21st Century quaterbacks

1. This quarterback was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998 after a stellar career at Tennessee. Over the course of his career, he became known for his exceptional passing ability and his ability to lead his teams to the playoffs. After a rocky start to his postseason career, including losses to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, he eventually led his team to a Super Bowl victory in the 2006 season. In 2012, he moved to Denver, where he won another MVP award and led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2015, his final season. He holds the record for the most MVP awards (5) and is also known for his leadership of multiple teams to Super Bowl appearances.
For 10 points, name this quarterback.
Answer: Peyton Manning

2. Drafted by the New England Patriots in 2000 as a sixth-round pick, this quarterback initially served as a backup to Drew Bledsoe before taking over the starting role in 2001, leading the Patriots to a surprising Super Bowl victory. He would go on to dominate the NFL for the next two decades, winning seven Super Bowls and five Super Bowl MVPs. Known for his consistency and clutch performances, he spent the majority of his career with the Patriots before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 and leading them to a Super Bowl victory in his first season there. After retiring in 2022, he remains the NFL’s all-time leader in career passing yards and touchdown passes.
For 10 points, name this quarterback.
Answer: Tom Brady

3. After a successful college career at Purdue, this quarterback was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2001. Initially struggling, he improved and became the starting quarterback for the Chargers in 2006. He led the team to consistent success, winning multiple division titles, but was often plagued by playoff failures, including a single appearance in the AFC Championship Game. Despite never playing in a Super Bowl, he retired as the all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes for players who never reached a Super Bowl. Known for his durability, he started every game from 2006 to 2020, the second-longest streak for a quarterback in NFL history.
For 10 points, name this quarterback.
Answer: Philip Rivers

4. This quarterback was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001 as the first overall pick, becoming the first Black quarterback to be taken with the top pick. His ability to both pass and run set him apart from other quarterbacks of his era. He made history in 2006 by becoming the first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. However, his career took a dark turn in 2007 when he was arrested for running a dog-fighting ring, leading to a 23-month prison sentence. After serving his time, he was able to revive his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, posting a standout season in 2010. Despite his remarkable comeback, his legacy remains clouded by controversy.
For 10 points, name this quarterback.
Answer: Michael Vick

5. Known for his remarkable durability and longevity, this quarterback played his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2004 to 2021. He was thrust into the starting role as a rookie, leading the Steelers to a 13-0 start and becoming the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl by age 23. Over the next 17 years, he led Pittsburgh to two Super Bowl victories, including one in 2008, and established himself as one of the most iconic figures in franchise history. His career was marred by controversy, including allegations of sexual assault, but he remained a beloved figure in Pittsburgh, retiring as the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.
For 10 points, name this quarterback.
Answer: Ben Roethlisberger

6. After sitting behind Brett Favre for several years, this quarterback took over as the Green Bay Packers' starting quarterback in 2008 and immediately established himself as one of the NFL’s top players. He led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory in just his third season as a starter, and over the next decade, he earned four MVP awards and led the team to numerous playoff appearances. Known for his incredible accuracy and lack of interceptions, this quarterback’s career with the Packers was marred by playoff disappointments and controversies, including his refusal to get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, he was traded to the New York Jets, but his season was cut short by an Achilles injury.
For 10 points, name this quarterback.
Answer: Aaron Rodgers

7. This quarterback, after a successful college career at the University of Nevada, was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011 as a backup to Alex Smith. When Smith was injured in 2012, this player took over as the starter, guiding the team to a Super Bowl appearance, although they lost to the Baltimore Ravens. He became known for his athleticism and ability to make big plays, but his career was forever changed in 2016 when he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police violence. This decision made him a polarizing figure, and after his departure from the 49ers, he never played again in the NFL despite efforts to continue his career.
For 10 points, name this quarterback.
Answer: Colin Kaepernick

8. Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2012, this quarterback made an immediate impact in his rookie season, tying a record for the most touchdown passes by a rookie. In just his second year, he led the Seahawks to their first-ever Super Bowl victory, making him just the second Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. After a few more successful seasons, he led Seattle to another Super Bowl appearance in 2014, but they lost to the New England Patriots. The later years of his career were marked by friction with teammates and the coaching staff, and he was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022, where his performance was lackluster.
For 10 points, name this quarterback.
Answer: Russell Wilson

9. This quarterback was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 as the backup to Alex Smith. He quickly became the team’s starter and immediately began to break records, winning the MVP award in 2018 and leading the Chiefs to the playoffs. In 2019, he guided the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years, and since then, he has continued to lead the Chiefs to dominance, including multiple Super Bowl appearances and victories. Known for his incredible arm strength and ability to orchestrate dramatic comebacks, this quarterback is also noted for his playful personality and confidence on the field.
For 10 points, name this quarterback.
Answer: Patrick Mahomes