Today we realized that the Pittsburgh Steelers are choosing between Byron Leftwich, Charlie Batch, and Brian Hoyer to be their starting quarterback this week. After the sheer outrageousness of that last sentence sunk in, the Steelers situation got us thinking: What are some of the most depressing quarterback “controversies” of the recent past?
THE LIST: The 24 saddest quarterback controversies since the year 2000
With some problems, there is no right answer.
Joe Sargent
We’re talking about QB competitions that kill a part of your soul, just because you know that someone, somewhere was forced to debate between Shaun Hill and J.T. O’Sullivan. So with the help of Robert B. Wheel, Chris Mottram, Jason Kirk, Bill Hanstock, and the rest of the SBN staff, let’s look back and remember the QB battles that nearly killed us.
Tom Pidgeon /Allsport
(Number of starts in parentheses)
24. Akili Smith (11) vs. Scott Mitchell (5), 2000 Bengals
23. Vinny Testaverde (6) vs. David Carr (4) vs. Matt Moore (3) vs. Jake Delhomme (3), 2007 Panthers
22. Tavaris Jackson (14) vs. Charlie Whitehurst (2), 2011 Seahawks
21. Mark Sanchez (10) vs. Tim Tebow (???), 2012 Jets
20. Jamarcus Russell (9), Charlie Frye (3), Bruce Gradkowski (4), 2009 Raiders
19. Andrew Walter (8) vs. Aaron Brooks (8), 2006 Raiders
18. J.P. Losman (8) vs. Kelly Holcomb (8), 2005 Bills
17. Kyle Boller (9) vs. Anthony Wright (7), 2003 Ravens
16. Derek Anderson (9) vs. John Skelton (4) vs. Max Hall (3), 2010 Cardinals
15. Tim Rattay (9) vs. Ken Dorsey (7), 2005 49ers
14. Jimmy Clausen (10) vs. Matt Moore (5) vs. Brian St. Pierre (1), 2010 Panthers
13. Joey Harrington (10) vs. Byron Leftwich (2) vs. Chris Redman (4), 2007 Falcons
12. Tyler Thigpen (11) vs. Damon Huard (3) vs. Brodie Croyle (2), 2007 Chiefs
11. Dan Orlovsky (7) vs. Daunte Culpepper (5) vs. Jon Kitna (4), 2008 Lions
10. Kordell Stewart (7) vs. Chris Chandler (6) vs. Rex Grossman (3), 2003 Bears
9. Alex Van Pelt (8) vs. Rob Johnson (8), 2001 Bills
8. Shaun Hill (8) vs. J.T. O’Sullivan (8), 2008 49ers
7. Curtis Painter (8) vs. Dan Orlovsky (5) vs. Kerry Collins (3), 2011 Colts
6. Tavaris Jackson (5) vs. Gus Frerrotte (11), 2008 Vikings
5. Shane Matthews (7) vs. Patrick Ramsey (5) vs. Danny Wuerffel (4), 2002 Redskins
3. Quincy Carter (8) vs. Clint Stoerner (2) vs. Ryan Leaf (3) vs. Anthony Wright (3), 2001 Cowboys
2. Cleo Lemon (7) vs. Trent Green (5) vs. John Beck (4), 2007 Dolphins
1. Chad Hutchinson (5) vs. Craig Krenzel (5) vs. Rex Grossman (3) vs. Johnathan Quinn (3), 2004 Bears
Who are we missing here? Let us know below. Until then, LONG LIVE THE 2004 BEARS.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
THE LIST runs Monday through Friday on SBNation.com. You can read the archives here.
