Raiders Quarterbacks By Year: The Complete Historical Timeline Through 2026

The search for Raiders quarterbacks by year captures one of the most storied, volatile, and fascinating lineages in professional football history. From the franchise's inaugural AFL season in Oakland through its moves to Los Angeles, back to Oakland, and ultimately to Las Vegas, the signal-caller position has defined the identity of the Silver and Black. Entering the 2026 NFL season, examining this chronological progression reveals how tactical evolution, organizational philosophy, and legendary personalities shaped the quarterback room across decades.

The Foundation Eras: Oakland and Early AFL Years (1960–1969)

The franchise faced immediate instability at the quarterback position during its formative years in the American Football League. Multiple signal-callers rotated through the starting role as the organization sought a stable competitive footing before Al Davis reshaped the culture.

• Tom Flores (1960–1961): As the franchise's very first starting quarterback, Flores endured a grueling physical style of play, throwing for over 1,700 yards in the inaugural 1960 campaign.
• Cotton Davidson (1962–1965): Davidson provided steady play during a transitional period, earning Pro Bowl honors in 1963 while keeping the offense competitive.
• Tom Flores Returns (1963–1966): Flores split time before injuries ultimately curtailed his playing career, laying the groundwork for his future historic coaching tenure.
• Daryle Lamonica (1967–1969): Nicknamed "The Mad Bomber," Lamonica arrived via trade from Buffalo and immediately transformed the Raiders into a powerhouse, winning AFL MVP in 1967 and leading the team to Super Bowl II.

The Golden Age of Stability: Stabler, Plunkett, and Championship Football (1970–1987)

The post-merger era established the Raiders as a perennial NFL powerhouse characterized by deep-ball passing attacks and resilient leadership under center. This stretch featured two iconic quarterbacks who captured Lombardi Trophies and cemented their legacies in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ken Stabler took over the starting job permanently in 1973, introducing a methodical yet lethal left-handed passing attack. Stabler earned NFL MVP honors in 1974 and famously orchestrated the "Sea of Hands" playoff victory, culminating in a Super Bowl XI triumph over the Minnesota Vikings. His vision, poise under pressure, and uncanny accuracy made him the quintessential Raider of the 1970s.

Following Stabler's departure, Jim Plunkett navigated a difficult career revival to guide the franchise to historic heights. Despite early struggles as a former number-one overall draft pick, Plunkett seized the starting job during the 1980 campaign. He engineered an improbable playoff run from the wild-card round to a dominant victory in Super Bowl XV, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. Plunkett added a second ring by defeating the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII, cementing a legendary chapter in franchise history.

The West Coast Transition and Era of Veterans (1988–2001)

As the NFL evolved into a more pass-heavy, tactically precise environment, the Raiders transitioned through several different stylistic phases under center, alternating between veteran journeymen and high-draft-pick hopefuls.

• Jay Schroeder (1988–1992): Possessed a cannon arm that fit the vertical passing schemes of Art Shell's offense, leading the club back to the postseason in 1990.
• Jeff Hostetler (1993–1996): Brought toughness and championship experience from the New York Giants, anchoring a competitive offense through the mid-1990s.
• Rich Gannon (1999–2004): Delivered a remarkable career renaissance under Jon Gruden, winning the NFL MVP award in 2002 and leading the franchise to Super Bowl XXXVII with an intricate, highly efficient West Coast offense.

The Modern Search for Continuity (2002–2013)

Following the departure of Rich Gannon, the franchise entered a prolonged period of roster turnover at the quarterback position, searching for a long-term solution through both the draft and free agency.

+--------------------+-------------------------+-------------------------------------------------+ | Year Range | Primary Quarterbacks | Notable Milestones & Context | +--------------------+-------------------------+-------------------------------------------------+ | 2003–2004 | Kerry Collins, Rick Mirer | High-priced veterans attempting to stabilize. | | 2005–2006 | Andrew Walter, Kerry C. | Rebuilding phase under various offensive schemes.| | 2007 | JaMarcus Russell | Selected #1 overall in the NFL Draft. | | 2011 | Carson Palmer | Acquired via mid-season trade from Cincinnati. | | 2013 | Terrelle Pryor, Matt Flynn| Dual-threat experimentation and camp battles. | +--------------------+-------------------------+-------------------------------------------------+

This era tested the patience of the fanbase as the organization cycled through numerous starters, struggling to find sustained offensive rhythm or defensive support.

The Derek Carr Era and Las Vegas Relocation (2014–2022)

Drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Derek Carr provided the franchise with its longest period of sustained stability at the quarterback position in decades. Carr became the organization's all-time leading passer, guiding the team through its final years in Oakland, the transition period, and the successful relocation to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Carr earned multiple Pro Bowl nods and directed numerous dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks. His tenure culminated in a dramatic playoff appearance during the 2021 season, proving his resilience amidst significant organizational adversity. By the time his tenure concluded, Carr held virtually every major passing record in franchise history.

The Contemporary Landscape: The Path to 2026

The post-Carr chapter introduced a new strategic vision for the Silver and Black. Following transitional bridge seasons, the organization focused on aggressive roster construction, modern offensive scheming, and identifying the next franchise cornerstone to compete in a fiercely competitive AFC West.

Analyzing the quarterback room through the 2026 season requires understanding how modern NFL front offices balance immediate competitiveness with long-term financial flexibility. The franchise has prioritized dynamic playmakers capable of executing complex play-action schemes and maximizing explosive perimeter weapons.

• Evaluating Rookie and Sophomore Development: Front offices must weigh the developmental curve of young signal-callers against the championship windows of elite defensive units.
• Cap Space and Roster Allocation: Directing significant salary cap resources toward the quarterback position necessitates excellence in drafting cost-controlled talent across the offensive line and secondary.
• Scheme Compatibility: Modern offensive coordinators demand high processing speeds, pre-snap diagnostic capability, and off-script mobility to combat exotic defensive sub-packages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the starting quarterback for the Raiders in their first Super Bowl appearance?

Daryle Lamonica started for the Raiders in Super Bowl II against the Green Bay Packers following the 1967 AFL season. Known as "The Mad Bomber," Lamonica led a high-flying offense that dominated the regular season before falling to Vince Lombardi's legendary squad.

How many quarterbacks have won a Super Bowl with the franchise?

Two quarterbacks have won Super Bowls as primary starters for the organization: Ken Stabler (Super Bowl XI) and Jim Plunkett (Super Bowls XV and XVIII). Both players achieved legendary status and earned busts in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Who holds the all-time passing records for the Raiders?

Derek Carr holds the franchise records for career passing yards, completions, and passing touchdowns. Spanning nine seasons from 2014 to 2022, Carr established himself as the most statistically prolific signal-caller in team history across both Oakland and Las Vegas eras.

What year did Rich Gannon win the NFL MVP award?

Rich Gannon won the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award in the 2002 season. During that dominant campaign, he engineered the league's top-ranked offense under head coach Jon Gruden and offensive coordinator Marc Tressman, leading the franchise to Super Bowl XXXVII.

How did the quarterback position transition during the move to Las Vegas?

Derek Carr served as the bridge quarterback who successfully led the franchise on the field during its final years in Oakland and its grand opening in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium in 2020. His leadership during the unprecedented relocation year provided crucial stability for the organization.

Strategic Outlook and Conclusion

Tracking Raiders quarterbacks by year illustrates a rich narrative of grit, offensive innovation, and legendary leadership. From the pioneering days of Tom Flores to the championship pedigree of Ken Stabler and Jim Plunkett, and through the modern exploits of Derek Carr, the signal-caller position remains the beating heart of the franchise. As the team navigates the 2026 NFL landscape, honoring this storied lineage while aggressively building for the future remains the ultimate priority for the Silver and Black.