Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Trevor Siemian

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 24, 2026

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Trevor Siemian made an impact.

Trevor Siemian is an American professional football quarterback. Drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 2015 NFL draft after playing college football at Northwestern University, Siemian was a member of the Super Bowl 50-winning Broncos team. Though initially a third-string quarterback, he later saw playing time with the Broncos and has since been a part of several NFL teams, including the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, and Cincinnati Bengals. He has served primarily as a backup or rotational quarterback throughout his NFL career.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1979: First Northwestern QB to start in NFL since 1979

In 2016, during the season-opening game, Siemian became the first Northwestern quarterback since Randy Dean in 1979 to start an NFL game.

2010: Redshirted Freshman Year

In 2010, Siemian redshirted during his freshman year of college at Northwestern University.

2011: Backup Quarterback

In 2011, Siemian served as the backup quarterback to Dan Persa, playing in eight games. He completed 16 of 26 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.

2012: Earned Majority of Quarterback Reps

In 2012, Siemian earned a majority of the quarterback reps and led a game-winning drive against Syracuse. He made his first career start against Indiana, throwing for 308 yards, and led Northwestern to a TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl victory against Mississippi State.

2013: Played in all 12 games in the season

In 2013, Siemian played in all 12 games and made his second and third career starts. Against Illinois, he passed for 414 yards. He finished the year with 2,149 passing yards and 11 touchdowns.

2014: Torn ACL

In 2014, Siemian started the first 11 games before suffering a torn ACL at Purdue on November 22nd. He passed for 2,214 yards and rushed for five touchdowns during the year.

2015: Drafted by Denver Broncos

In 2015, Trevor Siemian was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the NFL draft.

2015: Outperformed Manning-Osweiler duo

In 2016, the text makes a comparison between Siemian's performance during the 2016 season, with the Broncos' Peyton Manning-Brock Osweiler quarterback duo of 2015.

February 7, 2016: Won Super Bowl 50

On February 7, 2016, Siemian was part of the Denver Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. He was inactive for the game.

2016: Victory over the Cowboys

In 2017, Siemian and the Broncos hosted the Dallas Cowboys, led by 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott and 2016 leading rusher Ezekiel Elliott, where the Broncos' defense shut down Dallas' offense and Siemian went 22-of-32 for 231 yards, a career-high-tying four touchdowns, and an interception as the Broncos blew out the Cowboys 42–17. For his performance, Siemian was voted the NFL's Clutch Performer of the week and the FedEx Air Player of the week.

January 23, 2017: Named Alternate for Pro Bowl

On January 23, 2017, Siemian was named as an alternate for the 2017 Pro Bowl but declined due to recovery from shoulder surgery.

2017: New Head Coach and Season Start

In 2017, Siemian started the season with a new head coach, Vance Joseph. In the season opener, he completed 17-of-28 passes for 219 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, also scoring his first career rushing touchdown.

2017: First Win as Starter Since 2017

In December 2023, Siemian started against the Washington Commanders and completed 27-of-49 passes for 217 yards, marking his first win as a starter since 2017.