All-Time Buffalo Bills QB Rankings: Kelly #1, Allen #2

Thad Lewis

Retired 2 Years In The NFL
🏆 '''As player:'''
Thad's
HAIR
9.3
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Thad Lewis or the Bills?

Thad Lewis Legacy

HEYTC AI
Thad Lewis, the steady Duke gunslinger from Opa-locka who etched his name in Blue Devil lore as a two-time All-ACC star, lived the ultimate football journeyman's dream—undrafted in 2010, bouncing through nine NFL squads from Rams to Ravens, flashing grit in Buffalo starts amid the chaos. What defined him? That unflappable poise under center, honed by 2,000-yard college seasons and a passer’s brain that outlasted the roster roulette. Now 38, he’s flipped the script as Tampa Bay’s QB coach, molding the next wave with the same quiet command that kept him in the game long after the huddle broke.

Thad Lewis Rating Breakdown

Season
Subpar
Fantasy
Average
Playoffs
Non-Factor
Overall
NPC
1 year with the Bills

Thad Lewis Career Stats via Wikipedia

1,296 Pass Yards
5 Touchdowns
4 INTs
0.0% Comp %
9.3 HAIR

Frequently Asked Questions About Thad Lewis

How does Josh Allen compare to Thad Lewis?

Josh Allen towers over Thad Lewis like a skyscraper next to a shed—Allen's got 20,000-plus yards and franchise records while Lewis managed 1,296 yards, 5 TDs in spot Bills starts back in 2013, going 2-3 with a 9.25 rating. Allen's the supernova; Lewis was the reliable emergency brake when EJ Manuel faltered.

Is Thad Lewis in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Nah, Thad Lewis ain't in the Pro Football Hall of Fame—no Canton bronze bust for the journeyman QB who slung 1,296 yards and 5 TDs across brief stints with the Bills and Browns. He's got more shine now coaching in Tampa than from his playing days.

What is Thad Lewis doing now in 2026?

In 2026, Thad Lewis is grinding as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' quarterbacks coach, fresh off a 6-2 stint in 2025 after 10-7 in '24. He's climbed from assistant WR coach roles during their 2020 title run—teaching Baker or whoever's under center, not calling plays from the pocket anymore.

How would Thad Lewis perform in today's NFL?

Thad's quick-release Duke arm and 60% completion clip would nibble at edges in today's pass-happy NFL with no-touchdown protections and RPOs everywhere, maybe sticking as a top backup like Case Keenum 2.0. But his 81.0 rating and 2-3 Bills record scream journeyman, not starter—modern rules help, arm strength doesn't fabricate escapability.

How does Thad Lewis compare to Jim Kelly?

Jim Kelly lapped Thad Lewis in the Bills QB pantheon—Kelly's 49.97 career rating and four Super Bowl trips dwarf Lewis's 9.25 mark over six shaky 2013 starts for 1,092 yards. Kelly was the gunslinger maestro; Lewis, a gritty fill-in who beat the Dolphins 19-0 but couldn't sustain the spark.