Oakland Raiders: 15 best free agent acquisitions of all-time
(1999-04). Rich Gannon. 1. player. 28. . QB
A bit of a journeyman quarterback, Rich Gannon bounced around the NFL before finding a true home in Oakland with the Raiders.
More from Las Vegas Raiders Free Agency
- Raiders news: Las Vegas makes a flurry of moves on Monday
- Las Vegas Raiders: Jermaine Eluemunor beaming with confidence heading into 2023
- Las Vegas Raiders have a lot of work left to do in 2023 free agency
- Las Vegas Raiders smart to bring back Jerry Tillery
- Raiders 2023 free agency: Impact players to target as league year starts
Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 1987, Gannon made stops with the Washington Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs as well before being signed by the Raiders in 1999.
Named the starter right away, Gannon embarked on an incredible six-year journey with the Silver and Black.
Prior to 1999, Gannon’s career-high in yardage was 2,305 yards. In his first season as a Raider, he threw for 3,840 yards and never really looked back.
In each of his first four seasons, Gannon passed for over 3,000 yards and was named to the Pro Bowl every time. In two of those, he was also named First-Team All-Pro.
Without a doubt, 2002 was Gannon’s best season in the NFL, as he led the league in completions and yardage with marks of 418 and 4,689. Gannon helped carry the Raiders to the Super Bowl and was named the MVP of the league for his efforts, and deservedly so.
Oakland Raiders: 15 greatest pass rushers of all-time. dark. Next
Gannon resurrected his career with the Silver and Black and helped lead them to their most successful spell since the Super Bowl winning teams in the 1980s. His total of 17,585 yards is third most all-time in Raiders history, only surpassed by Ken Stabler and Derek Carr. Without a doubt, Gannon is the best free agent acquisition in the storied history of the franchise.