Top 10 Greatest Redskins QBs of All Time

When talking about the greatest Redskins quarterbacks of all time, I was reminded of the unconventional way that the team won all of their Super Bowls. Under HC Joe Gibbs in the 1980s and ‘90s, the Redskins won three Super Bowls using three different quarterbacks, something no other coach has done in NFL history. This stat is a testament to how great those Redskins teams were and how dominant they were without a true franchise quarterback. Although the ‘Skins may have never had a player like Drew Brees or Tom Brady to lead the team, they have still certainly had some quality signal-callers in the past. In this article, I’m going to be ranking the top ten greatest quarterbacks in franchise history.

1. Sammy Baugh

No surprise for the top ranking here. “Slingin’ Sammy” changed the way that the game of football is played. He was the first quarterback in NFL history to have an offense tailored to his abilities, and the Redskins became a dangerous passing offense. Baugh’s accuracy and ability to throw the ball were unheard of at the time, and other quarterbacks and teams took note of Baugh’s newfound way to get the ball downfield. He is credited as being the first drop-back quarterback in NFL history.

2. Joe Theismann

Having played his entire 12-year career in Washington, Theismann is perhaps the longest-tenured “franchise QB” in team history. He was the full-time starter for eight of those seasons. In his career for the burgundy and gold, Theismann was a two-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl Champion, and league MVP in 1983. Sadly, his career was cut short by a devastating leg injury he suffered in 1985. Nonetheless, Theismann is still a Redskins all-time great and the all-time leading passer in franchise history.

3. Sonny Jurgensen

After spending the seven years of his career his Philadelphia, Sonny Jurgensen would find a home for the next 11 seasons with the Redskins. In those 11 seasons, Jurgensen would lead the NFL in passing yards and completions three times, making four Pro Bowls along the way. He would help the ‘Skins reach Super Bowl VII, where they would lose to the undefeated Miami Dolphins. Jurgensen would go on to broadcast Redskins games on the radio up until his retirement in 2019.

4. Mark Rypien

Despite making his NFL debut at age 26, Mark Rypien certainly made up for his late start with his play on the field. In six seasons in Washington, Rypien was a quality starter and two-time Pro Bowler with the club. His best season came in 1991 when he led the Redskins to a Super Bowl XXVI, where they would win the game, and Rypien would be named Super Bowl MVP. He might not be an all-time great, but he is immortalized in Redskins history for all he did for the burgundy and gold.

5. Doug Williams

Doug Williams was never able to show much as a regular starter in the NFL, but he came up big when it mattered most. Going into the 1987 postseason, HC Joe Gibbs decided to start Williams, despite him only starting two games in the regular season. This decision would go on to be one of the best in team history, as Williams would lead the Redskins all the way to a dominant 42-10 victory over the Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. Williams would be named Super Bowl MVP after tossing a then Super Bowl record four TD passes in the big game.

6. Billy Kilmer

After spending the first eight years of his career in San Francisco and New Orleans, Billy Kilmer would play his final eight seasons as a Washington Redskin. Kilmer would lead the ‘Skins to the playoffs five times, including a trip to Super Bowl VII against the Miami Dolphins. He finished his Redskins career as a one-time Pro Bowler and held a solid 50-23-1 as a starter. Kilmer was a quality starter who is often forgotten about by Redskins fans.

7. Kirk Cousins

Cousins’ run in Washington ended on a sour note, but that shouldn’t take away from everything he accomplished with the team. After mainly being a backup for the first three seasons of his career, Cousins would get his chance to start in 2015. He would lead the NFL in completion percentage that season and lead the ‘Skins to an NFC East title. Cousins would throw for over 4,000 yards in each of his three seasons as the Redskins starter and made the Pro Bowl in 2016. Whether Redskins fans like it or not, Cousins was perhaps the best quarterback the team has had this century.

8. Robert Griffin III

Although Griffin was never able to become the franchise quarterback that many thought he would become for the Redskins, he makes this list for his magical 2012 rookie campaign. Griffin, alongside rookie running back Alfred Morris, took a 3-6 Redskins team on a seven-game winning streak to go 10-6 and claim their first NFC East title since 1999. Griffin wowed fans with his strong throwing arm and ability to make plays on his feet. While the decision to trade up to draft him may have backfired, Redskins fans will always remember that 2012 season.

9. Jay Schroeder

Jay Schroeder is another quarterback who is often forgotten about by Redskins fans. In three seasons with the Redskins, Schroeder amassed an impressive 24-7 record as a starter and made the Pro Bowl in 1986. He was the regular-season starter for the ‘Skins when they won the Super Bowl in 1987, but was benched in favor of Doug Williams in the playoffs. He would leave the Redskins to join the Raiders the next season and would play in the NFL for another seven years before his retirement.

10. Jason Campbell

Campbell was drafted in 2005 by the Redskins, just one pick behind Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately, Campbell did not have the same production that Rodgers has had in Green Bay. Campbell was the full-time starter for three seasons in Washington. In those three seasons, he was able to reach #7 on the all-time Redskins passing list. He was the starter for a team that would make the playoffs in 2007. However, he was injured late in the season and did not start the ‘Skins playoff game against Seattle. Campbell makes this list, not for his play, but rather because there weren’t many quarterbacks left to choose from.

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