With professional sports mostly on a hiatus due to the pandemic, we have been doing a lot of reminiscing of the years past.
After looking at one-year wonder running backs and wide receivers, here are eight one-year wonders at quarterback. We went back as far as 1990, for this list, and the last two listed are still active players.
Erik Kramer, Bears (1995)
The only year he started all 16 games, Kramer was fourth in the NFL in 1995 in both passer rating (93.5) and passing touchdowns (29) as well as seventh in passing yards (3,838). He never threw more than 14 touchdown scores in any other season.
Thumbing through the Chicago Bears record book, Erik Kramer's FRANCHISE RECORD 29 TD passes in season never ceases to amaze.
— Brad Evans (@NoisyHuevos) April 28, 2020
Not one, not a single, signal caller has reached 30 TDs once in the club's 99-year history.
Hard to fathom.
Scott Mitchell, Lions (1995)
It was a banner 1995 season for Mitchell as he went 10-6 with 4,338 passing yards and 32 passing touchdowns compared to just 12 interceptions. Other than that year, he went 22-33 as a starter with 63 touchdown passes and 69 interceptions.
I miss watching the 90s Lions. Thinking about Herman Moore, Brett Perriman and Johnny Morton all playing for the same team, almost makes me forget about that RB they had. What was his name again? If only they had Matthew Stafford throwing passes instead of Scott Mitchell! https://t.co/hlux0VIrg0
— Tim Devaney (@timdevaney) October 17, 2019
Steve Beuerlein, Panthers (1999)
Beuerlein was already 34 years old during his best season in 1999 when he led the NFL with 4,436 passing yards along with 36 touchdowns through the air (compared to 15 interceptions). Other than that year, his career-bests came the following year when he threw for 3,730 yards and 19 touchdowns with 18 interceptions.
Most times sacked in a season (NFL history):
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) April 30, 2020
1. David Carr (HOU): 76
2. Randall Cunningham (PHI): 72
3. David Carr (HOU): 68
4. Jon Kitna (CIN): 63
T5. Steve Beuerlein (CAR): 62
T5. Ken O'Brien (NYJ): 62
T5. DeShaun Watson (HOU): 62#Texans #Eagles #Jets #Bengals #Panthers
Damon Huard, Chiefs (2006)
Up until Aaron Rodgers in 2018, Huard had the lowest single-season interception rate in NFL history as only one of his 244 pass attempts in 2006 were picked off. He threw 13 the next year in 332 attempts, four in 81 attempts in 2008, and never threw another NFL pass after that.
🗣️ Dawg Talk@damonhuard catches up with Defensive Coordinator & Outside Linebackers Coach, @CoachK_UW.#PurpleReign x #BowDown
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) April 28, 2020
Derek Anderson, Browns (2007)
Browns fans thought they may have finally found their quarterback of the future when Anderson was named to the Pro Bowl after a year in which he threw for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns. While he had a lengthy career, he managed to throw for only 26 more scores over the next 11 years.
Browns have always been good for unicorn seasons: Derek Anderson and Peyton Hillis as well.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) April 16, 2020
Josh Freeman, Buccaneers (2010)
While 2010 was only his third-highest yardage total, it was easily his best year. In 2010, he had a 95.9 passer rating and over a 4-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio (25 to 6). His yardage total was higher the next two years, but he threw 43 touchdowns compared to 39 interceptions with a 78.1 passer rating. 247Sports recently did a profile on his professional and college career at Kansas State.
Can someone superimpose Tom Brady’s face on the @Buccaneers Creamsicle Jersey? I got to see.
— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) March 18, 2020
It looks good on Josh Freeman!! pic.twitter.com/pXfmpsM517
Robert Griffin III, Redskins (2012)
While Griffin III is still active, he is a backup quarterback for the Ravens and has started only one game over the last three years. In all likelihood, he’ll never come close to reaching the heights of 2012 when he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year, threw for 3,200 yards and ran for 815, and tossed 20 scoring throws while running in seven more. According to RavensWire, he still believes in himself being a reliable starter.
You're also describing Robert Griffin III, albeit he went No. 2. RG3 never got that big second contract. Things change fast in NFL.
— John McKelvey (@John_McKelvey) April 27, 2020
Cam Newton (currently out of a job despite an MVP) is another good example.
We'll see. Wish him the best.
Case Keenum, Vikings (2017)
Keenum helped guide the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game in the 2017 season in a year he threw for 3,547 yards and 22 touchdowns (compared to only seven interceptions). He has since subsequently gone 7-17 as a starter with the Broncos and Redskins and is now backing up Baker Mayfield with the Browns.
It's the last two teams alive in the #VikingsAllTimeTournament đź‘€
— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) April 27, 2020
Randy Moss and the '98 #Vikings face off against Case Keenum and the 2017 squad in the Skol Bowl!
Who wins? Vote in the story below:https://t.co/qJYqdN2d2c