Oakland Raiders: 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time

Of all the players the Raiders have signed during their franchise history, Jim Plunkett has to be among the most interesting of the lot. His story is incredible and his success is largely unparalleled. Yet it was hard to predict, as Plunkett was originally signed to be a backup quarterback. But let’s back up a bit to get the full story.

Coming out of Stanford, Plunkett was selected first overall in 1971. After spending time with the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers, Plunkett was signed in 1978 to serve as a backup.

Actually, the only reason he ever got a chance to play was because starter Dan Pastorini broke his leg and young gun Marc Wilson wasn’t ready for the big stage.

Plunkett led the team to two Super Bowl victories, both seasons in which he started as the second or third option. Actually in the 1980 season, Plunkett led the Raiders to four consecutive playoff victories, making history as the first Wild Card team to win the Super Bowl.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Plunkett was named Super Bowl MVP, becoming the first ever Latino to earn that honor.

Unfortunately and wrongly, Plunkett has yet to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Hopefully that error is corrected while he is still able to accept the award in person, not posthumously like former Raider great Ken Stabler. Two Super Bowl championships and one Super Bowl MVP award to his name, Plunkett is one of the best free agent signings in Raiders history.