The Washington Redskins have had a long and successful history in the NFL. However, that does not mean everything has always gone their way.
Despite being fifth all-time in wins (603) and seventh all-time in Super Bowl rings (three) the team has had some serious problems over the years.
One major problem for Washington has been the quarterback position. Throughout the years, they have had very little success at the spot. That does not mean they haven’t had some winners though.
With that in mind, who has stood out? Who were great quarterbacks in their time with the Redskins?
Let’s go through the history books and try to find the five greatest quarterbacks in Redskins history.
5. Robert Griffin III
There are not a lot of great quarterbacks in the history of the Washington franchise, as we’ve already mentioned. So to pick a No. 5 for the list presents some trouble. Some options include Jason Campbell, Gus Frerotte, Kirk Cousins and Mark Brunell, among others.
So why did Robert Griffin III get the nod? His rookie season.
The 2012 season remains one of the most magical in Redskins’ history.
In 15 games, the then-rookie quarterback completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns, throwing only five interceptions. He also ran for 815 yards and seven more touchdowns. And he led a late-season surge that won the Redskins the NFC East and got them to the playoffs.
They were even looking good in the Wild Card round against the Seattle Seahawks until the Griffin hurt his knee.
The 2013 season was not terrible statistically for Griffin, either. However, Mike and Kyle Shanahan gave up on him far too easily. What former Rookie of the Year gets benched in his second season while still playing well?
There are a lot of what-ifs in Griffin’s career. But he gave the Redskins legitimate hope. Washington fans really believed their time had arrived. That franchise hasn’t felt that way since.
That’s enough to warrant the five spot for Griffin.
4. Mark Rypien
Mark Rypien spent six years with the Redskins. In that time, he notched a 45-27 record. Rypien put up strong numbers, too. He threw for 15,928 yards and 101 touchdowns compared to 75 interceptions.
While the numbers are not spectacular, he had some good seasons in his time. That includes the 1991 season, the year Rypien led the Redskins to a 14-2 record and a Super Bowl ring.
In that season, the quarterback threw for 3,564 yards and 28 touchdowns. That cemented his legacy in Washington history.
And that ring, along with the collective work in his time in Washington, got him the No. 4 spot on the list.
3. Sonny Jurgensen
Sonny Jurgensen spent his final 11 seasons in the NFL with the Redskins. In that time, he barely snuck over the .500 mark, with a 52-51-5 record. However, he was incredible in his own way.
The quarterback managed 22,585 yards, 179 touchdown passes and 118 interceptions with Washington. He also made it to four Pro Bowls with the team. And in 1983, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
If Jurgensen spent his entire career in Washington, he likely would have huge numbers, statistically, and he probably would be right at the top of the list. However, his first seven years with the Philadelphia Eagles means his Washington numbers leave a little to be desired. Of course, the only Championship he won (in the pre-Super Bowl era) was with Philadelphia as well.
Despite that, Jurgensen was easily one of the greatest quarterbacks in Washington history. And he managed to do it for a very long time.
2. Joe Theismann
Joe Theismann is probably remembered most for his gruesome leg injury. Oddly enough, Alex Smith suffered a similar injury years later, quarterbacking for the same exact team.
What the memory of Theismann’s injury does, however, is mask how good he was. It’s easier to focus on the injury and not the way he played during his career.
Theismann spent all 12 years of his NFL career in Washington before the injury ended it. In those 12 years, the quarterback went 77-47 and racked up 25,206 yards, 160 touchdowns and 138 interceptions.
He made it to two Pro Bowls and was a first team All-Pro once. In 1982 he led the Redskins to a Super Bowl win.
Theismann is known as a great quarterback amongst Redskins fans but he often does get the credit he deserves outside of the nation’s capital.
1. Sammy Baugh
The numbers are not that incredible for Sammy Baugh. But that is a product of the time he was playing in rather than indicative of his talent.
Baugh spent 16 years in the NFL, all with the Redskins. He played from 1937 to 1952. In that time, the quarterback managed 21,886 passing yards, 187 touchdowns and 203 interceptions.
However, that is not all he did. Baugh was also an incredible punter, and recorded 31 interceptions on defense as well.
That versatility is unheard of in today’s game. Baugh was a superstar on offense, defense and special teams, averaging 45.1 yards per punt in his career.
Baugh was a six-time Pro Bowler and named First-Team All Pro four times. He won two Championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963.
One of the greatest to ever do it, Baugh comes in at No. 1 on the list of greatest quarterbacks in Redskins history.
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