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Russell Wilson and Nick Foles: Champions from the 2012 draft class

When thinking back on 2012, fans will remember what partially defined the season was the number of talented rookie quarterbacks from the year's draft class: Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles and Russell Wilson.
Dec 3, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) talk after the game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

When thinking back on 2012, fans will remember what partially defined the season was the number of talented rookie quarterbacks from the year’s draft class: Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill, Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles and Russell Wilson.

Once heralded as talented as the class of 2004, 2012’s quarterbacks were even compared to the legends of 1983 due to the remarkable first seasons of the big three from that year: Luck, Griffin III and Wilson.

Although Wilson lead the Seahawks to an 11-5 record and their first road playoff victory since 1983, Luck and Griffin III saw the most media attention.

Luck had taken the previously 2-14 Colts back to the playoffs as a rookie, and Griffin III’s dynamic athleticism earned him Rookie of the Year honors en route to Washington’s first division title since 1999. Wilson was seen mostly as the primary beneficiary of a strong run game and defense, while Foles was nothing more than an afterthought backing up Michael Vick in Philadelphia.

Fast forward five years . . . this class has now produced two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks, Wilson and Foles, both of whom helped their teams take home their first-ever Lombardi Trophies. Wilson has been to two Super Bowls, has twice as many playoff wins as losses, and has only missed the playoffs once in his career. After years as a journeyman, Foles returned home to Philadelphia and is now a Super Bowl MVP with as many post-season victories (3) as Luck.

Considering Griffin III is out of the League, Tannehill has not played in well over a year due to injury, and Cousins has a career-losing record, it might be safe to say the narrative of who are the best signal callers from that class is changing.

Wilson and Foles have become the first quarterbacks from the same round of the same draft to win at least one Super Bowl since Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger.

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