Nathan Peterman Bio
Nathan Michael Peterman (born May 4, 1994) is an American professional football quarterback. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers following a stint with the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Over the course of his professional career, Peterman has also been a member of the Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders, the Chicago Bears, the New Orleans Saints, and the Atlanta Falcons.
Peterman became widely known for a difficult start in the NFL, including a 0.0 passer rating in his first opening-day start and a string of interceptions early in his career. Despite those challenges, he has continued to find work as a backup and practice-squad quarterback across multiple teams.
Early Life and Background
Nathan Michael Peterman was born on May 4, 1994, in Jacksonville, Florida. He grew up in the nearby community of St. Johns, where he attended Bartram Trail High School. Peterman played for the Bartram Trail Bears football team and developed into one of the more highly regarded high school quarterbacks in the state.
As a senior, Peterman passed for 2,392 yards and 36 touchdowns, drawing attention from several college programs. He was rated as a four-star recruit and ultimately committed to the University of Tennessee to play college football under head coach Derek Dooley. The younger son of a pastor, Peterman has often credited his Christian faith in helping him face adversity on and off the field.
Path to Professional Football
Peterman enrolled at Tennessee in 2012 and redshirted his first year. After head coach Derek Dooley was fired following a difficult stretch, Butch Jones took over the program. Peterman spent time as a backup behind Justin Worley before making his collegiate debut in a 45–0 home win over Austin Peay at Neyland Stadium, completing 4 of 8 passes for 28 yards.
As a sophomore in 2014, Peterman appeared in seven games and made one start, against fourth-ranked Alabama, before Joshua Dobbs eventually took over the starting job. Seeking a fresh start, Peterman transferred to the University of Pittsburgh in 2015 as a graduate transfer under head coach Pat Narduzzi. He quickly won the starting role and passed for 2,287 yards with 20 touchdowns in his first season, then followed it with a senior year in which he threw for 2,855 yards and 27 touchdowns. His five-touchdown performance in a 43–42 upset of eventual national champion Clemson was the highlight of his college career.
Nathan Peterman Career
Pre-Draft (2016–2017)
Peterman accepted an invitation to the 2017 Senior Bowl, where he impressed scouts with his size, accuracy, mobility, and arm strength. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown in the North team’s 16–15 loss to the South. He also attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he finished fifth among quarterbacks in the three-cone drill, seventh in the 40-yard dash, and tied for sixth in the vertical jump and short shuttle.
His strong pre-draft showing helped position him as a mid-round prospect, and the Buffalo Bills selected him in the fifth round, 171st overall, of the 2017 NFL draft, making him the eighth quarterback taken that year.
Buffalo Bills Era (2017–2018)
Peterman joined the Bills and won the backup quarterback job during the preseason. He made his regular-season debut in Week 10 of 2017 against the New Orleans Saints, leading a late scoring drive in a 47–10 loss. His first career touchdown pass was a 7-yard throw to tight end Nick O’Leary.
On November 15, 2017, Peterman was named the starting quarterback for a Week 11 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He threw five interceptions in the first half, tying an NFL record for the most in a player’s first career start, and was replaced by Tyrod Taylor. He later started a snowy Week 14 game against the Indianapolis Colts, throwing a touchdown before exiting with a concussion. He appeared briefly in a Wild Card loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, throwing a critical late interception to cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
In 2018, Peterman was named the Bills’ opening day starter over Josh Allen. Against the Baltimore Ravens, he completed 5 of 18 passes for 24 yards, threw two interceptions, posted a 0.0 passer rating, and was benched in favor of Allen. He started several more games that season, including a Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans in which he threw two interceptions, and a Week 9 loss to the Bears in which he passed for a career-high 188 yards but also tossed three interceptions. He was released on November 12, 2018, finishing his Buffalo career with four total touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 32.5 passer rating.
Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders Era (2018–2021)
After workouts with the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos, Peterman signed with the Oakland Raiders practice squad on December 19, 2018. He signed a reserve/future contract in January 2019 and had a strong preseason before landing on injured reserve with an elbow injury.
Peterman was re-signed as a restricted free agent in 2020. He made his regular-season debut for the Raiders in Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons, completing 3 of 5 passes for 25 yards in a 43–6 loss. In 2021, he signed a one-year extension and briefly relieved starter Derek Carr during a Week 5 loss to the Chicago Bears before being released and re-signed to the practice squad. His contract expired at the end of the 2021 season.
Chicago Bears Era (2022–2023)
Peterman signed with the Bears on May 11, 2022, and spent time on the practice squad before being elevated to the active roster after an injury to starter Justin Fields. He was later signed to the active roster when backup Trevor Siemian was placed on injured reserve, becoming the primary backup. He made a brief relief appearance against his former Bills team on Christmas Eve, completing two passes before a Hail Mary attempt was intercepted.
On January 4, 2023, Peterman started the Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, throwing for 114 yards and a touchdown in a 29–13 loss. He was re-signed to a one-year deal in March 2023, then cycled between the active roster and practice squad through the season, eventually being demoted to third string behind Tyson Bagent.
New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders (Second Stint) (2024)
Peterman signed with the New Orleans Saints on March 18, 2024, but his contract was terminated on August 2. On August 13, 2024, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders and was released as part of the team’s first cuts of the 53-man roster on August 27.
Atlanta Falcons (2024)
On September 3, 2024, the Atlanta Falcons signed Peterman to their practice squad, where he continued his role as an experienced reserve quarterback.
Notable Events and Milestones
Peterman’s 11 interceptions between 2017 and 2018 are the most for any quarterback with fewer than 100 passing attempts in that span. His five first-half interceptions in his first career start tied an NFL record, and his 0.0 passer rating in the 2018 season opener made him a frequent subject of national headlines.
Nathan Peterman Career Wins
Peterman has made his mark in the NFL primarily as a backup and practice-squad contributor rather than as a starter. Across his time with the Buffalo Bills, Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons, he has notched a small number of regular-season appearances and relief outings.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Peterman’s most notable regular-season moments include his late 2017 debut for the Bills, in which he threw his first career touchdown pass to Nick O’Leary, and a 2020 relief appearance for the Raiders against the Atlanta Falcons. He also started the 2022 season finale for the Bears, throwing a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.
Other Performances
Peterman has been praised by coaches and analysts for his work ethic, leadership in the locker room, and preparation as a backup. He has also contributed during preseason and training camp settings for nearly every team on which he has appeared.
Nathan Peterman Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Peterman is the younger son of a pastor and has spoken publicly about the role his Christian faith plays in his life and career. He grew up in St. Johns, Florida, where he developed into a top-rated high school quarterback before heading to Tennessee and then Pittsburgh.
Peterman is married to Morgan Peterman, his college girlfriend from the University of Tennessee. The couple has continued to support his career as he has moved between NFL teams across the country.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Peterman is expected to remain a veteran presence in NFL quarterbacks rooms, with the Atlanta Falcons his most recent team. After signing with the Falcons’ practice squad in September 2024, he has continued to serve in a depth and mentorship role.
As a backup with starting experience, Peterman offers teams a familiar option in case of injury or roster needs. His knowledge of multiple offensive systems, gained across his time in Buffalo, Oakland, Las Vegas, Chicago, and New Orleans, makes him a valuable insurance policy at the position.
Peterman’s outlook for 2025 will depend largely on offseason roster movement and team needs at quarterback. Regardless of his exact landing spot, he is likely to compete for a backup or third-string role and remain a respected voice in any quarterbacks room he joins.