| Rookie quarterbacks come and go. Sometimes | | | | Joe Tolliver sits just behind them having gone 89 |
| they are highly drafted prospects and sometimes | | | | of 185 for 1,097 yards and five touchdowns |
| they are undrafted free agents, plus there are a | | | | during his rookie season that included just five |
| great many that fall in between. There is no real | | | | starts. When looking at just passing yardage, |
| science to getting a great young quarterback | | | | Ryan Leaf can be included in the group as he put |
| because along with all the physical talent that is | | | | up 1,289 yards his rookie season, but his two |
| desired at the position, there is also a great deal | | | | touchdown passes and 15 interceptions remove |
| of intelligence and luck needed too. Even the | | | | him from the running. |
| best of quarterbacks are known to struggle | | | | The best rookie quarterback performance over |
| during their rookie seasons. | | | | the full year for the Chargers belongs to one of |
| The San Diego Chargers have had a number of | | | | the team's legends, John Hadl. Hadl was drafted |
| great quarterbacks over the year, but who has | | | | in 1962 and as a 22 year old rookie he would |
| had the best rookie year at that position for the | | | | start ten games, complete 107 of 260 passes for |
| team? | | | | 1,632 yards and 15 touchdowns. These aren't |
| Both Craig Whelihan and Dan Fouts were | | | | Earth shattering numbers by any means, but they |
| productive at quarterback during their rookie | | | | are pretty good. They are also the best |
| seasons, both throwing for more than 1,100 yards | | | | numbers ever put up by a San Diego Chargers |
| and reaching double digits in touchdowns, but only | | | | rookie quarterback. |
| starting seven and six games, respectively. Billy | | | | |
