The Raiders franchise, with an illustrious past rooted in Oakland and Los Angeles, has seen a decline in success since relocating to Las Vegas in 2020. However, fans remain hopeful that the leadership of Klint Kubiak and Fernando Mendoza will restore the team’s former glory. Despite the excitement surrounding new talent, including the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner who has yet to play an NFL snap, the history of Raiders quarterbacks continues to be celebrated in the larger league context.
Recently, Bleacher Report’s NFL staff compiled a list of the top-99 quarterbacks in NFL history. Notably, ten players who once donned the Raiders uniform earned spots on this prestigious roster. Among them, six quarterbacks made substantial contributions to the Raiders franchise during their careers, standing out distinctly from four others whose achievements with the team were minimal.
Breakdown of Raiders Quarterbacks Recognized Among the NFL’s Elite
The six quarterbacks credited for their significant impact on the Raiders include some of the most memorable figures in franchise history. Though others such as George Blanda, Carson Palmer, Daunte Culpepper, and Kerry Collins also appeared on the list, their time with the Raiders was comparatively limited or less influential. Blanda, for instance, had greater recognition as a kicker than as a quarterback for the team, having started only one game under center.
Jeff Hostetler’s Notable Yet Modest Raiders Tenure
Jeff Hostetler stands out as an intermediate figure among the ten listed former Raiders quarterbacks, ranked at 95 on the list. While his impact does not match the more celebrated six, he significantly outshone others apart from Blanda, whose contributions were primarily in special teams. During his four years with the Raiders, Hostetler led the team to a playoff victory against John Elway’s Denver Broncos in 1993, with a commanding 42-24 win. He earned the only Pro Bowl selection of his career the following year, though injuries hampered his later seasons. Overall, Hostetler recorded a 33-22 record in 55 starts, marking a solid if unspectacular Raiders stint.
Derek Carr’s Mixed Legacy as the Franchise’s Longest-Serving Starting Quarterback
Derek Carr holds a unique position in Raiders lore, ranking 77th among NFL quarterbacks. He has started more games and amassed more passing yards and touchdowns than any other Raider. Despite his statistical milestones and four Pro Bowl selections, Carr’s legacy is clouded by the absence of postseason wins during his tenure, a rare deficiency among the franchise’s top passers. Speculation surrounds how his career might have differed had he not suffered a broken leg in 2016, an injury after which he was never quite the same. The varying strength of the rosters surrounding Carr during his years with the Raiders also factors into ongoing debates about his standing within the team’s history and his Derek Carr Raiders ranking.
Jim Plunkett’s Hall of Fame Overlook Despite Historic Success
Jim Plunkett, ranked 68th, remains a fascinating and sometimes overlooked figure in NFL history, particularly in Hall of Fame discussions. Before joining the Raiders, Plunkett was a starter with the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers but experienced his career renaissance in Oakland. After backing up Ken Stabler for two years, Plunkett assumed the starting role following trade and injury developments involving Dan Pastorini. In the 1980 season, he led the Raiders to a 9-2 record in his 11 starts, culminating in the Raiders becoming the first Wild Card team to win the Super Bowl, with Plunkett earning Super Bowl MVP honors. He also claimed the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award after this career turnaround. Three years later, Plunkett guided the Raiders, then based in Los Angeles, to their third franchise Super Bowl appearance.
Rich Gannon’s Late-Career Renaissance with the Raiders
Rich Gannon, who ranks 50th, arrived in Oakland later in his career after stints with several other NFL teams and having never made a Pro Bowl or started a postseason game. Beginning in 1999, Gannon started all 16 games and earned his first Pro Bowl nod. Over the next four seasons, he maintained that level, repeatedly earning Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors in 2000 and 2002. Gannon also won the NFL MVP award in 2002, joining Ken Stabler as only the franchise’s second quarterback to earn the distinction. During his tenure, he led the Raiders to three straight playoff appearances, including a Super Bowl berth in 2002. Despite injuries derailing his final seasons with the team and falling short of a Super Bowl victory, Gannon’s late bloom secured him a valuable place in Raiders and NFL history.
Daryle Lamonica’s Dominance Before the AFL-NFL Merger
Ranked just ahead of Gannon at 48, Daryle Lamonica’s credentials might make him a Hall of Famer if not for the era in which he played. Spending his early career as a backup with the Buffalo Bills, Lamonica’s trajectory changed upon joining the Raiders. He quickly rose to prominence, earning AFL MVP honors in 1967 and 1969, while leading the Raiders to an AFL Championship and multiple All-Star appearances. Though his starting role shortened with Ken Stabler’s ascent, from 1967 to 1972, Lamonica was among the league’s top passers in touchdowns and yardage, solidifying his reputation as a premier quarterback of his time.
Ken Stabler: The Highest-Ranked and Only Hall of Fame Raider QB
Ken Stabler tops the list of former Raiders quarterbacks at 30 and stands alone as the sole quarterback from the franchise in the Hall of Fame. His time with the Raiders from 1970 to 1979 was marked by individual accolades including the 1974 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards, two All-Pro selections, and four Pro Bowl appearances. Stabler was a trailblazer in the 1970s, ranking sixth in passing yards and third in both passing touchdowns and passer rating during that decade, despite minimal starts in his initial years. He led the Raiders to their first Super Bowl victory in 1976, cementing his legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time great performers.
Implications of the Raiders’ Quarterback Legacy and Future Prospects
The recognition of six former Raiders quarterbacks among the NFL’s top-99 list highlights the depth of talent and history embedded in the franchise, from Stabler’s Hall of Fame career to the resilient performances by Plunkett and Gannon. Derek Carr’s place reflects an ongoing debate about individual brilliance versus team success. Meanwhile, the anticipation around the younger generation, led by Kubiak, Mendoza, and the 2025 Heisman winner, suggests a potential renaissance for the Raiders.
As the team works toward reclaiming its past prominence, these rankings underscore the significance of quarterback leadership in Oakland, Los Angeles, and now Las Vegas. The future remains uncertain, but the legacy of these players offers benchmarks for the next wave aiming to elevate the franchise back among the NFL’s elite.
