Ever since 2001, Tom Brady has been the New England Patriots’ undisputed starting quarterback. While he missed one season due to a knee injury suffered on 2008’s opening day, and also lost four games to a more-than-dubious suspension in 2016, Brady has been as steady a presence as any quarterback in NFL history. Brady’s longevity and success, however, also proved to be positive for some of his backup quarterbacks over the years.
Take Matt Cassel, he of zero starts in college. Cassel joined the Patriots as a seventh-round pick in 2005 and went on to spend the entire length of his four-year rookie contract behind Brady, taking over for him during that 2008 campaign.