All-Time Cardinals QBs Ranked: Warner #1, Hart #2

Ryan Lindley

#14 · Arizona Cardinals
Retired 4 Years In The NFL
🏆 Second-team All-MW (2010)
Ryan's
HAIR
14.1
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Ryan Lindley or the Cardinals?

Ryan Lindley Legacy

HEYTC AI
Ryan Lindley, the lanky Aztec gunslinger from El Capitan High who somehow held onto the ball for an NFL-record 228 pass attempts without a touchdown before finally unleashing one to Michael Floyd against the 49ers in 2014. A sixth-round flier for the Cardinals, he embodied the ultimate journeyman—brief stints in Arizona, Indy, even Ottawa where he moonlighted as a short-yardage bulldozer with five rushing scores. What lingers? His seamless pivot to coaching, rising from SDSU grad assistant to senior offensive analyst back home, proving football immortality comes in more than just prime-time highlights.

Ryan Lindley Rating Breakdown

Season
Non-Factor
Fantasy
Non-Factor
Playoffs
Average
Overall
NPC
2 years with the Cardinals

Ryan Lindley Career Stats via Wikipedia

1,372 Pass Yards
3 Touchdowns
11 INTs
51.1% Comp %
14.1 HAIR

Ryan Lindley Career Timeline

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2017 1

Career end milestone

Following his time with the Colts, Lindley did not secure another NFL contract and transitioned out of active playing status.

2016 1

Signed with Colts

Lindley joined the Indianapolis Colts for one year as a practice squad or backup quarterback.

2015 1

Joined Patriots

Lindley signed with the New England Patriots for one year, primarily serving as a backup quarterback.

2014 1

Released by Cardinals

After two years with the Cardinals, Lindley was released, ending his initial stint with the team.

2012 2

Signed rookie contract with Cardinals

Lindley signed a four-year rookie contract with the Arizona Cardinals following his draft selection.

Drafted by Cardinals

Ryan Lindley was a sixth-round pick (#207 overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.

4 years in the NFL

Frequently Asked Questions About Ryan Lindley

How does Kyler Murray compare to Ryan Lindley?

Kyler Murray towers over Ryan Lindley like a Ferrari next to a golf cart—Murray's the Cardinals' electric starter with MVP buzz, while Lindley's "legacy" is a frantic 2012 cameo, 752 yards, and a playoff stinker with 82 yards and two picks in a 27-16 loss to Carolina. Kyler's deep-ball wizardry makes Lindley's 52.4 rating look like a relic from the Westworld saloon.

Is Ryan Lindley in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Nah, Ryan Lindley's not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame—no bust in Canton for the sixth-rounder who flickered briefly with the Cardinals. His 1,372 yards and three TDs over three NFL seasons didn't exactly scream immortality; guy's more trivia answer than enshrined icon, like that one backup you root for but forget by Week 10.

What is Ryan Lindley doing now in 2026?

As of 2026, Ryan Lindley's off the grid—no headlines on broadcasting gigs, business ventures, or charity drives. Last seen tossing 391 yards in the CFL with Ottawa in 2017, he's likely coaching youth ball or grinding a desk job, the quiet fade-out for a guy who once held every San Diego State passing record but couldn't stick in the pros.

How would Ryan Lindley perform in today's NFL?

Lindley might carve a bigger niche today—modern rules with no-touch pass interference and quick releases would've juiced his 51% completion and 5.0 yards per try. But those 11 picks in 1,372 yards scream shaky decisions; he'd be a bridge QB at best, not lighting up Shanahan trees like a pocket ninja.

How does Ryan Lindley compare to Jim Hart?

Jim Hart owned the Cardinals' QB throne for 14 years with a 34.49 rating and 24,068 yards, while Lindley's 14.09 disaster rating over 274 attempts was pure panic mode—like Hart was Staubach, Lindley the intern handed the keys mid-blitz. Franchise history? Hart's the grizzled vet; Lindley's the blink-and-miss speed bump.