QB Nathan Peterman Retires

“I got to live through what I’m now getting tested on in the CBA,” Peterman told Mejia-Hilario. “Being up and down on a roster, being put on IR, negotiating contracts. I hope I can help a younger person that’s on a similar journey.”

Peterman, who divided his college career between Tennessee and Pittsburgh, became a pro when the Bills chose him in the fifth round of the 2017 draft. He spent two years in Buffalo, where he struggled over eight appearances and four starts.

Former Bills head coach Sean McDermott briefly benched Tyrod Taylor and turned to Peterman for his first career start in a Week 11 game against the Chargers in 2017. It was a short-lived promotion for Peterman, who threw five first-half interceptions in a 54-24 loss and lost the job at halftime. Taylor held the reins for the rest of the season and helped the Bills to a 9-7 finish, ending their 17-year playoff drought, but suffered a concussion late in their wild-card game in Jacksonville. Peterman came in and tossed an interception with 1:16 left to clinch a 10-3 win for the Jaguars.

During the 2018 offseason, Buffalo shook up its quarterback room when it traded Taylor to Cleveland and drafted Josh Allen seventh overall. With the goal of easing Allen into the league, McDermott named Peterman the Week 1 starter. However, he was once again unable to get through a full game. After Peterman went 5 for 18 for 24 yards and two interceptions, McDermott yanked him late in a 40-3 loss to the Ravens. Allen came on in relief and then took over as the Bills’ starter, a job he has not relinquished. Peterman’s last start as a Bill came when he filled in for an injured Allen in Week 9 against the Bears. He completed 31 of 49 attempts for 188 yards and three picks in a 41-9 loss. The Bills cut him eight days later.

After the Bills moved on from Peterman, he had stints with the Raiders, Bears, Saints and Falcons. His fifth and final start came with Chicago in Week 18 of the 2022 campaign. Peterman threw a touchdown and no interceptions in an 11-of-19, 104-yard performance, but the Bears fell 29-13 to the Vikings. The loss clinched the No. 1 pick for Chicago, which traded it to Carolina in a blockbuster that significantly altered the courses of both franchises. Peterman, meanwhile, never attempted another regular-season pass in the league, leaving him with a 53.1% completion rate, four TDs, 13 INTs and a 39.4 rating.

Peterman, most recently a member of Atlanta’s practice squad in 2024, worked out for the Jets, Lions and 49ers last year. None of those teams gave him a contract. Neither did the Broncos, who had Peterman in for a tryout just a few weeks ago. After they passed on signing him, Peterman will turn his attention to a new career in the game.