When was the last time an NFL rookie quarterback won a playoff game?

As in life, the normal course of events in the NFL is for a quarterback to gain experience, building up to a playoff appearance, and then on toward greater success. But that is not always the case. Sometimes, you get a fireball who comes blazing straight out of the gates.

Over the course of NFL history, there have only been 14 rookie quarterbacks to have led their team into a postseason game. Of the 24 total playoff games played between them, the rookies have a collective 10-14 record.

Within this list, there are legends like Big Ben Roethlisberger, who made a career habit of taking the Steelers to the playoffs. Last season, Brock Purdy took over as the third string quarterback for the 49ers after both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo were injured. In doing so, Purdy became the latest rookie, and only Mr Irrelevant, to lead an NFL team to a playoff win.

Another name on that list of rookie QBs with a playoff win is Joe Flacco, who had a brilliant start to his NFL career, then floundered and began to look like a bust, before finding his mojo again this season as a 38-year-old, 15-year veteran to take the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff appearance in three years.

Dieter Brock played only one year in the NFL, leading the LA Rams to the playoffs in 1985 and so makes the rookie list, despite having a legendary ten-year career in the Canadian Football League prior to that season.

Rookie QBs To Win an NFL Playoff Game

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers – 2022

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks – 2012

T.J. Yates, Houston Texans – 2011

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets – 2009

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens – 2008

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers – 2004

Aaron Brooks, New Orleans Saints – 1999

Shaun King, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1999

Dieter Brock, Los Angeles Rams – 1985

Pat Haden, Los Angeles Rams – 1976