History UsefulNotes / NationalFootballLeagueQuarterbacks

* '''Matt Ryan''' was drafted #3 overall in 2008 by the Atlanta Falcons out of Boston College. Nicknamed "Matty Ice" for his coolness under pressure, he holds basically every franchise passing record by a wide margin and is normally recognized as one of the best [=QBs=] of the 21st century, at least on paper. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year, brought the Falcons to their only run of sustained success in franchise history, won MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 for leading the league in passer rating and taking the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance, and sits in or close to the top ten in almost every career passing statistic. Despite all that, Ryan has never ''quite'' garnered the same degree of [[NoRespectGuy respect and fame]] as some of his peers, likely because of the Falcons' horribly embarrassing loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI after his MVP season; for all of Ryan's impressive numbers, "28-3" will probably be the one that follows him for the rest of his career. In 2022, the Falcons traded him to the Colts, where he struggled, suffered yet another historically humiliating loss by blowing a record 33-point lead to the Vikings, and was benched and released. While not officially retired, he has already begun the transition into broadcasting for CBS.

* '''Roman Gabriel''' was the first (and currently only) starting NFL QB of Filipino descent[[note]]and only the second QB of Asian descent after Arthur Matsu, who played one season with the Dayton Triangles in 1928[[/note]] and one of the premier passers of the '60s. Drafted #2 overall in 1962 out of NC State by the L.A. Rams[[note]]and #1 overall by the Raiders in the AFL Draft[[/note]], Gabriel had a [[LongRunner 16-year career]], was selected to the Pro Bowl four times, and even won MVP in 1969 after leading the league in passing [=TDs=] (he still remains the Rams' all-time leader in that stat). Due to playing in the L.A. market, Gabriel [[HeAlsoDid also had]] a brief film and TV career, including playing [[FakeNationality a Native American]] in Creator/JohnWayne's ''Film/TheUndefeated''. However, Gabriel twice fell short of bringing the Rams to a championship and was traded to the Eagles in 1973. Gabriel had the most productive statistical season of his career that first year in Philadelphia, leading the NFL in passing yards and [=TDs=] and winning Comeback Player of the Year, but it wasn't enough to turn the team into contenders, and he was out of the NFL in 1977.

* '''Aaron Rodgers''' is the current QB for the New York Jets after serving as the longest tenured player in Green Bay Packers history. He is one of the most accomplished to ever play the QB position, leading all active NFL players in career passing [=TDs=]. Rodgers was drafted #24 overall in 2005 by the Packers out of Cal[[note]]which he entered after two years at Butte Community College[[/note]] in one of the most embarrassing draft slides in NFL history.[[note]]He and Alex Smith were considered the top two [=QBs=] in the class, but the prevailing notion was that Rodgers, a Bay Area native, had the edge. The 49ers instead drafted Smith, and Rodgers sat for ''three hours'' on live television as 22 more teams passed on him. While there have been other great [=QBs=] taken much lower than the first round, a potential #1 QB prospect to fall so far was almost unheard of in the age where potential draftees were invited to attend the televised ceremony. This was likely due to him being the sixth first-round QB coached in college by Jeff Tedford, with the previous five all being busts (see the entry for the "Tedford Five" in the "Quarterback Draft Busts, P–Z" folder of the [[UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeagueNotoriousFigures "Notorious Figures" page]] for more details).[[/note]] He [[TheBenchwarmer spent his first three years on the bench]] behind longtime QB Brett Favre, [[ToughActToFollow who left the team holding every major NFL passing record]]. Rodgers was set to replace Favre in '08 when he [[TenMinuteRetirement came out of retirement]] in the offseason; to the surprise of many, Packers management decided to stay the course with Rodgers rather than give Favre the starting job back (see Brett's entry further up). Fans called for Rodgers' blood; he responded by becoming the first QB in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in both his first two seasons as a starter, then led the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV. He was the MVP of that Super Bowl and followed it up with four regular season [=MVPs=] ('11, '14, '20, '21), the most for any player besides Peyton Manning. The standout aspect of Rodgers' play has been his ''efficiency''; his career passer rating and interception percentage are [[TheAce the best in league history]] as of 2023, and he has led the league in rating four times (with his 2011 122.5 rating still standing as the single-season record).[[note]]He also led the league in passing [=TDs=] twice and completion percentage once.[[/note]] Those numbers mark him as a SpiritualAntithesis to Favre, who retired with the most [=INTs=] in history; Rodgers still has the best career TD-INT ratio of any QB by a substantial margin and notably passed Favre in career passing [=TDs=] despite not yet passing him in yards. His athleticism is also a key weapon: while a superb pocket passer, he is ''lethal'' outside the pocket and can throw with deadly accuracy on the run. Despite all of his success, Rodgers has developed a reputation for [[EveryYearTheyFizzleOut fizzling out]] ''just'' on the cusp of making it all the way; since his Super Bowl victory, the Packers reached four NFC Championships and lost each one, the longest such streak for any QB.[[note]]Ironically, [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter the 49ers in particular have made a habit of thwarting him]], as the team that first passed him in the draft has knocked Rodgers's Packers out all four times they met in the postseason, including one of those NFC Championship games.[[/note]] In 2023, [[HistoryRepeats the Packers decided they were ready to move on to the first round pick they had drafted three years prior (Jordan Love) and traded Rodgers to the Jets]]. He tore his Achilles on his ''fourth snap'' in his first game as a Jet, so it remains to be seen if he can do any better than Favre's stint in New York.

* '''Brock Purdy''' is currently the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, but his greatest claim to fame is being the most relevant "Mr. Irrelevant" in NFL history. Despite shattering most of Iowa State's passing records, Purdy's relatively small size and perceived lack of athleticism[[note]]at the combine, he posted below-average scores in all measurables with the exception of his ten-yard split[[/note]] saw him fall all the way to the final pick in the 2022 Draft, where the Niners scooped him up. Most [=QBs=] taken this late in the draft struggle to make final rosters, but Purdy secured a spot as the team's third-stringer and took the field midway through the season after the two players ahead of him, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, both sustained season-ending injuries. Purdy unexpectedly led the Niners on an undefeated streak as a starter while setting rookie efficiency records all the way to the NFC Championship game, where an injury to his throwing arm sidelined him for most of what ended up being a blowout loss to the Eagles. After surgery and an intensive bout of rehab, Purdy won the job as the team's starter in 2023, leading the NFL in passer rating, setting the franchise record for single-season passing yards, and taking the team back to the Super Bowl in just his first full year. Purdy's success in spite of his being a final overall pick has seen him gain a significant contingent of detractors (who typically allege that he is the NFL equivalent of a VanillaProtagonist being propped up by HC Kyle Shanahan as well as a [[AllStarCast supporting cast of All-Pro offensive talent]]); nonetheless his accomplishments have led to his being widely seen as one of the most notable late-round QB draft steals since Tom Brady.

* '''Brock Purdy''' is currently the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, but his greatest claim to fame is being the most relevant "Mr. Irrelevant" in NFL history. Despite shattering most of Iowa State's passing records, Purdy's relatively small size and perceived lack of athleticism[[note]]at the combine, he posted below-average scores in all measurables with the exception of his ten-yard split[[/note]] saw him fall all the way to the final pick in the 2022 Draft, where the Niners scooped him up. Most [=QBs=] taken this late in the draft struggle to make final rosters, but Purdy secured a spot as the team's third-stringer and took the field midway through the season after the two players ahead of him, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, both sustained season-ending injuries. Purdy unexpectedly led the Niners on an undefeated streak as a starter while setting rookie efficiency records all the way to the NFC Championship game, where an injury to his throwing arm sidelined him for most of what ended up being a blowout loss to the Eagles. After surgery and an intensive bout of rehab, Purdy won the job as the team's starter in 2023, leading the NFL in passer rating, setting the franchise record for single-season passing yards, and taking the team back to the Super Bowl in just his first full year. Although Purdy's success in spite of his low draft position has seen him gain a significant contingent of detractors (who typically allege that he is the NFL equivalent of a VanillaProtagonist being propped up by HC Kyle Shanahan as well as a [[AllStarCast supporting cast of All-Pro offensive talent]] including running back Christian [=McCaffrey=], wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and tight end George Kittle), he is nonetheless widely regarded as one of the most notable late-round QB draft steals since Tom Brady.

* '''Brock Purdy''' is currently the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, but his greatest claim to fame is being the most relevant "Mr. Irrelevant" in NFL history. Despite shattering most of Iowa State's passing records, Purdy's relatively small size and perceived lack of athleticism[[note]]at the combine, he posted below-average scores in all measurables with the exception of his ten-yard split[[/note]] saw him fall all the way to the final pick in the 2022 Draft, where the Niners scooped him up. Most [=QBs=] taken this late in the draft struggle to make final rosters, but Purdy secured a spot as the team's third-stringer and took the field midway through the season after the two players ahead of him, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, both sustained season-ending injuries. Purdy unexpectedly led the Niners on an undefeated streak as a starter while setting rookie efficiency records all the way to the NFC Championship game, where an injury to his throwing arm sidelined him for most of what ended up being a blowout loss to the Eagles. After surgery and an intensive bout of rehab, Purdy won the job as the team's starter in 2023, leading the NFL in passer rating, setting the franchise record for single-season passing yards, and taking the team back to the Super Bowl in just his first full year. Although Purdy's success in spite of his low draft position saw him gain a significant contingent of detractors (who typically allege that he is the NFL equivalent of a VanillaProtagonist being propped up by HC Kyle Shanahan as well as a [[AllStarCast supporting cast of All-Pro offensive talent]] including running back Christian [=McCaffrey=], wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and tight end George Kittle), he is nonetheless widely regarded as one of the most notable late-round QB draft steals since Tom Brady.

* '''Lamar Jackson''' is the current QB of the Baltimore Ravens, who drafted him with the final first round pick pick in 2018. Despite a Heisman-winning career at Louisville, Jackson was not considered a great pro QB prospect and several teams asked him to participate in wide receiver drills at the combine (he did not). Infamously, Hall of Fame GM-turned-media analyst Bill Polian was one of Jackson's harshest critics, even referring to him as a "running back" in the lead up to the draft. Still, the Ravens selected him as a QB and were prepared to have him learn under long-time incumbent Joe Flacco. An injury to Flacco midway through Jackson's rookie season derailed that plan and forced him into the starting lineup, where he acquitted himself well, guiding the team to a division title. His second season exceeded all expectations, as he posted the greatest combined passing/rushing season by a QB in NFL history by becoming the first to throw for 3,000+ yards and rush for 1,000+, leading the Ravens to a 14-2 record, and becoming the youngest MVP QB in NFL history (plus only the second to win the award unanimously) and landed on the cover of ''VideoGame/MaddenNFL 21''. Jackson averted the Madden curse, becoming the only QB to run for over 1,000 yards in multiple seasons in 2020 and remaining one of the top passers in the league when healthy. Following a rather contentious 2023 offseason (in which Jackson, who is professionally represented by his mother and has never hired an agent, publicly demanded a trade before being awarded a lucrative contract), he won his second MVP and led the Ravens to their first AFC Championship Game in over a decade. Unfortunately, Jackson has also become known for his recurring case of EveryYearTheyFizzleOut: he currently is the only multi-time MVP to never win an NFL championship, let alone appear in a title game.

* '''Brock Purdy''' is currently the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, but his greatest claim to fame is being the most relevant "Mr. Irrelevant" in NFL history. Despite shattering most of Iowa State's passing records, Purdy's relatively small size and perceived lack of athleticism[[note]]at the combine, he posted below-average scores in all measurables with the exception of his ten-yard split[[/note]] saw him fall all the way to the final pick in the 2022 Draft, where the Niners scooped him up. Most [=QBs=] taken this late in the draft struggle to make final rosters, but Purdy secured a spot as the team's third-stringer and took the field midway through the season after the two players ahead of him, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, both sustained season-ending injuries. Purdy unexpectedly led the Niners on an undefeated streak as a starter while setting rookie efficiency records all the way to the NFC Championship game, where an injury to his throwing arm sidelined him for most of what ended up being a blowout loss to the Eagles. After surgery and an intensive bout of rehab, Purdy won the job as the team's starter in 2023, leading the NFL in passer rating, setting the franchise record for single-season passing yards, and taking the team back to the Super Bowl in just his first full year. Although Purdy's success in spite of his low draft position saw him gain a significant contingent of detractors--who typically allege that he is the NFL equivalent of a VanillaProtagonist being propped up by HC Kyle Shanahan as well as a [[AllStarCast supporting cast of All-Pro offensive talent]] (including running back Christian [=McCaffrey=], wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and tight end George Kittle)--he is nonetheless widely regarded as one of the most notable late-round QB draft steals since Tom Brady.

* '''Brock Purdy''' is notable for being the most relevant "Mr. Irrelevant" in NFL history. Despite shattering most of Iowa State's passing records, Purdy's relatively small size and perceived lack of athleticism[[note]]at the combine, he posted below-average scores in all measurables with the exception of his ten-yard split[[/note]] saw him fall all the way to the final pick in the 2022 Draft, where the San Francisco 49ers scooped him up. Most [=QBs=] taken this late in the draft struggle to make final rosters, but Purdy secured a spot as the team's third-stringer and took the field midway through the season after the two players ahead of him, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, both sustained season-ending injuries. Purdy unexpectedly led the Niners on an undefeated streak as a starter while setting rookie efficiency records all the way to the NFC Championship game, where an injury to his throwing arm sidelined him for most of what ended up being a blowout loss to the Eagles. After surgery and an intensive bout of rehab, Purdy returned as the 49ers' starting quarterback in 2023, leading the NFL in passer rating, setting the franchise record for single-season passing yards, and taking the team back to the Super Bowl in just his first full year.

* '''John Elway''' spent his entire [[LongRunner 16-year]] career as the QB of the Denver Broncos and is by far the franchise's greatest QB (if not player, as he also played in more games than any other player in team history). The Stanford product was originally drafted #1 overall by the Baltimore Colts in 1983, but he threatened to play baseball instead (he was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round) rather than play for the then-terrible team. He was subsequently traded to the Broncos and broke out as one of the league's leading passers, winning MVP in 1987 and leading the league in passing yards in 1993. "The Duke" had a reputation for being a great "comeback artist," retiring with the most [[MiracleRally 4th quarter comebacks]] (46) in NFL history,[[note]]since surpassed by Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, and Creator/TomBrady[[/note]] and for his tendency to subvert the expectations of the defense with fearless head-first runs. After [[EveryYearTheyFizzleOut losing 3 Super Bowls by embarrassing margins]][[note]]39-20, 42-10, 55-10[[/note]] in the late '80s and subsequently suffering declining performance due to a turnover problem, Elway staged a late-career renaissance and led Denver to consecutive Super Bowl wins in 1997 and '98, winning Super Bowl MVP in his final game after defeating former head coach Dan Reeves. At the time of the nine-time Pro Bowler's retirement, his 148 wins were an NFL record. He had his #7 retired by the Broncos and received a first-ballot induction into Canton. In 2011, Elway returned to the Broncos as executive VP of football operations (basically general manager with a few extra responsibilities and a fancier job title). He is widely credited for luring Creator/PeytonManning to Denver, who led the Broncos to two Super Bowls (winning one), though in the post-Manning years he attracted a good deal of criticism, ironically for his inability to identify and draft a franchise quarterback. This led to the worst stretch of seasons for the franchise since the merger; Elway stepped down from the GM role in 2020 and was slowly phased out of the organization before being cut completely in 2023.

* '''Dak Prescott''' is the current starter of the Dallas Cowboys. A fourth round pick out of Mississippi State in the 2016 Draft, Prescott was expected to serve as a backup and learn from franchise QB Tony Romo until a preseason back injury benched the Cowboys' passing record-holder. He saw [[PutMeInCoach unexpected and immediate success]] filling in for Romo, leading the Cowboys to a 13-3 record, securing the starting spot, and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year after setting the record for single-season passer rating among rookies to play a ful season. Prescott has since surpassed Romo's career passer rating, though he has (so far) mimicked his predecessor's struggle [[EveryYearTheyFizzleOut to take the team deep into the postseason]]. This trait likely played into the Cowboys reluctance to sign him to a long-term deal after he wildly outperformed his rookie contract, instead applying the franchise tag[[note]]A contract device which essentially forces a one-year, fully guaranteed deal equal to the average of the top five highest paid players at that player's position[[/note]] ahead of Prescott hitting free agency in 2020. Prescott unfortunately suffered a [[GameBreakingInjury gruesome ankle injury]] during that season while playing under the tag, but the Cowboys struggled in his absence, and he was rewarded with a record-breaking new contract in 2021. He's mostly rewarded Dallas since, leading the NFL in passing [=TDs=] and completions in '23.
* '''Brock Purdy''' is notable for being the most relevant "Mr. Irrelevant" in NFL history. Despite shattering most of Iowa State's passing records, Purdy's small size and perceived lack of athleticism saw him fall all the way to the final pick in the 2022 Draft, where the San Francisco 49ers scooped him up. Most [=QBs=] taken this late in the draft struggle to make final rosters, but Purdy secured a spot as the team's third-stringer and took the field midway through the season after the two players ahead of him, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, both sustained season-ending injuries. Purdy unexpectedly led the Niners on an undefeated streak as a starter while setting rookie efficiency records all the way to the NFC Championship game, where an injury to his throwing arm sidelined him for most of what ended up being a blowout loss to the Eagles.[[note]]The 49ers' bad luck continued as their backup [=QB=], Josh Johnson, sustained a concussion not long after taking the field. At this point the team lacked any other viable options at the quarterback position, so Purdy re-entered the game despite the fact that his injury had left him physically incapable of doing anything besides repeated handoffs; aware of this, the Eagles' defense pounced, and the Niners were unable to move the football down the field. Essentially, the offense was forced to play half the game without a functioning quarterback, which went about as well as one might expect.[[/note]] After surgery and an intensive bout of rehab, Purdy returned as the 49ers' starting quarterback in 2023, leading the NFL in passer rating, setting the franchise record for single-season passing yards, and taking the team back to the Super Bowl in just his first full year.

* '''Brock Purdy''' is notable for being the most relevant "Mr. Irrelevant" in NFL history. Despite shattering most of Iowa State's passing records, Purdy's small size and perceived lack of athleticism saw him fall all the way to the final pick in the 2022 Draft, where the San Francisco 49ers scooped him up. Most [=QBs=] taken this late in the draft struggle to make final rosters, but Purdy secured a spot as the team's third-stringer and took the field midway through the season after the two players ahead of him, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, both sustained season-ending injuries. Purdy unexpectedly led the Niners on an undefeated streak as a starter while setting rookie efficiency records all the way to the NFC Championship game, where an injury to his throwing arm sidelined him for most of what ended up being a blowout loss to the Eagles.[[note]]''The 49ers' bad luck continued as their backup [=QB=], Josh Johnson, sustained a concussion not long after taking the field. At this point the team lacked any other viable options at the quarterback position, so Purdy re-entered the game, but as his injury had left him physically unable to throw the football any further than ten yards, the Niners could do little more than hand it off repeatedly. Essentially, the offense was forced to play half the game without a functional quarterback, which went about as well as one might expect.''[[/note]] After surgery and an intensive bout of rehab, Purdy returned as the 49ers' starting quarterback in 2023, leading the NFL in passer rating, setting the franchise record for single-season passing yards, and taking the team back to the Super Bowl in just his first full year.

* '''Brock Purdy''' is notable for being the most relevant "Mr. Irrelevant" in NFL history. Despite shattering most of Iowa State's passing records, Purdy's small size and perceived lack of athleticism saw him fall all the way to the final pick in the 2022 Draft, where the San Francisco 49ers scooped him up. Most [=QBs=] taken this late in the draft struggle to make final rosters, but Purdy secured a spot as the team's third-stringer and took the field midway through the season after the two players ahead of him, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, both sustained season-ending injuries. Purdy unexpectedly led the Niners on an undefeated streak as a starter while setting rookie efficiency records all the way to the NFC Championship game, where an injury to his throwing arm sidelined him for most of what ended up being a blowout loss to the Eagles.[[note]]The 49ers' bad luck continued as their backup [[=QB=], Josh Johnson, sustained a concussion not long after taking the field. At this point the team lacked any other viable options at the quarterback position, so Purdy re-entered the game, but as his injury had left him physically unable to throw the football any further than ten yards, the Niners could do little more than hand it off repeatedly. Essentially, the offense was forced to play half the game without a functional quarterback, which went about as well as one might expect.[[/note]] After surgery and an intensive bout of rehab, Purdy returned as the 49ers' starting quarterback in 2023, leading the NFL in passer rating, setting the franchise record for single-season passing yards, and taking the team back to the Super Bowl in just his first full year.

* '''Brock Purdy''' is notable for being the most relevant "Mr. Irrelevant" in NFL history. Despite shattering most of Iowa State's passing records, Purdy's small size and perceived lack of athleticism saw him fall all the way to the final pick in the 2022 Draft, where the San Francisco 49ers scooped him up. Most [=QBs=] taken this late in the draft struggle to make final rosters, but Purdy secured a spot as the team's third-stringer and took the field midway through the season after the two players ahead of him, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, both sustained season-ending injuries. Purdy unexpectedly led the Niners on an undefeated streak as a starter while setting rookie efficiency records all the way to the NFC Championship game, where an injury to his throwing arm sidelined him for most of what ended up being a blowout loss to the Eagles.[[note]]The 49ers' backup, Josh Johnson, ''also'' sustained an injury, getting concussed not long after taking the field. At this point the team lacked any other viable options at the quarterback position, so Purdy re-entered the game, but his injury had left him physically unable to throw the football any further than ten yards, so the Niners could do little more than hand it off repeatedly. Essentially, the offense was forced to play half the game without a functional quarterback...which went about as well as one might expect.[[/note]] After surgery and an intensive bout of rehab, Purdy returned as the 49ers' starting quarterback in 2023, leading the NFL in passer rating, setting the franchise record for single-season passing yards, and taking the team back to the Super Bowl in just his first full year.

* '''Jimmy Garoppolo''' was drafted in the second round in 2014 out of FCS Eastern Illinois by the New England Patriots, seemingly with the intent of eventual succeeding an aging Tom Brady. However, the presence of a new understudy seemed to light a fire under Brady, who immediately got back to winning Super Bowls. Garoppolo only saw action as a backup and briefly as a starter during Brady's suspension from the [[{{Scandalgate}} Deflategate]] controversy, a tenure cut even shorter by injury. Still, his capable performance in relief increased his value, and now unwilling to lose a still-elite Brady (who had earlier requested a trade to San Francisco), the Pats traded him to the San Francisco 49ers mid-way through the 2017 season. While the Niners won a lot of games with the handsome and charming "Jimmy G" as their starter, even reaching a Super Bowl berth after 2019, his [[MadeOfPlasticine frequent absences from injury]] and generally unspectacular performances when he ''was'' healthy often limited the otherwise loaded team. In 2021, believing they were one great QB away from being a real championship contender, the Niners traded three first round picks to go after his presumed successor, [[UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeagueNotoriousFigures Trey Lance]]. Garoppolo mostly kept hold of the starting role before another injury led to him being replaced by rookie phenom Brock Purdy. He subsequently signed with the Raiders, was quickly benched for a fourth round rookie, and was cut after the season, seemingly marking the end of his time as a starter.

* '''Brock Purdy''' is notable for being the most relevant "Mr. Irrelevant" in NFL history. Despite shattering most of Iowa State's passing records, Purdy fell all the way to the final pick in the 2022 Draft, where the San Francisco 49ers scooped him up. Most [=QBs=] taken this late in the draft struggle to make final rosters, but Purdy secured a spot as the team's third-stringer and took the field midway through the season after the two players ahead of him, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, both sustained season-ending injuries. Purdy unexpectedly led the Niners on an undefeated streak as a starter while setting rookie efficiency records all the way to the NFC Championship game, where an injury to his throwing arm sidelined him for most of what ended up being aloss to the Eagles. After surgery and an intensive bout of rehab, Purdy returned for 2023, leading the NFL in passer rating, setting the franchise record for single-season passing yards, and taking the team back to the Super Bowl in just his first full year.

* '''Jimmy Garoppolo''' was drafted in the second round in 2014 out of FCS Eastern Illinois by the New England Patriots, seemingly with the intent of eventual succeeding an aging Tom Brady. However, the presence of a new understudy seemed to light a fire under Brady, who immediately got back to winning Super Bowls. Garoppolo only saw action as a backup and briefly as a starter during Brady's suspension from the [[{{Scandalgate}} Deflategate]] controversy, a tenure cut even shorter by injury. Still, his capable performance in relief increased his value, and now unwilling to lose a still-elite Brady (who had earlier requested a trade to San Francisco), the Pats traded him to the San Francisco 49ers mid-way through the 2017 season. While the Niners won a lot of games with the handsome and charming "Jimmy G" as their starter, even reaching a Super Bowl berth after 2019, his [[MadeOfPlasticine frequent absences from injury]] and generally unspectacular performances when he ''was'' healthy often limited the otherwise loaded team. In 2021, believing they were one great QB away from being a real championship contender, the Niners traded three first round picks to go after his presumed successor, [[UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeagueNotoriousFigures Trey Lance]]. Garoppolo mostly kept hold of the starting role before another injury led to him being replaced by rookie phenom Brock Purdy. He subsequently signed with the Raiders and was quickly benched for a fourth round rookie, seemingly marking the end of his time as a viable starter.

* '''Joe Flacco''' became the all-time leading passer for the Baltimore Ravens after they drafted him #18 overall out of Delaware in 2008, but he is likely better known for being the AFC's answer to [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass Eli Manning]]. Despite putting up SoOkayItsAverage regular season statistics and never even being selected to a Pro Bowl, Flacco took the Ravens to the playoffs and won at least one playoff game in each of his first five years. After making an AFC Championship berth in his rookie and fourth seasons, Flacco became Super Bowl MVP in his fifth after a historic 2012 playoff run where he outplayed and beat Luck's Colts, Peyton Manning's Broncos, and Brady's Patriots, ultimately defeating the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, all while tying Joe Montana's playoff record by throwing 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. He never replicated that incredible performance, and after he suffered a midseason hip injury in 2018, his rookie backup Lamar Jackson (see below) won the starting job. Flacco was traded to the Broncos in 2019, played poorly, and was cut. He bounced around the Jets and Eagles roster as a backup and was unsigned to start the 2023 season before being signed by the Browns as a last resort; despite being the team's fourth option at QB that season, the veteran put together some of his best games in years to lead the struggling franchise back to the playoffs, winning Comeback Player of the Year.
* '''Doug Flutie''' had a modestly successful NFL career as a journeyman[[note]]playing for the Bears (1986-87), Patriots (1987-89, 2005), Bills (1998-2000), and Chargers (2001-04), as well as one USFL (New Jersey Generals, 1985), and three CFL teams (BC Lions, 1990-91; Calgary Stampeders, 1992-95; Toronto Argonauts, 1996-97)[[/note]] but was most known for his small stature (5'9", 180 lbs), unique playing style, and utterly idiosyncratic career arc. As opposed to the mechanical "drop back and throw from the pocket" style popular in the NFL at the time, Flutie scrambled and improvised, often throwing deep passes once the coverage broke down (not all that dissimilar to Russell Wilson's style). After a Heisman-winning college career at Boston College, Flutie was still deemed a poor pro prospect by NFL scouts and wasn't drafted until the eleventh round in 1985. Flutie instead chose to sign with the USFL's New Jersey Generals the year before that UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump-owned team (and its entire league) folded. He then played with the NFL for a time, memorably being one of the first replacement players to cross the picket line during the 1987 strike. Flutie went to Canada to play in the CFL in 1990, where he won three Grey Cups, six Most Outstanding Player awards, and set many pro football passing records that stand to this day[[note]]He threw for over 6,000 yards in a season... ''twice''[[/note]]. After dominating the CFL for nearly a decade, Flutie returned to the NFL in 1998 and successfully carried over his CFL-style pass attack to the Bills. His return performance led the Associated Press to name him Comeback Player of the Year, reviving the award for the first time in thirty years[[note]]Since 1972, the most esteemed publication to issue the award to NFL players had been ''Pro Football Weekly''[[/note]]. In his [[LongRunner twenty-first]] and final season of pro play, Flutie performed the first (and, to date, the only) [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA7Yp6UrAWI drop kick]] in a NFL season game since the 1941 Championship game; coach Bill Belichick reportedly called that kick as a sort of retirement present, a unique play to celebrate the unique career of the 43-year-old veteran. While "face on a Wheaties box" is common for athletes, Flutie had ''his own'' cereal: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flutie_Flakes Flutie Flakes]].[[note]]Coach Jimmy Johnson once had to issue an apology for pouring Flutie Flakes on the ground for his team to step on after beating Flutie's team in the playoffs, due to the fact that that proceeds from the cereal went to Flutie's foundation for autism awareness that was named after his own autistic son.[[/note]]

* '''Kirk Cousins''' has carved out a reputation as one of the most statistically prolific passers of the current era. The Michigan State product was drafted in the fourth round by Washington in 2012 to serve as a backup to [=RG3=], which turned out to be a good decision as his career was derailed by injuries. Cousins emerged as a solid passer in his own right, leading the league in completion percentage in his first full season as a starter in 2015, earning a Pro Bowl nod the following year, and setting multiple franchise records. Cousins signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 and has remained a regular Pro Bowler. Despite his individual success, ranking in the top 10 all-time in career completion percentage and passer rating, Cousins' lifetime win record prior to 2022 hovered around .500, with his record in prime-time terms being a poor 10-18, including an abysmal 2-10 on ''Monday Night Football''. However, 2022 marked an apparent turnaround in his fortunes, as Cousins not only led the Vikings to the best win record of his career but mounted the largest comeback in NFL history, overcoming a 33-point deficit to beat the Colts. [[Franchise/StarTrek "Captain Kirk"]] may be best known for his {{Catchphrase}}: "You like that!?"

* '''Doug Flutie''' had a modestly successful NFL career as a journeyman[[note]]playing for the Bears (1986-87), Patriots (1987-89, 2005), Bills (1998-2000), and Chargers (2001-04), as well as one USFL (New Jersey Generals, 1985), and three CFL teams (BC Lions, 1990-91; Calgary Stampeders, 1992-95; Toronto Argonauts, 1996-97)[[/note]] but was most known for his small stature (5'9", 180 lbs), unique playing style, and utterly idiosyncratic career arc. As opposed to the mechanical "drop back and throw from the pocket" style popular in the NFL at the time, Flutie scrambled and improvised, often throwing deep passes once the coverage broke down (not all that dissimilar to Russell Wilson's style nowadays). After a Heisman-winning college career at Boston College, Flutie was still deemed a poor pro prospect by NFL scouts and wasn't drafted until the eleventh round in 1985. Flutie instead chose to sign with the USFL's New Jersey Generals the year before that UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump-owned team (and its entire league) folded. He then played with the NFL for a time, memorably being one of the first replacement players to cross the picket line during the 1987 strike. Flutie went to Canada to play in the CFL in 1990, where he won three Grey Cups, six Most Outstanding Player awards, and set many pro football passing records that stand to this day[[note]]He threw for over 6,000 yards in a season... ''twice''[[/note]]. After dominating the CFL for nearly a decade, Flutie returned to the NFL in 1998 and successfully carried over his CFL-style pass attack to the Bills. His return performance led the Associated Press to name him Comeback Player of the Year, reviving the award for the first time in thirty years[[note]]Since 1972, the most esteemed publication to issue the award to NFL players had been ''Pro Football Weekly''[[/note]]. In his [[LongRunner twenty-first]] and final season of pro play, Flutie performed the first (and, to date, the only) [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA7Yp6UrAWI drop kick]] in a NFL season game since the 1941 Championship game; coach Bill Belichick reportedly called that kick as a sort of retirement present, a unique play to celebrate the unique career of the 43-year-old veteran. While "face on a Wheaties box" is common for athletes, Flutie had ''his own'' cereal: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flutie_Flakes Flutie Flakes]].[[note]]Coach Jimmy Johnson once had to issue an apology for pouring Flutie Flakes on the ground for his team to step on after beating Flutie's team in the playoffs, due to the fact that that proceeds from the cereal went to Flutie's foundation for autism awareness that was named after his own autistic son.[[/note]]

* '''Russell Wilson''' is the all-time leading passer for the Seattle Seahawks, who drafted him in the third round in 2012 out of Wisconsin[[labelnote:*]]He played three seasons at NC State but graduated with a year of eligibility remaining and chose to transfer to Wisconsin for one last college season.[[/labelnote]] with the expectation that he would be a quality backup. Unlike his fellow 2012 draftees, college wunderkinds Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin who were instantly anointed as starters, Wilson had to fight his way into the starting lineup in the preseason, winning the job over former Green Bay star backup Matt Flynn. A dual-threat QB who is quite undersized for the position (5'11"), his ability to both run and throw effectively took Seattle to the playoffs, where he became the only rookie QB from that stacked class to win a playoff game, and he tied a since-surpassed NFL record set by Creator/PeytonManning for most TD passes by a rookie with 26. In his second season, Wilson led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory over the seemingly unstoppable Broncos and their high-powered offense. He became the second Black QB to win a Super Bowl (after Doug Williams 27 years prior) and the first to do so as a full-season starter (Williams was primarily a backup until the playoffs). After leading the Seahawks to another Super Bowl appearance the following year (where an untimely interception cost them the win), Wilson continued to earn league-wide praise for his passing precision and scrambling ability, earning nine Pro Bowl selections, and leading the league in passer rating in 2015 and passing [=TDs=] in 2017. He gained further off-field attention for his high-profile relationship with and eventual marriage to R&B singer Music/{{Ciara}} and for his [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} eccentric personality]].[[note]]He is also one of an increasing number of athletes who own shares in UsefulNotes/MajorLeagueSoccer teams; he and Ciara hold a small stake in Seattle Sounders FC.[[/note]] In 2022, he was traded to the Denver Broncos for a massive haul including three players and two first round draft picks, with the hope that he would fill Denver's post-Peyton Manning hole under center and return the franchise to its accustomed winning ways. Unfortunately, Wilson experienced ''severe'' regression in Denver (to the point he was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl4f0yNcWrI dunked on in-game]] by ''[[Characters/SpongeBobSquarePantsPatrickStar Patrick Star]]''), was benched before the end of his second season with the team, and was ultimately cut with a massive ''$85 million'' of his contract still owed, creating the largest amount of "dead money" against the salary cap ever by a single player and by a massive number (more than double the former record holder).

* '''Nick Foles''' has had one of the more dramatic career arcs of any NFL player. A third-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012 out of Arizona, Foles was meant to serve as the backup to then-starter [[UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeagueNotoriousFigures Michael Vick]] but took the position midseason after a five-game losing streak. In 2013, Foles was named the starter and had a season worthy of a new star, throwing 27 [=TDs=] with only 2 picks, becoming one of eight [=QBs=] in league history to pass for seven [=TDs=] in a single game, and leading the Eagles to the NFC East title, as well as the league in passer rating, which earned him a Pro Bowl nod. However, Foles struggled in the next season and was placed on IR after breaking his collarbone; the Eagles collapsed and missed the playoffs, leading many to label him a [[OneHitWonder one-season wonder]]. He was traded to the Rams, languished there for a year, and was traded again to the Chiefs, where he returned to being a backup. After considering retirement, Foles re-signed with Philly in 2017 to backup and mentor their new QB, Carson Wentz, only to be promoted once again to starter after Wentz tore his ACL in Week 14. Many analysts who had once labelled the Eagles Super Bowl contenders called their season over, to the point they were betting underdogs in the playoffs despite being the NFC's #1 seed. Instead, [[UnderdogsAlwaysWin Foles led the Eagles straight through the playoffs]]. In Super Bowl LII, Foles passed for three [=TDs=] and caught a fourth on a fourth down trick play (nicknamed "the Philly Special"), becoming the first player to throw and catch a TD in a Super Bowl. [[EarnYourHappyEnding Foles was named Super Bowl MVP as the Eagles at long last hoisted their first Lombardi Trophy]], and the Eagles built a statue of him outside their stadium. After 2018, when Foles again replaced an injured Wentz and led the Eagles on a solid playoff run, he signed with the Jaguars for a chance to become a full-time starter but broke a collarbone in the opening game and was ineffective after returning. He was then traded to the Bears for a 4th round pick to compete with the struggling Mitch Trubisky but was only moderately better there. He is now a free agent. Just to show how dramatic his career arc has been, in 2024 [[https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-free-agency-every-nfl-teams-best-worst-free-agent-signing-nick-foles-makes-list-twice/ a CBS Sports journalist]] named him the best ''and'' worst free-agent signings in the history of two different teams (Eagles best, Jaguars worst). Foles is also on his way to becoming a BadassPreacher, as he's now studying for the ministry[[note]]joining late Eagles great Reggie White (in the "Defensive Linemen" folder of the [[UsefulNotes/NFLDefensiveAndSpecialTeamsPlayers "Defensive and Special Teams" page]]), as NFL players ordained during their careers[[/note]], earning him the nickname "St. Nick".

* '''Nick Foles''' has had one of the more dramatic career arcs of any NFL player. A third-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012 out of Arizona, Foles was meant to serve as the backup to then-starter [[UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeagueNotoriousFigures Michael Vick]] but took the position midseason after a five-game losing streak. In 2013, Foles was named the starter and had a season worthy of a new star, throwing 27 [=TDs=] with only 2 picks, becoming one of eight [=QBs=] in league history to pass for seven [=TDs=] in a single game, and leading the Eagles to the NFC East title, as well as the league in passer rating, which earned him a Pro Bowl nod. However, Foles struggled in the next season and was placed on IR after breaking his collarbone; the Eagles collapsed and missed the playoffs, leading many to label him a [[OneHitWonder one-season wonder]]. He was traded to the Rams, languished there for a year, and was traded again to the Chiefs, where he returned to being a backup. After considering retirement, Foles re-signed with Philly in 2017 to backup and mentor their new QB, Carson Wentz, only to be promoted once again to starter after Wentz tore his ACL in Week 14. Many analysts who had once labelled the Eagles Super Bowl contenders called their season over, to the point they were betting underdogs in the playoffs despite being the NFC's #1 seed. Instead, [[UnderdogsAlwaysWin Foles led the Eagles straight through the playoffs]]. In Super Bowl LII, Foles passed for three [=TDs=] and caught a fourth on a fourth down trick play (nicknamed "the Philly Special"), becoming the first player to throw and catch a TD in a Super Bowl. [[EarnYourHappyEnding Foles was named Super Bowl MVP as the Eagles at long last hoisted their first Lombardi Trophy]], and the Eagles built a statue of him outside their stadium. After 2018, when Foles again replaced an injured Wentz and led the Eagles on a solid playoff run, he signed with the Jaguars for a chance to become a full-time starter but broke a collarbone in the opening game and was ineffective after returning. He was then traded to the Bears for a 4th round pick to compete with the struggling Mitch Trubisky but was only moderately better there. He is now a free agent. Foles is also on his way to becoming a BadassPreacher, as he's now studying for the ministry[[note]]joining late Eagles great Reggie White (in the "Defensive Linemen" folder of the [[UsefulNotes/NFLDefensiveAndSpecialTeamsPlayers "Defensive and Special Teams" page]]), as NFL players ordained during their careers[[/note]], earning him the nickname "St. Nick".

* '''Russell Wilson''' is the all-time leading passer for the Seattle Seahawks, who drafted him in the third round in 2012 out of Wisconsin[[labelnote:*]]He played three seasons at NC State but graduated with a year of eligibility remaining and chose to transfer to Wisconsin for one last college season.[[/labelnote]] with the expectation that he would be a quality backup. Unlike his fellow 2012 draftees, college wunderkinds Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin who were instantly anointed as starters, Wilson had to fight his way into the starting lineup in the preseason, winning the job over former Green Bay star backup Matt Flynn. A dual-threat QB who is quite undersized for the position (5'11"), his ability to both run and throw effectively took Seattle to the playoffs, where he became the only rookie QB from that stacked class to win a playoff game, and he tied a since-surpassed NFL record set by Creator/PeytonManning for most TD passes by a rookie with 26. In his second season, Wilson led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory over the seemingly unstoppable Broncos and their high-powered offense. He became the second Black QB to win a Super Bowl (after Doug Williams 27 years prior) and the first to do so as a full-season starter (Williams was primarily a backup until the playoffs). After leading the Seahawks to another Super Bowl appearance the following year (where an untimely interception cost them the win), Wilson continued to earn league-wide praise for his passing precision and scrambling ability, earning nine Pro Bowl selections, and leading the league in passer rating in 2015 and passing [=TDs=] in 2017. He gained further off-field attention for his high-profile relationship with and eventual marriage to R&B singer Music/{{Ciara}} and for his [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} eccentric personality]].[[note]]He is also one of an increasing number of athletes who own shares in UsefulNotes/MajorLeagueSoccer teams; he and Ciara hold a small stake in Seattle Sounders FC.[[/note]] In 2022, he was traded to the Denver Broncos for a massive haul including three players and two first round draft picks, with the hope that he would fill Denver's post-Peyton Manning hole under center and return the franchise to its accustomed winning ways. Unfortunately, Wilson experienced ''severe'' regression in Denver (to the point he was [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl4f0yNcWrI dunked on in-game]] by ''[[Characters/SpongeBobSquarePantsPatrickStar Patrick Star]]'') and was benched before the end of his second season with the team.

* '''Steve "Air" [=McNair=]''' was the first great QB for the Tennessee Titans after their move from Houston. Drafted #3 overall in 1995 by the Oilers out of the HBCU Alcorn State (the only school that had offered to let him play quarterback), where he'd been one of the few Division I-AA[=/=]FCS players to make a serious Heisman Trophy run (he finished third in the voting), [=McNair=] was known for having nerves of steel in the pocket, able to scramble well when needed to and willing to take a hit as long as the ball went to the right receiver--this likely contributed to his problems with injuries later in his career. Famous for coming only a yard short of taking Super Bowl XXXIV into overtime, [=McNair=] eventually surpassed Warren Moon's franchise passing yardage and total wins records. He led the league in passer rating in 2003 and became the first African-American QB to win the league MVP award[[note]]He shared the award with Creator/PeytonManning, who led in passing yards that season[[/note]]. [=McNair=] was traded to the Ravens in 2006 due to struggles with injuries and put up one good season in Baltimore before said injuries pushed him into retirement. Outside of football, [=McNair=] was also known for being quite the [[ReallyGetsAround ladies' man]]. Unfortunately, that contributed to his untimely death just two years after his retirement, as he was [[{{Yandere}} killed by an emotionally disturbed mistress in a murder-suicide]]. His #9 was retired by the Titans.