As one of the oldest franchises in the NFL, the Detroit Lions have a rich history when it comes to quarterbacks. From legendary Hall of Famers to promising up-and-comers, the Lions have had their fair share of standout players behind center. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the Detroit Lions quarterback stats history, highlighting some of the most notable players and moments throughout the team's history.
The Early Years: 1930s-1950s
The Detroit Lions were founded in 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans and moved to Detroit in 1934. The team's first starting quarterback was Dutch Clark, who led the team to their first NFL Championship in 1935. However, it was Bobby Layne who truly left his mark on the Lions during the 1950s. Layne led the Lions to three NFL Championships and was a six-time Pro Bowler during his time in Detroit. He is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in Lions history.
The 1960s and 1970s: The Dark Ages
After the success of the 1950s, the Lions fell into a period of mediocrity during the 1960s and 1970s. The team struggled to find a consistent starting quarterback, with players like Milt Plum, Greg Landry, and Joe Reed all spending time under center. Despite this, Landry was able to put up some impressive numbers during his time in Detroit. He ranks fourth all-time in Lions history in passing yards and touchdowns.
The Barry Sanders Era: 1980s-1990s
Although the Lions continued to struggle for much of the 1980s and early 1990s, they had one of the greatest running backs in NFL history in Barry Sanders. While the team never won a Super Bowl during Sanders' career, he was able to put up some incredible individual numbers. Quarterback Rodney Peete was the team's starter for much of the 1990s, but it was Scott Mitchell who had the most success. Mitchell led the Lions to their first playoff victory in over 30 years in 1991.
The New Millennium: 2000s-Present
The Lions have had some success in the 21st century, but they have also been plagued by inconsistency at the quarterback position. Joey Harrington was the team's starter for much of the early 2000s, but he was never able to live up to his first-round draft status. Jon Kitna and Dan Orlovsky both spent time as the team's starter in the late 2000s, but neither were able to lead the team to the playoffs. It wasn't until the arrival of Matthew Stafford in 2009 that the Lions had a true franchise quarterback. Stafford has since become the Lions' all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns and has led the team to three playoff appearances.
Conclusion
Throughout their history, the Detroit Lions have had their fair share of standout quarterbacks. From Bobby Layne to Matthew Stafford, these players have left their mark on the franchise and helped shape the team's identity. While the Lions have yet to win a Super Bowl, they have a rich history that is worth celebrating. As the team looks to the future, it will be interesting to see who the next great Lions quarterback will be.
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