Oakland Raiders: Top-20 players of the 21st Century

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Rich Gannon
OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Rich Gannon /
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Rich Gannon (1999-2004)

One of the greatest quarterbacks in team history, Rich Gannon saw his career go to new heights once he put on the Raiders uniform. A master at Jon Gruden’s west coast offense, Gannon would go on to be the first player named a Pro Bowl MVP twice, while helping the Raiders become one of the best teams in the NFL.

A journeyman when he arrived, Gannon would become the face of the Raiders franchise, as he was named to four Pro Bowls in his six seasons at the helm. A two-time All-Pro, he led the NFL in passing during the 2002 NFL season, where he won the league’s Most Valuable Player award while leading the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII.

Injuries would curtail his Raiders career in both 2003 and 2004, but for a short time, he was arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. The Raiders single-season passing leader with a mark of 4,689, Gannon went 45-29 as the starting quarterback for the franchise, while leading the team to three straight playoff appearances.