It’s a challenging task to compile a list of every starting quarterback in the storied history of the Las Vegas Raiders franchise, but here it is.
The Raiders are one of the few franchises in NFL history that have achieved iconic status. They’re without question one of the league’s “legacy” teams. Al Davis’s decisions to move the team back and forth between Los Angeles and Oakland, prior to the eventual relocation to Las Vegas, contributed to their storied legacy, during which they secured three Super Bowl titles.
Analyzing the Silver and Black equitably, you’ll note a history of strong quarterback play. However, the decade between Rich Gannon and Derek Carr was characterized by notably poor quarterback performances. To be fair, describing this period as merely “poor” is an understatement, as many fans recall it as the “Dark Ages.”
Despite this, the overall legacy of Raiders quarterbacks remains quite strong. Through it all, this organization has its share of legendary signal-callers. Canton enshrines some of them, while Raider Nation cherishes others. With that being said, let’s look at every single one in our latest historical output.
Let’s begin by discussing the most “significant” starting quarterbacks who have played for the Raiders.
Listing all of the Raiders’ starting QBs ever…
Ken Stabler, 96 starts
Records and stats aren’t everything when measuring the importance of a quarterback. Ken Stabler’s passing benchmarks have mostly been broken but he’s often remembered more for helping to deliver the Raiders’ first Super Bowl win. Earning that Lombardi Trophy for the Silver and Black has cemented the man’s place—100 years from now, people will still remember the “Snake.”
Stabler, one of the few Raiders quarterbacks to receive a league MVP award, totaled 150 touchdowns while in Oakland. He also garnered plenty of recognition during his run: four Pro Bowls and an All-Pro designation in 1974. For a short while, Stabler was “excellence” defined.
Daryle Lamonica, 84 Starts
You know you made an impact if you’re fondly remembered as “The Mad Bomber.” Looking back, Daryle Lamonica was the prototypical quarterback that Davis yearned for. Despite being unable to win a Super Bowl, Lamonica has been immortalized as one of the greats—a member of the Mt. Rushmore of Raiders quarterbacks.
During a notable run from 1967 to 1969, Lamonica threw for 89 touchdowns while falling just short of 10,000 passing yards (9,775). With 84 starts to his credit, the late 60s and early 70s belonged to this two-time All-Pro.
Rich Gannon, 74 Starts
For most Raiders fans on social media, the debate about who’s the best “modern” signal-caller in team history falls between Rich Gannon and another individual we’ll mention later.
With his career quickly fading into obscurity, Gannon found a second life with the Raiders, more specifically, with then-head coach Jon Gruden. Their run from 1999 to 2002 is still talked about to this day and rightfully so. Gannon’s achievements include four Pro Bowls, two All-Pro designations, a league MVP title, and an, uh, appearance in the Super Bowl.
Tom Flores, 64 Starts
Most Raiders fans, particularly those who may not be well-versed in the team’s history, tend to associate Tom Flores primarily with his coaching career. However, it can be argued that Flores was one of the earliest successful starting quarterbacks for the Silver and Black. With 64 career starts to his name, Flores threw for 92 touchdowns before achieving coaching greatness.
Jay Schroeder, 57 Starts
Jay Schroeder is often considered a solid starting quarterback; he started 57 regular season games for the Raiders. He also went 1-1 in the playoffs for the Silver and Black, throwing for an abysmal six interceptions in those appearances. The Raiders possessed some exceptionally talented defensive units during the late 80s and early 90s, but their team success was hindered by inadequate quarterback play.
Jeff Hostetler, 55 Starts
Though he’s remembered more for leading the New York Giants to a Super Bowl win as their backup quarterback after Phil Simms went down, his run with the Raiders was noteworthy. He threw for 69 touchdowns in 55 starts, and the team never had a losing record when he was the starter.
Marc Wilson, 50 Starts
Looking back, we mostly remember Marc Wilson as an average starting quarterback. Despite 77 touchdowns in 50 career starts, Wilson didn’t exactly pan out as Davis had hoped. Still, his record of 11-2 back in 1985 remains impressive.
Jim Plunkett, 57 Starts
Two Super Bowl wins—what more do you want?
Cotton Davidson, 28 Starts
Davidson, the inaugural quarterback for the Dallas Texans (subsequently the Kansas City Chiefs), would alternate playing time with Flores during the last years of Al Davis’ coaching tenure. Although the astute veteran recorded 41 touchdown passes in restricted playing, his notable inaccuracy hindered substantial success from developing.
Kerry Collins, 28 Starts
Norv Turner tried to revitalize the Raiders franchise in the mid-2000s, during the time when Kerry Collins was the team’s quarterback. This was a few years after Collins had led the Giants to a Super Bowl appearance. Collins finished 7-21 with 32 interceptions while playing for a disappointing squad and an uninteresting offensive coordinator. Nevertheless, he demonstrated with the Titans thereafter that he had plenty of steam still.
JaMarcus Russell, 25 Starts
Despite possessing arm strength that NFL prospects would give anything for, JaMarcus Russell is remembered for squandering his talents. The biggest bust in draft history, Russell made 25 starts over a troubled phase in Raiders history. You know it’s bad when people remember you more for deceiving the coaching staff about film study than anything on the field.
Carson Palmer, 24 Starts
Carson Palmer is a prime example of getting better after leaving the Raiders. In his 24 starts, Palmer’s performance was largely unimpressive, as he recorded 8 wins and 16 losses while throwing 30 interceptions. Let’s move on.
Jeff George, 23 Starts
The case of Jeff George is one that deserves some study. He threw for 29 touchdowns in 1997 for the Raiders and even led the NFL in passing yards. However, the team’s 12 losses that year led to Gannon replacing him.
Derek Carr, 142 Starts
If not for the lack of overall team success—forget playoff success—Derek Carr might be considered one of the best quarterbacks in Raiders history. Nevertheless, the statistics certainly demonstrate that No. 4 could hold his own. The reality is that the supporting cast assembled around Carr, which included several underperforming defenses, did not do him any favors. On the other hand, the Raiders often managed to maintain a decent and efficient passing attack with Carr at the helm.
Another notable aspect of Carr’s career is his remarkable longevity. Throughout nine seasons, he missed only four starts while amassing over 41,000 passing yards. With four Pro Bowl selections to his name, it’s likely that Carr will be remembered fondly in the future. Right?
Listing Raiders starting quarterbacks who had less than 20 starts…
One Start
- Brian Hoyer
- EJ Manuel
- Matt Flynn
- Kyle Boller
- George Blanda
- Don Heinrich
- Hunter Enis
- Babe Parilli
Two Starts
- Jarrett Stidham
- Marques Tuiasosopo
- Larry Lawrence
Three Starts
- Charlie Frye
- Wade Wilson
- Mike Rae
- Dick Wood
Five Starts
- Billy Joe Hobert
- Rusty Hilger
- Dan Pastorini
Six Starts
- Donald Hollas
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Daunte Culpepper
Seven Starts
- Matt McGloin
- Vince Evans
Eight Starts
- Bruce Gradkowski
- Aaron Brooks
- Rick Mirer
- Todd Marinovich
Nine Starts
- Josh McCown
- Andrew Walter
10-Plus Starts
- Aidan O’Connell (10)
- Terrelle Pryor (10)
- Steve Beuerlein (15)
- Jason Campbell (18)
*Top Photo: Getty Images