We’re taking a look at how many rookie quarterbacks have played in the Super Bowl or made it deep into the NFL postseason.
Eighteen of the last 24 first overall picks have been quarterbacks – and none of them have been able to help a team win the Super Bowl.
Twenty-two rookies have started in the playoffs in the Super Bowl era, and it hasn’t gone well as they’ve posted a 13-23 record over that span.
As the overall record indicates, starting a rookie quarterback in the playoffs typically ends badly. Matt Ryan threw two interceptions in his postseason debut in 2008 and Andy Dalton was picked off three times as the Cincinnati Bengals suffered wild-card heartache in 2011. Andrew Luck led the Colts to the playoffs in 2012, but he posted a passer rating of just 59.8.
Robert Griffin III’s sole playoff appearance in 2012 ended in a knee injury as he was beaten by Wilson and the Seahawks in a battle of the rookies. In 2018, Lamar Jackson was confounded by a Los Angeles Chargers defense that frequently deployed seven defensive backs to hold the dual-threat QB in check and restrict him to a 48.3 completion percentage.
Mac Jones was intercepted twice as the Patriots couldn’t keep up with the prolific Buffalo Bills offense in a 47-17 loss.
But some have had some success. Here are the first-year starting quarterbacks who have made it the deepest into the NFL postseason.
It’s important to note that we’re looking at seasons since 1966 because prior to that, the conference championship was the furthest game that could be reached. Also note that pre-1950, the QB position was a very different position.
Rookie QBs to Reach the Super Bowl
None
Rookie QBs to Reach the Conference Championship
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (2024 Season)
Daniels led the Commanders to a major upset in the 2024 postseason, throwing for 299 yards with two touchdowns while also rushing for 51 yards in a 45-31 win over the top-seeded Detroit Lions. Washington, however, fell 55-23 to the second-seeded Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship game.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (2022)
In the 2022 NFL season, Purdy had a golden opportunity to become the first rookie quarterback to lead a team to Super Bowl glory. The last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, however, got hurt in the NFC championship game and the 49ers lost 31-7 to the Eagles.
Mark Sanchez, New York Jets (2009)
Sanchez hit on just over 60% of his passes for 539 yards, four touchdowns and a pair of picks while starting three playoff games in 2009. The Jets rode Rex Ryan’s dominant defense and a ground attack that led the NFL in yards per game to the conference championship.
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (2008)
In his three postseason games, Flacco completed just 44.0% of his passes for 437 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. But the Ravens were able to succeed by leaning on a third-ranked defense and a fourth-ranked run game, taking the pressure off Flacco.
Baltimore gave up just 19 points over the first two rounds of the playoffs and it was only when the Ravens faced a top-ranked Steelers defense in the title game that Flacco’s shortcomings as a rookie proved decisive. Later, Flacco went on to enjoy one of the great postseason runs in 2012 when he led the Ravens to a win over the 49ers in the Super Bowl.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (2004)
Roethlisberger helped a juggernaut Steelers team to a 15-1 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Yet his first postseason proved a difficult one for Big Ben, completing only 57.4% of his passes for 407 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.
Three of his five picks came in the AFC championship game loss to the New England Patriots, whose opportunistic defensive performance inspired them to a third Super Bowl appearance – and ultimately a third Super Bowl title – in four seasons.
Shaun King, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1999)
Like Roethlisberger, King only needed to start two games while reaching the NFC championship game in 1999. He let a really strong Tampa Bay defense do the heavy lifting as he threw for a total of just 320 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. The Buccaneers beat Washington 14-13 in the divisional round before losing 11-6 to the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams in the NFC title game.
King was a backup to Brad Johnson in 2002 when the Buccaneers broke through and beat the Oakland Raiders 48-21 in the Super Bowl.
Research Support provided by Stats Perform’s Brady Olson.
