Best QB "Second Acts"

Are we in agreement that Ryan Leaf's stint as a high school coach doesn't count?

 

If this is as intended, played well and made a name before going to second act, then it has to be Brees. Wasn't as big of a name as he is now but he made a Pro bowl in San Diego and led them to the playoffs.

 

Tobin Rote was a championship QB for the Detroit Lions, and then again for the San Diego Chargers.

Sonny Jurgenson had a great run with the Eagles, then for the Redskins.

 

Doug Flutie: Had a decent year in the USFL, went to the Bears, flamed out, had one decent year in New England followed by a bad year, went to the CFL where he kicked ass, then came back and had a couple excellent years with the Bills before fading away.

Billy Kilmer: Spent a few years as a running back in San Fran, where he was about to fade out, then went to expansion New Orleans where he became a quarterback, did pretty decently on some shitty teams, then went to the Redskins and led them to the Super Bowl.

Earl Morrall: Played 12 years with four teams, only was starter for two of those seasons. Then went to Baltimore as Unitas' backup, got in the lineup when Johnny U got hurt and became the league MVP and would be remembered even more had it not been for Joe Willie. Then got a ring as the Colts' backup, kept the Dolphins' unbeaten season alive, and earned another ring the year after backing up Griese. Pretty damn good career.

Len Dawson: Five years, threw a total of 45 passes with the Browns and Steelers, then got cut, went to Dallas, won the AFL title, and built up a Hall of Fame career with Kansas City.

 

Until about Thanksgiving when he hit his usual late-season fade, a frequent occurrence since 1999. Favre was very protected in that offense early. Still, at the very end of runs with the Packers, Jets and Vikings, he left behind killer picks and locker room dissension. Only McCarthy was the one coach to escape with his job.

 

Morrall actually has decent HOF numbers in the context of late-50s/early-70s QBs, but the fact he was only really good for two seasons, and in both of his big MVP-level seasons, he was benched in favor of the incumbent starter in the Super Bowl, probably sinks him forever.

 

Lynn Dickey broke his leg mid-career in the late 70s. Missed one season and was benched for most of another as the Packers were high on David Whitehurst.

Once Dickey worked his way back, he was far better than he was pre-leg injury. Two 4,000-yard passing seasons in the 80s.

 

Scott Mitchell
Matt Cassell
David Woodley
Brady Quinn
Tyler Palko

That should about do it....

 

My heart says you have to have a real first act before you can have a second act. Craig Morton wasn't successful in Dallas or with the NY Giants before quarterbacking Denver to a Super Bowl.

Kurt Warner would seem to be a definition of a second act. So would Jim Plunkett

 

I was stunned by Steve Beuerlein's success with the Panthers. But the name I can't believe hasn't been mentioned more is Rich Gannon.

 

Boom mentioned him four or five posts into the thread.

 

That's why he's a legend. Edited.