Jacksonville Jaguars: Top 10 Quarterbacks in franchise history

Nov 22, 2014; Birmingham, AL, USA; General view of a Marshall Thundering Herd helmet during the game against the UAB Blazers at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Number 4. Byron Leftwich

Now we’re getting to the meat of the rankings. Leftwich and the 3 guys ranked ahead of him are the only quarterbacks in Jacksonville Jaguars history to start more than 27 games (Bortles will have started 27 games by the end of 2015).

Taken with the 7th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, Byron Leftwich was a fan favorite coming out of Marshall after he became a college football legend, gritting through a broken shin during a loss to Akron. Leftwich was literally carried by his offensive lineman down the field after a big pass play:

Leftwich was a good prospect in his own right, but that image helped vault him to the top of draft boards. Then general manager Shack Harris presumably freaked out when the Minnesota Vikings skipped their draft pick and the Jaguars had a chance to take Leftwich with the 7th pick.

Leftwich never lived up to the lofty expectations of being a first round pick, but he was a solid player who hung around in the league even after the Jaguars moved on from him.

Leftwich’s best season came in 2005 when the Jaguars went 12-4, with Leftwich winning 8 of those games. During his career as a Jaguar, he compiled 51 touchdowns and 36 interceptions on a 58.7 completion percentage.

The Jaguars decided to move on from Leftwich in 2007 when they shockingly cut the former franchise QB before the first week of the season. The next guy on our list took over and led the Jaguars to their most recent playoff birth and win…

Next: Number 3...