Raiders: Ranking the top 4 quarterbacks in franchise history

The now-Las Vegas Raiders are a storied franchise with a number of great quarterbacks to have donned the silver and black.

As NFL teams and fans across the globe anxiously await word on whether the 2020 regular season will take place as scheduled, the Raiders’ franchise is in a particularly interesting position.

On top of the uncertainty surrounding every team, the former Oakland Raiders have officially transitioned to the Las Vegas Raiders.

As the team awaits their first opportunity to suit up in the newly-constructed Allegiant Stadium, now seems like the perfect time to take a trip down memory lane.

Despite the feeling of newness, the Raiders happen to be one of the most historically illustrious franchises in the NFL.

Here are their top four quarterbacks in Oakland, Los Angeles, and now Las Vegas history.

No. 4 QB in Raiders History: Rich Gannon

The longtime NFL veteran cemented himself as an elite passer as soon as he arrived in Oakland in 1999. Rich Gannon is the only QB on this list who did not spend the majority of his career with the Raiders.

In fact, the 17-year veteran spent only six seasons in silver and black. However, in Gannon’s case, the quality far outweighs the quantity.

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The gunslinger was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons in Oakland. Oddly enough, these were the first and only years he received this honor. He also became the only player to win Pro Bowl MVP honors in back-to-back seasons when he did so in 2001 and 2002.

His best career season came in 2002 when he led the league with 4,689 passing yards, 618 attempts, and 418 completions. This resulted in an 11-5 record, a trip to the postseason, a run to the Super Bowl, and league MVP honors.

There is little doubt that Gannon’s 2002 season was one of the best any Raiders player has ever compiled in a single year.

Despite the short tenure in Oakland, Gannon amassed 17,585 yards (third in team history), and 114 touchdowns (fourth in team history). A Super Bowl championship would have jettisoned him into the top three.

But his place in Raiders’ history is cemented for the rest of time.