😱 From Heroes to Zeroes: The Untold Stories of NFL’s #1 Quarterbacks! 😱

Picture this: you’re drafted first overall as a quarterback.

Overnight, millions of fans expect you to fix a franchise that’s been struggling for years.

One moment, you’re walking across the stage with the world calling you a savior.

And a few years later, you might find yourself on your third team or even out of the league completely.

Since 1970, 29 quarterbacks have been given that spotlight.

So, how often are they actually worth that number one pick?

Let’s take a journey through every single one of them, year by year, to see who became a legend and who vanished from the game.

Starting with Terry Bradshaw, who was literally trying to go fishing on draft day because he didn’t think he would be picked so high.

His father made him throw on a jacket when Pittsburgh called to say they were taking him first overall.

That confidence boost didn’t last long, though.

His rookie year was a complete mess, with 24 interceptions and only six touchdowns.

However, Bradshaw turned things around dramatically.

He called his own plays for his entire 14-year career, won four Super Bowls, and earned two Super Bowl MVP awards before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Talk about a comeback!

Next, we have Jim Plunkett, who was called the best quarterback prospect ever by UCLA coach Tommy Prothrow.

After five years with New England and a brief stint with the 49ers, Plunkett seriously contemplated quitting football entirely before the Raiders offered him a backup job.

When Dan Pastorini got hurt, Plunkett stepped in and took the Raiders from an 0-2 start to a Super Bowl championship in 1980.

Without Plunkett’s expertise, it’s arguable that those two Super Bowls might not have happened.

Three years later, they won it all again.

New England and San Francisco fans might consider Plunkett a bust, but Raiders fans are thankful for his contributions.

In 1975, the Falcons traded up to number one to select Steve Bartkowski.

Despite an up-and-down career, Bartkowski led the league in passing touchdowns in 1980 and played 11 seasons with severe knee damage, even securing Atlanta’s first playoff win and making the Pro Bowl twice.

John Elway, drafted first overall in 1983, is exactly what every NFL team hopes for.

He famously told the Baltimore Colts that he would rather play baseball for the Yankees than suit up for them.

Ultimately, he was traded to Denver, where he showcased his clutch factor, leading the league in fourth-quarter comebacks multiple times.

Elway carried teams to Super Bowls and finally went out on top with back-to-back championships, solidifying his legacy.

Moving on to Vinny Testaverde, who played 21 seasons for seven different teams while being colorblind.

Despite a rocky start with 35 interceptions in his second season, Testaverde persevered and became the oldest starting quarterback for a season at 44 years old with Carolina.

His best year came in 1998 with the Jets, where he led them to a 12-1 record as a starter.

Troy Aikman was drafted first overall by the Cowboys in 1989, and he quickly became a key player in Dallas’ dynasty.

His performance in Super Bowl 27, where he threw for 273 yards and four touchdowns, capped off a remarkable playoff run.

Aikman led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories and remains a celebrated figure in NFL history.

The Colts traded for Jeff George in 1990, but his attitude issues plagued his career.

He had moments of brilliance, leading the NFL in game-winning drives in 1995, but his drama ultimately overshadowed his talent.

Drew Bledsoe, drafted first by the Patriots in 1993, was a Pro Bowl quarterback who led New England to its first Super Bowl since 1985.

His career took a dramatic turn when he was injured and replaced by Tom Brady, but he remains a beloved figure in the league.

Peyton Manning, selected first overall in 1998, is often regarded as the best of the bunch.

Despite early doubts, he became a five-time MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion, known for his incredible football IQ and leadership.

In contrast, Tim Couch, drafted by the Browns in 1999, faced a challenging start.

Injuries plagued his career, and he became more famous for the “Browns quarterbacks” meme than for his on-field accomplishments.

Michael Vick was the first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, but his career took a hit due to off-field issues.

After serving time in prison, he made a remarkable comeback with the Eagles, showcasing his talent once again.

David Carr, the first pick in 2002, faced one of the worst offensive lines in NFL history.

He was sacked a record 76 times as a rookie, which hindered his development.

Despite his talent, Carr struggled to find success and eventually left the league.

Carson Palmer, taken first overall in 2003, had a promising start but suffered injuries that impacted his career.

He eventually found success with the Cardinals, earning a Pro Bowl selection and leading the team to a strong season.

Eli Manning was drafted by the Chargers in 2004 but quickly traded to the Giants.

He pulled off two shocking Super Bowl upsets against the Patriots, cementing his legacy as a clutch performer.

Alex Smith, selected first overall in 2005, faced numerous challenges, including injuries and multiple offensive coordinators.

He eventually found success with the 49ers and won the Comeback Player of the Year award after a severe leg injury.

JaMarcus Russell, drafted by the Raiders in 2007, is often considered one of the biggest busts in NFL history.

Despite his physical abilities, he failed to put in the work and ultimately left the league without making a significant impact.

Matthew Stafford, taken first overall by the Lions in 2009, spent over a decade with a struggling franchise before winning a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021.

His talent and toughness shone through, making him one of the league’s top quarterbacks.

Sam Bradford, selected first in 2010, had a promising start but faced numerous injuries that derailed his career.

He still managed to earn significant money throughout his time in the league.

Cam Newton, drafted first overall in 2011, made an immediate impact and won the MVP award in 2015.

His unique playing style and charisma made him a fan favorite, but injuries affected his later years.

Andrew Luck was the first pick in 2012 and quickly became a star, leading the Colts to multiple playoff appearances.

However, injuries took a toll, and he shocked everyone with his retirement announcement just before the 2019 season.

Jameis Winston, drafted first in 2015, had a rollercoaster career, highlighted by his 30-30 season.

He became a backup with the Saints but remains a charismatic figure in the league.

Jared Goff, taken first overall in 2016, struggled early in his career but transformed into a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback under Sean McVay.

He has since found success in Detroit, leading the team to playoff appearances.

Baker Mayfield, drafted first in 2018, had a tumultuous career but revived his fortunes with the Rams, leading them to division titles.

Kyler Murray, the first player ever drafted in both the NFL and MLB drafts, has shown flashes of brilliance but remains inconsistent.

Joe Burrow, selected first overall in 2020, quickly became a star, leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance but facing injuries along the way.

Trevor Lawrence, the first pick in 2021, struggled under Urban Meyer’s coaching but showed promise in 2022, leading the Jaguars to a playoff win.

Bryce Young, drafted first in 2023, faced a challenging rookie season but showed improvement in the second half of his second year.

Caleb Williams, the highly touted prospect, had a rocky rookie year but displayed potential despite playing behind a struggling offensive line.

Lastly, Cam Ward, the unexpected first overall pick, has yet to establish himself in the league, but his journey will be interesting to follow.

So, there you have it, the journey of every quarterback taken first overall since 1970.

Not many live up to the hype of that spot, but that doesn’t mean the pressure gets any easier as time goes on.