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The Greatest NFL Starting Job Thefts of All Time

By Erik Lambert

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: (2nd left) Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley of the Arizona Cardinals and (M) head coach Ken Whisenhunt talks with (R) quarterback Kurt Warner #13 as (L) quarterback Matt Leinart #7 stands behind and watches against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: (2nd left) Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley of the Arizona Cardinals and (M) head coach Ken Whisenhunt talks with (R) quarterback Kurt Warner #13 as (L) quarterback Matt Leinart #7 stands behind and watches against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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1987: Doug Williams #17 of the Washington Redskins scrambles with the ball during a 1987 NFL season game. (Photo by: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
1987: Doug Williams #17 of the Washington Redskins scrambles with the ball during a 1987 NFL season game. (Photo by: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Washington Redskins: Doug Williams takes over for Jay Schroeder

The 1987 season was arguably the wildest ride for a football team in NFL history. In the space of just months, the Washington Redskins went on strike, saw replacement players go undefeated, the strike end, and then endured a quarterback controversy all the way up until the playoffs that almost derailed their entire season.

It began the year before, believe it or not. Starting QB Jay Schroeder was knocked for a loop in the NFC championship game. The Redskins tried to sub him out with backup Doug Williams but Schroeder waved him off. That offseason Washington almost traded Williams to the Raiders, something he was reportedly on board with before head coach Joe Gibbs nixed it.

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Sure enough, Schroeder struggled later that season and he and Williams began to trade playing time in a battle for the starting job. Williams finally won out in the season finale and led Washington on a magical run that culminated in his Super Bowl MVP performance against Denver.

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