Joe Webb

Source:[13]

Webb at the Vikings training camp in 2011.

On April 24, 2010, Webb was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, 199th overall in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.[14] He was originally drafted as a quarterback/wide receiver prospect, but then head coach Brad Childress announced that Webb would exclusively play quarterback for the Vikings.[15]

Webb's National Football League (NFL) debut was against the Buffalo Bills on December 5, 2010. He took the opening kickoff – becoming the first Vikings quarterback to return a kickoff – before leaving the game with a hamstring injury.[16][17]

Webb made his professional debut at quarterback on December 13, 2010 against the New York Giants. He completed two-of-five attempts for eight yards and also had a 16-yard run.[18]

Webb rushed for his first professional touchdown as quarterback on December 20, 2010, against the Chicago Bears in Minnesota. Filling in for an injured Brett Favre, he completed 15-of-26 passes for 129 yards, with two interceptions; he also had six rushing attempts for 38 yards and a touchdown.[19]

On December 28, 2010, Webb made his first career start, against the Philadelphia Eagles. Scoring one rushing touchdown and throwing for 195 yards, he was 17-of-26 with no interceptions. Initially projected to lose by two touchdowns, the Vikings pulled off an upset win, 24–14.[20][21] In the regular season finale against the Detroit Lions, he finished with 145 passing yards and an interception in the 20–13 loss.[22]

During the 2011 season, Webb was used occasionally as part of a "blazer package" specially designed for his unique skill set.

In the Vikings' week 14 game vs the Detroit Lions, starting quarterback Christian Ponder was benched early in the third quarter after throwing three interceptions and fumbling once. Webb entered the game with a 31–14 deficit, and proceeded to bring the team back and nearly achieve a victory, throwing his first professional touchdown pass and rushing for 109 yards including a 65-yard touchdown run (a franchise record for quarterbacks, and the longest run of his career). His 109 rushing yards set a franchise record for most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback.[16] Webb's efforts ultimately led to a 1st and goal situation at the one-yard line with nine seconds in the game and a score of 34–28. On the final play, Webb fumbled the ball ending the game.[23]

On December 24, 2011 against the Washington Redskins, Webb came in after Ponder left the game with a concussion. Webb was 4-of-5 for 84 yards and two touchdowns for a perfect 158.3 passer rating; he rushed for another touchdown. He led the team to a 33–26 victory at Washington.[24][25]

Overall, in the 2011 season, Webb finished with 376 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, two interceptions, 154 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns.[26]

During the 2012 season, Webb had his roles limited as he was not used as a quarterback in the regular season. On January 5, 2013, Webb was named the starting quarterback for the Vikings' Wild Card match against the Green Bay Packers after Christian Ponder was sidelined with an elbow injury. Webb finished with 11 completions on 30 attempts with 180 passing yards and one touchdown in a losing effort.[27][28]

With the signing of Matt Cassel on March 14, Vikings coach Leslie Frazier mentioned that Webb may be given consideration to play other positions besides quarterback. "(Webb) is such a talented athlete that we want to make sure that we're doing the right thing by him and our team, as well." said Frazier, "That's something we'll continue to discuss as we go forward." It was confirmed on May 15 that Webb had been informed of his switch to wide receiver.[29] Frazier showed interest in having Webb play quarterback again when Josh Freeman and Christian Ponder were injured. Webb later said in a press conference that he had no desire to play quarterback again for the Vikings. In 2013, Webb caught five passes for 33 yards.[30]

Webb and Cam Newton in 2016

On March 21, 2014, Webb signed with the Carolina Panthers. Even though he previously said in 2013 that he had no intention of playing as a quarterback again, he was the third string quarterback on the Panthers depth chart. However, he did not throw a pass while with Panthers, but was occasionally used as a wide receiver.[31] However, his predominant role with the Panthers was returning kickoffs.[32][33]

In the 2015 season, Webb continued his role as a kick returner for the Panthers.[34]

On January 3, 2016, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Webb recovered Buccaneer Bobby Rainey's fumble.[35][36]

On February 7, 2016, Webb was part of the Panthers team that played in Super Bowl 50. In the game, he was the team's kick returner as the Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24–10.[37]

On September 2, 2017, Webb was released by the Panthers.[38]

On September 4, 2017, Webb was signed by the Buffalo Bills.[39] Webb played in the wildcat formation and on special teams for the Bills throughout the 2017 season. He also played as quarterback in the third quarter of a snowy game against the Indianapolis Colts on December 10 after Nathan Peterman suffered a concussion.[40] The Bills won in overtime by a score of 13–7.[41][42]

On April 5, 2018, Webb signed with the Houston Texans.[43] Webb was cut by the team on September 1, but was re-signed the next day with a one-year, $915,000 contract.[44][45]

On March 21, 2019, Webb re-signed with the Texans.[46] On August 31, 2019, Webb was placed on injured reserve.[47]

On September 23, 2020, Webb was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad as a wide receiver.[48] He was released on October 20.[49]

On December 8, 2020, Webb was signed to the New York Giants practice squad.[50] On December 19, 2020, Webb was promoted to the active roster.[51] On January 2, 2021, Webb was waived by the Giants, but was re-signed six days later.