NFL Starting Quarterback Timelines - Quirky Research

Maybe your like

Skip to content Quirky Research ▸ NFL starting quarterback timelines

Wondering whether 2015 had an unusual number of quarterback injuries? Or why Joe Namath missed so many games? Or just why the Browns start a random quarterback in Week 17 every year?

The following team charts detail every starting quarterback change in the NFL since 1950.

AFC East
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
AFC North
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
AFC West
- Denver Broncos
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
NFC East
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
NFC North
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
NFC South
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC West
- Arizona Cardinals
- Los Angeles Rams
- San Francisco 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks
Defunct Franchises
- Baltimore Colts (1950)
- New York Yanks (1950-51)
- Dallas Texans (1952)

Notes:

Many pre-1965 teams changed in-game quarterbacks on a frequent basis. As such, the starter was less important, and the starter could change on the coach’s whim, with little to no pre- or post-game explanation. This pretty much ended by the early 1970s, with the Houston Oilers as perhaps the last holdout.
The number after a quarterback’s name indicates the then-current number of stints he had as that team’s starter.
“Ineffective” is a catch-all term used to designated non-injury-related poor play that caused the quarterback to be benched.
“*” designates the normal #1 quarterback regaining his starting spot after returning from injury/rest/suspension/holdout.
Some changes are footnoted, and further details are given underneath the team chart.
Playoff games are included.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

2025 AFC tiebreakers after Week 17

December 29, 2025December 29, 20250

2025 NFC tiebreakers after Week 17

December 29, 20250

2025 AFC tiebreakers after Week 15

December 17, 20250

2025 NFC tiebreakers after Week 15 (plus LAR-SEA)

December 15, 2025December 19, 20250

A palpably unfair act? The first one in the NFL was nearly called

January 26, 2025January 26, 20250

How the 2025 Draft order is determined

January 6, 2025February 10, 20250

One-point safety

January 4, 2013September 7, 202543

Punting Before 4th Down: A Brief History

March 5, 2015September 25, 20244

Untying the standings: the history of the NFL playoff tiebreaker systems

December 27, 2018December 30, 202420

Kickoffs recovered by the kicking team for a touchdown

December 9, 2018September 14, 20254

History of NFL rescheduled, relocated, and canceled games

October 30, 2020April 2, 20252

Veterans who crossed the picket line, 1987 NFL strike

September 22, 2017April 25, 20191

Mark C. commented on Reader mail! Extra points: SD Chargers QB Cliff Olander kicked an fourth-quar ...
John Lomax commented on Left-handers who played 2B, post-1920: What about Charlie Gehringer? ...
James Hogaboam commented on Untying the standings: the history of the NFL playoff tiebreaker systems: Here's my predicament...four teans tied for 2 Wild ...
James Hogaboam commented on Untying the standings: the history of the NFL playoff tiebreaker systems: Here's one for you. 1978...three Wild Card teams, ...
1 point safety commented on One-point safety: Video of the Syracuse vs. Indiana 1 point safety h ...
Gerald clifton Scott commented on The long history of the draft-order coin flip has ended: i have the 1921 silver dollar that was used for Su ...

Pages

Baseball lists
- Left-handers who played 2B, post-1920
Football lists
- Every safety … ever
- Longest missed field goals
- Longest nonscoring plays in NFL history
- Most plays in a quarter
- NFL ejections
- NFL fair-catch kick attempts
- Palpably unfair acts
- When overtime wasn’t sudden death
- Winning the OT coin toss and kicking
Home
NFL starting quarterback timelines
- AFC East Starting Quarterback Changes
- AFC North Starting Quarterback Changes
- AFC South Starting Quarterback Changes
- AFC West Starting Quarterback Changes
- Defunct Franchise Starting Quarterback Changes
- NFC East Starting Quarterback Changes
- NFC North Starting Quarterback Changes
- NFC South Starting Quarterback Changes
- NFC West Starting Quarterback Changes
NFL tiebreakers

NFL might consider allowing replay officials to call fouls for ‘non-football acts’

Replay officials could potentially put a flag down if they catch a player giving a cheap shot.

UFL announces rule changes for 2026

The UFL has made some significant rule changes for the 2026 season

Get ready for an active NFL officiating off-season

A new union contract will be the top priority between now and the Hall of Fame game.

4 officiating observations from Super Bowl LX

How did the officials do?

Super Bowl LX photo album

Here are photos of Super Bowl LX officials working the big game.

Super Bowl LX

AFC #2 New England Patriots vs. NFC #1 Seattle Seahawks | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California

These are the top 5 Super Bowl calls of all time

The Super Bowl is not only the pinnacle for the teams, players, and coaches but also for the officials. We look at our top 5 calls in Super Bowl history.

Super Bowl LX crew by the numbers

7 Super Bowl officiating crew observations in front of the big game.

Gary Slaughter receives 2025 Art McNally Award

Gary Slaughter, former NFL head linesman was presented with the 2025 Art McNally Award. He is the award’s 24th recipient. The Art McNally Award is named after the former head of officiating from 1968 to 1990 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 inductee. The award recognizes an official for exemplary professionalism, […]

2025 officiating year in review

5 pro and college officiating observations from the 2025 season.

Top Loading Comments... Write a Comment... Email (Required) Name (Required) Website

Tag » A List Of Nfl Starting Quarterbacks