Washington Redskins: 15 best quarterbacks of all-time

The Redskins’ history at quarterback spans across several NFL eras. That is clear in the different standards for success in each era. Perhaps no quarterback is a better representation of that reality than Norm Snead.

Drafted No. 2 overall in the 1961 NFL Draft by the Redskins, Snead only played three seasons with the burgundy and gold. However, in that time, he was able to earn two Pro Bowl bids: One in 1962 and another in 1963.

Snead’s Pro Bowl seasons wouldn’t be considered anything close in today’s era of football. In 1962, Snead amassed 2,926 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. In 1963, he doubled his touchdown output when compared to his interception numbers, totaling 27 interceptions to 13 touchdowns.

Look past the stats, however, and you’ll find that Snead withstood the circumstances admirably. The coverage rules for defensive backs were much more lax in that era of football. Snead still found a way to accumulate over 3,000 yards in 1963. In 1962, he had three fourth-quarter comeback victories, hinting to his talent, hidden by the team in one of its more dysfunctional times.

Snead left the Redskins at the age of 25, joining their NFC East rivals in the Philadelphia Eagles. There, he’d spend most of his career, earning a third Pro Bowl berth. Later with the New York Giants, he’d earn a fourth, leading the league in completion percentage in 1972.

Had the order of this list been determined by accomplishments with all teams, rather than simply the Redskins, perhaps Snead would be a bit higher? Still, Snead accomplished much in his short time in Washington. He was a more than adequate quarterback to kick off the RFK era in the nation’s capital.