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Jeff Driskel
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Jeffrey Matthew Driskel (born April 23, 1993) is an American professional football quarterback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Driskel has been a member of several other NFL teams, starting for the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, and Cleveland Browns.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Driskel attended Paul J. Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Florida, where he played high school football and baseball.[1] During his high school career, he threw for 4,844 yards and 36 touchdowns. In 2010, Driskel was selected as a member of the Elite 11 quarterback competition, finishing first among quarterbacks and awarded MVP.[2] As a senior in 2010, he was the Maxwell Football Club National High School Player of the Year and the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year.[3][4] He was ranked as the best pro-style quarterback recruit in his class by Rivals.com and Scout.com.[5][6]
College career
[edit]Florida
[edit]Driskel accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida, where he played for coach Will Muschamp's Florida Gators football team. As a freshman, Driskel appeared in five games, completing 16 of 34 passes for 148 yards with two interceptions. He became the team's starter as a sophomore in 2012. He led them to an 11–2 record and a berth in the 2013 Sugar Bowl, in which Florida lost to the Louisville Cardinals.[7]
After starting three games in 2013, Driskel broke his right fibula in a game against Tennessee and missed the remainder of the season.[8] He returned from the injury in 2014 and kept his starting job to start the season but was later benched in favor of Treon Harris.[9][10]
Louisiana Tech
[edit]On January 3, 2015, Driskel was granted a release from Florida and he transferred to Louisiana Tech University.[11] In his lone season at Louisiana Tech, he passed for 4,026 yards with 27 touchdowns.[12]
Statistics
[edit]| Season | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record[a] | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2011 | Florida | 5 | 0 | — | 16 | 34 | 47.1 | 148 | 4.4 | 0 | 2 | 71.9 | 16 | 18 | 1.1 | 0 |
| 2012 | Florida | 12 | 12 | 9−2 | 156 | 245 | 63.7 | 1,646 | 6.7 | 12 | 5 | 132.2 | 118 | 413 | 3.5 | 4 |
| 2013 | Florida | 3 | 3 | 2−1 | 42 | 61 | 68.9 | 477 | 7.8 | 2 | 3 | 135.5 | 17 | 38 | 2.2 | 1 |
| 2014 | Florida | 9 | 6 | 3−3 | 114 | 212 | 53.8 | 1,140 | 5.4 | 9 | 10 | 103.5 | 69 | 180 | 2.6 | 4 |
| 2015 | Louisiana Tech | 13 | 13 | 9−4 | 281 | 450 | 62.4 | 4,033 | 9.0 | 27 | 8 | 154.0 | 92 | 323 | 3.5 | 5 |
| Career[13] | 42 | 34 | 23−10 | 609 | 1,002 | 60.8 | 7,444 | 7.4 | 50 | 28 | 134.1 | 312 | 972 | 3.1 | 14 | |
- ^ Accounts for only games started as a quarterback: On September 1, 2012, against Bowling Green, Jacoby Brissett took the first snap at quarterback while Jeff Driskel started at wide receiver, and Driskel replaced Brissett on the next play; Brissett was credited with the win, as the starter is awarded the win if the team wins, even if removed after the first play.
Baseball
[edit]Despite not playing baseball since high school, Driskel was selected by the Boston Red Sox with the 863rd pick of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. Driskel signed a contract,[14] but he had no plans to stop playing football.[15]
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Wonderlic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
234 lb (106 kg) |
33 in (0.84 m) |
9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m) |
4.56 s | 1.65 s | 2.71 s | 4.25 s | 7.19 s | 32.0 in (0.81 m) |
10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) |
29[16] | |
| All values from NFL Combine[17][18] | ||||||||||||
San Francisco 49ers
[edit]Driskel was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft with the 207th overall pick.[19] The 49ers previously traded tight end Vernon Davis to the Denver Broncos in exchange for the pick used to select Driskel. On May 5, 2016, the 49ers signed him to a four-year, $2.45 million contract with a signing bonus of $112,539.[20] Driskel began training camp as the No. 4 quarterback on the depth chart.[21] After a season-ending injury to Thad Lewis, Driskel competed with Christian Ponder for the third-string quarterback position. On September 3, he was released by the 49ers as part of final roster cuts.[22]
Cincinnati Bengals
[edit]On September 4, 2016, Driskel was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.[23] He began the season as the Bengals' third-string quarterback on their depth chart, behind veterans Andy Dalton and A. J. McCarron.
On September 4, 2017, Driskel was placed on injured reserve.[24]
In Week 7 of the 2018 season, Driskel made his regular-season NFL debut in relief of Andy Dalton in the fourth quarter. In the 45–10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the former completed all four of his pass attempts for 39 yards.[25] In Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns, Dalton was injured and subsequently ruled out for the season with a thumb injury.[26] Driskel came into the game in relief and threw his first professional touchdown to wide receiver Tyler Boyd. He added a late rushing touchdown in the 35–20 loss.[27] He started the last five games of the season for the Bengals, where he finished 1–4 and passed for 764 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions in five starts.[28]
On August 31, 2019, Driskel was placed on injured reserve.[29] He was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement on September 11.[30]
Detroit Lions
[edit]
On September 17, 2019, Driskel was signed by the Detroit Lions.[31] In Week 10, Driskel made his first start for the Lions against the Chicago Bears after Matthew Stafford was inactive due to injury.[32] He finished the contest with 269 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception as the Lions lost 20–13.[33] In Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys, Driskel threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 51 yards and a touchdown on the ground, in the 35–27 loss.[34] After a Week 12 loss to the Washington Redskins, Driskel was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.[35] Rookie David Blough would start the remaining five regular season games, all of which resulted in losses.
Denver Broncos
[edit]On March 27, 2020, Driskel signed a two-year contract with the Denver Broncos.[36] On September 20, Driskel came in for injured starting quarterback Drew Lock in a Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He passed for 256 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in relief in the 26–21 loss.[37] Driskel made his first start as a Bronco in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During the game, Driskel threw for 176 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception before being benched in the fourth quarter of the 28–10 loss.[38] On November 26, Driskel was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus.[39] He and the other three quarterbacks on the Broncos roster were fined by the team for violating COVID-19 protocols.[40] Driskel was activated from the COVID-19 list on December 16.[41] On May 3, 2021, Driskel was released by the Broncos.[42]
Houston Texans
[edit]On May 20, 2021, Driskel signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans.[43] He was released on August 31.[44] Driskel was re-signed to the practice squad the following day.[45] He was promoted to the active roster on October 16.[46] On November 18, Driskel converted from quarterback to tight end, playing the position for the first time in his career. He was placed on injured reserve on December 22.[47]
On March 18, 2022, Driskel re-signed with the Texans.[48] He was released on August 30, and re-signed back to the practice squad the next day.[49][50] He was promoted to the active roster on December 14.[51]
Arizona Cardinals
[edit]On April 17, 2023, Driskel signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.[52] He was released on August 29, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[53][54] Driskel was released again on October 20 and re-signed to the practice squad on October 31.[55] He was elevated to the active roster on November 4, to backup Clayton Tune against the Cleveland Browns.[55][56] Driskel then reverted back to the practice squad after the game.[56]
Cleveland Browns
[edit]On December 29, 2023, Driskel was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the Cardinals' practice squad.[57]
On January 3, 2024, the Browns announced Driskel would be the starting quarterback in their Week 18 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns clinched a playoff berth the week prior, so they decided to rest some of their key starters, including quarterback Joe Flacco, for the regular season finale to avoid potential injury.[58][59]
Washington Commanders
[edit]On April 1, 2024, Driskel signed with the Washington Commanders.[60]
Las Vegas Raiders
[edit]On September 1, 2025, Driskel signed with the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad.[61] He was released on October 8.[62]
Arizona Cardinals (second stint)
[edit]On November 6, 2025, Driskel signed with the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad.[63]
Washington Commanders (second stint)
[edit]On December 22, 2025, the Commanders signed Driskel off of the Cardinals' practice squad following an injury to Marcus Mariota.[64]
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacked | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2016 | CIN | Did not play | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | CIN | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | CIN | 9 | 5 | 1–4 | 105 | 176 | 59.7 | 1,003 | 5.7 | 37 | 6 | 2 | 82.2 | 25 | 130 | 5.2 | 27 | 2 | 16 | 122 | 4 | 1 |
| 2019 | DET | 3 | 3 | 0–3 | 62 | 105 | 59.0 | 685 | 6.5 | 47 | 4 | 4 | 75.3 | 22 | 151 | 6.9 | 23 | 1 | 11 | 46 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | DEN | 3 | 1 | 0–1 | 35 | 64 | 54.7 | 432 | 6.8 | 45 | 3 | 2 | 78.4 | 6 | 28 | 4.7 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 98 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | HOU | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | HOU | 7 | 2 | 0–1 | 14 | 20 | 70.0 | 108 | 5.4 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 99.6 | 20 | 75 | 3.8 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | CLE | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 13 | 26 | 50.0 | 166 | 6.4 | 31 | 2 | 2 | 63.9 | 7 | 33 | 4.7 | 13 | 0 | 3 | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | WAS | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | WAS | Did not play | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career | 25 | 12 | 1–10 | 229 | 391 | 58.6 | 2,394 | 6.1 | 47 | 16 | 10 | 79.4 | 80 | 417 | 5.2 | 27 | 3 | 43 | 305 | 5 | 1 | |
References
[edit]- ^ "Jeff Driskel, Hagerty , Dual-Threat Quarterback". 247Sports. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- ^ "Elite 11 | 2010 Elite 11 History". elite-11. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- ^ "Jeff Driskel Maxwell Football Club National High School Player of the Year". Maxwell Football Club. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ "Driskel named state player of the year". The Gainesville Sun. December 2, 2010. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ "Jeff Driskel, 2011 Pro Style Quarterback". Rivals.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Jeff Driskel". Scout.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2011.
- ^ DiRocco, Michael (September 3, 2012). "Florida names QB Jeff Driskel starter". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ Harry, Chris (September 21, 2013). "Gators Lose Driskel for Season; Teammates Disappointed for Junior Signal-Caller". Gator Zone. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ Thompson, Edgar (November 11, 2014). "Gators QB Jeff Driskel embraces new role with team". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ "Florida benches QB Jeff Driskel, will start freshman Treon Harris against Georgia next week". FOX News. Associated Press. October 22, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ McMurphy, Brett; Schad, Joe (January 5, 2015). "Ex-Gators QB Driskel transfers to La. Tech". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Jeff Driskel 2015 Game Log". Sports Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- ^ "Jeff Driskel College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". Sports Reference. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ DiRocco, Michael (July 4, 2013). "Jeff Driskel of Florida Gators signs contract with Boston Red Sox". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
- ^ "Jeff Driskel". SoxProspects.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ McGinn, Bob (April 20, 2016). "Rating the NFL draft prospects: Quarterbacks". JSOnline.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
- ^ "Jeff Driskel Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ "2016 Draft Scout Jeff Driskel, Louisiana Tech NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
- ^ "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
- ^ "Spotrac.com: Jeff Driskel contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
- ^ Florio, Mike (June 12, 2016). "Jeff Driskel, future 49ers starting quarterback?". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
- ^ "49ers Release 20 Players, Announce Other Roster Moves". 49ers.com. September 3, 2016. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017.
- ^ "Bengals claim quarterback Jeff Driskel off waivers from SF". foxsports.com. September 4, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
- ^ "Bengals Player Moves: Driskel to IR, Toner and Shelton to practice squad". Bengals.com. September 4, 2017. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017.
- ^ Sconzo, Alyssa (October 22, 2018). "Bengals vs. Chiefs: Score, results, highlights from Kansas City's win". www.sportingnews.com. Sporting News.
- ^ Shapiro, Michael (October 22, 2018). "Bengals place Andy Dalton on injured reserve". SI.com. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^ "Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals – November 25th, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^ "Jeff Driskel 2018 Game Log (Weeks 13–17)". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^ "Bengals Announce 53-Man Roster". Bengals.com. August 31, 2019. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
- ^ "Bengals Waive Jeff Driskel". Bengals.com. September 11, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
- ^ "Lions sign free agent QB Jeff Driskel". DetroitLions.com. September 17, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ Rapoport, Ian (November 10, 2019). "Matthew Stafford (back/hip) out vs. Bears; Jeff Driskel to start". NFL.com. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
- ^ "Trubisky, Bears hang on to beat Lions 20–13 as Stafford sits". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 10, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
- ^ "Cowboys get huge day from Prescott, beat Lions 35–27". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
- ^ Rogers, Justin (November 30, 2019). "Lions add Kyle Sloter to QB mix, place Jeff Driskel on IR". The Detroit News. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 26, 2020). "QB Jeff Driskel prepared to help Drew Lock, Broncos win games". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 20th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos – September 27th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ DiLalla, Aric (March 26, 2020). "Fangio: QB Jeff Driskel to be placed on Reserve/COVID-19 list". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ^ Alper, Josh (December 2, 2020). "Broncos fined quarterbacks for COVID-19 protocol violations". NBCSports.com. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ DiLalla, Aric (December 16, 2020). "Broncos sign CB Parnell Motley off 49ers' practice squad, activate Jeff Driskel from Reserve/COVID-19 list". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ DiLalla, Aric (May 3, 2021). "Broncos sign TE Eric Saubert, release QB Jeff Driskel". Denver Broncos. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (5-20-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. May 20, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (8-31-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (9-1-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. September 1, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (10-16-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. October 16, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (12-22-2021)". HoustonTexans.com. December 22, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (3-18-2022)". HoustonTexans.com. March 18, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (8-30-2022)". HoustonTexans.com. August 30, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (8-31-2022)". HoustonTexans.com. August 31, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (12-14-2022)". HoustonTexans.com. December 14, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Urban, Darren (April 17, 2023). "Jeff Driskel Joins Competition For Cardinals Starting Quarterback". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
- ^ Urban, Darren (August 29, 2023). "Cardinals Make Moves To Get To 53-Man Roster". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Comeaux, Jonathan (August 30, 2023). "Cardinals Re-Signing QB Jeff Driskel To Practice Squad". Yardbarker. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
- ^ a b "Jeff Driskel". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Root, Jess (November 4, 2023). "Cardinals add WR Andre Baccellia, QB Jeff Driskel, RB Corey Clement to roster". usatoday.com. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ David Smith, Michael (December 29, 2023). "Browns sign QB Jeff Driskel". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ Easterling, Chris (January 3, 2024). "Browns to start Jeff Driskel at QB against Cincinnati Bengals, rest several other starters". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ "Browns to rest Joe Flacco, start QB Jeff Driskel at Cincinnati". Reuters.com. January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ Whyno, Stephen (April 1, 2024). "Commanders sign journeyman quarterback Jeff Driskel". AP News. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
- ^ "Jeff Driskel: Picked up by Las Vegas". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
- ^ "Raiders sign LB Jon Rhattigan to the active roster, LB Jamin Davis to the practice squad". raiders.com. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
- ^ Gershman, Zach. "Quarterback Incoming: Cardinals Sign Jeff Driskel To Practice Squad". azcardinals.com. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ Selby, Zach (December 22, 2025). "Commanders sign Jeff Driskel of Cardinals' practice squad, place Sam Cosmi on IR". Commanders.com. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Washington Commanders profile
- Louisiana Tech Bulldogs profile
- Florida Gators profile
- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports
Jeff Driskel
View on GrokipediaEarly years
High school
Born on April 23, 1993, in Oviedo, Florida, Jeff Driskel attended Paul J. Hagerty High School in his hometown, where he played quarterback for the Hagerty Huskies football team.[15][1] Over his high school career, Driskel threw for 4,844 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation.[16] As a senior in 2010, he completed 138 of 235 passes for 1,819 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 1,333 yards and 20 touchdowns, guiding Hagerty to a 7-3 regular season record and a first-round appearance in the Florida 5A playoffs, where they lost to Lakeland.[6][17] Driskel's senior-year performance earned him several prestigious awards, including the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year and the Maxwell Football Club National High School Player of the Year.[18][19] Earlier, in 2010, he was named the MVP of the Elite 11 quarterback competition, highlighting his skills among the country's elite high school passers.[20] Scouting services recognized his talent, with Rivals.com rating him as a four-star recruit and the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the class of 2011.[21] In the recruitment process, Driskel committed to the University of Florida in December 2010, choosing the Gators over offers from programs including Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Florida State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and Ole Miss.[6] He enrolled early at Florida in January 2011 to begin his college career.[22]MLB draft
During his sophomore year at the University of Florida in 2013, Jeff Driskel was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 29th round (863rd overall) of the Major League Baseball draft.[23][24] Driskel, an outfielder in high school at Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Florida, had not played organized baseball since his senior year, making the selection a recognition of his untapped potential based on earlier performances.[25][26] Despite signing a minor league contract with the Red Sox shortly after the draft, Driskel opted not to pursue a professional baseball career, instead reaffirming his commitment to football by remaining the starting quarterback for the Florida Gators.[27][28] This episode underscored Driskel's multi-sport athleticism, honed through high school versatility in both football and baseball.[29][25]College career
Florida
Jeff Driskel, a highly recruited quarterback from Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Florida, committed to the University of Florida in April 2010 and enrolled early the following year.[30] As a true freshman in 2011, Driskel served primarily as a backup to senior John Brantley, appearing in five games with two starts. He completed 16 of 34 passes for 148 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, while adding 18 rushing yards on 16 carries.[31][32] Driskel took over as the full-time starter in 2012 as a sophomore, leading the Gators to an 11-2 record and starting all 12 games. He passed for 1,646 yards on 156 completions out of 245 attempts, throwing 12 touchdowns and five interceptions, while rushing for 413 yards and four scores on 118 carries.[31][33][6] The 2013 season began promisingly for Driskel, who started the first three games and completed 42 of 61 passes for 477 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions before suffering a season-ending broken fibula in his right leg during a September 21 win over Tennessee. He managed only 3 completions out of 6 attempts for 33 yards and an interception in that game before exiting in the first quarter. The injury forced him to miss the remaining nine games, with redshirt freshman Tyler Murphy taking over as starter.[31][34][35] Driskel returned as the starter in 2014 but struggled early, throwing four interceptions in the first four games amid mounting pressure on the offense. He was benched in favor of freshman Treon Harris after a midseason loss to Missouri on October 18, though he appeared in nine games total with six starts, completing 114 of 212 passes for 1,140 yards, nine touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Driskel also contributed 180 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. His performance, hampered by the Gators' overall offensive inconsistencies, led to multiple demotions on the depth chart.[31][36][37] Following the 2014 season, Driskel, having earned his degree, transferred to Louisiana Tech as a graduate student to secure a starting role amid increased competition at Florida from incoming recruits like Will Grier. He was granted his release from the Gators on January 3, 2015, and committed to the Bulldogs shortly thereafter, becoming eligible immediately under NCAA graduate transfer rules.[38][39]Louisiana Tech
After limited playing time at Florida, Driskel transferred to Louisiana Tech in January 2015 as a graduate student to play his final season of eligibility.[40] He started all 13 games at quarterback for the Bulldogs, who finished the regular season 8-4 before winning the New Orleans Bowl to end 9-4 overall.[41] In that dominant season, Driskel completed 281 of 450 passes for 4,033 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, achieving a 62.4% completion rate; he also rushed for 323 yards and 5 touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat ability.[31] His performance ranked him #9 nationally in passing touchdowns and #10 in total offense; in Conference USA, he ranked #3 in passing efficiency (154.0) and passing yards per game (310.2).[31][42] Driskel earned Conference USA Newcomer of the Year honors for his breakout campaign.[42] In the New Orleans Bowl victory over Arkansas State, he passed for 458 yards and 3 touchdowns on 26-of-38 completions, though running back Kenneth Dixon was named MVP for his record-setting performance.[43][44] Scouts praised Driskel's improved mobility, which allowed him to extend plays and contribute as a runner, along with better decision-making in operating the offense, positioning him for the 2016 NFL Draft.[45][46]Professional career
San Francisco 49ers
Driskel was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 207th overall pick, a selection acquired from the Denver Broncos in the 2015 trade that sent tight end Vernon Davis to Denver.[47][48] His strong performance at Louisiana Tech, where he threw for over 4,600 yards and 37 touchdowns in his lone full season, drew late-round interest from NFL teams.[49] As a rookie, Driskel appeared in four preseason games for the 49ers, completing 15 of 31 passes for 132 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.[50] He saw limited action behind starters Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick, often entering in the second half to gain experience in Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense. Driskel did not dress for any regular-season games, remaining inactive for all 16 contests as the 49ers finished 2-14.[1] The 49ers waived Driskel on September 3, 2016, following training camp as they finalized their 53-man roster.[51] He was immediately claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals the next day, beginning his tenure with his second NFL team.[51]Cincinnati Bengals
Driskel joined the Cincinnati Bengals after being waived by the San Francisco 49ers, as the Bengals claimed him off waivers on September 4, 2016. He spent his rookie season as the third-string quarterback behind Andy Dalton and Kevin Hogan, dressing as the emergency quarterback for all 16 games but not appearing in any. In 2017, Driskel competed for the backup role but suffered a broken thumb and index finger in the preseason opener against the Washington Redskins, leading to his placement on injured reserve on September 4. He was designated to return from injured reserve on December 11, allowing him to resume practicing, though he remained inactive for the rest of the season. Driskel's first significant NFL playing time came in 2018, when he served as Dalton's primary backup through the first 10 games. On November 18, during a Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Dalton sustained a thumb injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season, prompting Driskel to enter in relief; he completed 5 of 11 passes for 39 yards and threw one interception in the 27-24 defeat. Driskel made his first career start the following week on December 2 against the Denver Broncos, going 25-for-38 for 236 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 24-10 loss. He started the Bengals' final five games, helping provide stability amid a late-season skid, and appeared in nine games overall with five starts. Over his 2018 appearances, Driskel completed 105 of 176 passes for 1,003 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 80.6; he also contributed on the ground with 25 rushes for 130 yards and two scores, showcasing his mobility as a dual-threat option. The Bengals finished 1-4 in his starts, with his lone victory coming in a 26-21 upset over the Oakland Raiders on December 16, where he threw for 207 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 42 yards. Entering the 2019 preseason, Driskel again vied for the backup role but aggravated a hamstring injury, leading to his placement on injured reserve on August 31. The Bengals waived him with an injury settlement on September 12, ending his tenure in Cincinnati after three seasons primarily marked by development behind Dalton and a trial by fire in 2018.Detroit Lions
Driskel signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent on September 17, 2019, providing depth at quarterback behind starter Matthew Stafford following his release from the Cincinnati Bengals earlier in the offseason.[52] Driskel entered the starting lineup in Week 10 after Stafford's season-ending back injury, making his Lions debut against the Chicago Bears on November 10, where he completed 27 of 46 passes for 269 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 20-13 loss. In his next outing against the Dallas Cowboys on November 17, he completed 15 of 26 passes for 209 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while rushing eight times for 51 yards and a touchdown, though the Lions fell 35-27. His tenure as starter concluded in Week 12 versus the Washington Redskins on November 24, completing 20 of 33 passes for 207 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in a 19-16 defeat.[1][53] Over three starts, Driskel compiled 685 passing yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions while going 0-3, with turnovers contributing to the Lions' losses in each contest. He also showed mobility, rushing 22 times for 151 yards and one touchdown. A hamstring injury sidelined him after Week 12, leading to his placement on injured reserve on November 30, 2019. Driskel's one-year contract expired at season's end, and he was not retained by the Lions as an unrestricted free agent heading into 2020.[12][54][55]Denver Broncos
On March 17, 2020, Driskel signed a two-year contract worth $5 million with the Denver Broncos to serve as the backup quarterback to Drew Lock.[55] Driskel saw his first action of the season in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 20, 2020, entering the game in relief of Lock, who suffered a shoulder injury early in the first quarter.[56] Completing 18 of 34 passes for 256 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, Driskel led a comeback effort that fell short in a 26–21 loss, though official records do not credit him with the start.[57] With Lock placed on injured reserve the following day, Driskel was named the starter for Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[58] In that Week 3 matchup on September 27, 2020, Driskel started and completed 17 of 30 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown, and one interception before exiting late in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury during a 28–10 defeat.[57] He appeared in one additional game later that season, Week 4 against the New York Jets on October 1, though he did not attempt a pass.[57] Overall, across his three appearances (one start) with Denver, Driskel completed 35 of 64 passes for 432 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.[12] Following his Week 3 performance, Driskel was demoted on the depth chart in favor of Brett Rypien for the subsequent game.[59] Driskel was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in late November 2020 but was activated on December 16.[60] He remained with the Broncos through the end of the season but did not see further action. On May 3, 2021, the team released him as part of roster adjustments ahead of organized team activities.[61]Houston Texans
Driskel signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans on May 19, 2021, worth up to $2.5 million, joining a crowded quarterback room amid ongoing uncertainty at the position.[62] He appeared in one regular-season game that year without recording any passing statistics, serving primarily as a backup and practice squad member after being released from the active roster on August 31 and re-added to the practice squad the following day.[12] During the 2021 training camp and early season, the Texans briefly experimented with transitioning Driskel to tight end in November, citing his athleticism and size as potential assets for the position, though the move did not result in any on-field action at tight end.[63] The Texans re-signed Driskel to another one-year deal on March 11, 2022, retaining him as a veteran backup option with experience from prior teams like the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions.[64] He was released again on August 30, 2022, but quickly rejoined the practice squad and was elevated to the active roster in December, where he saw expanded action in a two-quarterback system late in the season.[65] Over eight appearances, including two starts, Driskel completed 14 of 20 passes for 108 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions, stepping in during injuries to primary quarterbacks Davis Mills and others. Throughout his tenure with Houston spanning 2021 and 2022, Driskel contributed on the ground with 20 rushing attempts for 75 yards, showcasing his mobility as a dual-threat backup without scoring a rushing touchdown.[12] His role emphasized depth and emergency preparedness in a rebuilding Texans offense, though limited snaps highlighted his position behind established starters. Driskel's contract expired after the 2022 season, leading him to free agency in 2023.Arizona Cardinals
Driskel first joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, signing a one-year contract on April 17 before being released on August 29 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day.[66] He remained on the practice squad for much of the season, providing emergency quarterback depth, and was elevated once on November 4 for a game against the Cleveland Browns but did not see any playing time.[66] The Cardinals released him from the practice squad on October 20, re-signed him on November 1, and he ultimately departed the team on December 29 when he was signed by the Cleveland Browns.[66] During his 2023 stint, Driskel did not appear in any regular-season games and recorded no statistics.[67] After spending time with several other teams, including a brief practice squad stint with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier in 2025, Driskel returned to the Cardinals on November 6, signing again to their practice squad following the Raiders' release of him on October 8.[68] This second stint came amid quarterback injuries, with Kyler Murray placed on injured reserve, positioning Driskel as emergency depth behind Jacoby Brissett and Kedon Slovis.[2] As of November 9, 2025, he had not been elevated for any games and had no regular-season statistics in this period.[69] Throughout both periods with Arizona, Driskel's role emphasized familiarity with the organization's schemes from his initial time there, offering reliable practice support amid roster instability at the quarterback position.[14]Cleveland Browns
Driskel joined the Cleveland Browns late in the 2023 NFL season, signing to the active roster from the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad on December 29, 2023, following the placement of rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson on injured reserve.[70] This move provided additional depth at the position as the Browns had already clinched a playoff berth and shifted focus to rest key players for the postseason.[71] With starter Joe Flacco being rested, head coach Kevin Stefanski named Driskel the starting quarterback for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024.[72] In his only appearance with the Browns, Driskel completed 13 of 26 passes for 166 yards, throwing two touchdowns—including a 31-yard strike to wide receiver David Bell—and two interceptions, in a 31-14 loss that had no impact on Cleveland's playoff seeding.[73][74] Driskel's brief tenure marked his first and only start for the Browns, serving as an emergency option amid the team's quarterback instability that season.[4] Following the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, Driskel did not return to the Browns and entered unrestricted free agency in March 2024.[75]Washington Commanders
Driskel signed a one-year, $1.125 million contract with the Washington Commanders on April 1, 2024, adding veteran depth to the quarterback room.[76] Throughout the 2024 season, he served as the third-string quarterback behind rookie starter Jayden Daniels and backup Marcus Mariota, primarily functioning as the emergency option and remaining inactive for the majority of games.[77][78] Driskel appeared in just one game without starting, entering for a single snap late in a contest but registering 0 passing yards after being sacked once; he recorded no significant rushing or other statistical contributions.[11][79] His contract expired at the end of the 2024 season, making him an unrestricted free agent as of March 2025.[80]Las Vegas Raiders
On September 1, 2025, Jeff Driskel signed with the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad, providing veteran depth at quarterback behind starter Geno Smith and backups Aidan O'Connell and Cam Miller.[81][82] The move came shortly after Driskel's free agency following his release from the Washington Commanders earlier in the offseason, addressing the Raiders' need for experienced quarterback support amid their young roster at the position.[83][84] During his brief tenure, spanning the first five weeks of the 2025 NFL regular season, Driskel remained on the practice squad without any elevations to the active roster or game appearances.[4] He contributed to practice sessions, offering mentorship and emergency preparedness, but saw no on-field action as the Raiders managed injuries and rotations among their primary quarterbacks.[85] Driskel was released from the practice squad on October 8, 2025, as part of broader roster adjustments, including the signing of linebacker Jon Rhattigan to the active roster and Jamin Davis to the practice squad.[68] This move allowed the Raiders to reallocate spots amid ongoing depth evaluations early in the season.[84]NFL career statistics
Passing
Jeff Driskel has appeared in 25 regular-season games over his NFL career from 2018 to 2024, starting 12 of them with a record of 1 win and 11 losses. His cumulative passing totals stand at 229 completions on 391 attempts, for 2,394 yards, 16 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and an 80.1 passer rating.[1] The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of Driskel's passing statistics, including games played (G), starts (GS), completions (Cmp), attempts (Att), completion percentage (Cmp%), passing yards (Yds), touchdowns (TD), interceptions (Int), and passer rating (Rate).[1]| Year | Team | G | GS | Cmp | Att | Cmp% | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | CIN | 9 | 5 | 105 | 176 | 59.7 | 1003 | 6 | 2 | 82.2 |
| 2019 | DET | 3 | 3 | 62 | 105 | 59.0 | 685 | 4 | 4 | 75.3 |
| 2020 | DEN | 3 | 1 | 35 | 64 | 54.7 | 432 | 3 | 2 | 78.4 |
| 2021 | HOU | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | HOU | 7 | 2 | 14 | 20 | 70.0 | 108 | 1 | 0 | 99.6 |
| 2023 | CLE | 1 | 1 | 13 | 26 | 50.0 | 166 | 2 | 2 | 63.9 |
| 2024 | WAS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Career | 25 | 12 | 229 | 391 | 58.6 | 2,394 | 16 | 10 | 80.1 |
Rushing
Jeff Driskel has demonstrated notable mobility throughout his NFL career, leveraging his dual-threat capabilities to extend plays and contribute on the ground, particularly during his starting appearances.[1] As of November 2025, Driskel's career rushing totals stand at 80 attempts for 417 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry, with 3 rushing touchdowns and a longest run of 27 yards.[12] His rushing production peaked in seasons where he saw extended action, such as 2019 with the Detroit Lions, where his 6.9 yards per carry highlighted his effectiveness in scrambling situations.[1] The following table provides a year-by-year breakdown of Driskel's NFL rushing statistics:| Year | Team | Games Played | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns | Longest Run | Yards per Carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | CIN | 9 | 25 | 130 | 2 | 27 | 5.2 |
| 2019 | DET | 3 | 22 | 151 | 1 | 23 | 6.9 |
| 2020 | DEN | 3 | 6 | 28 | 0 | 9 | 4.7 |
| 2021 | HOU | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 2022 | HOU | 7 | 20 | 75 | 0 | 10 | 3.8 |
| 2023 | CLE | 1 | 7 | 33 | 0 | 13 | 4.7 |
| 2024 | WAS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Career | - | 25 | 80 | 417 | 3 | 27 | 5.2 |