Matt Leinart's NFL Journey: A Look at the Teams He Played For
Alright, guys, let's dive into the fascinating journey of Matt Leinart, the former NFL quarterback, and explore the teams he played for during his professional career. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and matt leinart teams.
Early Days and the Arizona Cardinals
Matt Leinart, born on May 11, 1983, started his football journey at Mater Dei High School in California. He then went on to play college football at the University of Southern California (USC), where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2004. In 2006, Leinart was drafted 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals.
The Arizona Cardinals were Leinart's first taste of the NFL. He played for them from 2006 to 2009, serving as the backup quarterback to Kurt Warner for his first two seasons. In 2008, Leinart finally got his chance to start when Warner went down with an injury. He played in 11 games, throwing for 2,547 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Despite the mixed results, Leinart showed promise, and the Cardinals had high hopes for his future.
Houston Texans: A New Beginning
After four seasons with the Cardinals, Leinart was traded to the Houston Texans in 2010. The Texans were looking for a quarterback to backup Matt Schaub, and Leinart seemed like a good fit. He played sparingly for the Texans, appearing in only six games over two seasons. Leinart threw for 419 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions during his time in Houston.
Oakland Raiders: A Brief Stint
In 2012, Leinart signed with the Oakland Raiders. He was brought in to compete for the starting job but ultimately lost it to Carson Palmer. Leinart appeared in just one game for the Raiders, completing 6 of 9 passes for 85 yards.
Buffalo Bills: The Final Stop
Matt Leinart's final NFL stop was with the Buffalo Bills in 2013. He signed a one-year deal to backup EJ Manuel. Leinart appeared in three games, completing 6 of 13 passes for 65 yards and an interception. After the season, Leinart was released by the Bills, marking the end of his NFL career.
Life After the NFL
Since retiring from the NFL, Matt Leinart has stayed involved in football. He has worked as an analyst for various sports networks and has even made a brief return to the field, playing for the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League in 2018.
Leinart's NFL journey was filled with ups and downs, but he left his mark on the game. He was a highly-touted prospect coming out of college, and while he may not have lived up to those expectations, he still had a solid career and played a part in some memorable moments in NFL history.