- Three players (Jay Cutler, Carson Palmer, Alex Smith) came via trade
- Cutler was expensive and came to the Bears along with a 5th round choice for two 1st round selections, a 3rd round pick and Kyle Orton
- Palmer was a bargain and came from the Raiders for a late round pick and an exchange of late round selections
- Smith went from the 49ers for 2nd and 3rd round selections
- One player (Tony Romo) was an undrafted free agent
- Two players (Drew Brees and Peyton Manning) came to their team via the free agent route, being available largely due to injury
- Two players (Brian Hoyer and Ryan Fitzpatrick) were journeymen free agents
- Aaron Rodgers sat behind Brett Favre for three seasons
- Philip Rivers spent two years behind Drew Brees
- Carson Palmer sat behind Jon Kitna for a year before moving up
- Tony Romo understudied Drew Bledsoe and Vinny Testaverde
- Drew Brees waited his turn behind Doug Flutie
