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5 Epic Rookie QB Debuts that Shocked the NFL— And 5 Disastrous Flops You Have to See to Believe

Starting your NFL career as a rookie quarterback comes with enormous pressure and some players shine under the spotlight, while others completely crumble. From record-breaking first games to unforgettable flops, we break down the five best and five worst rookie QB debuts in NFL history. Which NFL rookie QB had the best and worst debuts? Best NFL Rookie Debut: Cam Newton vs. Arizona Cardinals, 2011Sept. 11, 2011; Glendale, AZ, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback (1) Cam Newton against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Panthers 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Let’s start things off with one of my personal favorites—and maybe the most jaw-dropping debut in NFL rookie history.  Cam Newton was fresh off a Heisman and a national title at Auburn—yet he was still the subject of intense media scrutiny as the number 1 pick in 2011.  The takes at the time were rough. Half the media called him “the next big thing.” The other half said, “Nah, his game won’t translate to the pros” in spite of his undeniable talent. So, what did Cam do? He walked into Arizona in Week 1, lined up against Patrick Peterson and company, and casually dropped 422 passing yards—still the most in a QB rookie debut. Add in two touchdowns through the air, a rushing score, and managed to nearly drag a bad Carolina roster to a win. Four hundred yards as a rookie, in your very first NFL game, is not supposed to happen, but Cam came in with the critics breathing down his neck and proved them all wrong and then some. Then, the icing on the cake—he followed it up the next week with another 400-yard performance. Back-to-back—putting egg on the face of the skeptics and haters. Sure, Cam’s career had ups and downs, but that debut was the perfect mic-drop moment for a guy who spent draft season defending himself. Worst: Alex Smith vs. Indianapolis Colts, 2005Dec. 11, 2005; Seattle, Wash, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback #11 Alex Smith passes the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter at Qwest Field. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports © Copyright Mark J. Rebilas Alex Smith, better known as the guy San Francisco took instead of Aaron Rodgers as the number 1 pick in 2005, still came into his QB rookie season with sky-high expectations. Fair or not The 49ers were down, but had a long tradition of quarterbacking excellence, and fans wanted their savior. Instead, they got one of the ugliest first starts you’ll ever see from a top pick. Smith got thrown in during garbage time twice before and looked okay, but it all came crumbling down when he became “the guy” against the Colts in Week 5. Smith looked like he was trying to throw to everyone in the building except his own receivers. He finished 9 of 23 for 74 yards and four interceptions. That’s right, four. And it wasn’t just tipped balls or unlucky breaks.  It was as if the Colts’ defense was out there running routes for him. San Francisco lost 28 to 3, and by the end of it, the fanbase was already questioning everything, while Rodgers was somewhere in Green Bay, smirking. Now, to Smith’s credit, he eventually rebuilt himself into a solid starter—heck, even made a Pro Bowl and had a long career. But that debut was brutal.  Best: Marcus Mariota vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2015Aug 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) attempts a pass in the first quarter of their preseason NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports While the rest of his career didn’t exactly pan out like everyone expected, Marcus Mariota had himself one heck of a debut performance in 2015 as a rookie QB against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who selected Jameis Winston 1 pick ahead of him, first overall, no less! And he walked straight into Raymond James Stadium and embarrassed the Bucs defence and front office. The game was hyped as “the showdown of the top two draft picks.” And Mariota didn’t just win it—he annihilated Winston. Mariota threw just 15 passes and four of them went for touchdowns. Talk about efficiency! That is Madden-level stuff. 13 of 15, 209 yards, four TDs, zero picks, and a perfect 158.3 passer rating in his first NFL game… Something that hadn’t been accomplished in 50 years. Meanwhile, Winston’s first NFL pass was a pick-six—that juxtaposition made Mariota look like a franchise saviour. Titans fans were convinced they’d finally found their guy. Of course, Mariota never really became that star. Injuries, inconsistency, and scheme changes slowed him down. Now, he’s a backup for Jaylen Daniels in Washington. But that first Sunday, man, he was flawless.  Worst: Peyton Manning vs. Miami Dolphins, 1998 Yes, believe it or not, Peyton Manning belongs on the “worst debuts” list. In fact, his entire rookie season was a bit of a struggle. There were flashes where you saw the talent, but he did end up setting the rookie record for interceptions in the process of kicking off one of the greatest QB careers ever.  But his first NFL game was ugly as it gets it came against Miami in 1998, and the first overall pick went 21 of 37 for 302 yards, one touchdown, and… three interceptions. Now, to be fair, 302 yards is nothing to sneeze at. But those turnovers buried the Colts.  Manning forced throws, misread coverages, and basically looked like a rookie getting tossed into the deep end Which to be fair—he was. But that didn’t stop the narrative from starting once the final whistle blew and Indy lost 24 to 15… The critics immediately started asking, “Did the Colts pick the wrong guy? Should they have gone with Ryan Leaf?” Ha—laughable looking back, but that was a real conversation. Of course, Peyton turned out just fine—five MVPs, two Super Bowls—on route to establishing himself as the Sheriff.  Leaving his debut in fans’ distant memories, though, it should serve as a reminder—sometimes the ugliest first game means nothing long-term. But if you were an Indy fan that Sunday? You had to be sweating hard. Best: Robert Griffin III vs. New Orleans Saints, 2012Aug 18, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports Few debuts ever matched the electricity of RGIII in New Orleans. Heck, his whole rookie season was the stuff of legends. Especially when you factor in the small fortune that Washington had traded to move up and get him in the draft, he was the Heisman winner, the guy with Olympic speed and a rocket arm. And in his very first game, he looked unstoppable. Full stop. Griffin went 19 of 26 for 320 yards, two touchdowns, no picks, and added 42 rushing yards. He walked into the Superdome, lit up the Saints’ defence, and left with a 40–32 win. His passer rating was an astronomical 139.9, almost perfect. It wasn’t just the athleticism that jumped off the screen either… his passing looked sharp, highlighted by the 88-yard bomb to Pierre Garçon that silenced the crowd. And against the blitz—when rookie QBs usually panic—he went 8 of 9 for 188 yards and two scores. He looked like a ten-year vet. That debut was so impressive that Washington fans started throwing around words a few too many “S” words like “savior” and “Super Bowl.”  Sadly, injuries derailed his career way too early. But for one game, RGIII was everything he was hyped to be—and more. But don’t feel too bad for him. He’s been doing extremely well since retiring. Worst: Matthew Stafford vs. New Orleans Saints, 2009Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford warmed up for their Thanksgiving Day game against the Green Bay Packers in Detroit, Thursday, November 26, 2009. JULIAN H. GONZALEZ/Detroit Free Press ORG XMIT: 6764733W Sports Fbn Lions Stafford De Well, this was one was a bit of foreshadowing for his challenging days in the Motor City… but—hey, at least he got to Los Angeles to salvage his legacy and win a ring. Yes, folks—we are talking about another former number one overall pick in Matthew Stafford, who had a very challenging start to what will likely be a Hall of Fame career. Stafford was drafted to save the Detroit Lions after their infamous 0-16 season, but his debut against the Saints in 2009 wasn’t exactly the fresh start fans were dreaming of. Stafford went 16 of 37 for 205 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions. He did score a rushing touchdown, but it barely mattered in a 45-27 blowout loss. It was rough. Especially for a fanbase that had just suffered through a 0 and 16-season, only to then see its shiny new QB throw three picks in Week 1, that’s the kind of pain only Lions fans truly understand. Best: Frank Tarkenton vs. Chicago Bears, 1961Minnesota Vikings tackle Frank Myers (74) tries to block Green Bay Packers defensive end Ezra Johnson (78) as he chases the quarterback Fran Tarkenton (10) on Oct. 22, 1978, at the Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers 21-7. Gpg Throwback Packers Vs Vikings 11052022 0021 Alright, let’s take it way back for this one.  You can’t talk about rookie QB debuts without tipping your cap to Fran Tarkenton—because the man set the standard before most of today’s highlight reels were even filmed in color. September 17th, 1961. It’s the very first game in the Minnesota Vikings franchise history. They’re facing George Halas’ Chicago Bears—a team that had been around since the NFL’s stone age. Nobody expected much from an expansion squad with a 21-year-old rookie quarterback… But the rookie came in and dominated, torching the Bears for 250 yards and four touchdowns. Keep in mind, this was against one of the most respected defenses of the era and Minny didn’t squeak by either, they steamrolled Chicago by a final score of 37 to 13. Tarkenton’s passer rating in that game was a perfect 158.3, something almost unheard of at the time Literally because the stat didn’t exist yet! But with a look back, the stat was replicated by a rookie for over 50 years!  And to his credit, he wasn’t just a one-hit wonder. Tarkenton went on to redefine what quarterback play could look like. He was running around, improvising, playing backyard football before it was the thing to do…  By the time he retired, he was the league’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns—and it all started with that epic showing against Chicago. Worst: Don Gault vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1970Nov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Cleveland Browns helmets on a time out against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Don Gault’s one-and-done appearance might be the ultimate “blink and you missed it” career. Except Browns fans who sat through that game probably wish they had missed it… Hofstra legend Gault’s NFL résumé was practically nonexistent heading into 1970. He went undrafted, spent two full years stashed away on Cleveland’s practice squad, and only saw the field because starter Bill Nelsen got hurt. Needless to say, Gault failed to deliver. Gault played just one half of football. In that time, he managed to complete one pass out of 16 attempts. One. For 44 yards. He threw two interceptions, finished with a 0.0 passer rating, and led Cleveland to just three total first downs while he was under center.  Fans in the stands must have been wondering if they accidentally wandered into a practice instead of an actual NFL game. To make the matter all the more painful for Gault, he never got another meaningful shot.  He hung around as a backup for a few years but never threw another regular-season pass. His entire NFL career is essentially remembered for this single disaster. Best: Will Levis vs. Atlanta Falcons, 2023Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) celebrates on the field after defeating the Atlanta Falcons at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023. Every once in a while, a rookie QB comes out of nowhere and drops a performance so outrageous, you can’t even believe what you’re watching… Especially when you look back and compare it to the rest of his career. That was Will Levis in Week 8 of the 2023 season. Four touchdowns in his very first NFL start. He went 19 of 29 for 238 yards, four scores, no picks, and a 130.5 passer rating. Three of his four touchdowns went to Hopkins, and suddenly the Titans’ offense looked like it had life again despite their brutal 2- four start to the season. The guy went out there in his first start and absolutely shredded a good NFL defense like he was waiting his whole life for this exact stage. Too bad he couldn’t keep the act going in the Music City, as he flamed out and the curtains closed on him not too long after. Worst: Brandon Weeden vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 2012Dec 9, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) throws a pass in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports It’s tough to imagine a debut going much worse than the one Brandon Weeden put on tape. Cleveland drafted Weeden in the first round of 2012, even though he was just weeks away from turning 29 years old. An older rookie QB. He was literally older than some of the established quarterbacks already in the league. So the scrutiny was high to say the least… Could a guy who spent most of his twenties playing minor league baseball really be the future at quarterback? The answer came fast. Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Weeden looked completely overwhelmed. He went 12 of 35 for 118 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions. That’s a completion percentage barely above 34 percent.  His passer rating? 5.1. Not fifty-one… five point one. For comparison, if Weeden had just spiked the ball into the dirt on all 35 attempts, his rating would’ve been higher. To make matters worse, Cleveland actually managed to stay in the game pretty much until the final whistle! All they needed was some half-decent quarterback play, and they would’ve taken it home… but they chose to go with Brandon Weeden. Classic Browns. Needless to say, things didn’t get much better for Weeden in Cleveland or at any of his other stops—and he was chased out of the league in short order.

Read more5 Epic Rookie QB Debuts that Shocked the NFL— And 5 Disastrous Flops You Have to See to Believe

Every NFL Team’s Oldest Starting Quarterback In Their History

Oldest Starting Quarterback: Longevity in the NFL, especially at quarterback, is a rare and remarkable feat. The position demands not only elite talent but also physical durability, mental sharpness, and the ability to adapt as the game evolves. While most quarterbacks fade before their late 30s, a select few have defied time, taking the field well into their 40s and continuing to lead their teams. From Tom Brady’s legendary run with the Buccaneers to Brett Favre’s ironman streak and Vinny Testaverde’s unexpected late-career starts, the league has seen veterans step under center long after most players have retired. Each NFL franchise has its own story of a quarterback who pushed the limits of age and endurance. Here’s a look at every NFL team’s oldest starting quarterback in history — the men who proved that age is just a number when it comes to competing at the highest level. Who are the oldest starting quarterbacks for each NFL team? Arizona Cardinals: Kurt Warner, 38Nov. 6, 2005; Tempe, AZ, USA; Quarterback (13) Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals against the Seattle Seahawks at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Copyright © 2005 Mark J. Rebilas At 38, Kurt Warner looked more like a Marvel hero than a retiree-in-waiting. In 2010, he led the lowly Cardinals to a 10-5 record and even shredded the Packers for five touchdowns in a playoff thriller, proving age hadn’t dulled that quick release and brilliant offensive mind for a quarterback. Unfortunately, they were upended soon thereafter by the New Orleans Saints, putting an anticlimactic end to Warner’s movie-like career. Atlanta Falcons: Steve DeBerg, 44 In 1998, the Falcons called a 44-year-old who’d been retired for years. DeBerg dusted off the playbook, started one game as a quarterback, and instantly set the franchise age record.  DeBerg cemented himself as the model -glass-in-case-of-emergency quarterback every coach dreams of by completing 30 of 59 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns to just one interception across his eight appearances. However, it is worth noting that his lone start against the Jets did not go particularly well, with the Falcons losing 28-3. New York is limiting him to nine completions for 117 yards and a pick. Baltimore Ravens: Randall Cunningham, 38 Cunningham started twice for the Ravens in 2001 at age 38, backing up Elvis Grbac. He wasn’t the MVP version anymore, but he still had the same graceful deep ball and the Baltimore Ravens trusted the veteran NFL quarterback to steady a defending champion roster. And with good reason, as the vet led them to two victories in the process. Buffalo Bills: Derek Anderson, 35Oct 29, 2018; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Derek Anderson (3) goes off the field with trainers after getting hurt during the second half against the New England Patriots at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports In 2018, the Bills phoned a 35-year-old Anderson after Josh Allen’s injury. The rust showed in a big way with four interceptions in two starts, but he still claims the record as Buffalo’s oldest starter.  Although it does serve as a reminder that sometimes “veteran presence” is just a polite way of saying “we’re out of options.” Carolina Panthers: Vinny Testaverde, 44November 18, 2007; Green Bay, WI, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Vinny Testaverde (16) throws a pass during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2007 Jeff Hanisch Signed off the couch in 2007, Vinny Testaverde won a game four days later. At 44, he became the oldest to start—and win—for this NFL team as quarterback. Decades in, the arm still worked, and the legend of Vinny Testaverde, Football Nomad, grew another chapter. Chicago Bears: Todd Collins, 39Aug 28, 2010; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Todd Collins (10) warms up prior to a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports In 2010, the Chicago Bears turned to 39-year-old Todd Collins. He threw four picks in one of the ugliest wins you’ll ever see, but technically and historically, that mess made him the oldest quarterback ever to start for Chicago. And even if it was ugly as it gets with just 10 completions for 67 yards and five interceptions—a win is a win at that age! Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Flacco, 40 Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) runs off before a field goal attempt in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 7 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. The Bengals won, 33-31. Leave it to Joe Flacco to stroll into Cincinnati at 40 years old, fresh off reviving Cleveland the year before, and lead Cincinnati to a couple of good wins. Now he’s the oldest QB ever to start for the Bengals and maybe the first guy to age gracefully while playing for two AFC North rivals. Cleveland Browns: Joe Flacco, 39Jun 12, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) walks off the field during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images In case you missed it, a year earlier, Cleveland signed Flacco and everyone laughed after his misfortunes with the Jets… until he started throwing dimes through snowstorms. He turned 39 the next week, but that brief playoff run made him the Browns’ oldest—and arguably most surprising—hero in decades, as he provided a brief respite for a quarterback-starved NFL franchise. Dallas Cowboys: Vinny Testaverde, 41 In 2004, the Cowboys dusted off Vinny Testaverde for another spin. At forty-one, he threw for more than 3,500 yards as well as more interceptions than touchdowns in a bridge year that felt like it lasted five seasons.  Dallas fans didn’t get glory, but they got a gritty showing from Testaverde each week as he was determined to prove that he still had something left in the tank—even if it wasn’t his peak form. Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning, 39Dec 30 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 38-3Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports Peyton’s last year in Denver was a far cry from the record-breaking campaigns he put up in the preceding years.The arm was cooked, but the brain was still running at Mach 5.  Manning still managed to lead his team to one more Super Bowl win, relying on a dominant defense and a couple of timely throws to guide them through the season. Credit to one of the greatest to do it—he smiled through the pain and rode off with one more Lombardi. Not a bad final act at all! Detroit Lions: Dave Krieg, 36Jan 31, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks former quarterback Dave Krieg at the Seattle Seahawks 12Fest fan rally in the Desert at Chase Field prior to Super Bowl XLIX. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports In 1994, 36-year-old Dave Krieg took over after Scott Mitchell’s injury and quietly went 5 and 2 with a 14-to-3 touchdown-to-pick ratio. He was calm, efficient, and suddenly made Detroit look organized—something Lions fans hadn’t seen in years.  The oldest QB ever to start for the franchise, and arguably one of its most underrated. This showing allowed Krieg to cash in on a couple more years of contracts around the NFL as an older quarterback, too, so while it may have hurt his body, I’m sure his bank account thanked him. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers, 39Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers runs for yardage against the New Orleans Saints on October 26, 2014, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La. The Saints won 44-23. His final start in green and gold came late in 2022, just before the trade drama began. Rodgers was thirty-nine and still whipping lasers through the cold Wisconsin air.  Though he followed the Packers’ sad tradition in which every franchise icon eventually finishes somewhere else, he managed to become their oldest starter ever before leaving town. Houston Texans: Case Keenum, 35Aug 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (18) looks for an open receiver during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports When rookie phenom C.J. Stroud missed time in 2023, Keenum—at thirty-five—stepped in and went 1-1. He’s been everywhere, but Houston’s where it all started, and where he set the Texans’ “oldest starter” record. That’s poetic enough for a Hall of Fame-caliber backup’s final dance. Indianapolis Colts: Matt Hasselbeck, 40Dec 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) scrambles with the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Hasselbeck looked like an accountant but played like a prizefighter in 2015, going 5-3 as a forty-year-old fill-in. He looked like he could barely move his neck, yet still read opposing defenses with the best of them.  Oldest starter in Colts history—and proof that mental competence can win games. Jacksonville Jaguars: Todd Bouman, 38Jan 2, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Todd Bouman (4) prepares for a game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports In 2010, the Jags called Todd Bouman, who was literally coaching high-schoolers at the time. At thirty-eight, he delivered 222 yards and two scores in an emergency start. Jacksonville didn’t win, but the man hadn’t thrown a pass in years—that’s movie-script stuff for an older NFL quarterback. Kansas City Chiefs: Warren Moon, 44 In 2000, the Chiefs handed the ball to a forty-four-year-old Warren Moon. One start, but that was all he needed for this record.  He was already a Hall of Famer in Canada and on his way to Canton, yet still had juice left for Kansas City. His lone start wasn’t a huge success, as he completed just 44% of his passes for 208 yards, one touchdown, and one pick in a loss… but it was still a solid showing all things considered. Las Vegas Raiders: George Blanda, 43Unknown date, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders kicker George Blanda (16) on the sidelines during the 1974 season. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports At 43, he was literally older than some teammates’ fathers, and somehow still running two jobs better than most people do one. The NFL legend, famous for kicking, quarterback, and even a little bit of linebacking in his early days, became the oldest Raider starter ever in 1970—and an excellent reference point for any old-timers who want to argue that they don’t build ’em like they used to! Los Angeles Chargers: Doug Flutie, 42 Doug Flutie started a game in ‘04 for the Chargers at 42 and still managed to scramble around like a kid in the CFL snow. He may be five-foot-nothing, but he balled out for then-San Diego, completing 20 passes for 276 yards and one score in the win. An impressive showing for the journeyman of all journeyman NFL quarterbacks. Los Angeles Rams: Chris Chandler, 39 Chris Chandler may have been the oldest quarterback to start for the Rams, but he was far from the most effective. His ill-fated stint as the Rams’ QB1 in 2004 was one of the most depressing periods we’ve seen… He appeared in five games, started two, and completed just 56.5% of his passes for 463 yards and two touchdowns with a whopping eight interceptions. Miami Dolphins: Earl Morrall, 41Dec 31, 1972; Pittsburgh, PA; USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins quarterback (15) Earl Morrall looks to throw during the 1972 AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium. Miami defeated Pittsburgh 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK Morrall was forty-one when he started as a quarterback in 1975—older than most NFL coaches at the time. He’d already saved the Perfect Season three years earlier, so Miami gave him one last curtain call. Oldest Dolphin starter ever, and in classic Earl Morrall fashion, he delivered, winning his lone start over the Patriots in a 10 to 7 overtime thriller. Just 135 yards and a score, but he completed 14 of 17 and got the job done. Not bad for a season veteran in every sense of the expression. Minnesota Vikings: Brett Favre, 41Dec 20, 2010; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium. The Bears defeated the Vikings 40-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports Favre turned forty-one and kept playing because, of course, he did. This is Brett Favre we are talking about… But the 2010 season was a big disappointment coming off his NFC Championship run with the Vikes. It was ugly, full of hits and interceptions… 19 to be exact—to just 11 touchdowns. More importantly, it saw the Vikings miss the playoffs entirely, with the team going just 5-8 in his 13 starts. A tough end to an otherwise impressive final act with Minnesota. New England Patriots: Tom Brady, 42New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls an offensive play in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. Indianapolis Colts Versus New England Patriots At Gillette Stadium In Foxborough Mass Thursday Oct 4 2018 In 2019, Brady started every game for New England at forty-two, proving avocado ice cream might actually work… in fact… it looked like they might end up rattling off another Super Bowl run, though the team faded out toward the end of the season and it came to an underwhelming finish against the Titans in the first round of the playoffs… But the stat line didn’t lie: putting up over 4000 yards and 24 touchdowns to eight interceptions is still productive on a general NFL scale—not adjusted for age. There is a reason why he is the GOAT! Can he still play in 2025? He sure knows how to tease fans, though. New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees, 41Saints quarterback Drew Brees during the NFC Championship playoff football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Drew Brees was forty-one in his final season with New Orleans and seemingly held together by tape and heart, but he still put together a relatively impressive final season, completing over 70% of his passes for 2942 yards and 24 touchdowns to just six interceptions. It wasn’t vintage Drew with the explosives and monster stat lines, but 9 and 3 in 12 starts with competent, efficient football was impressive regardless. Please don’t feel too bad for him, though. Brees already had a new job lined up after saying goodbye to the NFL. New York Giants: Eli Manning, 38New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) waves to fans as he leaves the field. The New York Giants lose to the Dallas Cowboys 36-35 on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in East Rutherford. Nyg Vs Dal In late 2019, Eli got one last send-off after his controversial mid-season benching.  The Giants’ legendary quarterback rallied behind an emotional crowd to get one final win and waved walking off the field as the NFL fans cried, saying goodbye to their signal caller of sixteen years and the oldest starter to get under center in franchise history. New York Jets: Vinny Testaverde, 42New York Jets Vinny Testaverde (16) passes against the Broncos during the BroncoÕs defense during the AFC Championship game at Mile High Stadium in Denver Jan 17, 1999. Denver won the game 23-10 In 2005, Vinny returned… again… for another team! And started at forty-two.  He even threw a touchdown on Monday Night Football, reminding everyone that on any given night, he could still dial it up a little bit… though… he wasn’t exactly writing performance records for the Jets, as he went 1 and 3 in his four starts and threw six interceptions to that lone touchdown. Philadelphia Eagles: Jeff Garcia, 36Jan. 13, 2007; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia (7) throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the 1st quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mandatory Credit: G.M. Andrews-USA TODAY Sports © 2007 G.M. Andrews Garcia’s 2006 stretch run was straight out of a Hallmark movie. The Birds signed the 36-year-old off the scrap heap when the rest of the league thought he was done, and he managed to lead Philly to the playoffs. He danced, he flexed, and he set the age record for Philly QBs. Still beloved for that mini-miracle and his 5 and 1 record that came with a playoff win to boot! Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Rodgers, 41Sep 14, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws a pass while being pressured by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) during the second half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images Rodgers is spending 2025 in black and gold, rewriting the Steelers’ age record one Zen presser at a time. At 41 and counting, he’s the oldest quarterback starter they’ve ever had—and still throws a prettier deep ball than half the NFL. Will he retire in 2026? Who knows at this point? San Francisco 49ers: Steve Young, 39Jan 1, 1989; San Francisco, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young (8) on the sideline against the Minnesota Vikings during the 1988 NFC Divisional Playoff game at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Vikings 34-9. Mandatory Credit: MPS-USA TODAY Sports His 1999 season ended early after a concussion… and sadly, so did his career—as he didn’t want to risk further long-term health risks…  But at 38, Young was still elite.  And the final start closed the book on an era where mobility met arm talent before it was cool. Oldest Niner starter in history, and he left fans wondering what could’ve been had he not been forced out of the action. Seattle Seahawks: Warren Moon, 42 Moon became the oldest starting quarterback in Seahawks history in 1998 at 42. He was solid… but didn’t quite hit the level he did in ‘97 as a 41-year-old when he made the Pro Bowl. Even with his regression, he was one of the more impressive guys on this list, coming up just short of a .500 record with a 4- 6 record, and threw 11 touchdowns in 10 starts. Plus, he still had all of the swagger that made him famous in his younger days, which has to give him some bonus points. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tom Brady, 4520. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021) – 374.7 points The 2022 Bucs were chaotic, but Brady at forty-five was still breaking records just for fun and managed to get his team into the postseason.  The team came up short of its Super Bowl aspirations, but it is hard to knock the GOAT, given all he accomplished at his advanced age in Tampa. Tennessee Titans: Kerry Collins, 38Tennessee Titans quarterback Kerry Collins (5) his set to throws a pass against the Houston Texans at LP Field in Nashville on Sept. 20, 2009. The Titans lost their home opener 34-31. In 2010, Collins started for the Titans at thirty-eight, the final chapter of a quietly durable career. He wasn’t flashy, but he was semi-competent—and for Tennessee fans back then, that was basically a miracle. Though… it did appear to come at the cost of their first round pick, Vince Young’s confidence, as his squabbles with then-coach Jeff Fisher seemed to tank his confidence. Washington Commanders: Ryan Fitzpatrick, 38Aug 28, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) on the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports Week One of 2021, Fitzmagic took his final NFL snap as a quarterback at thirty-eight before a hip injury ended it. A short ride, a lasting record, and another entry on the league’s favorite passport. Must have been a bummer for Washington fans who were pumped to have the popular, NFL folk-hero break up some of the quarterback monotony that the franchise was trapped in before landing Jayden Daniels.

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Fernando Mendoza Gets Surprise Comparison Amid Raiders Link

The Las Vegas Raiders are projected to take former Indiana Hoosiers QB, Fernando Mendoza, with the No. 1 overall pick. Mendoza threw on April 1 for his pro day with Las Vegas leadership watching; it was another opportunity to show that he’s the top guy in this year’s draft and a player the team can […] The post Fernando Mendoza Gets Surprise Comparison Amid Raiders Link appeared first on Heavy Sports.

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Ranking The 14 Longest Regular Season Winning Streaks In NFL History

The 2026 NFL Regular Season will kick off on Wednesday, September 9 and to get the NFL chatter going today we are looking back at the all-time longest winning streaks in NFL history. Most recently, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs sniffed greatness with an 11-game regular season winning streak but that didn’t come […] The post Ranking The 14 Longest Regular Season Winning Streaks In NFL History appeared first on BroBible.

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NFL partnering with TMRW Sports, major investors on flag football league

The NFL players and alumni played so poorly against the U.S. national team in the recent Fanatics Flag Football Classic that they’re starting up a league of their own. Well, the two things are independent of one another, but if you can’t beat’m, join’m. The league announced Monday that its long-expected flag football league was…

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NFL announces ‘Hard Knocks’ teams for 2026-27, Season 3 of ‘Quarterback’

During the NFL Annual Meeting on Monday, the league announced organizations that will appear in the next two years of HBO’s training camp docuseries Hard Knocks. Additionally, the Netflix docuseries Quarterback will return. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport delivered the news on X, announcing that the 2026 Hard Knocks training camp team will be the…

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ESPN to air Pat Summitt celebration special this Sunday

Before Pat Summitt took over at Tennessee in 1974 — at just 22, two years after Title IX and before the NCAA even sponsored a women’s tournament — the sport looked nothing like it does now. By the time she stepped away in 2012, she hadn’t missed the tournament once, never posted a losing season, Read more... The post ESPN to air Pat Summitt celebration special this Sunday appeared first on Awful Announcing.

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Triple H breaks silence after WWE Unreal receives 3 Sports Emmys nominations

The recent season of WWE Unreal on Netflix was a hit for the promotion, as it received several Sports Emmy nominations in 2026. Chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who is the focal point of the show, is thrilled. He reacted to the news on X, formerly Twitter, and gave a shoutout to the […] The post Triple H breaks silence after WWE Unreal receives 3 Sports Emmys nominations appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Peyton Manning’s 50th birthday has taken Eli Manning’s breath away

To no one’s surprise, Eli Manning ribbed older brother Peyton on his birthday in a way that only little brothers can in a social media post as the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos legend turns 50. Eli Manning posted a variety of pictures and a video from throughout the years with Peyton in honor of […] The post Peyton Manning’s 50th birthday has taken Eli Manning’s breath away appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Surprising Team Emerges As Potential Favorite To Land Commitment From Peyton Manning’s Son Marshall

Peyton Manning’s son, Marshall, has yet to play a single down of high school football. But the future Baylor School (TN) quarterback is already on the radar of college scouts across the country. If he gets anywhere near the impossibly high expectations already placed on him, the Class of 2030 recruit will have offers from […] The post Surprising Team Emerges As Potential Favorite To Land Commitment From Peyton Manning’s Son Marshall appeared first on BroBible.

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Tennessee Vols fans are concerned after seeing Peyton Manning's son Marshall in another program's gear, but there's a good explanation – A to Z Sports

Tennessee Vols fans are concerned after seeing Peyton Manning's son Marshall in another program's gear, but there's a good explanation  A to Z Sports

Read moreTennessee Vols fans are concerned after seeing Peyton Manning's son Marshall in another program's gear, but there's a good explanation – A to Z Sports

Peyton Manning’s son Marshall absolutely slings it in new video

Peyton Manning’s son Marshall looks set to keep the family tradition of quarterbacking alive and well based on a new video. Marshall Manning took part in the Music City Mayhem 7-on-7 event in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on Saturday, and video has emerged of one of his throws. Prep Redzone Tennessee’s Shayne Pickering, who captured the video, … The post Peyton Manning’s son Marshall absolutely slings it in new video appeared first on Larry Brown Sports.

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