These Are The Worst Rookie QBs Of All Time
There have been some really bad NFL rookies throughout the years. These are the worst NFL rookie QB seasons in NFL history.
25. Josh Freeman (2009 Buccaneers)
He was a mid first round pick and took over a winless Tampa team mid-way through the season. He did manage to win 3 games but threw 10 TDs to 18 INTs with just a 54.5% completion rate.
24. Brandon Weeden (2012 Browns)
Well he was a unusually old rookie at 28 years old. However, here's another bad Browns rookie QB. He started 15 games and threw just 14 TDs and 17 Interceptions.
23. John Reaves (1972 Eagles)
Reaves was a first round pick by the Eagles in 1972 and was thrown into the fire to start. The Eagles went 2-11-1 that year and he failed to win a single one of his starts. He threw 7 TDs to 12 INTs.
22. Kyle Boller (2003 Ravens)
Drafted in the first round he was supposed to be the future QB of the Ravens. Instead he as a disaster. He started just 9 games and had 7 TDs to 9 INTs.
21. Mark Sanchez (2009 Jets)
This was a rare case because the team had massive success going to the AFC Championship game but this is despite how Sanchez played. He had 20 INTs to 12 TDs and just 2,444 yards passing.
20. Rick Mirer (1993 Seahawks)
He was a major let down being the number 2 overall pick of the draft. He started all 16 games for the Seahawks and had 12 TDs to 17 INTs. With a modest passer rating of 67.
19. Geno Smith (2013 Jets)
Smith was a 2nd round pick who was thrust into the starting role. He started 16 games and tossed a league high 21 INTs and 12 TDs. To make matters worst he also lost 4 fumbles.
18. Heath Shuler (1994 Redskins)
When Washington drafted Shuler 3rd overall in 1994 they thought they were getting a franchise QB. Instead, they got a flop from year one. He completed just 45.3% of his passes in his rookie season.
17. Jeff Komlo (1979 Lions)
He was a little known name that somehow started his rookie season despite being a 9th round pick. He started 14 games for the 2-14 Lions and led the NFL with 23 interceptions.
16. Jack Trudeau (1986 Colts)
Jack Trudeau was a 2nd round pick in 1986, and was pressed into the starting role for a struggling Colts team. He had a 53.5 passer rating with 8 TDs and 18 INTs.
15. Zach Wilson (2021 Jets)
The Jets put their hopes on the 2nd overall pick of the draft in Zach Wilson out of BYU. He ended up starting 13 games his rookie season and had 9 TDs vs 11 INTs and completed just 55% of his passes.
14. Blake Bortles (2014 Jaguars)
He had some physical talent but it was a rough rookie season. He took over in week 4 and threw 17 INTs to just 11 TDs and had the lowest QBR in the NFL at 21.9.
13. Chris Weinke (2001 Panthers)
He was a 29 year old rookie and stepped in to start for the Panthers. He lost 15 straight starts after winning his debut. He had 11 TDs to 19 INTs.
12. Jim Zorn (1976 Seahawks)
Zorn was an undrafted rookie for the Seahawks expansion team. It was a rollercoaster of excitement but there was a ton of ups and downs. He started 14 games and threw a rookie INT record at the time of 27 interceptions on the season to 12 TDs.
11. Peyton Manning (1998 Colts)
Well, it might seem odd knowing what Peyton Manning turned into. But his rookie season was shaky. He broke the record for most INTs in a rookie season with 28.
10. Josh Rosen (2018 Cardinals)
It was so bad it basically ended his Cardinals career after just one season. He was the 10th overall pick and went 3-10 as a started with 11 TDs to 14 INTs.
9. David Carr (2022 Texans)
He was the first ever pick of the Texans expansion team. He was put into a unwinnable situation. He was sacked 76 times as a rookie the most ever in a single season.
8. Blaine Gabbert (2011 Jaguars)
The Jaguars 2011 first round pick he had one of the hardest rookie seasons in memory. He completed just 50.8% of his passes and had a league worst 5.4 yards per attempt.
7. John Elway (1983 Broncos)
Another all-time great who had a tough rookie season. He started 10 games. Had a 54.9 passer rating and had 7 TDs to 14 INTs. Of course he turned it around quickly after.
6. Dan Pastorini (1971 Oilers)
He was the 3rd overall pick in 1971 and his rookie season was dreadful. He threw 21 INTs to only 7 TDs and had horrible 42.3% completion percentage.
5. Jimmy Clausen (2010 Panthers)
Many thought he'd go in the first round but he went in the 2nd and was a disaster. In 10 starts he threw 3 TDs and 9 INTs.
4. Troy Aikman (1989 Cowboys)
Another future hall of famer who struggled at first. He was the first overall pick and went 0-11 as a starter his rookie season. He had 18 INTs to just 9 TDs Of course, he became a Cowboys legend later.
3. Terry Bradshaw (1970 Steelers)
He was the first overall pick and looked completely overwhelmed his rookie season. He had a 30.4 passer rating with a crazy 6 TD to 24 INT rate. He became a four time Super Bowl champion so it was just a blip on the radar.
2. DeShone Kizer (2017 Browns)
He was thrown in as a rookie on the 0-16 Browns team. He led the NFL with 22 INTs and managed just 11 TDs in 15 starts.
1. Ryan Leaf (1998 Chargers)
This was a stuff of legends, for all the wrong reasons. He was the 2nd overall pick in the draft and completely imploded. He threw 2 TDs to 15 INTs and completed under 50% of his throws.