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News | Washington Commanders - Commanders.com

Cavanaugh's NFL Experience Spans Three Decades

Announced as the team's new quarterbacks coach on Wednesday, longtime NFL coach Matt Cavanaugh brings a wealth of experience to the Redskins.

A countdown of the top-10 images of quarterback Robert Griffin III during the 2014 season.

After a 13-year career as a quarterback with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants. Cavanaugh got his coaching career started in 1993 as the tight ends coach for the University of Pittsburgh, and has moved up from there.

Here's a look at Cavanaugh's coaching career:

2013-14: Chicago Bears, Quarterbacks Coach
Cavanaugh rejoined the Bears in 2013 after serving as offensive coordinator for the organization from 1997-98.

His impact was immediately felt by not only Pro Bowler Jay Cutler, but longtime journeyman Josh McCown as well.

While Cutler would start the first seven games of the season, he was sidelined for five games with an injury.

In his place came McCown, and in his first start of the 2013 season vs. Green Bay, he led the Bears to a 27-20 victory behind a 272-yard, two-touchdown performance.

In eight games, the Sam Houston State product would throw 13 touchdowns to just one interception.

Cutler, meanwhile, would throw for 19 touchdowns that season, as well.

During the 2014 season, Cutler would start 15 games for the Bears, throwing for a career-high 28 touchdowns and 3,812 yards – the second highest total in his career.

2009-12: New York Jets, Quarterbacks Coach

Throughout Cavanaugh's tenure with the Jets, he worked primarily with Mark Sanchez, who was a rookie in 2009.

Under Cavanaugh's tutelage, Sanchez would start 15 regular seasons games in 2009, and was the starter during a run to the AFC Championship Game.

In 2010, Sanchez was under center for all 16 regular season games, throwing for 3.291 yards and 17 touchdowns. In a Week 9 overtime victory over the Detroit Lions, Sanchez would throw for 336 yards while also adding a rushing touchdown.

As a wild card, the Jets were once again guided to the AFC Championship Game by Sanchez, as he would throw for 616 yards and five touchdowns to just one interception.

The 2011 season saw Sanchez perform his best statistically, as he would throw for career highs in passing yards (3,474) and touchdowns (26).  

While Sanchez would once again be the primary quarterback for the Jets in 2012, all three quarterbacks on the roster saw action, as Tim Tebow was used in exclusive packages and Greg McElroy started one game.

(From 2005-08 Cavanaugh served as the University of Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.)

1999-2004: Baltimore Ravens, Offensive CoordinatorCavanaugh navigated the Ravens offense for six seasons, highlighted by a Super Bowl victory following the 2000 season.

During his first season controlling the offense, the Ravens used a varied attack, as three different quarterbacks took snaps from under center while running backs Errict Rhett (852) and Priest Holmes (506) each ran for at least 500 yards.

Wide receiver Qadry Ismail, meanwhile, would record his first of two 1,000-yard seasons.

In 2000, the offense complemented a dominate defense perfectly, as they used a methodic pace to wear down opponents.

Rookie Jamal Lewis would pace the offense throughout the season, as he would carry the ball 309 times for 1,364 yards and six touchdowns.

In a 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV, quarterback Trent Dilfer would find wide receiver Brandon Stokley for a touchdown while Lewis would rush for 102 yards and an additional score.

During the 2003 season, Lewis became just the fifth player in NFL history to join the 2,000 rushing yards club, as he ran for an NFL-high 2,066 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2 that season, Lewis would set the NFL record (since broken) for rushing yards in a single game, as he ran for 295 yards and two touchdown on 30 carries.

In 2004, Cavanaugh worked closely with second-year quarterback Kyle Boller, as he threw for career highs in passing yards and touchdowns.

1997-98: Chicago Bears, Offensive CoordinatorIn his first stint with the Bears, Cavanaugh served as the team's offensive coordinator for two seasons.

At quarterback for the Bears during the majority of those two seasons was Erik Kramer, as he'd throw for 4,834 yards and 23 touchdowns.

During the 1998 season, Cavanaugh helped plant Bobby Engram as an aerial threat, as the Penn State product would record a career-high 987 yards and five touchdowns.

1994-95: Arizona Cardinals, Quarterbacks CoachUnder head coach Buddy Ryan, Cavanaugh's first NFL job came with the Cardinals, working closely with several veterans to keep their abilities sharp.

During the 1994 season, Cavanaugh worked with three quarterbacks with at least five years of NFL experience, as former Redskin Jay Schroeder, Jim McMahon and Steve Beuerlein all started games.

Schroeder and Beuerlein would each throw for at least 1,500 yards.

Dave Krieg, meanwhile, would start all 16 regular season games for the Cardinals during the 1995 season, throwing for 3,554 yards and 16 touchdowns.

CAVANAUGH FOOTBALL TIMELINE
2013-14: Quarterbacks Coach, Chicago Bears
2009-12: Quarterbacks Coach, New York Jets
2005-08: Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach, University of Pittsburgh
1999-2004: Offensive Coordinator, Baltimore Ravens
1997-98: Offensive Coordinator, Chicago Bears
1996: Quarterbacks Coach, San Francisco 49ers
1994-95: Quarterbacks Coach, Arizona Cardinals
1993: Tight Ends Coach, University of Pittsburgh
1990-91: Quarterback, New York Giants
1986-89: Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles
1983-85: Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers
1978-82: Quarterback, New England Patriots
1974-77: Quarterback, University of Pittsburgh

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