Category: Finance | Title: Matt Leinart NFL Stats Career Passing Yards Touchdowns and Draft Profile | Tag: NFL Player Stats | Meta Description: Matt Leinart NFL stats, career passing yards, touchdowns, draft profile, and key performance facts...
Matt Leinart NFL Stats Overview
Matt Leinart was selected 10th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, and his career NFL stats reflect a backup quarterback role with limited starting opportunities across multiple seasons. His primary value came from his college pedigree and short-term roster presence rather than sustained starting production, with career totals of 1,829 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions over 36 regular-season games. Leinart also recorded 1,037 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, showing mobility that occasionally provided short-yardage value in designed runs or scrambles. His passer rating of 69.8 and completion percentage of 54.3% highlight a career defined by flashes of accuracy rather than consistent volume production. For deeper context on his draft position and early career trajectory, see the official NFL Draft historical records page at https://www.nfl.com/.
Matt Leinart's NFL stats are often compared to other first-round quarterbacks drafted in the mid-2000s, and his career passing yardage and touchdown totals place him below peers who secured long-term starting roles. His 36 career games rank modestly among quarterbacks drafted in the first round during that era, and his 10 career passing touchdowns sit well below the production of franchise quarterbacks from the same draft class. Leinart's career also included brief stints with the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders, where he served primarily as a veteran backup and situational option rather than a primary starter. His overall NFL passing efficiency metrics underscore a career shaped by limited opportunities and coaching decisions rather than a sustained starting role.
Matt Leinart Career Passing and Touchdown Statistics
Matt Leinart's career passing yards total of 1,829 accumulated over 36 NFL games, with 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, resulting in a balanced but modest touchdown-to-interception ratio of 1.0. His highest single-season passing yardage came during his rookie year with the Arizona Cardinals, where he attempted a limited number of passes in a supporting role behind starting quarterback Kurt Warner. Leinart's touchdown distribution includes both air touchdowns and rushing scores, with his 10 career rushing touchdowns reflecting his use in short-yardage and goal-line packages. His completion percentage of 54.3% and average of 50.8 yards per game illustrate a career built on efficient, low-volume passing rather than high-volume volume production. For additional context on quarterback efficiency metrics and historical comparisons, see the Pro Football Reference database at https://www.pro-football-reference.com/.
Matt Leinart's touchdown-to-interception ratio of 1.0 reflects a career where turnovers were managed at a neutral level, though his interception count remained steady across multiple seasons and teams. His passing touchdowns were spread across his time with the Cardinals, Texans, and Raiders, with no single season dominating his overall touchdown total. Leinart's 10 career interceptions were distributed across 36 games, indicating a low rate of turnover-prone play relative to his limited pass volume. His rushing touchdowns added a layer of versatility, as he was occasionally used in designed run plays or short-yardage situations where his mobility created scoring opportunities. These figures are consistent with a backup quarterback profile, where production is tied to situational usage rather than a central offensive role.
Matt Leinart Draft Profile and Career Context
Matt Leinart was drafted 10th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, a selection that reflected his Heisman Trophy-winning career at USC and his projection as a franchise quarterback prospect. His draft profile emphasized his strong arm, college production, and leadership at USC, though his NFL career did not translate into a