NFL Starting Quarterback Changes, 1950-2016

Wondering whether 2015 had an unusual number of quarterback injuries?  Or why Joe Namath missed so many games?  Or just why the Browns start a random quarterback in Week 17 every year? The following team charts detail every starting quarterback change in the NFL over the last 67 seasons. AFC East Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New York Jets AFC North Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers AFC South Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans AFC West Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Oakland Raiders San Diego Chargers NFC East Dallas Cowboys New York Giants Philadelphia Eagles Washington Redskins NFC North Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings NFC South Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers New Orleans Saints Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC West Arizona Cardinals Los Angeles Rams San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Defunct Franchises Baltimore Colts (1950) New York Yanks (1950-51) Dallas Texans (1952) Notes: Many pre-1965 teams changed in-game quarterbacks on a frequent basis.  As such, the starter was less important, and the starter could change on the coach's whim, with little to no pre- or post-game explanation.  This pretty much ended by the early 1970s, with the Houston Oilers as perhaps the last holdout. The number after a quarterback's name indicates the then-current number of stints he had as that team's starter. "Ineffective" is a catch-all term used to designated non-injury-related poor play that caused the quarterback to be benched.  "*" designates the normal #1 quarterback regaining his starting spot after returning from injury/rest/suspension/holdout. Some changes are footnoted, and further details are given underneath the team chart. Playoff games are included.