The tale of the 2024 NFL playoffs has spotlighted quarterbacks hailing from California showcasing their skills in a manner that rivals the captivating stories of a Hollywood film.
California has produced the most quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era with 141. Texas is a distant second at 79, and California quarterbacks lead in the number of Super Bowl wins (14) in 25 starts. The state has also produced three Hall of Famers, seven No. 1 overall picks, and 6,532 TD passes, according to a recent ESPN report.
Half of the starting quarterbacks heading into the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs were born and raised mainly in California, giving rise to the impression that the Golden State has established its own prestigious quarterback academy. Let’s look at those golden boys from the Golden State who will be under center this weekend and have an opportunity to play for their respective conference championship next week.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
With his composed demeanor and pinpoint accuracy, C.J. Stroud embodies a leading man in a rough-and-tumble action thriller. The rookie from Ohio State hails from Rancho Cucamonga, California, and set numerous rookie passing records as he led the Texans to the AFC South title. He starred at Rancho Cucamonga High School, throwing for 3,878 yards and 47 touchdowns during his senior season. In his rookie season in Houston, Stroud threw for over 4,100 yards, 25 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
A native of Novato, California, and former No. 1 overall pick out of the University of California, Berkeley, Goff has succeeded throughout his career. He began his career with the Los Angeles Rams before being traded for Matthew Stafford, who won a Super Bowl in his first season in L.A. Goff now has the opportunity to write his own fairy tale ending with Detroit in these NFL playoffs.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Yes, he played collegiately at the University of Wyoming. Still, Allen was born and raised in Firebaugh, California, which lies nearly 40 miles west of Fresno in the Central Valley. Allen, an avid Fresno State football fan, soon blossomed into his own football hero and will lead the Buffalo Bills against the Kansas City Chiefs for a chance at an AFC Championship game. Allen is certainly one of California’s A-listers when it comes to NFL quarterbacks.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
A second-half surge helped Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers build momentum and upset the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL playoffs last week, and now they head to San Francisco to face the No. 1 seed 49ers. Love hails from Bakersfield, California. Against that stacked 49ers defense, Love hopes to make a new kind of “Bakersfield Sound” and climb the charts all the way to the Super Bowl.
Don’t forget these California QBs on hiatus for the NFL Playoffs
For some California quarterbacks in the NFL, their playoff run never began in 2024, or they were knocked out in the first round. Other notable current quarterbacks in the NFL who call the Golden State home include future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, Jake Browning, Sam Darnold and Matt Barkley.
While it’s important to acknowledge the contributions made by quarterbacks from states like Texas (Patrick Mahomes) and Florida (Lamar Jackson), among others, California stands out for its exceptional crop of high school and college programs and football-loving culture. California continues to produce a high volume of successful quarterbacks at the college and professional level.