The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had some horrible quarterbacks throughout their history, especially during their early creamsicle days. Names like Gary Huff, Jeb Blount, and Steve Spurrier will forever stick out as two of the least effective passers to ever put that swashbuckler on the side of their helmet.
The worst quarterback in Bucs history, however, didn't even end up throwing 100 passes in his career. His time was so bad that he set an NFL record that can never be broken, all while playing a huge part in one of the worst seasons in the history of professional sports in America.
Meet Randy Hedberg. He was a quarterback so bad that there's a very good chance that he ends up as the worst player to get any extended run in the NFL.
Randy Hedberg is the worst Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback ever.
Hedberg's college career was, to say the least, anonymous. The North Dakota product went to an NAIA school (which is below NCAA's Division III) in Minot State. Hedberg was dominant at that level, so much so that the Buccaneers selected him in the eighth round (No. 196 overall) in the 1977 NFL Draft.
Bucs fans are well aware that they lost 26 straight games in the early days of the franchise. The team was winless in 1976, but the two-win 1977 team may have been the worst offense in NFL history. The league's 12th-ranked defense was utterly let down.
The Bucs scored seven offensive touchdowns all season long, scored more than seven points in a game just four times, and were shut out six times. Hedberg, Huff, and Blount were a three-man hydra that combined for an unfathomable three touchdown passes and 30 interceptions. These numbers are so futile that they will never be seen again.
Hedberg actually managed to earn a start in the first game of the season, setting a record for the latest-drafted rookie quarterback to start in Week 1. Let's say, to be overwhelmingly kind to Hedberg, that he learned very early on the gap in quality between Minot State and the NFL was Springfield Gorge levels.
Randy Hedberg struggled for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hedberg threw for 117 yards and three interceptions in his first two starts, conceding the starting job to Huff in Week 3. Hedberg returned for a Week 4 clash with Washington, but he threw just two passes and was replaced.
Hedberg would play in three games as a backup after that disaster, completing just seven of 34 passes (good for a 20.6% completion rate, which should not require further illustration as terrible). Hedberg threw zero touchdowns and five interceptions in that span. Hedberg would start once more against the Chicago Bears, completing four of 15 passes and getting picked twice.
The final line on Hedberg in what would be his only pro season. 25 completions out of 90 attempts (27.8% completion) for 244 yards. 15 sacks taken. Zero touchdowns. 10 interceptions. 0.0 passer rating. He got a Blutarsky.
Hedberg bounced between the Raiders and Packers as an inactive player before calling it a career. Oddly enough, he has become a huge success in the coaching ranks afterwards. Those who can't, teach.
Randy Hedberg left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to become a solid coach
Hedberg returned to Minot State and led the Beavers to a 45-23-2 record between 1982 and 1989. After a decade as an assistant, Hedberg took over Division II St. Cloud State and went 47-51-2 with the Huskies between 1999 and 2007.
Hedberg has served as quarterbacks coach at North Dakota State from 2014 to 2025 while splitting assistant head coach duties since the 2018 season. Hedberg helped develop Carson Wentz, Easton Stick, and Trey Lance before announcing his retirement in early 2025.
Hedberg's success as a coach has overshadowed his playing career, as it was as bad as humanly possible for Tampa Bay.