CARDS: Playoff Absolute 2008, Playoff Contenders 2007, Atomic 2001
ACQUIRED: TTM 2024, C/o Work
SENT: 12/31/24 RECEIVED: 1/22/25 (22 days)
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
- Jon Kitna walked on to the Central Washington football team, where he settled in at QB.
- During his senior season, Jon threw for 4,616 yards and 42 touchdowns.
- Undrafted, he signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 1996.
- Intrigued by his skillset the Seahawks sent him overseas to play in the World League with the Barcelona Dragons in 1997.
- With the Dragons, Kitna completed 171 of 317 attempts, for 2,448 yards and 22 passing TDs.
- He also set the league record for quarterbacks with 334 rushing yards.
- In World Bowl V, he put the Dragons on his shoulders and threw for a game record 401 yards and 2 TDs.
- Returned to the Seahawks after the World League season where he honed his craft behind Warren Moon and John Friesz.
- Became the Seahawks starter at QB in Week 13 of ’98.
- Completed 270 of 495 passes for 3,346 yards and 23 touchdown passes leading the Seahawks to an AFC West Title in ’99.
- Struggled in 2000, posting a 6-6 record, throwing 18 TDs to 19 picks.
- Signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001- beating out WLAF alum Scott Mitchell in camp.
- Threw a franchise record 68 times in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Led the league in passing attempts with 581.
- Backed up Gus Frerotte to start the 2002 season, before going on to start the final 12 games of the season for the Bengals.
- Again, Kitna stepped up throwing for 3,178 yards and 16 TDs.
- With #1 pick Carson Palmer sitting in the wings, Jon was allowed to start and play every single down for the Bengals in 2003.
- Threw for 3,591 yards and a career high 26 TDs.
- As Palmer took over in 2004, Kitna was relegated to a backup role and saw spot duty through 2005, seeing action in 7 games, while starting 3.
- Signed with the Detroit Lions in 2006.
- Took every snap for the team in 2006, throwing for 4,204 yards, and 21 TDs on 372 of 596 passes- setting multiple team records.
- His 372 completions led the league.
- Had another 4k season passing in 2007 as he threw 18 TDs.
- Injured during week 4 of 2008.
- Traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2009 to shore up the team’s QB room behind Tony Romo.
- Started 9 contests in 2010 for Dallas, throwing for 2,365 yards and 16 TDs.
- Injured in training camp due to a herniated disc, Kitna never was able to fully recover from the injury and was forced to retire after the 2011 season concluded.
- Went into teaching and coaching at his High School in Washington.
- Popped up again briefly as an emergency QB for the Cowboys in 2013, but didn’t see any action- donating the check to his High School Booster Club.
- Worked his way through the High School ranks before briefly joining the San Diego Fleet of the AAF in 2018 for about 6 months as offensive coordinator.
- Resigned to become QB Coach to Dak Prescott of the Cowboys in January of 2019.
- Returned to the high school gridiron to coach in 2020.
ACCOLADES:
- Pacific Northwest Hall of Fame 2014
- Central Washington University Hall of Fame 2006
- World Bowl V MVP
- Offensive Player of the Week (13) 1998
- Offensive Player of the Month (October) 1999
- Offensive Player of the Week (16) 2001
- NFL Comeback Player of the Year 2003
NOTES:
I really had to scramble to find cards of Jon. He’s always been at this crossroads of quarterbacking that’s interested me, being a mentor to so many players and also being a World League alum. He signs in very short spurts, so I rushed these out as soon as I could them.
INSCRIPTIONS:
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
-Galations 2:25
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
-Romans 5:8
A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God
-Isaiah 40:3