All-Time Jets QBs Ranked: Namath #1, Pennington #2

Chad Pennington

Retired 11 Years In The NFL
🏆 2× NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2006, 2008)
Chad's
HAIR
32.4
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Chad Pennington or the Jets?

Chad Pennington Legacy

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Chad Pennington is a former NFL quarterback. who played for the Marshall Thundering Herd, List of National Football League season passer rating leaders, Sammy Baugh Trophy, William V. Campbell Trophy, Vern Smith Leadership Award, Mid-American Conference football individual awards#Offensive Player of the Year. During his career, he threw for 17,823 yards and 102 touchdowns.

Chad Pennington Rating Breakdown

Season
Average
Fantasy
Good
Playoffs
Average
Overall
Chill
8 years with the Jets

Chad Pennington Career Stats via Wikipedia

17,823 Pass Yards
102 Touchdowns
64 INTs
66.0% Comp %
32.4 HAIR
44-37 Record

Chad Pennington Career Timeline

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2012 1

Retirement from NFL

After 11 seasons (8 with Jets, 3 with Dolphins) and persistent injuries, Pennington announced his retirement from professional football.

2009 1

Second Dolphins Injury

Pennington started the season 3-0 but suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills.

2008 2

Playoff Appearance with Dolphins

Pennington guided the Dolphins to the playoffs but lost in the Wild Card round to the Baltimore Ravens.

Dolphins 1-Year Contract

Pennington signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins and led them to an 11-5 record and AFC East title.

2007 1

Traded to Dolphins

The Jets traded Pennington to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a conditional fourth-round draft pick.

2006 1

Jets Team Captain

Pennington served as the Jets' offensive captain while competing for the starting role amid ongoing arm issues.

2005 1

Second Major Shoulder Injury

Pennington underwent surgery for a torn Achilles tendon in his right wrist, sidelining him for most of the season and leading to multiple surgeries on his throwing arm.

2004 1

Second Pro Bowl

Despite injury setbacks, Pennington made his second Pro Bowl appearance with the Jets.

2003 1

First-Round Pick Injury

Pennington suffered a torn rotator cuff in his throwing arm during Week 2, causing him to miss the remainder of the 2003 season.

2002 2

First Pro Bowl Selection

Pennington was selected to his first Pro Bowl as the starting quarterback for the Jets.

Jets Comeback Player of the Year

Pennington earned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award after leading the league in passing yards (3,920) and touchdowns (22) following recovery from injury.

2000 1

Drafted by Jets

Chad Pennington was selected 18th overall in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.

11 years in the NFL

Frequently Asked Questions About Chad Pennington

How does Brady Cook compare to Chad Pennington?

Brady Cook's got the arm talent and youth, but Pennington's already got the résumé—two Comeback Player awards, an 11-5 turnaround in Miami, and that surgical accuracy that led the NFL in completion percentage. Cook's building his legacy; Pennington already built his. Different eras, same uniform.

Is Chad Pennington in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Nope, Pennington's not in Canton. He threw for 17,823 yards and 102 touchdowns across his career, but the Hall voters apparently wanted more volume or bigger moments. It's one of those borderline cases that still sparks debate at Jets bars.

What is Chad Pennington doing now in 2026?

The search results don't provide current 2026 activities for Pennington beyond his coaching work with his son Cole at Marshall. For his present-day involvement—whether broadcasting, business ventures, or community work—you'd need more recent sources than what's available here.

How would Chad Pennington perform in today's NFL?

Pennington's pinpoint accuracy and field intelligence would thrive in today's pass-happy NFL. Modern rules protecting receivers? He'd feast. The guy completed 67.4% of his passes in 2008—that's elite by any era's standards. His arm strength might be the only limiting factor against today's pass rush.

How does Chad Pennington compare to Joe Namath?

Namath's the legend—Broadway Joe, Super Bowl III, the swagger that defined an era. But Pennington's the better pure quarterback: more accurate, smarter decision-maker, and actually won with the Jets. Namath's got the cultural cachet; Pennington's got the actual wins.