Can You Match the Current NFL Star to His Team?

SPORTS

By: Beth Hendricks

7 Min Quiz

Image: Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

About This Quiz

We love to watch the stars come out: Brady, Zeke, Mack, JuJu. Oh ... wait ... you thought we meant actual stars like Canopus, Arcturus, Alpha Centauri A? Well, we're certainly fans of astronomy (go NASA!), but this quiz is all about the stars spread among the 32 teams of the National Football League. Sure, you hear the names Tom Brady, Ezekiel Elliott, Khalil Mack and JuJu Smith-Schuster on Sundays in the fall, but do you recognize other top-performing athletes like Stefon Diggs, Bobby Wagner, Luke Kuechly and Calais Campbell? And, perhaps the biggest challenge of them all: Do you know which teams these stars belong to? With free agency and last-minute trades, that's not as easy as you might think!

Consider this quiz a virtual tour of the league's AFC and NFC squads, through the names of its biggest stars. Does Patrick Mahomes belongs to the Cardinals or the Chiefs? Is Odell a new Bengal or a new Brown? Whose locker room would you find Von Miller walking around in? It's a match game where the question is the star and the answer is the team, and we need you to connect the dots! So, dial in what you remember seeing on ESPN, think about the stars that have made your day (or broke your heart) and put them where they belong – on their team's sideline!

This team drafted Luke Kuechly in 2002, and he promptly won NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. What team are we talking about?

Luke Kuechly made an immediate impact on the Carolina Panthers – and the entire NFL – when he entered the league in 2012. He earned the Defensive Rookie of the Year award the same year, the youngest at the time to do so.

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The Kansas City Chiefs earned their first home AFC Championship game in 2018, behind the play of which up-and-coming NFL star?

In only his second season in the league, Patrick Mahomes made plenty of waves, nearly taking his team to the Super Bowl and picking up a slew of awards and recognitions in the meantime.

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The Cleveland Browns won the off-season "lottery" when they scored this former Giant. Who are we talking about?

There were many rumors in the time period between the Super Bowl and the start of the 2019 season about where Beckham would wind up, if he would even leave the Giants. Now, of course, we know that OBJ will join his former college teammate, Jarvis Landry, on the field in Cleveland.

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Deshaun Watson entered his first game for this team after the starter was benched at halftime. What team is it?

Highly lauded after a successful college career, Deshaun Watson was drafted by the Houston Texans and played his first game (well, half a game) after the starter was benched against the Jags.

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Travis Kelce had the best season of his career in 2018, racking up more than 1,300 receiving yards for which team?

Perhaps thanks to a new, flashy quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce's 2018 campaign resulted in more than 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, his best since being drafted in 2013.

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Widely regarded as one of the NFL's top defenders, to which team does Aaron Donald belong?

Aaron Donald, all 6'1", 285-pounds of him, routinely makes the league's top defenders lists. His agility, speed and uncanny football abilities contribute to his on-the-field and off-the-field dominance.

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The New England Patriots chose this guy, but not until the 199th pick of the 2000 NFL Draft. Who is it?

Blame it on his 199th draft pick position, but Tom Brady has been playing with a chip on his shoulder for nearly two decades in the NFL. And, he's spent all of that time with the same team, the New England Patriots.

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The Indianapolis Colts drafted this speedy receiver in 2012 and he led the team in touchdown receptions. Who is it?

Drafted by the Colts in 2012, T.Y. Hilton has certainly made an impact on his team, leading the squad in touchdown receptions his rookie season. He has played behind veterans like Reggie Wayne during his career.

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In Ezekiel Elliott's first season, he led the entire NFL in rushing as a member of which team?

When Zeke is "on," he's something special for the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, he has a bit of a hard time keeping his nose clean off the field, which sometimes distracts from his incredible athletic prowess.

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The Baltimore Ravens drafted for their future when they selected this QB in the first round of the 2018 draft. Who did they select?

Heisman winner Lamar Jackson, who played college ball for the University of Louisville, was a hot prospect for many teams when he declared for the 2018 NFL Draft. Baltimore is where he landed ... and quickly replaced starter Joe Flacco.

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Dak Prescott took over the starting QB role for this squad his rookie year. What team does he lead?

The Dallas Cowboys are no stranger to QB controversy, and the decision to start Prescott his rookie season was another. Yet, Prescott proved himself and has been the team's leader ever since.

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The Denver Broncos have laid claim to this star since 2011. Which of these athletes has been a seven-time Pro Bowler for them?

Von Miller was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2011 out of Texas A&M University. Miller has been a Bronco long enough to rack up plenty of accolades, including seven Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl win and a Super Bowl MVP trophy.

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This New Orleans Saints QB has set nearly every passing record for his franchise since arriving there in 2006. Who is it?

Drew Brees has so many passing records to his credit that we've honestly lost count. He sits at the helm of the New Orleans Saints franchise and is beloved throughout Louisiana for his play and his charitable activities.

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The New York Giants selected this Penn State running back in 2018, and he went on to amass more than 1,300 yards his rookie season. Who is it?

Saquon Barkley was a standout running back at Penn State and continued his success at carrying the ball once he made it to the NFL. During his rookie season, he ran for more than 1,300 yards, earning a Pro Bowl selection.

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Eli Manning holds team records for passing yards and touchdown passes during his time with which franchise?

Since being with the New York Giants starting in 2004, Manning has eclipsed numerous franchise records, including most passing yards and most touchdown passes. Manning is the younger brother of former NFL star Peyton Manning.

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Jason Pierre-Paul sustained a hand injury in a fireworks incident prior to joining this team in 2018. What franchise are we talking about?

A former New York Giant, JPP (as he's known) sustained an injury to his hand during a fireworks incident when he was still a member of the Giants franchise. In 2018, he made the move to Tampa and the Buccaneers roster.

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Which player was on the receiving end of the "Minneapolis Miracle" for the Minnesota Vikings?

Stefon Diggs achieved instant celebrity status in Vikings Nation when he hauled in a 61-yard touchdown pass to overtake the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 NFL playoffs. Diggs has been on the Vikings roster since 2015.

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Ben Roethlisberger has won two Super Bowl titles for this six-time NFL champion. What franchise is it?

The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Ben Roethlisberger out of Miami (OH) in 2004. In the years that have passed since, Roethlisberger has helped the franchise add to its Super Bowl titles, with two wins.

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The San Francisco 49ers' roster now includes this standout corner, who was once a member of a rival squad. Who is it?

A one-time Seattle Seahawk, this standout cornerback joined his former rival, the San Francisco 49ers, in 2018. Sherman has a Super Bowl ring and is a four-time Pro Bowl selection.

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Todd Gurley was drafted by this team in 2015 when they were located in another city. What team is it?

They were the St. Louis Rams and then the L.A. Rams. But, despite their name changing, many of their athletes remained the same, including this star running back they drafted from the University of Georgia.

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The Houston Texans (and all of Houston, really) love their Walton Payton NFL Man of the Year. Who is it?

Career-long Houston Texan J.J. Watt earned the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year honor, in part for his work in raising roughly $40 million for the community in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

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Which Washington Redskins player has a tumultuous on-field beef with star WR Odell Beckham Jr.?

We don't think Josh Norman and OBJ will be hanging out anytime soon. The two have had a very tumultuous on-field relationship since first facing each other in 2015. Hey, it makes for good TV.

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Khalil Mack apparently wasn't appreciated by his former team, so he found a team to love him for him. Where did he land?

It sent shockwaves throughout the NFL when the Raiders let defender Khalil Mack depart for Chicago, but it all worked out. Mack had a blockbuster season with his new squad, earning a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery, interception and touchdown in the first half of his first game with the Bears.

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Kickers don't get enough love, but Mason Crosby deserves it for riding it out with this team since 2007. Which franchise are we referring to?

The Green Bay Packers have had a solid kicking game since 2007, thanks to the presence of the trusty Mason Crosby. Crosby played collegiate ball at the University of Colorado before being drafted by the Packers in 2007.

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Julian Edelman is a college quarterback turned star wide receiver for which NFL franchise?

The New England Patriots acquired Julian Edelman in 2009, drafting him out of Kent State University. Edelman, a college QB, has proven his athleticism as a star receiver and is the reigning Super Bowl MVP.

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Which Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver is a seven-time Pro Bowler?

Wide receiver A.J. Green attributes some of the hand-eye coordination that makes him a better on-field player to his ability to juggle (no, seriously). Green has spent the duration of his NFL career in Cincinnati.

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David Johnson leads the ground assault as a running back for which of these franchises?

David Johnson has suffered through a slew of coaches and quarterbacks in his relatively short tenure in the NFL. We're sure both he and Cards fans are hoping that 2019 is a more successful season.

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This "Shady" Buffalo Bills athlete has eclipsed 10,000 rushing yards in his NFL career. What is his name?

LeSean McCoy, known by the nickname "Shady," has been a member of both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills, his current team. McCoy has more than 10,000 career rushing yards since being drafted in 2009.

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At the helm of the Atlanta Falcons is this QB, who fans have affectionately dubbed "Matty Ice." Who is it?

In fairness, only Matt Ryan (the real Matty Ice) and Matthew Stafford are current NFL QBs, but the league has seen a plethora of "Matt" QBs – a number that surged as high as eight just a few years ago.

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Another team might be wringing its hands over losing a star receiver, but the Pittsburgh Steelers still have this rising star. Who is it?

JuJu Smith-Schuster might be young, but he might also be the future of the Steelers wide receiving corps with the departure of Antonio Brown, who had spent his entire NFL career in Pittsburgh.

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This Tennessee Titans' star's biggest career moment came before he ever moved to Nashville. Who is it?

He's a Titan now, but before he was in Tennessee, he was a cornerback for the New England Patriots. His game-saving end zone interception in Super Bowl XLIX was his NFL star coming-out party.

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The Arizona Cardinals have kept this wide receiver on their roster since 2004, and have given him nearly two dozen QBs to deal with. Who are we talking about?

Poor Larry Fitzgerald. Throughout the entirety of his NFL career since 2004, he has called nearly two dozen athletes "his quarterback." It hasn't stopped him from having a Hall of Fame-worthy career, though.

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Michael Thomas is entering the 2019 season in the final year of his rookie contract with which team?

Rumor has it that the New Orleans Saints might finally pony up the big bucks for this wide receiver. Thomas holds the NFL record for the most receptions in his first three seasons.

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Le'Veon Bell sat out the entire 2018 season with his previous team, so they traded him to which franchise?

Turns out, if you complain loud and long enough, the Pittsburgh Steelers will say they've had enough and trade you off to another team; in this case, the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.

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Which New Orleans Saints player made the peer-chosen "Top 100 Players" at No. 20 his rookie season?

In his rookie season with the New Orleans Saints, Alvin Kamara made an impression on his fellow NFL athletes. They voted him No. 20 on a list of the top 100 NFL players of 2018. Kamara racked up more than 700 yards in his first NFL season.

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Kiko Alonso has developed a reputation for his quarterback hits while a member of which team?

During the 2018 season with the Miami Dolphins, linebacker Kiko Alonso was faced with two controversial hits on opposing QBs, earning him penalties, fines and an ejection during a game against Buffalo.

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Antonio Brown made his point and his exit from Pittsburgh, joining which of these teams?

It was a rocky 2018 season in Pittsburgh, no doubt, with both Brown and Le'Veon Bell making waves. When the season concluded, Brown signed a record deal with the Oakland Raiders ... and now we wait.

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This Jacksonville Jaguars star earned the Bart Starr Award in 2019 for his on-field and off-the-field leadership. Who is it?

Calais Campbell may not be a household name for everyone, but he is making his mark on the Jacksonville community. He is the first Jaguars player to be recognized with the Bart Starr Award, given to one NFL player each year who demonstrates leadership and character both on and off the field.

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Derwin James concluded his first NFL season in 2018 with Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods for which team?

Drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, Derwin James' play as a strong safety earned him attention from players and fans alike. He was voted to his first Pro Bowl in his first NFL season.

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Chandler Jones won a Super Bowl with the Patriots before being traded to which NFL franchise?

Chandler Jones is an Arizona Cardinal, after being drafted by and winning a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots. He was a first-round draft pick out of the University of Syracuse in 2012.

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