Green played Quarterback at Indiana University. In 1993, Green was drafted as the twenty sixth pick in the eighth round and 222nd overall by the San Diego Chargers. He spent years as a backup, even being cut in 1994 by the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League, finally becoming a NFL starter in 1998 with the Washington Redskins. That year, Green threw for 3,441 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The next year, he was slated to be the starter for the St. Louis Rams, but suffered a season-ending injury in a preseason game on a hit to the knee by Rodney Harrison. Kurt Warner took over and led the Rams to the Super Bowl XXXIV championship against the Tennessee Titans. The next year, Green started the season as a backup again. He started most of the middle of the season while Warner was out with a broken hand. The Warner/Green duo led the Rams to the highest team passing yard total in NFL history, with 5,232 net yards. Due to a very poor defensive unit, the Rams were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round by the New Orleans Saints. Nine of the eleven defensive starters would be cut during the offseason. Green also left during the offseason to join the Kansas City Chiefs, who had just lost Elvis Grbac to the Baltimore Ravens.
Kansas City Chiefs
During his first season in Kansas City, Green struggled despite the presence of offensive stars Tony Gonzalez and Priest Holmes, throwing for 3,783 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions. He became known as "Tr-INT" Green to his critics. Green showed marked improvement in 2002, throwing 26 touchdowns to only 13 interceptions as the Chiefs went 8-8. In 2003, Green had his breakout year, throwing for 4,039 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He led the Chiefs to a 13-3 record and a first-round bye in the playoffs. They subsequently lost in a 38-31 shootout to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. It was the first playoff game in NFL history where there were no punts from either side. Green was elected to his first Pro Bowl that year. The next season, the Chiefs went 7-9 as Priest Holmes went on IR after 8 games. However, Green still had a stellar year, passing for 4,591 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. His passing total was second only to Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings.
In 2005 the Chiefs with an improved defense improved their record to 10-6, but failed to make the playoffs. Green had another strong season in 2005, throwing for 4,010 yards (second only to Tom Brady), and only throwing 10 interceptions, his lowest season total ever. Green was elected to his second Pro Bowl following the 2005 season. With a third consecutive 4,000 yard season, Green joins Drew Bledsoe, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino and Warren Moon as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to pass for more than 4,000 yards in three or more seasons during their careers. In his five years in Kansas City, Green has never missed a start; he has started 80 consecutive games, a Chiefs QB record.
