The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award® along with presenting sponsor A. O. Smith Corporation announce the 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Alumni Week 1 Stats. Candidates were chosen based on player performance on and off the field. Candidates are judged on their character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, teamwork and leadership qualities.
| NAME & COLLEGE & YEAR OF GOLDEN ARM AWARD | NFL TEAM | CMP | ATT | YDS | CMP% | AVG | TD | INT | LNG | RTG | QBR | MISCELLANEOUS |
| Mac Jones—Alabama—2020 | New England Patriots | 29 | 39 | 281 | 74% | 7.2 | 1 | 0 | 35 | 102.6 | 75.1 | L 17-16 Miami |
| Joe Burrow—LSU—-2019 | Cincinnati Bengals | 20 | 27 | 261 | 74% | 9.7 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 128.8 | 60.3 | W 27-24 Minnesota |
| Gardner Minshew—Washington State—-2018 | Philadelphia Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | DNP; W 32-6 Atlanta |
| Mason Rudolph—Oklahoma State—-2017 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | DNP; W 23-16 Buffalo |
| Deshaun Watson—Clemson—2016 | Houston Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | DNP; W 37-21 Jacksonville |
| Marcus Mariota—Oregon—-2014 | Las Vegas Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | W 33-27 Baltimore |
| AJ McCarron—Alabama—-2013 | Atlanta Falcons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Injured; Out for Season |
| Colt McCoy—-Texas—2009 | Arizona Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | DNP; W 38-13 Tennessee |
| Matt Ryan—Boston College—2007 | Atlanta Falcons | 21 | 35 | 164 | 60% | 4.7 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 71.6 | 17.6 | L 32-6 Philadelphia |