Derek Anderson is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He began his career in 2005 when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens. However, he was released before the start of the regular season and subsequently signed with the Cleveland Browns.
Anderson spent five seasons with the Browns, during which he established himself as a reliable backup quarterback. He made his first start in 2006 and went on to lead the team to a 10-5 record, earning a Pro Bowl selection and the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award. However, he struggled with consistency in the following seasons and was eventually released by the Browns in 2010.
Anderson then signed with the Arizona Cardinals, where he spent three seasons as a backup to starting quarterback Kurt Warner. He saw limited playing time during this period, but did start a few games when Warner was injured. In 2010, he led the Cardinals to a 27-26 comeback victory over the Dallas Cowboys, throwing for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
After leaving the Cardinals in 2013, Anderson signed with the Carolina Panthers, where he spent the final five seasons of his career. He served as the backup to starting quarterback Cam Newton, but did see some playing time when Newton was injured. In 2014, he led the Panthers to a 19-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, throwing for 277 yards and a touchdown.
Anderson retired from the NFL in 2019, having played in 76 games and thrown for 10,878 yards and 60 touchdowns. He was known for his strong arm and ability to make big plays, but also struggled with accuracy and consistency at times. Despite this, he was a respected veteran presence in the locker room and was known for his leadership and work ethic.
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