New York Jets: Ranking the 5 best quarterbacks in team history

4. Chad Pennington (2000-07)

One of the most accurate passers in franchise history (65.6 percent), the former Rhodes Scholar finalist ranked fourth all-time in passing yards (13,738) and finished with one of the highest passer ratings (88.9) in Jets history as well. In eight seasons with Gang Green, the University of Marshall product compiled 82 touchdowns and tossed just 55 interceptions. He also led the entire NFL in passer rating in 2002 (104.2).

The 2002 season was the coming out party for Pennington. Saddled with a 1-4 record, head coach Herm Edwards turned to Pennington and the Knoxville, TN native turned the season around, leading Gang Green to an eventual 9-7 ledger and the AFC East title. He threw for 3,120 yards with 22 touchdown passes and only six interceptions that season and fired three touchdown passes in New York’s 41-0 pasting of the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card Round. Believe it or not, that was Gang Green’s last home playoff game. Yes, it’s been 15 years and counting.

Injuries started to derail Pennington’s effectiveness for a while after that. During the 2003 preseason, he broke his hand and had issues with his wrist moving forward. He injured his rotator cuff in 2004 and underwent surgery on his right shoulder twice in 2005. However, those surgeries paid off in 2006 when Pennington was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year when he set career-highs as a Jet in passing yards (3,352) and completions (313).

After a dismal 2007 campaign, the Jets released Pennington in August 2008 after acquiring Brett Favre. Pennington will always be remembered for being one of the smartest, most accurate signal-callers the Jets have ever had. It’s a shame that injuries curtailed what would have been an even better tenure in New York.