Any NFL fan is well aware of the fact that, no matter how much talent your favorite team might have, it doesn’t have any real hope of contending for anything if they don’t have an answer at quarterback.
To that end, consider this list as the guys who were the exact opposite of an answer at quarterback. These are the guys whom those aforementioned NFL fans would like to forget ever started for their favorite team – the worst quarterback to start for every single NFL team since the year 2000.
Two qualifiers to address before jumping into this list. First, a quarterback had to have started at least eight games in a given year to appear on this list. Second, we’re looking at the worst one-year performance of that quarterback; think of it like a year where a particular brand of wine was particularly bad or rancid. That wine might’ve been good otherwise, but that one year, there was a confluence of events that made it really terrible. Without further delay, away we go down “bad memory” lane…
#32. Arizona Cardinals, Derek Anderson (2010)
When Kurt Warner retired after the 2009 season, having led the Arizona Cardinals to back-to-back playoff appearances (including a Super Bowl appearance two seasons prior), the team again found themselves with a massive hole at the quarterback position. Arizona tried to use Anderson as a band-aid solution of sorts, but that certainly didn’t stop the bleeding.
Not only was Anderson benched twice in one season (in favor of rookie quarterback Max Hall both times), but he even got into a spat with one of the Cardinals’ reporters who questioned Anderson’s performance. Unsurprisingly, he was released after just one year in Arizona, in which he threw seven touchdowns but 10 interceptions, and finished with a 2-7 record as the Cardinals’ starter.
Continue reading on the next page.
Steve says
I’d say Paxton Lynch, 1st round pick is the worst QB for Denver. The hate levied on Tebow is still amazing. Lynch was a 1st ROUND PICK, one the Broncos traded up to get.
Rafa says
Matt Leinart – another QB made for NCAA only.
Jeremy Runyon says
TIM TEBOW for sure. Tight end playing quarterback. Couldn’t throw a quarter into a fountain.
Hal Dee says
Eagles worst qb this century was Mike McMahon.He didn’t even complete 50% of his passes.
Justin grant says
Brady Quinn, , Johnny flop (manziel), kody Kessler, deshone ( 0-15) KIZER , Doug Peterson, Jason Campbell, Josh McCown, these QBs went 7 wins 54 losses slot of back ups without 8 games only winners and I say that loosely by the way , before BAKER were Kelly holcombe, Tim couch, derek Anderson since turn of the century but kiser is worst in franchise or NFL has ever seen. And HUE not a coach Jackson left him in , glad he did we got baker, it’s not easy being a browns fan. But it’s looking like we got out of our slump, all thanks to sashi playing money ball and hue not being able to coach , Dorsey turned this team around when he drafted baker, ward , chubb, calloway, and genard avery all gonna be studs, cant wait to see what free agency brings and the draft excited to be BROWNS FAN , again
James napier says
I too am a Browns fan and you are right my friend it ain’t easy
Bruce Williams says
What about Vince young?
MT says
There was no one worse for any NFL team than Rick Mirer for the Seahawks!
Jon says
Haha… I bet I know someone worse… Jamarcus Russell Oakland raiders. The absolute worst ever!
Sam says
Tom brady wais the best quarterback ever
Mike says
THE SUPER BOWL Can be called The Joe Montana Bowl. Because nobody ever played 4 Superbowl games and won all four
JOE MONTANA BOWL GAMES without ever losing a game. 3X MVP and a 4th MVP given to Jerry Rice BECAUSE, JOE MONTANA threw 2?? plus yards to Jerry Rice that Joe Montana should have gotten his 4th SBMVP. He threw to many great passes to Jerry Rice and personally made Jerry Rice the SBMVP
Then a few year later after Joe was out for a year. Young cried he should be starting or would go to another team. They said he would quit before playing elsewhere, A baby Steve Young was and is. So Joe Montana went to KC. The 49ers went 15-1 that year and 3-0 in the playoffs. A pro bowl player at every position for the 49ers. Heck I could have played QB for the 49ers and won the Superbowl game. The only game the 49ers lost that year, they lost to Joe Montana and Joe Montana. 4-0 in SB HISTORY. AND NO LOSES. AND 3 SBMVP Deserves 4th MVP..
G says
Read title NFL WORST QB- oh wait… you are right then!! BRADY SUXX
DANIEL A BAXTER says
Ryan leaf and who was the guy out of notre damd played for seattle
Mar Myers says
Ric Mirer
Norn says
And the stupid Bears gave Seattle a first round pick for him after he washed out of Seattle
Jkaz says
The Browns had a surplus supply of Rotten Egg QB’s that would indeed fit perfectly here.
Although i do agree that Weeden definitely Stunk it up in 2012, I can however name a Browns signal caller that actually stunk it up alot more in 2017.
So much so, That his 28 total Turnovers(22 Ints & 6 fumbles) and his eggshaped win total compared with his 15 loses that season still have lingering effects a full year later.
Jkaz says
That QB I was Referring too was indeed Deshone Kizer and his 2017 season was by far the worst quarterback play the Browns had ever had. 15 GS• 0 Wins-15 Loss• 22Ints• 6Fum.loss•
NEED I SAY MORE!! Plus in 2012 Did you Know Brandon Weeden(Although he was indeed terrible) Did infact break the Browns Season Record for Rookie Passing Yards. *Mayfield Will break Weedens 2012 Record Next Week though*
Jeremy Adrey says
Pat White hands down! 2nd round pick never made it out of pre season. BTW… Cleo Lemon was aquired via trade with San Diego for QB AJ Feely.
Mike says
The Dolphins was not chad henne. It was Cleo lemon or John beck, hands down
Ken J. Bower says
Tannhill. 2012 to present was,a disaster; needs to go!
robert c zimmer says
Jeff George ,
Mike says
Bengals..every one since boomer
Jay says
WHAT?!?! EJ Manuel was the worst QB for the Bills? On what planet is Nathan Peterman Better than EJ Manuel?
Ralph says
Matthew Stafford overrated
Bobby Chandler says
Is Ryan leaf still#1?
Mike says
I think JaMarcus Russell overtook him. He was terrible and did nothing to try to improve his situation.
Ralphh says
The Detroit Lions organization no offensive line. A bum quarterback Matthew Stafford
Ggg says
Sam Bradford
Bengalfan says
Pay more attention to the criteria for making the list. A QB had to start at least 8 games out of a season to qualify. Johnny Manziel never started that many games.
And Grossman wasn’t #1 because he was the worst. It was because they were in alphabetical order and he played for Washington…..
Jace Sullivan says
So, I don’t believe Tim Tebow was the worst QB In Bronco History, he was a bust in the draft, but he got us to an afc playoff. The worst has to be KYLE ORTON
John says
I agree
Terry says
Steve Tenzi
John LePore says
J.P. Losman was worse than E J Manuel.
Alex says
Absolutely..Losman was trash
James napier says
Tebow should not even be on this list.
He’s better than so many of the Browns quarterbacks it’s ridiculous.
Packers Fan says
Seneca Wallace … need I say more?
Robert Grice says
Any list that doesn’t have Russell as numero uno for turribleness is a FAIL.. I’d take Andrew Walter over that clown any day.
Mike says
Can’t say I blame Al Davis for drafting
JaBustus but when Russsell sat out until October and Davis STILL signed him, it proved Davis was crazy.
Brett Deveau says
Hands down as a Pats fan Bill Bellichek
joe says
every one on the browns since 1999 until Mayfield.
cant believe Johnny football didnt make the list
Joe says
Mayfield is terrible
iam says
As a Bruin fan, I’m a bit ashamed that 3 of those quarterbacks were from UCLA. Two (Maddox and Hundley) should have stayed in school to improve their game, while one (McNown) was a classic example of a person born to play college ball.
Martin McCoy says
I cannot believe that Johnny Manziel didn’t make this list for the Browns. Another overhyped QB’s out of college who didn’t think he had to prove himself worthy. PLUS, one of the biggest jerks EVER!
Jay Rod says
Josh McCown was worse than Josh Freeman for the Buccaneers.
anthony says
what about vine testaverde
Mpcolson says
Vinny Testeverde has a. Plaque in the Hall of Fame. He threw a touchdown pass in every decade from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 2000
Not bad for the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer
Chris says
Eli Manning was drafted by the Chargers then traded to the Giants.
Rick 3 says
ELI is a bumb that’s what’s wrong with the Giants throws interceptions an looks like he didn’t no it there is a song call lemon an it says hit them with the ELi FACE
Bri says
the one for denver is wrong, its jay cutler by far
Ers says
Ponder was the worst in Minnesota, can’t disagree. But I would have to add in Matt Cassel. That guy has been a disaster everywhere he’s been since 2010 and still has a job. I don’t get it.
JPettit says
Don’t forget Josh Freeman
Goggin says
NATHAN PETERMAN
Spurgeon Wynn says
Why do people still seem to think Rex Grossman was the worst QB in league history? He took his team to the Super Bowl, and no it wasn’t just because of their defense as their defense was decimated with injuries by the time they hit the playoffs. I can name at least 10 Bears QB’s that have been worse.
Gokepo says
Rex Grossman lost the SB for the Bears, Kyle Orton got them to the SB.
kjan says
What about Kevin Kolb for the bills, suffered a concussion during preseason in the locker room that ended his career
Marvelous Jdogg says
How did Jamarcus Russell not make it for the Raiders?????
david says
he would not even look at the video tapes to study! opposing defenses.
Martin McCoy says
I was thinking the same thing! He was one of the top 3 biggest draft busts in NFL history!
Dwight Cummings says
Tim Tebow was a class act and John Elway was a jerk.. Someone should bring Tim back!
Jeannette Mederos says
so they can lose more games
Adam Moore says
All of the QBs the Broncos had after Peyton Manning have been much bigger losers than Tim Tebow !!
Martin McCoy says
While Tebow wasn’t a good NFL QB, he was definitely not the worst. Osweiler was much worse than Tebow. There is just an “anti-Tebow” prejudice against a lot of people who follow the NFL.
Jeremy says
Matt Cassell and Geno Smith should’ve been on this list twice each
Lyman says
Why isn’t Cousin name on this list,?
Boots Gizmore says
They all did a fair job, just some better than others. Takes a good Offensive Line, to make and keep a great Quarterback. If the Offensive Line is Good, not being Great a Good Quarterback can make it. The rest they get rid of the quarterback, because an offensive line take seven men away, well at least half. Because the defense is getting to the quarterback.
Chief Fan says
Tyler Palko. Case closed.
Chiefs FANN says
Croyle, Huard, etc. Cassel at least had 1 good season.
Dalton Truelove says
Zach Mettenberger over Jake Leocker.