AFL Founding in 1960

Lore & Background

There have been 30 starting quarterbacks for the Patriots since their founding in 1960. Babe Parilli was the franchise's first longtime starter, leading the Patriots to their only playoff berth and championship game appearance while a member of the American Football League (AFL). Following the AFL–NFL merger in 1970, Jim Plunkett was drafted by the Patriots first overall to become the starting quarterback, but an unsuccessful tenure resulted in him being traded after five seasons. Plunkett was succeeded by Steve Grogan, who served as the team's primary starter during the late 1970s and helped lead them to their first NFL playoff appearances. A series of injuries caused Grogan to lose his starting job by the 1980s, although he remained on the team until 1990. The Patriots lacked a steady quarterback for most of the 1980s, with five (including Grogan) starting in the 1987 season. First-round selection Tony Eason, the longest-tenured of the decade, contributed to the Patriots making their Super Bowl debut, but lasted only three seasons as the primary starter. In the 1990s, first overall pick Drew Bledsoe ended the Patriots' search for a quarterback by bringing the team to consistent playoff contention after five losing seasons. Bledsoe's success would be eclipsed the next decade when an injury caused him to be relieved by backup Tom Brady. As the franchise's longest-tenured quarterback from 2001 to 2019, Brady is credited with the Patriots dynasty that saw them set the records for Super Bowl appearances and wins. Following Brady's departure, the Patriots have alternated between multiple starting quarterbacks in the 2020s. The current starter is Drake Maye, who has held the position since his rookie season in 2024.

In Their Own Story

At Nickerson Field in 1960, the first practice squad gathered not with star power, but with hope. Billy Sullivan stood on the sidelines, watching men selected largely through the expansion draft—survivors and castoffs from NFL teams willing to take a chance on a new league. There were no guaranteed contracts, only handshakes and the audacity to believe they could topple the giants of the sport. A young quarterback took the snap, sending a leather ball into the Massachusetts air, signaling that 'Patriots' was now a name etched into football history.

Reader's Guide

The number of games they started during the season is listed to the right in descending order.

Did You Know?

• Tom Brady started 283 regular season games and 41 postseason games for the Patriots, both NFL records with a single team.
• Babe Parilli led the Patriots to their only playoff berth and championship game appearance while a member of the AFL.
• Steve Grogan set the season record for quarterback rushing touchdowns in 1976, which stood for 35 years.
• Drew Bledsoe helped transform the Patriots into playoff contenders during the 1990s.