Todd Collins, a professional American football quarterback, spent 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 5, 1971, in Walpole, Massachusetts, Collins attended the University of Michigan, where he played college football for the Wolverines. His performance at Michigan caught the attention of NFL scouts, leading to his selection in the 1995 NFL Draft.
The Buffalo Bills drafted Collins in the second round as the 45th overall pick. He began his NFL career as a backup to the legendary quarterback Jim Kelly. During his time with the Bills, Collins had the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the game, which helped him develop his skills as a quarterback. In 1997, following Kelly's retirement, Collins was named the starting quarterback for the Bills. That season, he started 13 games, throwing for 2,367 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Despite a promising start, the Bills finished with a 6-10 record, and Collins was released after the season.
Collins then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1998, where he served primarily as a backup quarterback. Over the next several years, he played behind starters such as Elvis Grbac and Trent Green. Although he saw limited action on the field, Collins was valued for his experience and ability to step in when needed. His tenure with the Chiefs lasted from 1998 to 2005, during which he appeared in a handful of games, providing reliable support from the sidelines.
In 2006, Collins joined the Washington Redskins, where he initially continued in a backup role. However, his most memorable moment with the Redskins came in the 2007 season. After starting quarterback Jason Campbell was injured late in the season, Collins stepped in and led the team to four consecutive victories, securing a playoff berth for Washington. His performance during this stretch was commendable, as he threw for 888 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. The Redskins' playoff run ended with a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round, but Collins' efforts were widely appreciated.
Collins remained with the Redskins until 2009, serving as a backup and mentor to younger quarterbacks on the roster. In 2010, he signed with the Chicago Bears, where he played his final NFL season. During his time with the Bears, Collins appeared in a few games, including a start against the Carolina Panthers. However, his performance was less than stellar, and he was eventually replaced by Caleb Hanie as the backup quarterback.
Throughout his career, Todd Collins was known for his professionalism and readiness to step in when called upon.
🏈