30 NFL quarterbacks who got better after leaving their first team

9. Y.A. Tittle

Going all the way back to 1948, Y.A Tittle was selected with the No. 6 pick in the draft by the Detroit Lions before switching things up by joining the Baltimore Colts in the AAFC, where he would go on to start 12 of 14 games as a rookie.

By throwing for 2,522 yards to go along with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions, the future appeared to be bright for Tittle as the quarterback for Colts under center. Unfortunately, the next two seasons would be quite disappointing after taking home Rookie of the Year honors in 1948.

As a result of the Colts folding before the 1951 season, Tittle was eligible to re-enter the NFL Draft. He would eventually see himself get selected by the San Francisco 49ers.

It took a little extra time, but Tittle would eventually go on to become a Pro Bowl quarterback for the 49ers. This would be the first of seven times with the honors, although the final three came from 1961 to 1963 as a member of the New York Giants.

Speaking of the Giants, as great as Tittle looked at times during the 10 years spent in San Francisco, the quarterback’s time in New York is when things really started to hit a new level. Those three Pro Bowl seasons with the Giants came with a 31-5-1 record with Tittle under center for New York.

Once again, another great quarterback trade led to the best years of Tittle’s career. One can only imagine how things would have been different without that 1961 trade to the Giants from the 49ers.