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NFL Rankings: Top 10 seasons by a rookie QB

By Phil Watson

Dan Marino might have been the last of the first round picks in the famous 1983 quarterback draft, but he was the first to shine in the NFL.
Dan Marino might have been the last of the first round picks in the famous 1983 quarterback draft, but he was the first to shine in the NFL. /
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The Steelers were unbeaten in Ben Roethlisberger’s 13 regular-season starts in 2004. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers were unbeaten in Ben Roethlisberger’s 13 regular-season starts in 2004. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, 2004

Ben Roethlisberger was considered a project even though the Steelers took him 11th overall in the 2004 draft out of Miami (Ohio).

He began the year as the backup to Tommy Maddox, but after Maddox was hurt in a loss at Baltimore in Pittsburgh’s second game, Roethlisberger was the guy.

Was he ever.

In 13 starts (he sat out the season finale), the Steelers were 13-0. He completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 2,621 yards and 17 touchdowns with 11 interceptions and ran for another 144 yards and a score.

His season high of 316 yards came in a win at the New York Giants on Dec. 18 and Roethlisberger nearly achieved a perfect rating of 158.3 on Dec. 5 at Jacksonville, just missing it at 158.0 after going 14-for-17 for 221 yards and two touchdowns in a 17-16 win.

Roethlisberger did not have a great postseason, though, throwing for 181 yards with a touchdown and two picks in a Divisional Playoff win over the Jets before throwing three interceptions with two touchdowns in an AFC Championship loss at home to the Patriots.

Roethlisberger’s 98.1 passer rating compared to the league’s collective mark in 2004 of 82.9.

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