List of Green Bay Packers starting quarterbacks explained

The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers have competed in the National Football League (NFL) since 1921, two years after their original founding by Curly Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun.[1] They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) and play their home games at Lambeau Field in central Wisconsin.[2] [3] The early era of the NFL and American football in general was not conducive to passing the football, with the forward pass not being legalized until the early 1900s and not fully adopted for many more years.[4] Although the quarterback position has historically been the one to receive the snap and thus handle the football on every offensive play, the importance of the position during this era was limited by various rules, like having to be five yards behind the line of scrimmage before a forward pass could be attempted. These rules and the tactical focus on rushing the ball limited the importance of the quarterback position while enhancing the value of different types of backs, such as the halfback and the fullback. Some of these backs were considered triple-threat men, capable of rushing, passing or kicking the football, making it common for multiple players to attempt a pass during a game.[5]

As rules changed and the NFL began adopting a more pass-centric approach to offensive football, the importance of the quarterback position grew.[6] Beginning in 1950, total wins and losses by a team's starting quarterback were tracked.[7] Throughout the late 20th century and early 21st century, the significance of the position has grown exponentially.[8] The modern starting quarterback is often viewed as the leader of the team and its player spokesperson.[9] The position is often the highest paid player on an NFL team's roster, with teams assigning significant resources in trying to draft, acquire or trade for a franchise quarterback.[10] [11] These resources are based on the high expectations placed on the position, which include handling the ball on every offensive play (whether it be to pass the ball or hand it off to another player), relaying plays (or sometimes calling plays themselves) to the offense and understanding every teammate's role, formation and responsibility for every play.[9] The emergence of the dual-threat quarterback has also seen additional focus on the position, with quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen leading their team in both passing and rushing yards during any given game.[12]

Prior to 1950, the Packers had numerous players identified as playing the quarterback position, including Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Arnie Herber.[13] However, the combination of unreliable statistics in the early era of the NFL and the differences in the early quarterback position make tracking starts by quarterbacks impractical for this timeframe. Since 1950 however, the Packers have had 33 starting quarterbacks in the history of their franchise. Five of those quarterbacks each made over 70 starts and between them started over 75% of the team's games in that time period, with varying levels of success.[7] Tobin Rote, who started 73 games in the 1950s, and Lynn Dickey, who started in 101 games in the late 1970s and early 1980s, saw little on-field success. However, Bart Starr, Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers all led the Packers to Super Bowl victories, with Starr winning five NFL championships in the 1960s.[14] All three quarterbacks were named the NFL's Most Valuable Player at least once in their careers.[15] Favre started the most games as quarterback for the Packers, both in the regular season (253) and during the playoffs (22). Favre never missed one start with the Packers, contributing to his NFL record of 321 consecutive starts by a quarterback.[16] After Favre was traded to the New York Jets, Rodgers took over as starting quarterback, a role he would hold for 15 seasons.[17] Combined, from Favre's first start in 1992 to Rodgers' last start in 2022, the two quarterbacks started 476 out of 495 possible regular season games.[7] After Rodgers was traded to the Jets in 2022, the Packers named Jordan Love starting quarterback for the 2023 NFL season.[18] Love started all 17 regular season games and 2 playoff games for the Packers in 2023.

Starting quarterbacks

Key
Inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame

Regular season

QuarterbackSeasons with
the Packers
Seasons with at least
one start as
Games
started
Record
, 719441[19] [20]
3030[21]
2020[22]
3120[23]
, 798510143562[24] [25]
7250[26]
253160930[27] [28]
, 1314, 136330[29]
1010[30]
197120[31]
6420[32]
9360[33]
2915113[34]
1100[35]
2020[36]
18990[37]
4922261[38] [39]
11740[40]
1010[41]
, 5758, 5758143110[42]
3210[43]
4310[44]
223147751[45]
7326461[46] [47]
15794576[48] [49]
12660[50]
4010[51]
2011[52]
7250[53]
1010[54]
, 813716201[55]
327250[56]
5320[57]

Postseason

QuarterbackSeasons with
the Packers
Seasons with at least
one start as
Games
started
Record
211
,, 07221210
101
211.500
, 1921211110
, 65671091

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History of the Green Bay Packers . Packers.com . January 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100617152634/http://www.packers.com/history/birth_of_a_team_and_a_legend/ . June 17, 2010 . dead .
  2. Web site: 2023 NFL Division Standings . NFL.com . January 4, 2024 . June 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220604184446/https://www.nfl.com/standings/ . live .
  3. Encyclopedia: Lambeau Field. Encyclopædia Britannica. December 4, 2023. Lewis. Robert. January 4, 2024. September 12, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230912203543/https://www.britannica.com/place/Lambeau-Field. live.
  4. Web site: Passing Through Time, a 1930s Rule Change Started the NFL on its Way to Wide Open Offense . ProFootballHoF.com . July 31, 2018 . March 12, 2024 . November 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231128162310/https://www.profootballhof.com/blogs/2018/07/blogs-stories-from-the-pro-football-hall-of-fame-archives-passing-through-time-a-1930s-rule-change/ . live .
  5. Web site: Paul Hornung . Christl . Cliff . Cliff Christl . Packers.com . September 20, 2023 . June 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230607090227/https://www.packers.com/history/hof/paul-hornung . live .
  6. Web site: Bent but not Broken . NFL.com . March 11, 2024 . February 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240217082533/https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/evolution-of-the-nfl-rules/ . live .
  7. Web site: Green Bay Packers Career Passing Leaders . March 11, 2024 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231117214236/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/gnb/career-passing.htm . live .
  8. Web site: 5 Wide: The Evolution Of The Quarterback . BleacherReport.com . Hogg . Curt . December 24, 2009 . March 11, 2024 . February 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240202174325/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/313993-5-wide-the-evolution-of-the-quarterback . live .
  9. Rumpff, Tim (director) . July 12, 2023 . Quarterback . . March 11, 2024 . . subscription . February 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240209135521/https://www.netflix.com/title/81482895 . live .
  10. Web site: Highest-paid NFL players: Tracking most money guaranteed, per year at every position . ESPN.com . March 11, 2024 . March 6, 2024 . February 29, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229032132/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34096853/highest-paid-nfl-players-tracking-most-money-guaranteed-per-year-every-position . live .
  11. Web site: The Cost (and Dangers) of Buying a Quarterback . Berkeley.edu . March 11, 2024 . Laughlin . Alex . November 14, 2023 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311173023/https://sportsanalytics.berkeley.edu/articles/quarterback-cost.html . live .
  12. Web site: How Josh Allen helped Chiefs prepare for '3D' threat in Ravens' Lamar Jackson . Yahoo.com . Epstein . Jori . January 26, 2024 . March 1, 2024 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301210818/https://sports.yahoo.com/how-josh-allen-helped-chiefs-prepare-for-3d-threat-in-ravens-lamar-jackson-185653245.html . live .
  13. Web site: Arnie Herber . Christl . Cliff . Cliff Christl . Packers.com . September 20, 2023 . October 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231003135302/https://www.packers.com/history/hof/arnie-herber . live .
  14. Web site: Aaron Rodgers tosses 3 TD passes as Packers drop Steelers to win Super Bowl XLV . ESPN.com . . February 7, 2011 . March 8, 2024 . April 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230407095833/https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/310206009 . dead .
  15. Web site: AP NFL Most Valuable Player Winners . Pro-Football-Reference.com . December 18, 2023 . January 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240103215307/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/ap-nfl-mvp-award.htm . live .
  16. Web site: Favre: Green Bay's 'Ultimate Iron Man' . PackersNews.com . Hodkiewicz . Weston . November 26, 2015 . March 1, 2024 . March 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240301211753/https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/insidersblog/2015/11/26/favre-green-bays-ultimate-iron-man/76406358/ . live .
  17. News: Nickel . Lori . March 9, 2008 . Rodgers preparing to assume control . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081007044908/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=726140 . October 7, 2008 . May 12, 2012 . Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  18. Web site: Jordan Love is the Packers' starting QB. Here's why he's playing every preseason game . FoxSports.com . August 24, 2023 . September 1, 2023 . Vitali . Carmen . August 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230828152256/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/jordan-love-is-the-packers-starting-qb-heres-why-hes-playing-every-preseason-game . live .
  19. Web site: Zeke Bratkowski Stats . November 7, 2023 . Pro-Fotball-Reference.com . October 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231022040205/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BratZe00.htm . live .
  20. Web site: Zeke Bratkowski . Christl . Cliff . Cliff Christl . Packers.com . September 20, 2023 . May 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230523020209/https://www.packers.com/history/hof/zeke-bratkowski . live .
  21. Web site: Carlos Brown Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . October 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221007161548/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowCa00.htm . live .
  22. Web site: Jack Concannon . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . January 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129162321/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ConcJa00.htm . live .
  23. Web site: Jim Del Gaizo Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . March 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230327064131/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DelGJi00.htm . live .
  24. Web site: Lynn Dickey Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . April 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230419045813/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DickLy00.htm . live .
  25. Web site: Lynn Dickey . Christl . Cliff . Cliff Christl . Packers.com . September 20, 2023 . May 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230531153806/https://www.packers.com/history/hof/lynn-dickey . live .
  26. Web site: Anthony Dilweg Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . October 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231002102743/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DilwAn00.htm . live .
  27. Web site: Brett Favre Stats . November 7, 2023 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . May 14, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110514005711/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FavrBr00.htm . live .
  28. Brett Favre praises staff and team at Packers Hall of Fame induction . . July 18, 2015 . November 16, 2023 . October 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030153034/https://www.si.com/nfl/2015/07/19/green-bay-packers-hall-fame-brett-favre . live .
  29. Web site: Matt Flynn Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . April 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230421094529/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FlynMa00.htm . live .
  30. Web site: Joe Francis Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . February 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209080445/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FranJo20.htm . live .
  31. Web site: John Hadl Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . December 21, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071221031542/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HadlJo00.htm . live .
  32. Web site: Don Horn Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . October 9, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221009033137/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HornDo00.htm . live .
  33. Web site: Brett Hundley Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . October 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031070705/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HundBr00.htm . live .
  34. Web site: Scott Hunter Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . January 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180121164755/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HuntSc00.htm . live .
  35. Web site: Randy Johnson Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . August 14, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230814133951/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnRa00.htm . live .
  36. Web site: Blair Kiel Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . April 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230416035754/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KielBl00.htm . live .
  37. Web site: Jordan Love Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . August 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230831180939/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LoveJo03.htm . live .
  38. Web site: Don Majkowski Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . April 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230416035740/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MajkDo00.htm . live .
  39. Web site: Don Majkowski . Christl . Cliff . Cliff Christl . Packers.com . September 20, 2023 . May 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230524002414/https://www.packers.com/history/hof/don-majkowski . live .
  40. Web site: Lamar McHan Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . October 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030114407/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/McHaLa00.htm . live .
  41. Web site: Don Milan Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . January 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180121190245/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MilaDo00.htm . live .
  42. Web site: Babe Parilli Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929080254/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PariBa00.htm . live .
  43. Web site: Alan Risher Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . October 11, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081011203351/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RishAl20.htm . live .
  44. Web site: John Roach Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . March 26, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230326185524/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RoacJo00.htm . live .
  45. Web site: Aaron Rodgers Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . July 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230706022123/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RodgAa00.htm . live .
  46. Web site: Tobin Rote Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . March 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230318074359/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RoteTo00.htm . live .
  47. Web site: Tobin Rote . Christl . Cliff . Cliff Christl . Packers.com . September 20, 2023 . June 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230608045632/https://www.packers.com/history/hof/tobin-rote . live .
  48. Web site: Bart Starr Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . March 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320190951/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StarBa00.htm . live .
  49. Web site: Bart Starr . Christl . Cliff . Cliff Christl . Packers.com . September 20, 2023 . September 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929170209/https://www.packers.com/history/hof/bart-starr . live .
  50. Web site: Jerry Tagge Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . March 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230317021309/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaggJe00.htm . live .
  51. Web site: Bobby Thomason Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . March 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230322194712/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/ThomBo02.htm . live .
  52. Web site: Scott Tolzien Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . September 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230924191025/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TolzSc00.htm . live .
  53. Web site: Mike Tomczak Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . May 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516221351/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TomcMi00.htm . live .
  54. Web site: Seneca Wallace Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . May 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230501132203/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WallSe00.htm . live .
  55. Web site: David Whitehurst Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . February 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202144420/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WhitDa02.htm . live .
  56. Web site: Randy Wright Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . October 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015083125/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WrigRa00.htm . live .
  57. Web site: Jim Zorn Stats . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 7, 2023 . July 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230719150734/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Z/ZornJi00.htm . live .