Jared Goff and Matt Barkley both threw 1st career touchdown passes

There are plenty of parallels between Matt Barkley and Jared Goff, even if the two took different career paths so far. But both quarterbacks threw their first career touchdown passes Sunday.

Both Barkley and Goff made their name in the Pac-12 — with the former once finishing sixth in Heisman voting while with the USC Trojans and the latter earning First-team All-Pac-12 honors for California. Both were highly touted draft prospects, although Barkley fell to the first pick of the fourth round while Goff’s draft hype led to him being selected No. 1 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Goff started his career on the bench for the Los Angeles Rams and made his first start in Week 11, completing 17 of 31 passes for 134 yards, but didn’t throw a touchdown. He had to wait until Week 12 for his first career touchdown when he connected with Tavon Austin for a 24-yard score.

Barkley had to wait much longer for his first touchdown. He appeared in four games over two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles but threw four interceptions and never a touchdown.

He was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, but never appeared in a game and was then signed by the Chicago Bears in September. With Jay Cutler out of action, Barkley is handling starting duties and got out to a good start against the Tennessee Titans with a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Daniel Brown.

The parallels for Goff and Barkley likely end there with the Rams hoping their No. 1 pick is the future of the franchise, while it’s doubtful even the most optimistic Bears officials hope the same from Barkley in Chicago.