Kelly Holcomb

Shedeur Sanders and Kelly Holcomb operate in completely different eras—Sanders has the arm talent and mobility Holcomb lacked, plus he's playing in a pass-happy league that would've suited Kelly better. Holcomb was a journeyman who made his mark as a backup, throwing for 429 yards in that 2003 playoff upset over Pittsburgh. Sanders has franchise-QB expectations from day one, which is a luxury Holcomb never enjoyed in Cleveland.

No, Kelly Holcomb never made Canton. Despite that memorable 429-yard playoff performance against Pittsburgh in 2003, his 13-year career was defined by bouncing between teams as a backup and spot starter. He compiled solid numbers—5,916 passing yards, 39 touchdowns—but didn't accumulate the sustained excellence Canton demands. Sometimes one great game doesn't rewrite your legacy.

The search results don't provide current 2026 activities for Holcomb. As of 2016, he was serving as offensive coordinator at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, after spending years as a color analyst on Middle Tennessee's Blue Raider Radio Network. For his present-day work, you'd need more recent sources.

Modern NFL rules would've been a gift to Holcomb—he'd face softer pass defenses and fewer hits in the pocket. His 5,916 career yards suggest he had decent accuracy and touch, but his arm strength and mobility wouldn't suddenly transform him into an elite starter. He'd probably still be a capable backup in today's league, maybe throwing for 250 yards a game instead of 200.

Otto Graham obliterated Holcomb—Graham's 62.63 rating versus Holcomb's 5.64 tells you everything. Graham won four straight NFL championships and revolutionized the position; Holcomb had one transcendent playoff game. It's not even close. Graham's a legend; Holcomb's a footnote who deserves respect for that one shining moment.