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32. Houston Texans: 57 Points
Top Three QBs: Matt Schaub, David Carr, Sage Rosenfels
The Texans have only been in the NFL since 2002 and their quarterback player during that time has been rather subpar. True, they haven’t had a ton of time to build up points, but their ‘points per year’ average is still very low. These three quarterbacks have combined for only two Pro Bowl appearances and three 4,000 yard seasons (all from Schaub). He has been the team’s best player at the position in their existence. The team currently has Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ryan Mallet at quarterback and the future at the position is in question. Don’t expect them to climb this list for quite some time.
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31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 72.5 Points
Top Three QBs: Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer, Doug Williams
The Buccaneers have been in the NFL since 1976, and they’ve seen some success as a franchise (one Super Bowl victory). Yet they haven’t exactly torn it up at the quarterback position. The team is historically known more for its defense and of course those creamsicle colored uniforms. Johnson secured the team’s only Super Bowl championship, put together a franchise high three 3,000-yard passing seasons, and was invited to one of their two Pro Bowls at the position. Josh Freeman was narrowly beat out by Williams for the third slot on the Buccaneers’ top three quarterback list. Moving forward Tampa Bay is hoping Mike Glennon becomes a quality starter.
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29. (TIE) Detroit Lions: 81 Points
Top Three QBs: Matthew Stafford, Scott Mitchell, Greg Landry
Detroit has been around for the entirety of the Super Bowl Era, but haven’t made it to the big game. Their quarterback play has been comically bad despite having some other incredibly talented skill players over the years. Matthew Stafford is by far the best quarterback that the Lions have had — he will continue to rack up points as the years unfold. Will he ever become elite? Time will tell, but Detroit is hoping he’ll bring them to their first Super Bowl. He certainly has a chance to, although, Landry is still the only Lions quarterback to make a Pro Bowl in the era (going to exactly one). The Lions’ best all-time quarterback, Bobby Layne, played in the 1950s.
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29. (TIE) Chicago Bears: 81 Points
Top Three QBs: Jim McMahon, Jay Cutler, Jim Harbaugh
The Bears, like the Lions, have been around for the entire Super Bowl Era, but have had barely any success at the quarterback position. McMahon leads the three quarterbacks because he won a Super Bowl (thanks to a plethora of Hall of Fame teammates) and is the only one to go to a Pro Bowl. Although, Cutler is the team’s ‘best’ quarterback of the era, at least statistically. Will he eventually lead the Bears to their second Super Bowl victory? That remains to be seen. The Bears are historically known for defense and running the ball and their best quarterback played in the 1940s (Sid Luckman). As Chicago and Detroit prove, being around for the entirety of the Super Bowl Era does not guarantee a high ranking.
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28. Baltimore Ravens: 82 Points
Top Three QBs: Joe Flacco, Vinny Testaverde, Trent Dilfer
Despite the fact that the Ravens have only been around since 1996 they’ve won two Super Bowls. Their quarterback play hasn’t been overly amazing, but it has been significantly better than a few franchises that have played for the entire era. Flacco is certainly the best of the bunch and has the only Super Bowl MVP award. He has also put together five 3,000-yard seasons. Testaverde has been to the only Pro Bowl of the three and Dilfer made it on the list because of his Super Bowl championship in his only season in Baltimore. Expect the Ravens to eventually move up at least one spot with Flacco continuing his play over the next few seasons.
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27. Jacksonville Jaguars: 93 Points
Top Three QBs: Mark Brunell, David Garrard, Byron Leftwich
The Jags have seen some success at the quarterback position in their brief existence (as they’re ahead of some ancient franchises on this ranking). But they haven’t seen a ton since Brunell left town. He was invited to three of the four Pro Bowls that these players have been to and he’s the only one to have thrown for 4,000 yards. Garrard was the best runner of the bunch and he managed to win a good handful of games, too (39). Jacksonville is hoping Blake Bortles is the answer at quarterback for the future. If he is he’ll be knocking Leftwich from this top three soon.
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26. Carolina Panthers: 98 Points
Top Three QBs: Jake Delhomme, Steve Beurelein, Cam Newton
The Panthers have seen a relatively good amount of success at quarterback since joining the league in the mid-90s. Delhomme led the Panthers to a Super Bowl, but didn’t come come away victorious against the Patriots. All three quarterbacks have been to the Pro Bowl (Newton twice) and all three have passed for 3,000 yards in a season, with Delhomme leading the way with four. Newton is far and away the best runner and will likely end up amassing the most points between these three players. Don’t be surprised if the Panthers move up a few spots on this list in the coming years.