Rich Gannon analyzes Patrick Mahomes’ performance against the Bengals.
Rich Gannon
NFL MVP Quarterback
Rich Gannon played 18 seasons in the NFL and won the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 2002, when he led the Oakland Raiders to the AFC Championship.
A two-time All-Pro and four-time choice for the Pro Bowl, Gannon played for the Minnesota Vikings (1987-1992), Washington Redskins (1993), Kansas City Chiefs (1995-1998), and the Raiders (1999-2004). Gannon led the NFL in passing yards in 2002.
Known for his skills in reading defenses and his versatility, Gannon spent portions of his early career as a backup quarterback. But when he took over in Kansas City and then Oakland as the starter, he was among the league’s best QBs.
Gannon played college football at the University of Delaware, first as a punter before switching to quarterback during his sophomore year. It was a wise move by the coaching staff: Gannon set 21 school records, including total offense (7,436 yards), passing yards (5,927), and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,509).
Drafted in the fourth round in 1987 by the New England Patriots, who wanted to convert Gannon to other positions, he was traded to the Vikings, for whom he played six seasons and eventually became the starter. Following a year in Washington, he moved on to the Chiefs before signing with the Raiders. A perfect fit in Jon Gruden’s West Coast Offense, Gannon made the Pro Bowl during his first season with Oakland. He surpassed that in 2002 by leading the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII, a loss to Tampa Bay.
Gannon finished his career with 28,743 passing yards, and 180 passing touchdowns.
Gannon was raised in Philadelphia, and attended Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School. He won three varsity letters each in football and crew, and won two in basketball. Gannon was first team All-Philadelphia as a punter and quarterback.
After his playing career, Gannon joined CBS as an NFL analyst. He also works for SiriusXM Satellite Radio as an analyst and has been a frequent contributor to The 33rd Team.
Message for Bengals’ Joseph Ossai: Loss Isn’t Your Fault
One play doesn’t cost a team a win, and a lot went into Cincinnati’s failure to repeat as AFC champions. That is Rich Gannon’s message for Joseph Ossai after his unnecessary roughness penalty set up Kansas City’s game-winning field goal
‘Unflappable’ Burrow Will Have Bengals in Chase Again
Former league MVP Rich Gannon thinks Joe Burrow is unflappable and expects the Bengals to be right back competing for a championship in 2023.
Eagles Show They Are Best, Most Complete Team in NFC
Rich Gannon says Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles are the NFC’s best team and now head to the Super Bowl in two weeks.
Purdy Injury Took Air Out of 49ers Super Bowl Hopes
After the elbow injury suffered by Brock Purdy, the 49ers were not the same, said Rich Gannon. The self-inflicted wounds only added to their trouble.
2023 NFL QB Stock Report: Besides Lawrence, AFC South QBs Disappoint
Former league MVP Rich Gannon breaks down the quarterback situations of every NFL team. This is the seventh of eight divisional breakdowns. In the NFL, the search for that elite quarterback never ends. If you have one, life is great. And if you don’t, you quickly better find one — or soon enough you will […]
Rich Gannon’s Conference Championship Picks
Rich Gannon thinks when the dust settles on Sunday, we will be seeing a Bengals vs. Eagles Super Bowl matchup. Gannon is picking the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow, and his 3-0 record vs. Patrick Mahomes, and expects the fierce Cincinnati defense to fluster a hobbled Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. In the NFC, Gannon […]
Mahomes’ Ankle Injury Severely Limits Chiefs Offense vs. Bengals
The Kansas City Chiefs ran the NFL’s third-highest percentage of plays out of the shotgun this season, but Rich Gannon says they are going to be even more reliant on that formation with quarterback Patrick Mahomes battling a high ankle sprain.
2023 NFL QB Stock Report: Mahomes, Herbert Lead AFC West QBs
Former league MVP Rich Gannon breaks down the quarterback situations of every NFL team. This is the eighth of eight divisional breakdowns. In the NFL, the search for that elite quarterback never ends. If you have one, life is great. And if you don’t, you quickly better find one — or soon enough you will […]
2023 NFL QB Stock Report: AFC North Looking to Catch Bengals, Burrow
Former league MVP Rich Gannon breaks down the quarterback situations of every NFL team. This is the sixth of eight divisional breakdowns. In the NFL, the search for that elite quarterback never ends. If you have one, life is great. And if you don’t, you quickly better find one — or soon enough you will […]