationship with their son. Rosen's family has deep ties to American intellectual and business history; his mother is a great-great-granddaughter of , founder of the at the , and Joshua Ballinger Lippincott, founder of the J.B. Lippincott publishing company. Of Jewish heritage through his father, Rosen had a bar mitzvah and identifies as Jewish, though he has expressed openness to other faiths and attended Catholic during high school. His upbringing emphasized academics, with Ivy League-educated parents fostering a high-achieving environment; Rosen himself maintained a 4.3 GPA in high school and pursued an degree at UCLA, aiming to graduate in three years with a 3.2 GPA. From an early age, Rosen showed exceptional athletic talent, inheriting his parents' competitive drive as former ice dancers. became his first passion around age four or five, when he viewed it as the only sport worth pursuing; by age 10, he was ranked No. 1 in for his age group, and at 12, he entered the national top 50 in junior rankings. He was introduced to football in elementary by a friend's father, a coach, but a at age 12 prompted him to shift focus entirely to the sport around that time, recognizing its strategic challenges akin to chess. This transition marked the beginning of his development as a , building on the discipline and precision honed in .

High school career

Rosen attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California, where he played quarterback for three seasons starting as a sophomore. As a junior in 2013, Rosen passed for 3,200 yards and 39 touchdowns with no interceptions, guiding St. John Bosco to a perfect 16-0 record, the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division championship, and the CIF Open Division state title; for his performance, he was named the CIF Southern Section Offensive Player of the Year. In his senior year of 2014, Rosen threw for 3,186 yards and 29 touchdowns despite sustaining a thumb injury that sidelined him for five games, helping the Braves reach the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 final; he earned recognition as the Los Angeles Times All-Area Player of the Year and the Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team Player of the Year. Over his high school career at St. John Bosco, Rosen completed 525 of 840 passes for 8,473 yards and 90 touchdowns with only 20 interceptions, setting multiple school passing records. Regarded as one of the premier quarterback prospects in the country, Rosen was rated the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the 2015 class by ESPN and the top overall quarterback by 247Sports. On March 20, 2014, Rosen committed to UCLA, selecting the in-state program over other elite suitors such as USC and . Rosen maintained a 4.3 GPA throughout high school, reflecting his family's emphasis on alongside athletic pursuits.

College career

Freshman year

As a true in 2015, Josh Rosen became the first UCLA to start a season opener, making his collegiate debut against on September 5. In that game, he completed 28 of 35 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, leading the 13th-ranked Bruins to a 34-16 victory and showcasing the poise expected from the nation's top high school recruit. However, Rosen faced immediate adjustment challenges against faster defenses, particularly in the physicality and complexity of Pac-12 competition, where he endured 39 sacks over the season while learning to read blitzes and coverages under pressure. Early in the season, Rosen experienced inconsistencies, such as a three-interception outing in a 17-3 loss to BYU on September 26, where he managed only 106 yards on 11-of-23 passing, highlighting his inexperience against aggressive schemes. He rebounded in subsequent Pac-12 games, starting the final stretch with strong showings, including 326 yards and three touchdowns—albeit with two interceptions—in a 56-34 loss to Stanford on October 17, and a career-high 399 yards with three touchdowns in a 40-24 win over on October 22. In the regular-season finale against rival USC on November 28, Rosen threw for 227 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a 40-21 defeat, demonstrating resilience amid UCLA's injury-plagued campaign. Over the full season, Rosen started all 13 games, completing 292 of 487 passes for 3,670 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, providing the Bruins with a foundation despite their ups and downs in the conference. UCLA concluded the year with an 8-5 record, including a 5-4 mark in the Pac-12, before falling 37-29 to in the Valero on December 29, where Rosen threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in his final appearance but also two interceptions. This debut campaign marked Rosen's first sustained exposure to elite competition, blending flashes of elite arm talent with the typical of a 18-year-old navigating professional-level defenses.

Sophomore year

In his sophomore year, Josh Rosen emerged as UCLA's undisputed starting quarterback, building on the confidence gained from his freshman season to take on a full leadership role despite an injury-shortened campaign. He started all six games he appeared in during the 2016 season, passing for 1,915 yards with 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions at a 59.3% completion rate, while adding 2 rushing touchdowns on 22 carries for -72 net yards. Rosen led the Pac-12 in passing yards per game at 319.2, showcasing his arm talent and decision-making even as the Bruins struggled overall with a 4-8 record. Rosen's individual performances highlighted his potential amid team inconsistencies, with notable outputs including 343 passing yards and 1 against Texas A&M in the season opener, despite 3 interceptions in a 31-24 overtime loss. He followed with a career-high 400 yards and 2 s versus State on October 8, though the game ended in a 23-20 defeat and sidelined him for the remainder of the season due to a throwing shoulder injury requiring surgery. Other strong showings included 350 yards and 3 s in a 45-24 win over , contributing to UCLA's 3-3 mark in his starts. Despite the Bruins' disappointing finish, Rosen's efficiency and volume—averaging over 300 passing yards in four of his six outings—underscored his growth as a pocket passer capable of elevating the offense, even as injuries and defensive lapses limited team success. His season marked a breakout in per-game production, setting the stage for further development.

Junior year

In his junior year of 2017, Rosen started all 11 games he appeared in for UCLA, missing the final two regular-season contests due to a suffered against Washington. He demonstrated significant improvement in decision-making compared to his injury-plagued sophomore season, completing 283 of 452 passes for 3,756 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, achieving a 62.6% completion rate. This performance led the Pac-12 in passing yards per game at 341.5, while he also contributed two rushing touchdowns on 50 carries for a net of -97 yards after accounting for sacks. Rosen earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors from the conference coaches and was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week following UCLA's season-opening 45-44 comeback victory over Texas A&M, where he threw for a career-high 491 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 43 seconds remaining after trailing by 34 points. Another standout effort came in his return from a brief earlier , passing for 358 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-28 win over State. He entered contention early in the season due to his prolific passing but saw his candidacy fade amid UCLA's 6-7 overall record and his own late-season . Following the season, Rosen announced on January 3, 2018, that he would forgo his senior year and declare for the , citing his readiness for professional football after three college seasons.

Achievements and statistics

During his three seasons at UCLA, Josh Rosen earned several conference honors, including Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year in 2015 after setting a Bruins record with 3,670 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. He was selected to the second-team All-Pac-12 in 2017, recognizing his leadership in passing yards per game within the conference that year. Rosen established multiple UCLA records for passing efficiency and volume, including the most career games with 300 or more passing yards (17) and the most with 350 or more passing yards (10). These marks surpassed previous benchmarks set by former Bruins , who held the prior record of 11 games with 300-plus passing yards from 1995 to 1998; Rosen first broke that mark in 2017 and extended it over the course of his career. Over 30 games as UCLA's starting , Rosen accumulated 9,341 passing yards, 59 passing touchdowns, and 26 interceptions, ranking him fourth on the program's all-time passing yards list behind only , McNown, and . He also contributed six rushing touchdowns, though his net rushing yards totaled -154 due to frequent sacks. In , Rosen's 3,756 passing yards set a single-season school record, surpassing Hundley's previous mark of 3,740 from 2012.

Professional career

2018 NFL Draft

Entering the , Josh Rosen was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the class, with many analysts ranking him among the top five overall players and the second- or third-best QB behind . His advanced understanding of offensive schemes, prototypical size at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, and strong arm drew praise from scouts, positioning him as a consensus top-10 selection. Rosen's impressive junior season at UCLA, where he threw for 3,785 yards and 26 touchdowns while earning consideration, further elevated his draft stock. On draft night, the Arizona Cardinals traded up from the 15th to the 10th overall pick to select Rosen, marking him as the fourth quarterback taken in the first round after Baker Mayfield (No. 1, Cleveland Browns), Darnold (No. 3, New York Jets), and Josh Allen (No. 7, Buffalo Bills). The Cardinals acquired the 10th pick and a seventh-round selection (No. 249) from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for their 15th overall pick, a third-round choice (No. 79), and a fifth-round pick (No. 169). Expressing frustration at sliding out of the top nine, Rosen remarked to reporters, "There were nine mistakes ahead of me," highlighting his belief that he was the best available quarterback at that point. Following the draft, Rosen signed a four-year contract with the Cardinals worth $17.84 million, fully guaranteed, including an $11 million . The deal aligned with the NFL's rookie wage scale for the 10th overall pick and positioned him as Arizona's potential franchise amid high expectations for immediate impact.

Arizona Cardinals

Rosen began the 2018 season as the backup quarterback to for the , who started the year with an 0-3 record amid offensive struggles. In Week 3 against the on September 23, Rosen made his NFL debut, entering late in the fourth quarter after Bradford was pulled; he completed 4 of 7 passes for 36 yards with 1 interception in a 16-14 loss. The Cardinals then benched Bradford in favor of the rookie, and Rosen made his first start the following week against the on September 30, completing 15 of 27 passes for 180 yards and 1 in a narrow 20-17 defeat. Rosen started the final 13 games of the season, finishing with 2,278 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions while posting a 55.2% completion rate and a 3-10 record as the starter. His performance was hampered by a porous offensive line that allowed 109 hits, the fourth-most in the , and led the league in sacks permitted under 2.5 seconds (17), contributing to frequent pressures and limiting his ability to execute plays effectively. Despite high expectations as a first-round pick, Rosen faced significant challenges, including adapting to the professional level under an inexperienced . The Cardinals concluded the season with a 3-13 record, their worst in 18 years, leading to the firing of on December 31 after just one year on the job.

On April 26, 2019, the acquired quarterback Josh Rosen from the in exchange for the Dolphins' second-round pick (No. 62 overall) in the and a fifth-round pick in the . The trade occurred shortly after the Cardinals selected with the first overall pick, rendering Rosen expendable as the team transitioned to a new franchise quarterback. Rosen, who had struggled in his rookie season with Arizona, joined a Dolphins squad entering a deliberate rebuild under first-year Brian , who emphasized long-term development amid a roster overhaul aimed at securing high draft capital. Rosen entered training camp competing with veteran for the starting role but ultimately secured the job heading into Week 3 of the 2019 season, after Fitzpatrick started the first two games. In his three starts (Weeks 3, 4, and 6), Rosen went 0–3, completing 50 of 88 passes for 465 yards, 1 , and 4 interceptions, while facing constant pressure from an offensive line that allowed 12 sacks across those outings. His performance echoed ongoing issues with accuracy and decision-making carried over from , contributing to close losses against (31–6), the (30–10), and Washington (17–16). Following a particularly ineffective outing against Washington—where Rosen managed just 85 yards and threw two interceptions—Flores benched him at halftime in favor of Fitzpatrick, who took over as the starter for the remainder of the season. Rosen appeared in three additional games as a backup, finishing the year with 58 completions on 109 attempts for 567 yards, 1 touchdown, and 5 interceptions overall. The Dolphins, aligning with their rebuild strategy, ended the campaign 5–11, with Fitzpatrick engineering five victories after the early 0–7 start.

Later NFL teams

Following his release from the Miami Dolphins on September 4, 2020, Rosen signed with the ' on September 6, 2020, joining a quarterback room led by . He spent the remainder of the season there, focusing on development without appearing in any games. On December 23, 2020, the signed Rosen off the Buccaneers' to their active roster amid injuries and COVID-19-related absences. Rosen remained with the 49ers through the end of the 2020 but did not play, serving primarily as a backup to . Rosen signed a with the 49ers on February 8, 2021, positioning him to compete for a depth role entering . During the 2021 preseason, he completed 10 of 15 passes for 93 yards and one interception in the opener against the , achieving approximately 67% completion. Despite the opportunity for growth behind Garoppolo, Rosen was waived by the 49ers on August 17, 2021, as they finalized their roster. On August 24, 2021, Rosen signed with the to fill a backup vacancy created by A.J. McCarron's wrist injury. He secured a spot on the initial 53-man roster on August 31, 2021, and appeared in four regular season games (Weeks 2, 10, 11, and another), entering as an emergency option behind Matt Ryan without starting. In those limited snaps, Rosen completed 3 of 11 passes for 19 yards with two interceptions. During the Falcons' preseason finale against the on August 29, 2021, he went 9 of 18 for 118 yards and one , showcasing mobility with a one-yard rushing score. Rosen was later moved to the practice squad and released after the 2021 season. Rosen continued his journeyman role in 2022, signing a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns on July 21, 2022, to provide quarterback depth amid uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson. Waived at the end of training camp, he rejoined the Browns' practice squad on September 1, 2022. In the preseason, Rosen completed 7 of 20 passes for 88 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles, contributing to his overall development focus without regular season appearances. The Browns released him from the practice squad on October 10, 2022. On December 20, 2022, Rosen signed with the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad as injury insurance, but he did not play in any games and was released after the season. Throughout this period from 2020 to 2022, Rosen had no starts after his 2019 stint with the Dolphins, emphasizing practice and preseason work behind established starters like Brady, Garoppolo, and Ryan.

Career legacy

Josh Rosen's NFL career is often regarded as one of the most notable disappointments among the 2018 quarterback draft class, earning him the label of the "biggest bust" due to his rapid fall from the No. 10 overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals to journeyman status across multiple teams. Despite high pre-draft expectations as the most pro-ready prospect, Rosen appeared in just 24 games over four seasons, completing 277 of 513 passes for 2,864 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions, before stepping away from professional football pursuits after 2022. His tenure was marked by a 3-13 starting record with the Cardinals in 2018 and limited starts with the Miami Dolphins in 2019, after which he cycled through backup roles with five other franchises without securing a stable position. Several factors contributed to Rosen's underwhelming professional trajectory, including challenging team environments and technical limitations. The Cardinals' roster was among the league's weakest during his rookie year, finishing 3-13 and providing little support for development, while the Dolphins were in a deliberate rebuild that culminated in drafting Tua Tagovailoa in 2020, leading to Rosen's release. Critiques of his mechanics highlighted a lack of mobility and pocket awareness, as he struggled to evade pressure—averaging negative rushing yards in college and taking frequent sacks—which hindered his ability to extend plays in the NFL's faster pace. Although college injuries like a shoulder issue and concussion affected his UCLA career, Rosen avoided major NFL ailments but was often sidelined by team decisions and poor situational fit rather than personal health setbacks. Throughout his brief NFL stint, Rosen maintained a professional demeanor off the field, avoiding scandals and earning praise for his intelligence and composure despite early draft concerns about his outspoken personality. His experience has influenced broader discussions on readiness, underscoring that even prospects deemed "NFL-ready" require supportive , stable rosters, and time to adapt—lessons drawn from his hyped potential clashing with harsh realities.

Career statistics

Passing

YearGamesCompletionsAttemptsCompletion %YardsTDsINTsYards/AttemptPasser Rating
20151329248760.03,67023117.5134.3
2016613723159.31,9151058.3138.9
20171128345262.63,75626108.3147.0

Rushing

YearGamesCarriesYardsTDs
20151337152
2016622-722
20171150-972
Career30109-1546
Rosen had no recorded receiving statistics during his college career.

NFL statistics

Josh Rosen appeared in 24 regular-season games during his NFL career, starting 16 of them, primarily as a backup quarterback after his rookie season.

Passing Statistics

YearTeamGames (GS)CompletionsAttemptsYardsTDsINTsCompletion %Passer Rating
2018ARI14 (13)2173932,278111455.266.7
2019MIA6 (3)581095671553.247.0
2021ATL4 (0)211190218.20.0
Career-24 (16)2775132,864122154.058.2
Rosen was sacked 61 times for 413 lost yards during his career, with 45 sacks in 2018 and 16 in 2019.

Rushing Statistics

YearTeamGamesAttemptsYardsTDsYards/Attempt
2018ARI142313806.0
2019MIA631304.3
2021ATL4000-
Career-242615105.8
Rosen fumbled the ball 11 times in his NFL career.

Post-NFL life

Returning to UCLA

Following his entry into the NFL as the 10th overall pick in the 2018 Draft, Rosen faced ongoing roster instability, moving between teams including the , , , , and Minnesota Vikings. This phase prompted him to resume his , returning to UCLA on a part-time basis in January 2019. Rosen, who had departed UCLA after three seasons as the starting without completing his degree, enrolled in three classes toward his major upon his return. He balanced his coursework with his professional football commitments by attending classes during offseasons and downtime from team activities. By March 2020, Rosen had completed the requirements for his in while still active in the , including stints on the Buccaneers' and ' practice squads. He ultimately graduated with honors, marking a significant personal milestone amid his professional transitions.

MBA at

Following the completion of his undergraduate degree at UCLA, Josh Rosen enrolled in the full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in the fall of 2024. As of 2025, he is a second-year student in the two-year program, marking a deliberate pivot from his professional football career to business education. Rosen's decision to pursue an MBA at Wharton represents a new chapter after his time in the , where he played for multiple teams from 2018 to 2022 without securing a long-term starting role. The enrollment allows him to build on his athletic background, applying lessons in leadership, resilience, and high-stakes performance to a business context, with no indications of plans to resume professional football. His family's historical ties to the institution—through his maternal great-great-great-grandfather, , the school's founder—further contextualize this transition, though acceptance was based on his academic and professional merits. During the summer of 2025, Rosen gained practical experience through an as an summer associate at a in , bridging his MBA studies with finance sector exposure. This role underscores his focus on leveraging NFL-honed skills, such as strategic decision-making under pressure, toward a post-athletic career in .

Personal life

Religious and cultural background

Josh Rosen was raised in a household blending Jewish and Quaker traditions, with his father, , being Jewish and an orthopedic surgeon, and his mother, Liz Lippincott, a Quaker and former all-league player at . Born in , Rosen underwent a bar mitzvah at age 13, marking a key in his Jewish upbringing, and he has consistently identified as Jewish. His family's connections to the Jewish community played a role in his college choice, as he cited the area's large Jewish population as a significant factor in committing to UCLA despite other options. This mixed cultural background fostered a flexible approach to in Rosen's life. He attended , a Catholic institution, where he participated in weekly , evident in his annual attendance at seders alongside celebrations of , reflecting influences from both parental heritages. He has described himself as "culturally Jewish," emphasizing heritage over strict observance, which shaped his values of inclusivity and openness during his formative years. Throughout his NFL career with teams including the and , Rosen made public comments on his Jewish identity, revealing experiences of anti-Semitic taunts from opponents, such as references and slurs during games. These incidents highlighted the challenges of his faith in professional football, yet he embraced his background, even developing a celebratory "Hebrew Hammer" dance to represent Jewish pride.

Philanthropy and interests

Rosen engaged in community service during his high school years in , serving as a youth football coach for four years and tutoring math to fellow students. Throughout his career, Rosen has voiced a commitment to , emphasizing his desire to build a lifelong platform for addressing social issues and charitable causes. In 2019, while with the , he participated in the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats campaign to support , an organization dedicated to combating and protecting marine environments through awareness and action. Rosen's personal interests include , a he has pursued notably since his days; in , he drew attention for playing at Trump National Golf Club in while wearing apparel expressing political dissent. Following his NFL tenure, Rosen has not established any major charitable foundations as of 2025, though he continues to engage with to share insights on personal and professional growth.

References

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