One NFL player you wish never played for your favorite team
By Randy Gurzi
Los Angeles Chargers: Ryan Leaf, QB
Believe it or not, there was a time when it was hard to tell which quarterback would go first overall in 1998 as Peyton Manning from Tennessee and Ryan Leaf from Washington State were seen as very close to one another.
Manning would end up going first to the Indianapolis Colts, and Leaf may have helped them make the right decision after he missed his scheduled interview with them.
That proved team president Bill Polian correct, who believed Manning was the safer pick due to his maturity, whereas Leaf had concerns about his. Still, the San Diego Chargers were happy with him and after failing to get the No. 1 overall pick in a trade — where they were going to take Manning — they ended up sending the No. 3 pick as well as a future first and second-round selection along with Eric Metcalf to Arizona for the right to draft Leaf.
San Diego was thrilled with their move but it didn’t take long for the emotions to swing in a different direction. Leaf proved quickly to have a bad attitude and was fined for missing the mandatory symposium for all NFL rookies.
Once on the field, his play was even worse. Lead completed just 45.3 percent of his passes in 1998 and had two touchdowns and 15 picks. He didn’t play at all in 1999 and then in 2020 was 1-8 as a starter with 11 touchdowns and 18 picks.
Leaf was not only ineffective but team leaders such as Junior Seau were done with him before his rookie season ended, and even asked the front office to bring in a veteran in the offseason. None of this was what the Chargers expected when giving up such a haul to land Leaf.
Following his departure from San Diego, Leaf had a short stint in Dallas where he went 0-3 when they had to turn to him in 2001. He also had trouble with the law following his career.