Washington Redskins: Top 30 players in franchise history

During the time that the Redskins were playoff contenders, from around 1980 to the mid-1990s, the team won three Super Bowls. In each Super Bowl a different quarterback led the way for the burgundy and gold.

In the Super Bowl that kicked off the Redskins’ run as a dynasty, it was Joe Theismann who stood at the helm.

Following up the era of Billy Kilmer, encapsulated by underachievement, Theismann, in 1978, took hold of a starting job ripe for the taking. His first year was average at best, but as the former fourth-round pick grew comfortable, and as a talented team was built around him, his performance only improved.

In 1979, Theismann broke 20 touchdowns for the first time in his career, and by that point, he was locked was the Redskins’ franchise quarterback. In the strike-shortened season of 1982, he was on pace to do it again, and he carried that strong play to a Super Bowl victory. The next year, Theismann had his best performance yet, throwing for 29 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and nearly 4,000 yards. His play in 1983 earned him AP NFL MVP honors, an award which no other Redskins quarterback has won.

Theismann’s career would ultimately be cut short by injury. In 1985, in a game against the New York Giants, Lawrence Taylor tackled Theismann from behind, inducing a career-ending leg injury.

Theismann could have won another Super Bowl with the Redskins, had the injury not occurred. But despite the untimeliness of the injury, Theismann still put together a respectable career. Over his years in Washington, he passed for over 25,000 yards, 160 touchdowns and 138 interceptions. The last years may have been taken away, but Theismann still has a Super Bowl ring and an MVP award. Those are two things he’ll never lose.