30 NFL quarterbacks who got better after leaving their first team

11. Mark Brunell

Back in 1993, the Green Bay Packers decided to use a fifth-round pick on Mark Brunell. The intention all along was he would never have to step foot on the field. The goal was to always make sure Brett Favre was fully healthy.

After failing to see any action as a rookie along with appearing in just two games during his sophomore campaign, a trade would eventually fall into place before the 1995 season. The Packers would send Brunell to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Coincidentally, this was the year in which the Jaguars became an expansion team in the NFL. This meant Brunell and company had a fun little challenge on their hands in building up the fan base.

Going 3-7 during his first season at quarterback for Jacksonville was sort of expected for Brunell. However, he deserves plenty of credit for turning things around by finishing with winning records in the next four seasons.

Even more impressive, Brunell helped lead the Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game the following year before falling to the New England Patriots, making that trade from 1995 seem well worth it.

Between his three Pro Bowl appearances to go along with three trips to the postseason in the nine years with the team, Brunell made quite the name for himself as a member of the Jaguars. It’s no wonder he’s viewed as one of the franchise’s best quarterbacks, even if the list is slim.