Rich Gannon
Questions about Rich Gannon or the Raiders?
Rich Gannon Legacy
HEYTC AIRich Gannon Rating Breakdown
Rich Gannon Career Stats via Wikipedia
Rich Gannon Career Timeline
HEYTC AI2025 1
Hall of Fame selection buzz
Recent discussions highlight Gannon's overlooked career for potential Hall of Fame induction in coming years, fueled by Raiders legacy and MVP season.
2009 1
Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist
Gannon became a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his late-career resurgence: 117.9 passer rating peak (2002), four Pro Bowls, one MVP.
2005 1
Released by Raiders, brief comeback attempt
Released by Raiders after failed comeback from injuries; signed briefly with Lions but did not play, effectively retiring at age 39 after 18 NFL seasons.
2004 1
Major eye injury sidelines him
Gannon suffered a severe eye injury (detached retina) in Week 8 vs. Chargers, causing him to miss the rest of the season after 7 games; Kerry Collins took over.
2003 1
Fifth Pro Bowl amid injuries
Fifth Pro Bowl; threw for 4,151 yards and 29 TDs but suffered groin injury late in season, limiting playoff effectiveness in Wild Card loss to Jets.
2002 2
Super Bowl XXXVII loss
Raiders fell 48-21 to Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII; Gannon completed 25/43 for 272 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs in the blowout.
<strong>NFL MVP</strong> and Super Bowl appearance
Named NFL MVP after record-setting 4,689 yards and 26 TDs; earned fourth Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro; Raiders reached Super Bowl XXXVII, losing 48-21 to Tampa Bay where Dexter Jackson picked him off twice.
2001 1
Third Pro Bowl, playoff run
Third Pro Bowl selection; led Raiders to AFC West title and divisional playoff win over Miami, but lost in AFC Championship to New England; 3,556 yards, 27 TDs.
2000 1
Second Pro Bowl and All-Pro
Gannon made his second Pro Bowl and earned First-Team All-Pro honors, passing for 3,430 yards, 28 TDs, and just 11 INTs as the Raiders went 10-6.
1999 2
First Pro Bowl selection
In his debut season as Raiders starter, Gannon earned his first Pro Bowl nod after throwing for 3,840 yards, 26 TDs, and 14 INTs, leading Oakland to an 8-8 record.
Signs with Raiders
Gannon joined the Oakland Raiders as a free agent, beginning a transformative six-year run (1999-2004) where he evolved from journeyman to elite QB under head coach Jon Gruden.
1995 1
Joins Chiefs
Gannon signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, spending four years (1995-1998) backing up Steve Bono and Elvis Grbac; he started 12 games over that span, throwing for 2,818 yards and 13 TDs.
1992 1
Signs with Commanders
Gannon signed with the Washington Commanders as a free agent after six seasons in Minnesota, playing one year (1993) as a backup to Mark Rypien, appearing in 3 games.
1987 2
Signs rookie deal with Vikings
Gannon signed his rookie contract with the Vikings, beginning a six-year stint (1987-1992) where he appeared in 17 games, completing 49.6% of passes for 1,709 yards, 6 TDs, and 12 INTs.
Drafted by Vikings
Rich Gannon was selected by the Minnesota Vikings as a fourth-round pick (#98 overall) in the 1987 NFL Draft out of Delaware. He initially served as a backup behind Wade Wilson.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rich Gannon
How does Geno Smith compare to Rich Gannon?
Geno Smith's got the arm talent and mobility Gannon never possessed, but he's playing behind a Raiders roster that makes 2002 look stacked. Gannon won an MVP and led Oakland to the Super Bowl with far less weaponry—he made chicken salad from chicken, period. Smith's got more upside athletically; Gannon had that maddening clutch gene that made him dangerous in September and lethal by December.
Is Rich Gannon in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Absolutely. Gannon was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, capping a career that saw him transform from journeyman backup into one of the league's most efficient and underrated quarterbacks. His 2002 MVP season remains one of the great "nobody saw it coming" stories in NFL history.
What is Rich Gannon doing now in 2026?
Based on recent reports, Gannon's been actively weighing in on the Raiders' coaching search and organizational direction, appearing on major platforms like SiriusXM and the Up and Adams Show. He's serving as a vocal franchise conscience, offering blunt assessments about what the team needs moving forward while clearly invested in their success.
How would Rich Gannon perform in today's NFL?
Modern passing rules would've been tailor-made for Gannon's style. His intelligence, accuracy, and ability to dissect defenses pre-snap would thrive in today's wide-open game. He'd lose some edge without the physical tools of current elite QBs, but his football IQ was generational—he'd absolutely be a quality starter, maybe even a perennial Pro Bowler with today's rule book.
How does Rich Gannon compare to Jim Plunkett?
Plunkett's the superior athlete and won two Super Bowls to Gannon's one, but their paths diverged wildly. Plunkett's 55.6 rating reflects his era's limitations; Gannon's 35.2 is misleadingly low because he played in a different statistical universe. Gannon was the more efficient passer, Plunkett the more dominant force—apples and oranges from different decades.