All-Time Lions QBs Ranked: Layne #1, Goff #2

John Witkowski

#12 · Detroit Lions
Retired 3 Years In The NFL
John's
HAIR
5.7
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about John Witkowski or the Lions?

John Witkowski Legacy

HEYTC AI
John Witkowski was a Columbia legend who never quite translated his Ivy dominance to the NFL stage—but that's only half the story. The Long Island kid owned 32 school records and held the Ivy League passing mark for 16 years, a testament to his arm talent and competitiveness. His NFL journey was brief and humble: a sixth-round pick in 1984 who got a cup of coffee with Detroit, Houston, and later the World League, where he famously lost his starting job to Stan Gelbaugh in the London Monarchs' inaugural game. Yet Witkowski's real legacy lives in the boardroom, not the stat sheet—he climbed to executive ranks in banking, proving the grit that defined his playing days translated perfectly to life after football.

John Witkowski Rating Breakdown

Season
Non-Factor
Fantasy
Non-Factor
Playoffs
Non-Factor
Overall
Cooked
2 years with the Lions

John Witkowski Career Stats via Wikipedia

0 Pass Yards
0 Touchdowns
0 INTs
0.0% Comp %
5.7 HAIR

Frequently Asked Questions About John Witkowski

How does Jared Goff compare to John Witkowski?

Jared Goff's lapping John Witkowski like a Ferrari passing a tricycle—Goff's tossed for over 30,000 NFL yards while Witko managed 210 with the Lions in spot duty, no TDs, and a 59.7 rating in '84. Witkowski's real shine was Ivy League legend at Columbia, shredding records there, but Goff's the steady hand steering Detroit's playoff push now.

Is John Witkowski in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Nope, John Witkowski's not in Canton—his NFL cameo was too brief, just 210 yards, zero scores over a handful of games with the Lions. Guy was a Columbia phenom, Ivy passing king with nearly 8,000 yards, but pro stardom dodged him like a bad snap.

What is John Witkowski doing now in 2026?

No fresh intel on Witkowski in 2026—he's stayed off the grid since his playing days wrapped in the '90s across NFL, Arena, and WLAF. Last whispers tie him to Houston Oilers circles where he met his wife, but don't expect him calling Lions games or hawking hot takes; probably coaching kids or slicing fairways quietly.

How would John Witkowski perform in today's NFL?

Witkowski's arm might get a tiny boost from no-touch passing rules today, but his 37% NFL completion and 6.0 yards per throw scream backup in this air raid era. Columbia gunslinger with mobility? He'd scramble for chunk yards, but without elite zip, he's gadget guy at best, not starter material.

How does John Witkowski compare to Bobby Layne?

Bobby Layne owned the Lions pocket like a gunslinger poet—38.72 career rating, championships—while Witkowski's 5.68 over scant NFL throws was pure survival mode, no magic. Both Lions QBs, sure, but Layne was the chain-smoking wizard; Witko, a fleeting Ivy import holding the clipboard.