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Quarterback controversies: 6 you need to know about

By Andrew Hammond

Oct 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) shake hands after the Saints beat the Chargers 35-34 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) shake hands after the Saints beat the Chargers 35-34 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - CIRCA 1960's: Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen #9 of the Washington Redskins rolls out to pass during a circa late 1960's NFL football game at RFK stadium in Washington, D.C.. Jurgenson played for the Redskins from 1964-74. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – CIRCA 1960’s: Quarterback Sonny Jurgensen #9 of the Washington Redskins rolls out to pass during a circa late 1960’s NFL football game at RFK stadium in Washington, D.C.. Jurgenson played for the Redskins from 1964-74. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Sonny Jurgensen vs. Billy Kilmer 

Sonny Jurgensen was the free-wheeling signal caller for the Redskins in the 1960s and 70s. When George Allen arrived in D.C. back in ’71, he wasn’t a fan of the incumbent Jurgensen so he decided to trade for Billy Kilmer. Their rivalry became even more intense after Jurgensen was injured early in 1972 and Kilmer guided the Cinderella Redskins to Super Bowl VII.

For the next few seasons, all of D.C. was discussing two things; Watergate and who would be the quarterback for the Redskins. The city became so divided that bumper stickers were created to show support for Billy and Sonny. Eventually, Jurgensen would be the first to bow out when he retired in ’74. Kilmer would battle with Joe Theismann until he left the game in 1978.

Rich Gannon vs. Elvis Grbac

You say the name Elvis Grbac to a Kansas City Chiefs fan and they may scream a few bad words back to you. In 1997, the Chiefs fought their way to a division title due to Rich Gannon leading the Chiefs on a six-game winning streak to end the season and hosting a home playoff game against the Denver Broncos.

There was some debate on who would be the starter. Should Marty Schottenheimer stay with Gannon who was red-hot or go back to Grbac? Of course, the Chiefs  Grbac took the field that Sunday and of course, the Chiefs ended up losing. To this day, Kansas City fans will argue that had Gannon been in the game instead of Grbac, the Chiefs move on in the AFC Playoffs.

Drew Brees vs. Philip Rivers 

Oct 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) shake hands after the Saints beat the Chargers 35-34 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) shake hands after the Saints beat the Chargers 35-34 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

In some ways, you can kinda blame Eli Manning for this.

In 2004, the San Diego Chargers were looking to draft a quarterback. Since Eli Manning didn’t want to be in San Diego, the Chargers made a deal with the New York Giants to get Philip Rivers. That was essentially a middle finger to Brees as the Chargers brass made it clear that Drew wasn’t going to be the guy.

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This got even more complicated as Rivers decided to hold out and Brees asserted himself as the lead dog under center. Brees then led the Chargers to a division title. In fall of 2005, Brees ended up getting hurt, which led to his departure. Both Brees and Rivers have seen their careers take off as both are headed towards Canton.

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