Derek Anderson

Derek Anderson is a retired football quarterback who played 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon State. A 2007 Pro Bowler, Anderson has also played for the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals Carolina Panthers, and the Buffalo Bills.

Anderson played college football for Oregon State. He is the fourth player in Pac-10 history to throw for over 4,000 yards in a single season, setting an Oregon State Beavers football record at 4,058 yards in the 2003 season. He ranks second in the Pac-10 for career touchdown passes, at 79 (also an Oregon State record). He is the 6th person to ever throw for 10,000 yards in a career in the Pac-10.

Anderson was selected out of Oregon State University by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft (213th overall), but never played for them and was waived on September 20, 2005.

Anderson was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns the day after being waived by the Ravens. On September 30, Anderson beat the team that drafted him, the Baltimore Ravens. He threw for two touchdowns and 204 yards, completing 10 of 18 pass attempts with just one interception. The Browns would later beat the Ravens again, making it the first time since 2001 that the Browns were able to sweep the Ravens.

Anderson led the Browns to a 10–6 overall record, 10–5 in games in which he started. Anderson finished with 29 touchdowns to 19 interceptions. During the week of December 12–18, Anderson was named as a first alternate for the 2008 Pro Bowl at quarterback. Tom Brady was unable to attend due to injury, paving the way for Anderson to make his first appearance in the Pro Bowl.

On March 17, 2010, Anderson signed a two-year deal worth $7.25 million with the Arizona Cardinals. After Kurt Warner retired and Matt Leinart was released, Anderson became the starting quarterback for the Cardinals, but later suffered a concussion and was benched.

Anderson signed with the Carolina Panthers on July 31, 2011. He served as the backup to quarterback Cam Newton.

On September 7, 2014, Anderson started and completed 24 of 34 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, leading the Panthers to a 20–14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Anderson started again after Newton was involved in a car accident, coincidentally also against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Anderson finished the game by completing 25 of 40 passes for 277 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions, helping the Panthers win 19–17.

On February 7, 2016, Anderson was part of the Panthers team that played in Super Bowl 50. In the game, Anderson served as Cam Newton's active backup quarterback as the Panthers fell to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24–10.

On October 7, 2018, it was announced Anderson would sign with the Buffalo Bills, reuniting with Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane from his days playing for the Carolina Panthers, to serve as backup and mentor to rookie quarterback Josh Allen. The Bills completed the transaction on October 9. On May 9, 2019, Anderson announced his retirement.