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List of Detroit Lions starting quarterbacks

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Bobby Layne (1950–1958)

These quarterbacks have started at least one game for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Since the beginning of the 2021 season, their starting quarterback has been Jared Goff.

The early era of the NFL and American football in general was not conducive to passing the football, with the forward pass not being legalized until the early 1900s and not fully adopted for many more years.[1] Although the quarterback position has historically been the one to receive the snap and thus handle the football on every offensive play,[2] the importance of the position during this era was limited by various rules, like having to be five yards behind the line of scrimmage before a forward pass could be attempted.[3] These rules and the tactical focus on rushing the ball limited the importance of the quarterback position while enhancing the value of different types of backs, such as the halfback and the fullback.[4] Some of these backs were considered triple-threat men, capable of rushing, passing or kicking the football, making it common for multiple players to attempt a pass during a game.[5]

As rules changed and the NFL began adopting a more pass-centric approach to offensive football, the importance of the quarterback position grew.[3][4] Beginning in 1950, total wins and losses by a team's starting quarterback were tracked.[6] Prior to 1950, the Lions had numerous players identified as playing the quarterback position. However, the combination of unreliable statistics in the early era of the NFL and the differences in the early quarterback position make tracking starts by quarterbacks impractical for this timeframe.

Regular season

[edit]
Jon Kitna (2006–2008)
Shaun Hill (2010)
Matthew Stafford (2009–2020)
Jared Goff (2021–present)

The number of games they started during the season is listed to the right:

Season(s) Quarterback(s) Ref(s)
1950Bobby Layne (12)[7]
1951Bobby Layne (12)[8]
1952Bobby Layne (11) / Jim Hardy (1)[9]
1953Bobby Layne (11) / Tom Dublinski (1)[10]
1954Bobby Layne (8) / Tom Dublinski (4)[11]
1955Bobby Layne (10) / Harry Gilmer (2)[12]
1956Bobby Layne (12)[13]
1957Bobby Layne (7) / Tobin Rote (5)[14]
1958Tobin Rote (11) / Bobby Layne (1)[15]
1959Tobin Rote (7) / Earl Morrall (5)[16]
1960Jim Ninowski (10) / Earl Morrall (2)[17]
1961Jim Ninowski (8) / Earl Morrall (6)[18]
1962Milt Plum (14)[19]
1963Earl Morrall (10) / Milt Plum (4)[20]
1964Milt Plum (11) / Earl Morrall (3)[21]
1965Milt Plum (11) / George Izo (3)[22]
1966Karl Sweetan (8) / Milt Plum (6)[23]
1967Karl Sweetan (8) / Milt Plum (6)[24]
1968Bill Munson (12) / Greg Landry (2)[25]
1969Bill Munson (7) / Greg Landry (7)[26]
1970Bill Munson (8) / Greg Landry (6)[27]
1971Greg Landry (14)[28]
1972Greg Landry (14)[29]
1973Greg Landry (7) / Bill Munson (7)[30]
1974Bill Munson (11) / Greg Landry (3)[31]
1975Joe Reed (8) / Bill Munson (3) / Greg Landry (3)[32]
1976Greg Landry (12) / Joe Reed (2)[33]
1977Greg Landry (11) / Gary Danielson (2) / Joe Reed (1)[34]
1978Gary Danielson (11) / Greg Landry (5)[35]
1979Jeff Komlo (14) / Joe Reed (1) / Jerry Golsteyn (1)[36]
1980Gary Danielson (16)[37]
1981Eric Hipple (10) / Gary Danielson (4) / Jeff Komlo (2)[38]
1982Gary Danielson (5) / Eric Hipple (4)[39]
1983Eric Hipple (16)[40]
1984Gary Danielson (14) / John Witkowski (1) / Eric Hipple (1)[41]
1985Eric Hipple (15) / Joe Ferguson (1)[42]
1986Eric Hipple (10) / Joe Ferguson (4) / Chuck Long (2)[43]
1987Chuck Long (12) / Todd Hons (3)[44]
1988Rusty Hilger (9) / Chuck Long (7)[45]
1989Rodney Peete (8) / Bob Gagliano (7) / Eric Hipple (1)[46]
1990Rodney Peete (11) / Bob Gagliano (4) / Andre Ware (1)[47]
1991Rodney Peete (8) / Erik Kramer (8)[48]
1992Rodney Peete (10) / Erik Kramer (3) / Andre Ware (3)[49]
1993Rodney Peete (10) / Erik Kramer (4) / Andre Ware (2)[50]
1994Scott Mitchell (9) / Dave Krieg (7)[51]
1995Scott Mitchell (16)[52]
1996Scott Mitchell (14) / Don Majkowski (2)[53]
1997Scott Mitchell (16)[54]
1998Charlie Batch (12) / Frank Reich (2) / Scott Mitchell (2)[55]
1999Charlie Batch (10) / Gus Frerotte (6)[56]
2000Charlie Batch (15) / Stoney Case (1)[57]
2001Charlie Batch (9) / Ty Detmer (4) / Mike McMahon (3)[58]
2002Joey Harrington (12) / Mike McMahon (4)[59]
2003Joey Harrington (16)[60]
2004Joey Harrington (16)[61]
2005Joey Harrington (11) / Jeff Garcia (5)[62]
2006Jon Kitna (16)[63]
2007Jon Kitna (16)[64]
2008Dan Orlovsky (7) / Daunte Culpepper (5) / Jon Kitna (4)[65]
2009Matthew Stafford (10) / Daunte Culpepper (5) / Drew Stanton (1)[66]
2010Shaun Hill (10) / Matthew Stafford (3) / Drew Stanton (3)[67]
2011Matthew Stafford (16)[68]
2012Matthew Stafford (16)[69]
2013Matthew Stafford (16)[70]
2014Matthew Stafford (16)[71]
2015Matthew Stafford (16)[72]
2016Matthew Stafford (16)[73]
2017Matthew Stafford (16)[74]
2018Matthew Stafford (16)[75]
2019Matthew Stafford (8) / David Blough (5) / Jeff Driskel (3)[76]
2020Matthew Stafford (16)[77]
2021Jared Goff (14) / Tim Boyle (3)[78]
2022Jared Goff (17)[79]
2023 Jared Goff (17)
2024 Jared Goff (17)
2025 Jared Goff (17)

Postseason

[edit]
Season(s)Quarterback(s)
1952Bobby Layne (2–0)
1953Bobby Layne (1–0)
1954Bobby Layne (0–1)
1957Tobin Rote (2–0)
1970Greg Landry (0–1)
1982Eric Hipple (0–1)
1983Gary Danielson (0–1)
1991Erik Kramer (1–1)
1993Erik Kramer (0–1)
1994Dave Krieg (0–1)
1995Scott Mitchell (0–1)
1997Scott Mitchell (0–1)
1999Gus Frerotte (0–1)
2011Matthew Stafford (0–1)
2014Matthew Stafford (0–1)
2016Matthew Stafford (0–1)
2023Jared Goff (2–1)
2024 Jared Goff (0–1)

Team career passing records

[edit]

Through the 2025 NFL Regular Season

Name Comp Att % Yds TD Int
Matthew Stafford 3,898 6,224 62.6 45,109 282 141
Jared Goff 1,904 2,803 67.9 21,451 149 47
Bobby Layne 1,074 2,193 49.0 15,710 118 142
Scott Mitchell 1,049 1,850 56.7 12,647 79 57
Greg Landry 957 1,747 54.8 12,451 80 81
Gary Danielson 952 1,684 56.5 11,885 69 71
Eric Hipple 830 1,546 53.7 10,711 55 70
Joey Harrington 986 1,802 54.7 10,242 60 62

Team career win / loss record

[edit]

Through the 2025 NFL regular season

Record (W–L–T) %Quarterback(s)
74–90–1 (.452)Matthew Stafford
53–29–2 (.643)Bobby Layne
48–33–1 (.591)Jared Goff
40–41–3 (.494)Greg Landry
28–29 (.491)Eric Hipple
27–30 (.474)Scott Mitchell
24–21–3 (.531)Bill Munson
23–25–4 (.481)Milt Plum
23–28–1 (.452)Gary Danielson
21–26 (.447)Rodney Peete

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Passing Through Time, a 1930s Rule Change Started the NFL on its Way to Wide Open Offense". ProFootballHoF.com. July 31, 2018. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  2. ↑ Rumpff, Tim (director) (July 12, 2023). Quarterback (Television show). Netflix. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Bent but not Broken". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Hogg, Curt (December 24, 2009). "5 Wide: The Evolution Of The Quarterback". BleacherReport.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  5. ↑ Christl, Cliff. "Paul Hornung". Packers.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Green Bay Packers Career Passing Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  7. ↑ "1950 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  8. ↑ "1951 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ "1952 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  10. ↑ "1953 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  11. ↑ "1954 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  12. ↑ "1955 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  13. ↑ "1956 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  14. ↑ "1957 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  15. ↑ "1958 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  16. ↑ "1959 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  17. ↑ "1960 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  18. ↑ "1961 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  19. ↑ "1962 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  20. ↑ "1963 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  21. ↑ "1964 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  22. ↑ "1965 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  23. ↑ "1966 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  24. ↑ "1967 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  25. ↑ "1968 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  26. ↑ "1969 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  27. ↑ "1970 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  28. ↑ "1971 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  29. ↑ "1972 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  30. ↑ "1973 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  31. ↑ "1974 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  32. ↑ "1975 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  33. ↑ "1976 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  34. ↑ "1977 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  35. ↑ "1978 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  36. ↑ "1979 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  37. ↑ "1980 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  38. ↑ "1981 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  39. ↑ "1982 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  40. ↑ "1983 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  41. ↑ "1984 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  42. ↑ "1985 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  43. ↑ "1986 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  44. ↑ "1987 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  45. ↑ "1988 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  46. ↑ "1989 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  47. ↑ "1990 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  48. ↑ "1991 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  49. ↑ "1992 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  50. ↑ "1993 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  51. ↑ "1994 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  52. ↑ "1995 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  53. ↑ "1996 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  54. ↑ "1997 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  55. ↑ "1998 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  56. ↑ "1999 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  57. ↑ "2000 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  58. ↑ "2001 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  59. ↑ "2002 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  60. ↑ "2003 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  61. ↑ "2004 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  62. ↑ "2005 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  63. ↑ "2006 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  64. ↑ "2007 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  65. ↑ "2008 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  66. ↑ "2009 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  67. ↑ "2010 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  68. ↑ "2011 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  69. ↑ "2012 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  70. ↑ "2013 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  71. ↑ "2014 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  72. ↑ "2015 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  73. ↑ "2016 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  74. ↑ "2017 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  75. ↑ "2018 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  76. ↑ "2019 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  77. ↑ "2020 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  78. ↑ "2021 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  79. ↑ "2022 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
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