Golden State has six starting signal callers, the most in one state since 1992.
The 2025 NFL playoffs are loaded with quarterbacks from California and Texas, which combine for 10 of the 14 starting signal callers.
California has six, including MVP favorite Josh Allen of
Firebaugh and Jared Goff from
Marin Catholic (Kentfield).
Jayden Daniels of
Cajon (San Bernardino), Sam Darnold of
San Clemente, Jordan Love of
Liberty (Bakersfield) and C.J. Stroud of
Rancho Cucamonga round out the starting signal callers from the Golden State.
It's the most one state has had since 1992 when John Elway, Jim Harbaugh and Warren Moon were three of the eight California quarterbacks to start a NFL playoff game.
Texas has four as Jalen Hurts of
Channelview, Baker Mayfield of
Lake Travis (Austin), Matthew Stafford of
Highland Park (Dallas) and Patrick Mahomes of
Whitehouse prepare to start at quarterback this postseason.
Mahomes is looking to become the first starting quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win three straight championships.
All three NFC Wild Card games will feature California vs. Texas quarterback battles.
Love and the Packers will take on Hurts and Eagles. Tom Brady, another California quarterback will be announcing the game on Fox.
The No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels has Washington in the postseason for the first time since the 2020 season. The Commanders face Tampa Bay and Mayfield on Sunday.
On Monday, Darnold and the Vikings will face Stafford and the Rams in Arizona.
Texas and California have been well-represented in the Super Bowl over the years, especially recently. Super Bowl LVII in 2023 featured two Texas quarterbacks as Hurts took on Mahomes. During Super Bowl LV in 2021, Brady faced Mahomes. Two years before that in Super Bowl LIII, it was an all-California quarterback battle between Brady and Goff.
Justin Herbert of
Sheldon (Eugene, Ore.), Lamar Jackson of
Boynton Beach (Boynton Beach, Fla.), Bo Nix of
Pinson Valley (Pinson, Ala.) and Russell Wilson of
Collegiate (Richmond, Va.) also have their teams in the playoffs.
