Matt Hasselbeck
Questions about Matt Hasselbeck or the Seahawks?
Matt Hasselbeck Legacy
HEYTC AIMatt Hasselbeck Rating Breakdown
Matt Hasselbeck Career Stats via Wikipedia
Matt Hasselbeck Career Timeline
HEYTC AI2016 1
Retires After 18 Seasons
Officially retired at age 40 after 18-year career with 37,335 passing yards, 212 TDs, three Pro Bowls, and one Super Bowl appearance. Later became ESPN analyst.
2015 1
Final Starting Stint with Colts
Started four games (1-3 record) for injured Luck, throwing five TDs. Served as mentor during final NFL season over three teams in three years.
2013 2
Signs with Colts
Joined Indianapolis Colts on one-year deal as backup to Andrew Luck. Appeared in 4 games, going 1-1 as starter when Luck was injured.
Hip Injury Shortens Season
Suffered torn hip flexor in Week 7, missing final 10 games. Titans went 2-4 in his starts before injury.
2011 2
Signs with Titans
Signed three-year, $21 million deal with Tennessee Titans as starter. Went 3-6 as starter before being benched; Titans finished 6-10.
Released by Seahawks
Released after Seahawks drafted Russell Wilson. Had spent 10 seasons (2001-2010) as franchise cornerstone, starting 113 games with 21,000+ yards.
2010 2
Playoff Upset Win as Underdog
Despite 7-9 record, started as NFC's #7 seed and stunned Saints (regular-season champs) 41-36 in wild-card round behind Marshawn Lynch's 'Beast Quake' run.
Massive Contract Extension
Signed six-year, $60 million extension with Seahawks, largest in franchise history at the time. Threw career-high 3,571 yards but Seahawks missed playoffs at 7-9.
2007 1
Third Pro Bowl & Comeback
Bounced back with third Pro Bowl selection, 3,966 yards, 28 TDs. Seahawks went 9-7 but lost wild-card playoff game to Washington.
2006 1
Major Knee Injury
Suffered season-ending torn MCL in knee during meaningless Week 17 loss to Tampa Bay after clinching playoff spot. Missed entire postseason including divisional round loss.
2005 1
NFC Championship & Super Bowl XL
Led Seahawks to first-ever NFC Championship (31-17 win over Panthers) and their first Super Bowl appearance. Threw for 3,459 yards, 24 TDs; team went 13-3. Lost Super Bowl XL to Steelers 21-10 amid controversial officiating.
2004 1
Back-to-Back Pro Bowls
Second straight Pro Bowl appearance with 3,432 yards, 27 TDs, and franchise-record 29 starts. Seahawks went 9-7 but missed playoffs.
2003 1
First Pro Bowl Selection
Earned his first Pro Bowl nod after leading the Seahawks to an 10-6 record, throwing for 3,466 yards and 26 TDs. Finished second in NFC MVP voting.
2001 1
Traded to Seahawks
Hasselbeck was traded from the Packers to the Seattle Seahawks along with Jay White for the 10th overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft (used to select Shaun Alexander). Signed a three-year deal and became the starting QB.
1998 1
Drafted by Packers
Matt Hasselbeck was a sixth-round pick (#187 overall) by the Green Bay Packers in the 1998 NFL Draft out of Boston College. Spent his first three seasons as a backup behind Brett Favre.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matt Hasselbeck
How does Sam Darnold compare to Matt Hasselbeck?
Sam Darnold's got the arm talent and mobility Hasselbeck never quite possessed, but here's the thing—Matt won playoff games in Seattle with grit and intelligence, not flash. Darnold's got a higher ceiling; Hasselbeck had a steadier floor. The Seahawks' 2005 Super Bowl run happened because Matt managed chaos better than most. Darnold's still writing his Seattle story.
Is Matt Hasselbeck in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Nope, Canton passed on him. Three Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl appearance, and 36,638 yards weren't quite enough for the Hall of Fame voters. That's not a knock—it's just the brutal math of quarterback evaluation. Hasselbeck was the guy who got you to the dance, not the one who won it all solo.
What is Matt Hasselbeck doing now in 2026?
Hasselbeck got laid off from ESPN in July 2023, but he's stayed plugged into football—recently appeared on Sports Spectrum discussing the 2025 playoffs and Super Bowl implications. He's deeply invested in philanthropy work with Charity: Water, Medical Teams International, and International Justice Mission, plus coaches high school football at his alma mater, Xaverian Brothers. Still very much in the game, just differently.
How would Matt Hasselbeck perform in today's NFL?
Modern passing rules would've been a gift to Hasselbeck's style—less contact downfield means his accuracy and decision-making shine brighter. He'd probably throw for 4,200+ yards annually instead of the 3,000-3,500 he averaged. The trade-off: today's pass rushes are faster and more creative. Matt's intelligence would translate beautifully; his arm strength might get exposed more often.
How does Matt Hasselbeck compare to Dave Krieg?
Hasselbeck edges Krieg with a 38.7 rating versus Dave's 38.02, but it's genuinely close. Both were Seahawks lifers who won ugly and won often. Krieg threw more interceptions; Hasselbeck was more consistent. Matt benefited from better supporting casts, especially that 2005 defense. Different eras, similar DNA—tough, competitive field generals who maximized limited resources.