Every team’s biggest quarterback draft bust in the Super Bowl era

Spending four seasons with the Cardinals, Leinart went 7-10 as Arizona’s starter with more interceptions (20) than touchdown passes (14). Josh Rosen (10th overall in 2018) also deserves mention after a miserable rookie season saw him traded just one year into his Cardinals tenure.

Sullivan’s ugly career numbers include completing 93 of 220 passes (42.3 percent), a 0-4 record as a starter, and just five touchdown passes compared to 16 interceptions.

In the only season Boller started all 16 games (2004), he only finished with 13 touchdown passes and 2,559 passing yards.

In four seasons with Buffalo, Manuel was only called to start 17 times going 6-11 with 19 touchdown throws. J.P. Losman (22nd overall in 2004) had a miserable 10-23 record as a starter with the Bills.

A well-heralded quarterback at Notre Dame, Clausen had nowhere near that success in the pros finishing his career with a 1-13 record as a starter. Chris Weinke, despite being a fourth round pick (106th overall), also deserves mention with his 2-18 career record when starting. Mitchell Trubisky (second pick in 2017) could overtake Clausen if he doesn’t show improvement.

Starting just 15 games (3-12 record) in his career over two seasons, McNown threw 16 touchdowns and was intercepted 19 times.

A 3-14 record as starting quarterback with just five career touchdown passes? It’s safe to say Smith was a major disappointment in Cincinnati. He’s far from the only bust at quarterback for the Bengals though as David Klingler (sixth overall in 1992), Jack Thompson (third overall in 1979), and Greg Cook (fifth overall in 1969) all merit mention.

Expected to be the face of the franchise, Couch instead threw three more interceptions (67) than touchdowns (64) before Cleveland moved on from him after just five seasons. Johnny Manziel (22nd overall in 2014) and Brandon Weeden (22nd overall in 2012) are two recent first round picks by the Browns that also didn’t come close to panning out.

Drafted in the second round, Carano started only one career game and passed for a grand total of just 304 yards. Quincy Carter never proved to be the answer either after being drafted in the second round (53rd overall) in 2001.

Lynch gets the slight edge over Tommy Maddox (25th overall in 1992) who at least recovered to be an adequate starter for the Steelers, and Tim Tebow (25th overall in 2010) who at least won a playoff game for Denver. Despite the Broncos having subpar quarterback play in recent years, Lynch was only called on to start four times in 2016-17 before Denver cut him prior to the 2018 season.

When you were the seventh overall pick like Ware was, and your career numbers include 14 games played (six starts) with five touchdown throws, you most definitely were a bust. Joey Harrington (third overall in 2002) also didn’t work out, but he at least saw more action.

Amazingly, Campbell never started a game in the NFL and was intercepted on nine of his career 68 passes. Jerry Tagge is barely a blip on the radar in Packers history after being drafted 11th overall in 1972.

Carr was sacked a NFL-record 76 times as a rookie and compiled a miserable 22-53 record as Houston’s starter under center.

Schlichter never won a NFL start, was suspended his second season due to gambling, and had just three touchdown throws with 11 picks in his career. Jeff George (first overall in 1990) went just 14-35 as the Colts starting quarterback.

Gabbert won just one of his 13 starts after his rookie year for the Jaguars and was jettisoned from the team after three seasons. Jaguars fans equally cringe at the name of Blake Bortles (third overall in 2014), but he at least had 35 touchdown throws in 1015 and helped lead Jacksonville to the AFC title game two years later.

In the famous 1983 draft that featured Hall of Fame quarterbacks John Elway, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino, Blackledge had nowhere near their success as he completed less than half his career passes.

Perhaps the most famous draft bust, Leaf was taken by the Chargers with the pick after Indianapolis selected Peyton Manning. His atrocious career saw him complete just 48.4 percent of his passes with more than 2.5 times more interceptions (36) than touchdown throws (14).

While he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, Bradford just couldn’t stay healthy and went 11-21-1 as the Rams starting quarterback after his rookie season.

Drafted by the Dolphins in their inaugural season, Norton threw five times as much interceptions (30) as touchdown throws (6) in his four seasons with the team.

Other than 2012 when Adrian Peterson put together a MVP season, Ponder went just 4-15-1 as Minnesota’s starter.

While he made 12 starts for New England, Hodson won just one of them and was only able to throw seven touchdown passes.

Grayson has never thrown a pass in the NFL and announced he was retiring from the league earlier this year.

Brown averaged well less than a touchdown throw per start (40 in 53 starts for the Giants), and he never threw for 3,000 yards in a season despite only missing one game from 1994-96.

Just like Grayson, Hackenberg has yet to throw a pass in the NFL. Mark Sanchez (fifth overall in 2009) is also seen as a bust, but he at least was the starter for the Jets when they made back-to-back AFC Championship Games in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

One of the worst first overall picks in any sport, Russell played just three seasons, went 7-18 as a starter, and completed just 52.1 percent of his passes.

Reaves went 0-7 as Philadelphia’s starter during his rookie season and was never called upon to start for the Eagles again.

It took a few years after he was drafted for Malone to become Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback, and he barely completed over half his passes with the Steelers. Shout out to Mike Kruczek (47th overall in 1976) who somehow went 6-0 starting as a rookie despite not throwing a touchdown pass.

Thought highly enough of to be taken in the first round, Druckenmiller threw 52 passes during his rookie season and never attempted another after.

McGwire started just five games in his career and threw only two touchdown passes. If he wasn’t such a bust, Seattle wouldn’t have had to draft Rick Mirer second overall in 1993, who didn’t fare much better.

Dilfer did go on to win a Super Bowl with Baltimore, but they had a historic defense. With Tampa Bay, he never threw for 3,000 yards or completed 60 percent of his passes in a season. It can be debated if Jameis Winston (first overall in 2015) should actually be the Buccaneers quarterback included especially if this turns out to be his last season with them, although the Tampa Bay Times wrote an article stating it’s likely that he will be back in 2020.

Locker played just four seasons going 9-14 as a starter before retiring due to a lack of desire to play anymore. Marcus Mariota (second overall in 2015) has also looked at times like a bust after being taken second overall in 2015.

Shuler went 4-9 as Washington’s starter under center and completed an ugly 47.7 percent of his passes. Robert Griffin III (second overall in 2012) at least had a magical rookie season in which he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year.