Moments in NFL History: Kurt Warner rewrites his story
NFL
Published on : 3/6/2026
NFL lore is filled with stories about “the guy who wasn’t supposed to make it” or “the young player thrust into stardom” or “the wily veteran who found a career resurgence.” In few instances, however, does one person play all three of those roles.
KURT WARNER was one of those stories.
Signing with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent in 1998 after spending several years in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe, it did not take long for Warner to burst on the scene. Inserted into the starting lineup in 1999 with only 11 career NFL passing attempts, Warner and the Rams went on a run you usually only see in movies.
He led the team to a 13-3 regular-season record, throwing for more than 4,300 yards and 41 touchdowns. He was named a first-team All-Pro and the NFL’s MVP, and he went on to help the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV, also taking home the game’s MVP award.
After three years of record-breaking and league-leading performances, including another NFL MVP award, injuries slowed Warner’s rise in the NFL. He broke his hand in 2002 and over the next two campaigns started only seven games. After the 2003 season, Warner was released and signed with the New York Giants, who had just drafted highly touted Eli Manning.
Warner spent one season in New York, then signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals on this day (March 6) in 2005.
It took a few years, but Warner’s career resurged. He helped the Cardinals reach the playoffs in both 2008 and 2009, and 2008 saw the franchise make it all the way to Super Bowl XLIII, a narrow last-minute loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Warner threw for more than 15,000 yards with the Cardinals, nearly 1,400 more yards than he totaled with the Rams, and exactly 100 touchdowns, only two short of his Rams total.
Hall of Fame wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD knew bringing Warner to the Cardinals was going to be great for the organization.
“Obviously I was very familiar with everything he accomplished with the Rams. I was super excited that they decided to sign him,” Fitzgerald said. “After a few months, I realized we had struck gold with just the way he practiced, how he showed up every day, how consistent he was and the level of excellence he expected from everybody around him.”
Fitzgerald saw first-hand what kind of teammate and player Warner was, even later in his career. Now they are teammates again as members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
KURT WARNER was one of those stories.
Signing with the St. Louis Rams as a free agent in 1998 after spending several years in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe, it did not take long for Warner to burst on the scene. Inserted into the starting lineup in 1999 with only 11 career NFL passing attempts, Warner and the Rams went on a run you usually only see in movies.
He led the team to a 13-3 regular-season record, throwing for more than 4,300 yards and 41 touchdowns. He was named a first-team All-Pro and the NFL’s MVP, and he went on to help the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV, also taking home the game’s MVP award.
After three years of record-breaking and league-leading performances, including another NFL MVP award, injuries slowed Warner’s rise in the NFL. He broke his hand in 2002 and over the next two campaigns started only seven games. After the 2003 season, Warner was released and signed with the New York Giants, who had just drafted highly touted Eli Manning.
Warner spent one season in New York, then signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals on this day (March 6) in 2005.
It took a few years, but Warner’s career resurged. He helped the Cardinals reach the playoffs in both 2008 and 2009, and 2008 saw the franchise make it all the way to Super Bowl XLIII, a narrow last-minute loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Warner threw for more than 15,000 yards with the Cardinals, nearly 1,400 more yards than he totaled with the Rams, and exactly 100 touchdowns, only two short of his Rams total.
Hall of Fame wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD knew bringing Warner to the Cardinals was going to be great for the organization.
“Obviously I was very familiar with everything he accomplished with the Rams. I was super excited that they decided to sign him,” Fitzgerald said. “After a few months, I realized we had struck gold with just the way he practiced, how he showed up every day, how consistent he was and the level of excellence he expected from everybody around him.”
Fitzgerald saw first-hand what kind of teammate and player Warner was, even later in his career. Now they are teammates again as members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.