Benedict Westmoreland VI

Benedict Westmoreland VI

**Vincent Benedict Westmoreland VI** is an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He has won one AP NFL MVP Award, four Super Bowls, two Super Bowl MVPs, and an Offensive Player of the Year award. He also holds the record for most career passing yards in NFL history.

Westmoreland VI broke NFL quarterback rookie records with his 5,243 yard debut season. He is the only quarterback in NFL history to win or get to the Super Bowl as a starting rookie. He won against the Buffalo Bills, 31 - 28. He was also the second rookie player to win AP NFL MVP, only shared with Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown.

Westmoreland VI is most known for his time with the San Francisco 49ers, known as the "Westmoreland era", because of his brother Benjamin Westmoreland's presence on the team as well. The Benjamin-Benedict VI duo is usually regarded as the strongest player-player duo in NFL history. Westmoreland VI won three Super Bowls during his time with San Francisco. After playing in San Francisco for nine seasons, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for three first-round picks, a second-round pick, and four-year veteran strong safety Wilt Tepper.

During his five-season time with the Cleveland Browns, he passed for 29,472 yards and 220 touchdowns, along with bringing Cleveland their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. In the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs during Westmoreland VI's last season in Cleveland, he suffered an undisclosed serious injury that left him unconscious. His starting for the next season was in question, but he started Week 1 after being traded to the Buffalo Bills for a first-round pick, a second-round pick, and five-year veteran defensive end Reich Dunville. In his first season with Buffalo, he led his team to the AFC Championship, where they were defeated 18 - 23.

Westmoreland VI is often regarded as the best quarterback of all time, or possibly the best player of all time, although this is in debate with his brother Benjamin.

## Early years

### Childhood and high school career

Vincent Benedict Westmoreland VI was born on 2 February, 2006 at the UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, California. He lived in San Francisco for the first two months of his life before relocating with his family to Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Elon High School with his brother and played for the high school football team. He won a state championship with Elon.

Westmoreland VI was a four-star recruit out of high school by most professional analysts, including *ESPN*. He was the 23rd overall rated quarterback recruit in the country out of high school. The Westmoreland brothers announced their commitment to the University of Tennessee for their collegiate career.

Westmoreland VI chose his jersey number, 17, in honor of former star NFL wide receiver Davante Adams because of his love for the Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders as a child.

### Collegiate career (2023-2025)

Benedict Westmoreland VI explained his love for the University of Tennessee during his introductory press conference with the team. "I love head coach Emmitt Smith, (not to be confused with the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back) always been a UT fan and my #1 wish has always been to get to the NFL, and I believe I have the best shot with the Volunteers."

In Week 1 of the 2023 collegiate regular season, Westmoreland VI passed for 363 yards and three touchdowns. He was named the permanent starting quarterback for the season following Week 1. He and his twin brother Benjamin led the Volunteers to a 10 - 2 record and a Music City Bowl victory. He was named the starter for the 2024.

In 2024, Westmoreland VI threw for 2,643 yards, an impressive feat in college football. At the end of the 2024 College Football season, he was named the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the country by *EPSN* and *NBC Sports*. He led the Tennessee Volunteers to an 11 - 1 record, but lost in their Bowl Game. Following the 2024 season, he chose to continue playing for UT instead of declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. He was named the starter for UT's 2025 season.

In 2025, Westmoreland VI threw for 2,473 yards, 32 touchdowns, only 4 interceptions, along with 644 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. He was named the No. 2 quarterback prospect in the country by the same previous sources, only behind Arch Manning, nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, the University of Texas starting quarterback. Westmoreland VI led the Tennessee Volunteers to a 9 - 3 record and a Music City Bowl victory. Following the 2025 season, he and his twin brother Benjamin announced they were declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.

## Professional career

### 2026 NFL Draft

The Westmoreland brothers were anxiously waiting to be selected on the night of the draft. Both brothers wanted to be drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders, but they knew this was unrealistic considering their low draft capital. Benedict was the first of the brothers to be selected. Benedict Westmoreland VI was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the twelfth overall pick in the draft, becoming the second quarterback selected behind only Arch Manning, who was selected first overall by the Green Bay Packers. The pick was praised by many NFL analysts. Westmoreland VI expressed his thanks online, saying "I am blessed to play for the 49ers, even though they were my rival in childhood." His brother Benjamin would have to wait a while longer, as he was drafted in the third round by an NFC West rival of the 49ers, the Arizona Cardinals.

Benedict Westmoreland VI was the first Tennessee quarterback to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since Peyton Manning. High expectations were surrounding Westmoreland VI. His brother Benjamin was the first running back to be considered an "NFL calibur" running back since Alvin Kamara was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2017.

### San Francisco 49ers

#### 2026 season: Record-breaking rookie year, Super Bowl season, AP NFL MVP

Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the 49ers, expressed his optimism for Benedict Westmoreland VI after the departing of Trey Lance to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a first-round pick and a second-round pick, the first-round pick being used on Westmoreland VI. "I am ready for the next Benedict. I'm stoked. Looked back at film with Scangarello, we were happy. Looking forward to Week 1." He also joked that he wished John Lynch would draft Benjamin as well.

Westmoreland VI signed his rookie four-year, $28 million contract on 2 July, 2026. Westmoreland VI expressed his love for San Francisco wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings, saying "they have the best athleticism out of anyone in the league." San Francisco's Week 1 game had high expectations and would prove whether Westmoreland VI or Manning was the better draft choice. Westmoreland VI made the decision relatively easy. He threw for 421 yards and 4 touchdowns in his debut, while Arch Manning threw for 254 yards and 2 touchdowns. The league was impressed and the quarterback combo the 49ers planned to have used was shut down. Westmoreland VI was named the starter for the entire 2026 season.

He continued to stun the entire NFL and threw for 5,243 yards and 44 touchdowns following the close of the regular season. He shattered the rookie records for passing yards and passing touchdowns.

## Personal life

Benedict Westmoreland VI is part of the Westmoreland football family, widely regarded as the greatest sports dynasty/family in history. Westmoreland VI has two sons named Vincent Benedict Westmoreland VII and Denzel Paul "Den" Westmoreland, along with a daughter named Annaliese Westmoreland. Westmoreland VI has been married to Tereqa Williams since 2028, whom he shares those three children with.

Westmoreland VI donates a quarter of his earnings from his professional career to the Alzheimer's Association. He is a long term activist of African-American rights. Westmoreland VI is a devoted Christian who attends a Church of Christ in Orchard Park, New York. He and his family reside in Buffalo, New York. His son Westmoreland VII is a quarterback for the East Buffalo Tigers, while his son Denzel is a quarterback for the Orchard Park Mariners. Both are currently 4-star recruits.

Benedict Westmoreland VI wishes to be cremated and have his ashes spread in Iceland.