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{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1972)}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2007}}{{Infobox NFLactive
{{Use American English|date=June 2023}}
|image=Replace this image male.svg <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people - see ] --> |
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
|currentteam=Detroit Lions
{{Infobox NFL biography
||caption=
| name = Jon Kitna
|currentnumber=8
| image =
|currentposition=Quarterback
| image_size =
|birthdate={{birth date and age|1972|9|21}}
| caption =
|birthplace=Tacoma, Washington
| number =
|heightft=6
| current_team = Lakota East High School
|heightin=2
| position = ]
|weight=217
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|9|21}}
|debutyear=1997
| birth_place = ], U.S.
|debutteam=Seattle Seahawks
| height_ft = 6
|highlights=<nowiki></nowiki>
| height_in = 2
* 1997 ] ] MVP
| weight_lbs = 220
* 2003 ]
| high_school = ] (Tacoma, Washington)
|college=]
| college = ] (1991–1995)
|undraftedyear=1997
| undraftedyear = 1996
|pastteams=<nowiki></nowiki>
| pastteams =
* ] (1997)
* ] (1997-2000) * ] ({{NFL Year|1996}}–{{NFL Year|2000}})
* →] (])
* ] (2001-2005)
* ] ({{NFL Year|2001}}–{{NFL Year|2005}})
* ] (2006-present)
* ] ({{NFL Year|2006}}–{{NFL Year|2008}})
|statweek=17
* ] ({{NFL Year|2009}}–{{NFL Year|2011}}, {{NFL Year|2013}})
|statseason=2007
| pastcoaching =
|statlabel1=]-]
* ] (2012–2014)<br>Head coach
|statvalue1=147-146
* ] (2015–2017)<br>Head coach
|statlabel2=Passing yards
* ] (2018)<br>Head coach
|statvalue2=26,535
* Dallas Cowboys ({{nfly|2019}})<br>Quarterbacks coach
|statlabel3=]
* ] (2020–2022)<br>Head coach
|statvalue3=76.8
* ] (2023–present)<br>Head coach
|nfl=KIT155733
| highlights =
}}'''Jon K. Kitna''' ({{pronEng|KIT-nuh}}) (born ], ] in ]) is an ] player at the ] position in the ] for the ]. He attended ] and was quarterback for the Wildcats during their 1995 NAIA National Football Championship season. Jon has a wife Jennifer and 2 sons Jordon and Jalen. In 2001 he started the Jon and Jennifer Kitna Eternal Blessings Foundation, supporting various Christian ministries and also a Christian-based ministry at Remann Hall in Tacoma, Washington.
* ] (2003)
* ] (2003)
* ] champion (1997)
* ] MVP (1997)
* ] (])
* ] ] (])
* 3× All-Mount Rainier League (1993–1995)
| statlabel1 = Pass attempts
| statvalue1 = 4,442
| statlabel2 = Pass completions
| statvalue2 = 2,677
| statlabel3 = Completion percentage
| statvalue3 = 60.3
| statlabel4 = ]–]
| statvalue4 = 169–165
| statlabel5 = ]
| statvalue5 = 29,745
| statlabel6 = ]
| statvalue6 = 77.4
| pfr = KitnJo00
}}
'''Jon Kelly Kitna''' (born September 21, 1972) is an American former professional ] ] who played in the ] (NFL) for the ], ], ], and ]. He played ] for the ] and was signed by the Seahawks as an ] in 1996. He is currently the head football coach at ] in ].


==High School== ==Early life==
Jon Kitna attended Lincoln High School (]) and was a standout in football, basketball, and baseball. He was a friend of and a prep teammate of ] in football and basketball. Kitna was born and raised in ]. He attended Concordia Lutheran School, before transferring to ] after his freshman season. He ] in football, ], and ].


He enrolled at ]. He ] to the football team and was named the starter at quarterback as a true freshman over ]. He passed for 1,964 yards.
==College==
He attended ] and was quarterback for the Wildcats from 1992-1995. In 1995 the Wildcats won the NAIA National Football Championship with Kitna as their quarterback. Finished his career completing 911 of 1550 passes (58.8%) for 12,353 yards, 99 TDs and 59 INTs in 43 games.


As a sophomore, he posted 3,241 yards. He had 6 touchdown passes against ]. As a junior, he registered 2,532 passing yards. He passed for 456 yards and 7 touchdowns against ].
==Professional career==
===Barcelona Dragons===
Kitna was named the Most Valuable Player in ] when he led the ] to the 1997 ] Championship (]), winning 38-24 over the ].


As a senior, he started 14 games, tallying 4,616 passing yards (NAIA Division II record) on 364-of-576 completions (63.1%), 42 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, while leading the Wildcats to the ]. He surpassed 300 passing yards in 8 contests. He had 455 passing yards and 4 touchdowns against ]. He passed for 454 yards against ].

Kitna finished his college career with 43 games played, 911-of-1,550 completions (58.8%), 12,353 passing yards, 99 touchdowns and 59 interceptions. He set the ] record for career total offense with 12,907 yards. He had 17 games with over 300 passing yards.

In 2006, he was inducted into the Central Washington University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2014, he was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame.

==Professional career==
===Seattle Seahawks=== ===Seattle Seahawks===
====1996 season====
Kitna was originally signed as an ] by the ]. He served as a backup to ] in ] and ], but started the final five games of the ] season. Then, in 1999, he started 15 games for the Seahawks, leading them to a 9-7 record (Kitna going 8-7 in games started) and winning the ] Western Division Championship. Seattle would lose a Wild Card Game to the Miami Dolphins which is noteworthy as the final game played in the Seattle Kingdome.
{{see also|1996 Seattle Seahawks season}}
Believing that his football career was over after the NAIA championship, Kitna finished his math education degree at Central Washington and began applying for high-school coaching jobs.{{r|oneil20120519}} ] head coach ] visited the campus to give a tryout for his nephew, Bryce Erickson, a receiver on the Central Washington team. Impressed by Kitna's strong passes, the Seahawks signed him as an ] on April 25.


He was waived on August 19 and signed to the ] on August 26, where he remained for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seahawk Notebook -- Jon Kitna's Back, For NFL Tutelage|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19960827&slug=2346130|publisher=The Seattle Times|date=August 27, 1996|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>
In 2000, Kitna opened the season with a 4 INT preformance against the Miami Dolphins which opened the door for Coach Mike Holmgren to start Brock Huard. During that season Kitna and Huard rotated as starting QBs due to injury and benchings. His last win for the Seahawks came on a rain soaked Husky Stadium turf in December of that year beating the AFC Championship Game bound Oakland Raiders on a TD pass to then rookie Darrell Jackson in the final minute of play.

====1997 season====
{{see also|1997 Seattle Seahawks season}}
Kitna was allocated to the ] of the ]. He appeared in 10 games, posting 171 completions (led the league), 317 pass attempts (led the league), a 53.9% average, 2,448 passing yards (led the league), 22 passing touchdowns (led the league), 15 interceptions. He set the league record for quarterbacks with 334 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.

He was the runner-up to ] for World League MVP honors and was named the ] of the title game, when he led the ] to a 38&ndash;24 ] win over the ], completing 23-of-31 passes for 401 yards (league record), 2 touchdowns and one interception.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Star is Born|url=http://www.nfl.com/europa/history/1997|work=NFL.com|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|access-date=April 30, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227231412/http://www.nfl.com/europa/history/1997|archive-date=December 27, 2013}}</ref>

He returned to the Seahawks and was the third-string quarterback behind ] and ]. On December 14, he had his first career start against the ] after Moon injured his ribs, leading the team to the second biggest comeback in franchise history, from a 21–3 halftime deficit to a 22–21 win. Moon returned to start in the season finale against the ]. Kitna played in 3 games, making 23-of-37 completions for 283 yards, one touchdown and 2 interceptions.

====1998 season====
{{see also|1998 Seattle Seahawks season}}
Kitna was the team's deactivated third-string quarterback in 10 of the first 11 games. He made the first start of the season and second of his career against the ] and earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, after passing for 298 yards, 2 touchdowns and one interception, while leading a fourth-quarter comeback for the deciding 48-yard field goal in a 20–18 win.

He completed 17-of-24 attempts in the next game against the ], for 278 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 carries for 25 yards and 2 interceptions. He had a 70-yard touchdown pass to ] in the first quarter and followed it 3 minutes later with a second 57-yard touchdown pass to Galloway. He also rushed three times for 25 yards at the Jets.

In the fifteenth game against the ], he rallied the team to score 17 fourth quarter points in a 27–23 win, making 16-of-29 completions for 177 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions. He ended the season by passing for 242 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the ] ].

He was named the starting quarterback for the last 5 contests, leading the team to a 3–2 record. He finished with 98-of-172 completions (57.0%) for 1,177 yards, 7 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Five of his 7 touchdown passes went to ] ].

====1999 season====
{{see also|1999 Seattle Seahawks season}}
Kitna started 15 games for the Seahawks. He did not play in the second game against the ] due to a sprained toe he suffered in the season opener against the ]. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October, after guiding the club to a 3–1 record, while throwing for 7 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions.

He led the team to a 9&ndash;7 record (Kitna going 8&ndash;7 in games started), winning the ] and into the playoffs for the first time since ]. Seattle would end up losing 20–17 in the wild card game against the ]. He posted 270-of-495 completions (54.5%) for 3,346 yards (fifth in the AFC), 23 touchdown passes (third in the AFC) and 16 interceptions.

====2000 season====
{{see also|2000 Seattle Seahawks season}}
In ], Seahawks head coach ] was concerned with Kitna's preseason performance and tried to work a trade for ] backup quarterback ], although it did not come through.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2001-01-14-0101130360-story.html | work=Sun-Sentinel | first=Alex | last=Marvez | title=Suddenly, Kitna Doesn't Look So Bad To Seahawks | date=January 14, 2001 | access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>

Kitna began the season with a four-interception performance against the ], which opened the door for Holmgren to put second-year quarterback ] in the game. Kitna started the next 4 contests, before being replaced by Huard in the sixth game against the ]. Huard suffered a concussion two games later in the second quarter against the ], which forced him to miss 3 games and put Kitna back in the starter role.

On November 5, down 15–14 on 3rd-and-16 with 1:28 left in the game, Kitna dodged a possible 17-yard sack by ] defensive end ] and made an 18-yard pass to ]. This pass set up the game-winning field goal by ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Trotter|first=Jim|title=Chargers beat Seahawks everywhere except where it matters, the scoreboard|url=http://www.uniontrib.com/sports/chargers/20001106-9999_1s6chargers.html|work=San Diego Union-Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001207175400/http://www.uniontrib.com/sports/chargers/20001106-9999_1s6chargers.html|archive-date=December 7, 2000}}</ref>

Huard returned as the starter in the thirteenth game against the ], but suffered a season-ending kidney injury in the first quarter. Kitna went on to start the last 4 contests. His last win for the Seahawks came on a rain-soaked ] turf in December of that year, beating the ]-bound Oakland Raiders on a touchdown pass to rookie ] in the final minute of play.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/premium/0286/0286-7240682.html | work=San Jose Mercury News | first=Mark | last=Purdy | title=New Raiders revert to old Raiders form | date=December 17, 2000}}</ref>

The Seahawks were 6–6 in his 12 starts and 0–4 in the other games. He registered 259-of-418 completions (54.5%) for 2,658 yards, 18 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Holmgren chose not to re-sign Kitna after the season.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2001/01-05/0037_seahawks__holmgren_promises_to_re.html | work=Kitsap Sun | first=Jim | last=Cour | title=SEAHAWKS: Holmgren promises to rebuild... quickly | date=January 5, 2001 | access-date=April 30, 2020 | archive-date=March 7, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307093823/https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2001/01-05/0037_seahawks__holmgren_promises_to_re.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Cincinnati Bengals=== ===Cincinnati Bengals===
====2001 season====
In 2001, he signed as an ] with the ].
On March 8, he signed as an ] with the ].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/09/sports/plus-pro-football-bengals-sign-kitna-to-4-year-contract.html |title=PLUS: PRO FOOTBALL; Bengals Sign Kitna To 4-Year Contract |date=March 9, 2001 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> He won the starting quarterback job in preseason over ] and went on to start 15 games. He opened the regular season winning his first 2 starts, becoming the first Bengals quarterback since ] in 1969 to accomplish the feat.


In the sixteenth game overtime 26–23 win against the ], he threw for a franchise-record 68 passes, tied for the third most in NFL history. He had 35 completions for 411 yards, 2 touchdowns and received AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
In ], Kitna played every down, and was named the ] after throwing for over 3,500 yards and 26 touchdown passes in leading the Bengals to a respectable 8-8 record, that team's first non-losing season since 1996.


In the season finale against the ], he had 340 passing yards, setting a team record for passing yards in consecutive games with 751. He finished with 313 completions, 581 attempts (team record), a 53.9% average, 3,216 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
Jon Kitna's secondary role with the team was to prepare young quarterback ] (the Bengals' #1 draft pick in ]). It was a role Kitna accepted gracefully. By 2004, Palmer was ready, leading the Bengals to another 8-8 season. Kitna was the backup for Palmer in that season. The two QB's developed a close friendship off the field, particularly because both men are avid ].


====2002 season====
Kitna was unexpectedly thrust back behind center during the Bengals' AFC Divisional Playoff game against the ] on January 8, 2006. Carson Palmer went down with a knee injury on his second play from scrimmage and Kitna stepped in off the bench and into a relief role. Kitna finished 24-40 for 197 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions and a fumble as the Bengals fell to the eventual ] champion ] 31-17.
Although he was the backup quarterback behind ] for the first 4 games, Kitna started the final 12 contests to help fix a struggling offense. He had 11 games (combined rushing and passing) of 300-or-more yards as well as six straight 350-yard games (Games 7–12), the franchise's longest such streak since 1986.

In the eighth game against the ], he had 22-of-27 completions (81.5%) for 263 yards and 4 touchdowns. In the fifteenth game against the ], he led the offense on a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives to overcome a 7–13 deficit and get a 20–13 win. In the season, he collected 294-of-473 completions (62.2%) for 3,178 yards, 16 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, 24 carries for 57 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns.

====2003 season====
Kitna played every offensive down and became the first player in franchise history to throw every one of the team's passes in a single-season. He threw 137 straight passes with no interceptions. In the twelfth game 34–27 win against the ], he tied his career high with four touchdown passes. In the thirteenth game against the ], he led a 24–20 comeback win, making a game-winning 18-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds remaining.

He was named the ] after throwing for over 3,500 yards and 26 touchdown passes (second in the AFC) in leading the Bengals to an 8&ndash;8 record, the team's first non-losing season since 1996.

====2004 season====
Kitna's secondary role with the team was to prepare young quarterback ] (the Bengals' #1 draft pick in 2003). It was a role Kitna accepted gracefully. The two quarterbacks developed a close friendship off the field, particularly because both men are avid ]ers.

By 2004, Palmer was ready to take over the starting job, leading the Bengals to another 8&ndash;8 season. Kitna was the backup quarterback until seeing his first action of the season in the thirteenth game against the ], due to a season-ending knee injury to Palmer. He made 9-of-13 completions for 126 yards and one touchdown in a 28–35 loss.

In his first start of the season against the ], he made 16-of-32 completions for 151 yards and one touchdown. He led the team to a 23–22 win against the ], throwing a four-yard touchdown pass with 0:44 remaining, while also completing 20-of-32 passes for 186 yards, 2 touchdowns and one interception. In the season finale against the ], he completed 16-of-27 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown, winning 38–10 against the eventual NFC champions.

====2005 season====
Kitna entered his first game of the season during the fourth quarter against the ] and led the offense on a field goal drive. He played in the final offensive series against the ] and went 2-of-2 for 17 yards. He replaced Palmer in the second quarter of the season finale against the ], completing 13-of-24 passes for 76 yards and 2 interceptions in a 37–3 loss.

He was unexpectedly thrust back behind center during the Bengals' AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the ] on January 8, ]. Palmer went down with a left knee injury on his second play from scrimmage and Kitna stepped in off the bench and into a relief role. Kitna finished 24-of-40 for 197 yards, one touchdown and 2 interceptions and one fumble as the Bengals fell to the eventual ] champion ] 31&ndash;17.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/games/2006-01-08-steelers-bengals_x.htm | work=USA Today | first1=Jarrett | last1=Bell | title=Steel hurtin': Steelers roll | date=January 9, 2006 |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>


===Detroit Lions=== ===Detroit Lions===
====2006 season====
On ], ], Kitna was signed by the ] as a ] to a 4-year ]. He was expected to compete for the starting QB position with ], but coach ] made Kitna the starting quarterback. Kitna played every down for the second time in his career during the 2006 season and finished the season with 4,208 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, but he also threw 22 interceptions and lost 9 fumbles for the 3-13 Lions. His ] was 79.9 for the 2006 season. Jon was announced to be the starter and captain for the 2007-2008 season by Lions head coach ]. In March of 2007, Jon stated the Lions would win a minimum of 10 games in the upcoming season <ref></ref>, though they failed to reach this mark after losing their 7th game of the season in week 14, before eventually finishing 7-9, after starting the season with a 6-2 record.
On March 14, he signed with the ] as an ], to compete with ] for the quarterback position.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2368184 |title=Kitna agrees to four-year deal with Lions |website=ESPN |date=March 14, 2006 |language=en |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> Kitna was named the starter and became the first quarterback in franchise history to take every snap in a single-season.

He registered 372 completions (franchise record), 596 attempts (franchise record), 62.4 pass completion rate (second in franchise history), 4,208 passing yards (second in franchise history), 21 touchdowns (fourth in franchise history) and 22 interceptions. He also became the second quarterback in franchise history after ], to pass for 4,000 yards in one season. His four 300-yard passing games were the fourth-most in the NFL.

====2007 season====
The Lions offense was ranked ninth in the league in passing, with Kitna starting all 16 games, while throwing for 4,068 yards, 18 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He set a single-game franchise record and a personal career-high with 442 passing yards against the ]. He became the first quarterback in franchise history with back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons.

====2008 season====
Kitna suffered a back injury in the fourth game of the season and was placed on the ] on October 14. The Lions became the first NFL team to finish a season with no wins and 16 losses.

He passed ] for the eighth place on Detroit's all-time passing list with 9,034 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/4157/news/ |title=Jon Kitna |website=sports.yahoo.com |language=en-US |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> He finished with 68-of-120 (56.7%) for 758 yards and 5 touchdowns.

On February 28, ], he was traded to the ] in exchange for ] ].

===Dallas Cowboys===
In ], the Cowboys acquired Kitna to improve their backup quarterback situation, after ] had a 1–2 record, including a 35–14 loss against the ] when ] was injured during the previous season. Kitna did not play a single down for the Cowboys in the ].

In ], Kitna remained idle until October 25, when Romo suffered a broken ] against the ] and was later placed on the ] on December 21.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5727797|title=Tony Romo breaks left collarbone|publisher=]|date=October 26, 2010|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> Kitna ended up suffering an abdominal injury against the ] on ], and was replaced with second-year quarterback ] for the rest of the season. Kitna played well in relief of Romo throwing for 2,365 yards, 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in the 9 games he started, compiling a 4–5 record and a career-high 88.9 passer rating in the process.

In ], he suffered a herniated disk problem in training camp that limited him to only 3 games. In his last action, he took the last snap on a 44–7 victory over the ] on November 13. He couldn't play the rest of the season because his back condition never improved. He was placed on the ] on December 14.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/7352547/dallas-cowboys-qb-jon-kitna-placed-injured-reser_1 |title=Cowboys put Jon Kitna on IR |date=December 14, 2011 |website=ESPN|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> McGee was promoted to backup quarterback in his place. The injury forced him to announce his retirement from the ] on January 12, ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bengals101.com/2012/01/13/former-cincinnati-bengal-jon-kitna-decides-to-retire/ |title=Former Cincinnati Bengal Jon Kitna Decides to Retire |website=Bengals101.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227142016/http://www.bengals101.com/2012/01/13/former-cincinnati-bengal-jon-kitna-decides-to-retire/ |archive-date=December 27, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On Christmas Eve, ], Kitna was called out of retirement to serve as an emergency back-up behind quarterback ], for the season finale against the ], following a back injury to Romo.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cowboys decide on... Jon Kitna to backup Kyle Orton|url=http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2013/12/cowboys-decide-on-jon-kitna-to-backup-kyle-orton.html}}</ref> He donated his game salary ($55,294 before taxes) to the ] Booster Club.<ref>{{cite web|last=Archer|first=Todd|title=Kitna will give check to high school team|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4722267/jon-kitnas-check-going-to-high-school-team|work=ESPN.com|date=December 26, 2013 |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

===Regular season===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="3"| Games
! colspan="9"| Passing
! colspan="5"| Rushing
! colspan="2"| Sacks
! colspan="2"| Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! Record !! Cmp !! Att !! Pct !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Int !! Rtg !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Sck !! SckY !! Fum !! Lost
|-
! ] !! ]
| 3 || 1 || 1–0 || 31 || 45 || '''68.9''' || 371 || 8.2 || 61 || 1 || 2 || 82.7 || 10 || 9 || 0.9 || 8 || 1 || 3 || 10 || 1 || 0
|-
! ] !! ]
| 6 || 5 || 3–2 || 98 || 172 || 57.0 || 1,177 || 6.8 || 70 || 7 || 8 || 72.3 || 20 || 67 || 3.4 || 21 || 1 || 11 || 72 || 5 || 1
|-
! ] !! ]
| 15 || 15 || '''8–7''' || 270 || 495 || 54.5 || 3,346 || 6.8 || 51 || 23 || 16 || 77.7 || 35 || 56 || 1.6 || 10 || 0 || 32 || 198 || 7 || 1
|-
! ] !! ]
| 15 || 12 || 6–6 || 259 || 418 || 62.0 || 2,658 || 6.4 || 71 || 18 || 19 || 75.6 || '''48''' || 127 || 2.6 || 13 || 1 || 33 || 166 || '''11''' || '''3'''
|-
! ] !! ]
| '''16''' || 15 || 6–9 || 313 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| 581 || 53.9 || 3,216 || 5.5 || 49 || 12 || '''22''' || 61.1 || 27 || 73 || 2.7 || 20 || 1 || 25 || 185 || 6 || 2
|-
! ] !! ]
| 14 || 12 || 2–10 || 294 || 473 || 62.2 || 3,178 || 6.7 || 72 || 16 || 16 || 79.1 || 24 || 57 || 2.4 || 12 || '''4''' || 24 || 159 || 1 || 1
|-
! ] !! ]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 8–8 || 324 || 520 || 62.3 || 3,591 || 6.9 || 82 || '''26''' || 15 || 87.4 || 38 || 113 || 3.0 || 15 || 0 || 37 || 249 || 1 || 0
|-
! ] !! ]
| 4 || 3 || 2–1 || 61 || 104 || 58.7 || 623 || 6.0 || 30 || 5 || 4 || 75.9 || 10 || 42 || 4.2 || 15 || 0 || 6 || 41 || 1 || 1
|-
! ] !! ]
| 3 || 0 || – || 17 || 29 || 58.6 || 99 || 3.4 || 16 || 0 || 2 || 36.4 || 2 || 14 || '''7.0''' || 11 || 0 || 2 || 10 || 0 || 0
|-
! ] !! ]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 3–13 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| '''372''' || '''596''' || 62.4 || '''4,208''' || 7.1 || 60 || 21 || '''22''' || 79.9 || 34 || '''156''' || 4.6 || 18 || 2 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| '''63''' || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| '''388''' || 3 || 2
|-
! ] !! ]
| '''16''' || '''16''' || 7–9 || 355 || 561 || 63.3 || 4,068 || 7.3 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| '''91''' || 18 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| 20 || 80.9 || 25 || 63 || 2.5 || 11 || 0 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| 51 || 320 || 4 || 1
|-
! ] !! ]
| 4 || 4 || 0–4 || 68 || 120 || 56.7 || 758 || 6.3 || 47 || 5 || 5 || 72.2 || 6 || 34 || 5.7 || 10 || 0 || 15 || 89 || 1 || 0
|-
! ] !! ]
| 0 || 0 || – || colspan="18" |{{abbr|DNP|Did not play}}
|-
! ] !! ]
| 10 || 9 || 4–5 || 209 || 318 || 65.7 || 2,365 || 7.4 || 71 || 16 || 12 || '''88.9''' || 31 || 147 || 4.7 || '''29''' || 1 || 21 || 100 || 2 || 0
|-
! ] !! ]
| 3 || 0 || – || 6 || 10 || 60.0 || 87 || '''8.7''' || 33 || 1 || 2 || 82.1 || 3 || -2 || -0.7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! ] !! ]
| 0 || 0 || – || colspan="18" |{{abbr|DNP|Did not play}}
|-
! colspan="2"|
! 141 !! 124 !! 50–74 !! 2,677 !! 4,442 !! 60.3 !! 29,745 !! 6.7 !! 91 !! 169 !! 165 !! 77.4 !! 313 !! 956 !! 3.1 !! 29 !! 11 !! 323 !! 1,987 !! 43 !! 12
|}

===Postseason===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="3"| Games
! colspan="9"| Passing
! colspan="5"| Rushing
! colspan="2"| Sacks
! colspan="2"| Fumbles
|-
! GP !! GS !! Record !! Cmp !! Att !! Pct !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Int !! Rtg !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Sck !! SckY !! Fum !! Lost
|-
! ] !! ]
| '''1''' || '''1''' || 0-1 || 14 || 30 || 46.7 || 162 || '''5.4''' || 22 || '''1''' || '''2''' || 46.8 || 1 || 1 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || '''6''' || '''32''' || 0 || 0
|-
! ] !! ]
| '''1''' || 0 || '''–''' || '''24''' || '''40''' || '''60.0''' || '''197''' || 4.9 || '''24''' || '''1''' || '''2''' || '''60.1''' || '''4''' || '''25''' || '''6.3''' || '''12''' || 0 || 4 || 20 || 0 || 0
|-
! ] !! ]
| 0 || 0 || '''–''' || colspan="18" |{{abbr|DNP|Did not play}}
|-
! colspan="2"|
! 2 !! 1 !! 0–1 !! 38 !! 70 !! 54.3 !! 359 !! 5.1 !! 24 !! 2 !! 4 !! 54.4 !! 5 !! 26 !! 5.2 !! 12 !! 0 !! 10 !! 52 !! 0 !! 0
|}

==Coaching career==
From 2012 to 2014, Kitna was a math teacher and head football coach at alma mater, ].<ref name="carpenter20121219">{{Cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--former-nfl-qb-jon-kitna-finds-%E2%80%98gold-mine%E2%80%99-at-a-school-where-other-teachers-only-saw-problems-194739063.html |title=Former NFL QB Jon Kitna finds 'gold mine' at his troubled old high school |last=Carpenter |first=Les |date=December 19, 2012 |work=Yahoo! Sports |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref><ref name="oneil20120519">{{cite news| url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/jon-kitnas-greatest-play-nfl-qb-to-high-school-math-teacher/ | work=The Seattle Times | first=Danny | last=O'Neil | title=Jon Kitna's greatest play: NFL QB to high-school math teacher | date=May 19, 2012 | access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> As coach he led the team to a 5–5 record in the 2012 season.{{r|carpenter20121219}} Lincoln improved to 8–2 in 2013 and 11–1 in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/lincoln-abes-%28tacoma,wa%29/football-fall-13/schedule.htm |title=Lincoln 2013 Football Schedule|website=maxpreps.com|language=en|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/lincoln-abes-(tacoma,wa)/football-fall-14/schedule.htm |title=Lincoln 2014 Football Schedule|website=maxpreps.com|language=en|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> Lincoln shared the ] (WIAA) District 3A Narrows regular season championship in 2013, with a 5–1 conference record tied with ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/league/UfCxKmBTd0WqaBLVinVy9Q/standings-3a-narrows.htm|title=3A Narrows Football Standings |website=maxpreps.com|language=en|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> In 2014, Lincoln went 7–0 in conference play and won the outright regular season championship.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/league/eRpFod5YdUCkyFhJsRbK4g/standings-3a-narrows.htm|title=3A Narrows Football Standings |website=maxpreps.com|language=en|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>

In January 2015, he resigned from Lincoln and accepted the head coaching job at ] in ], south of ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cotterill|first1=TJ|title=Jon Kitna resigns coaching, teaching job at Lincoln High to take job in Texas|url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/01/21/3599165_kitna-resigns-football-coaching.html?rh=1|website=Tacoma News-Tribune|access-date=April 30, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122222008/http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/01/21/3599165_kitna-resigns-football-coaching.html?rh=1|archive-date=January 22, 2015}}</ref>

In February 2018, Kitna was hired at ], an all-men Jesuit high school in ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2018/02/14/ex-nfl-qb-jon-kitna-phoenix-brophy-prep-coach/339014002/ |title=Former NFL QB Jon Kitna hired as Brophy Prep football coach |website=azcentral |language=en |access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> He guided the football team to a 7–4 record and a state appearance.

In June 2018, he was named the offensive coordinator for the ] of the ], which began play in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last=Crabtree|first=Curtis|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/06/01/san-diego-aaf-team-to-have-coaching-staff-filled-with-nfl-names/|title=San Diego AAF team to have coaching staff filled with NFL names|publisher=]|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> However, he did not coach a game for the Fleet as he joined the Dallas Cowboys staff in January to become their quarterbacks coach and work with ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25809632/ex-nfl-qb-jon-kitna-become-cowboys-qb-coach|title=Cowboys to hire Jon Kitna as quarterbacks coach|work=]|date=January 20, 2019|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref> In 2020, he was not retained by new Cowboys head coach ].

In March 2020, Kitna was hired as the football head coach and athletic coordinator at ] in ].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2020/03/09/jon-kitna-named-head-coach-burleson-high-school-texas/5007488002/ |title=Jon Kitna, former Bengals quarterback, named head coach at Texas high school |website=Cincinnati.com|language=en|access-date=April 30, 2020}}</ref>
He would coach there until the 2022 season.

In February 2023, Kitna was hired as the head football coach and dean of students at ] in ].

===Head coaching record===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Overall !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!! Won!! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
!]||2012
||5||6||0||.454||4th in WA 3A Narrows|| 0 || 1 || .000 || <small>'''Lost to ] in 3A First Round.'''</small>
|-
!Tacoma (WA) Lincoln||2013
||8||3||0||.727||T-1st in WA 3A Narrows|| 0 || 1 || .000 || <Small>'''Lost to ] in 3A First Round.'''</small>
|-
!Tacoma (WA) Lincoln||2014
||11||1||0||.917||1st in WA 3A Narrows|| 2 || 1 || .667 || <Small>'''Lost to ] in 3A Quarterfinals.'''</small>
|-
! colspan="2"|Tacoma (WA) Lincoln total||24||10||0||.705||||2||3||.400||
|-
!] ||2015
||6||4||0||.600||5th out of 8 in TX 5A Region II District 14|| 0 || 0 || .000 || <Small>'''Did not qualify.'''</small>
|-
!Waxahachie (TX) ||2016
||6||4||0||.600||5th out of 8 in TX 5A Region II District 10|| 0 || 0 || .000 || <Small>'''Did not qualify.'''</small>
|-
!Waxahachie (TX) ||2017
||8||5||0||.615||4th out of 8 in TX 5A Region II District 10|| 2 || 1 || .667 || <Small>'''Lost to ] in 5A-D2 Region II Regional Finals.'''</small>
|-
! colspan="2"|Waxahachie (TX) total||20||13||0||.606||||2||1||.667||
|-
|-
!] (AZ) ||2018
||7||4||0||.636||3rd out of 5 in AZ 6A Premier Section|| 0 || 1 || .000 || <Small>'''Lost to ] in Conference 6A First Round.'''</small>
|-
|-
! colspan="2"|Brophy College Preparatory (AZ) total||7||4||0||.636||||0||1||.000||
|-
!] ||2020
||6||4||0||.600||2nd out of 4 in TX 5A-2 Region II District 5 Zone B|| 0 || 0 || .000 || <Small>'''Did not qualify.'''</small>
|-
!Burleson (TX) ||2021
||8||4||0||.667||3rd out of 8 in TX 5A-2 Region II District 5|| 1 || 1 || .500 || <Small>'''Lost to ] in 5A-D2 Region II Area Round'''</small>
|-
|-
!Burleson (TX) ||2022
||3||7||0||.300||5th out of 8 in TX 5A-2 Region II District 5|| 0 || 0 || .000 || <Small>'''Did not qualify.'''</small>
|-
! colspan="2"|Burleson (TX) total||17||15||0||.531||||1||1||.500||
|-
!Lakota East (OH)||2023
||1||9||0||.100||8th out of 8 in Greater Miami Conference||0||0||.000| .000 ||
|-
|-
|-
! colspan="2"|Career total||69||51||0||.575||||5||6||.454||
|}

==Personal life==
Kitna became a ] while attending Central Washington University.{{r|carpenter20121219}} His parents, who had previously been non-religious, later became Christians as well.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zhPxn1nAZI|title=Jon Kitna - My Story|date=April 3, 2013|access-date=April 30, 2020|publisher=YouTube|people=The Increase Stories}}</ref> Kitna has four children with his wife.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cox|first=Allen|title=Casual Comfort - South Sound Magazine|url=https://southsoundmag.com/print-articles/casual-comfort-2/|work=South Sound Magazine|publisher=Premier Media Group|access-date=April 30, 2020|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023053324/https://southsoundmag.com/print-articles/casual-comfort-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> His son Jalen was a quarterback at ], but was dismissed from the team in December 2022 after being arrested on child pornography charges. The charges were later reduced to a misdemeanor after investigation, and he was able to re-enroll in classes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 30, 2022 |title=Florida QB Jalen Kitna jailed on child pornography counts |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35149554/florida-qb-jalen-kitna-jailed-child-pornography-counts |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Jalen has since committed to play for the ] for the 2024 season.<ref name="c395">{{cite web | last=Scarborough | first=Alex | title=Dismissed Florida QB Kitna joining UAB, Dilfer | website=ESPN.com | date=2023-12-30 | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39209002/former-florida-qb-jalen-kitna-commits-uab | access-date=2024-12-25}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
<references />


==External links== ==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*Jon Kitna at NFLPlayers.com
{{commons category}}
*Jon Kitna Guarantee
*
*
*


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Latest revision as of 01:41, 1 January 2025

American football player and coach (born 1972)

American football player
Jon Kitna
Lakota East High School
Position:Head coach
Personal information
Born: (1972-09-21) September 21, 1972 (age 52)
Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Lincoln (Tacoma, Washington)
College:Central Washington (1991–1995)
Undrafted:1996
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Pass attempts:4,442
Pass completions:2,677
Completion percentage:60.3
TD–INT:169–165
Passing yards:29,745
Passer rating:77.4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jon Kelly Kitna (born September 21, 1972) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Seattle Seahawks, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Central Washington Wildcats and was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He is currently the head football coach at Lakota East High School in Ohio.

Early life

Kitna was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Concordia Lutheran School, before transferring to Lincoln High School after his freshman season. He lettered in football, basketball, and baseball.

He enrolled at Central Washington University. He walked on to the football team and was named the starter at quarterback as a true freshman over Beau Baldwin. He passed for 1,964 yards.

As a sophomore, he posted 3,241 yards. He had 6 touchdown passes against Pacific Lutheran University. As a junior, he registered 2,532 passing yards. He passed for 456 yards and 7 touchdowns against Pacific Lutheran University.

As a senior, he started 14 games, tallying 4,616 passing yards (NAIA Division II record) on 364-of-576 completions (63.1%), 42 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, while leading the Wildcats to the NAIA Football National Championship. He surpassed 300 passing yards in 8 contests. He had 455 passing yards and 4 touchdowns against Western Washington University. He passed for 454 yards against Whitworth University.

Kitna finished his college career with 43 games played, 911-of-1,550 completions (58.8%), 12,353 passing yards, 99 touchdowns and 59 interceptions. He set the NAIA record for career total offense with 12,907 yards. He had 17 games with over 300 passing yards.

In 2006, he was inducted into the Central Washington University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2014, he was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

1996 season

See also: 1996 Seattle Seahawks season

Believing that his football career was over after the NAIA championship, Kitna finished his math education degree at Central Washington and began applying for high-school coaching jobs. Seattle Seahawks head coach Dennis Erickson visited the campus to give a tryout for his nephew, Bryce Erickson, a receiver on the Central Washington team. Impressed by Kitna's strong passes, the Seahawks signed him as an undrafted free agent on April 25.

He was waived on August 19 and signed to the practice squad on August 26, where he remained for the rest of the season.

1997 season

See also: 1997 Seattle Seahawks season

Kitna was allocated to the Barcelona Dragons of the World League of American Football. He appeared in 10 games, posting 171 completions (led the league), 317 pass attempts (led the league), a 53.9% average, 2,448 passing yards (led the league), 22 passing touchdowns (led the league), 15 interceptions. He set the league record for quarterbacks with 334 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.

He was the runner-up to T. J. Rubley for World League MVP honors and was named the MVP of the title game, when he led the Barcelona Dragons to a 38–24 World Bowl V win over the Rhein Fire, completing 23-of-31 passes for 401 yards (league record), 2 touchdowns and one interception.

He returned to the Seahawks and was the third-string quarterback behind John Friesz and Warren Moon. On December 14, he had his first career start against the Oakland Raiders after Moon injured his ribs, leading the team to the second biggest comeback in franchise history, from a 21–3 halftime deficit to a 22–21 win. Moon returned to start in the season finale against the San Francisco 49ers. Kitna played in 3 games, making 23-of-37 completions for 283 yards, one touchdown and 2 interceptions.

1998 season

See also: 1998 Seattle Seahawks season

Kitna was the team's deactivated third-string quarterback in 10 of the first 11 games. He made the first start of the season and second of his career against the Tennessee Oilers and earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, after passing for 298 yards, 2 touchdowns and one interception, while leading a fourth-quarter comeback for the deciding 48-yard field goal in a 20–18 win.

He completed 17-of-24 attempts in the next game against the New York Jets, for 278 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 carries for 25 yards and 2 interceptions. He had a 70-yard touchdown pass to Joey Galloway in the first quarter and followed it 3 minutes later with a second 57-yard touchdown pass to Galloway. He also rushed three times for 25 yards at the Jets.

In the fifteenth game against the Indianapolis Colts, he rallied the team to score 17 fourth quarter points in a 27–23 win, making 16-of-29 completions for 177 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions. He ended the season by passing for 242 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the eventual Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.

He was named the starting quarterback for the last 5 contests, leading the team to a 3–2 record. He finished with 98-of-172 completions (57.0%) for 1,177 yards, 7 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Five of his 7 touchdown passes went to wide receiver Joey Galloway.

1999 season

See also: 1999 Seattle Seahawks season

Kitna started 15 games for the Seahawks. He did not play in the second game against the Chicago Bears due to a sprained toe he suffered in the season opener against the Detroit Lions. He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October, after guiding the club to a 3–1 record, while throwing for 7 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions.

He led the team to a 9–7 record (Kitna going 8–7 in games started), winning the AFC West and into the playoffs for the first time since 1988. Seattle would end up losing 20–17 in the wild card game against the Miami Dolphins. He posted 270-of-495 completions (54.5%) for 3,346 yards (fifth in the AFC), 23 touchdown passes (third in the AFC) and 16 interceptions.

2000 season

See also: 2000 Seattle Seahawks season

In 2000, Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren was concerned with Kitna's preseason performance and tried to work a trade for Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, although it did not come through.

Kitna began the season with a four-interception performance against the Miami Dolphins, which opened the door for Holmgren to put second-year quarterback Brock Huard in the game. Kitna started the next 4 contests, before being replaced by Huard in the sixth game against the Carolina Panthers. Huard suffered a concussion two games later in the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders, which forced him to miss 3 games and put Kitna back in the starter role.

On November 5, down 15–14 on 3rd-and-16 with 1:28 left in the game, Kitna dodged a possible 17-yard sack by San Diego Chargers defensive end Neil Smith and made an 18-yard pass to Darrell Jackson. This pass set up the game-winning field goal by Rian Lindell.

Huard returned as the starter in the thirteenth game against the Denver Broncos, but suffered a season-ending kidney injury in the first quarter. Kitna went on to start the last 4 contests. His last win for the Seahawks came on a rain-soaked Husky Stadium turf in December of that year, beating the AFC Championship Game-bound Oakland Raiders on a touchdown pass to rookie Darrell Jackson in the final minute of play.

The Seahawks were 6–6 in his 12 starts and 0–4 in the other games. He registered 259-of-418 completions (54.5%) for 2,658 yards, 18 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Holmgren chose not to re-sign Kitna after the season.

Cincinnati Bengals

2001 season

On March 8, he signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals. He won the starting quarterback job in preseason over Scott Mitchell and went on to start 15 games. He opened the regular season winning his first 2 starts, becoming the first Bengals quarterback since Greg Cook in 1969 to accomplish the feat.

In the sixteenth game overtime 26–23 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he threw for a franchise-record 68 passes, tied for the third most in NFL history. He had 35 completions for 411 yards, 2 touchdowns and received AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

In the season finale against the Tennessee Titans, he had 340 passing yards, setting a team record for passing yards in consecutive games with 751. He finished with 313 completions, 581 attempts (team record), a 53.9% average, 3,216 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.

2002 season

Although he was the backup quarterback behind Gus Frerotte for the first 4 games, Kitna started the final 12 contests to help fix a struggling offense. He had 11 games (combined rushing and passing) of 300-or-more yards as well as six straight 350-yard games (Games 7–12), the franchise's longest such streak since 1986.

In the eighth game against the Houston Texans, he had 22-of-27 completions (81.5%) for 263 yards and 4 touchdowns. In the fifteenth game against the New Orleans Saints, he led the offense on a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives to overcome a 7–13 deficit and get a 20–13 win. In the season, he collected 294-of-473 completions (62.2%) for 3,178 yards, 16 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, 24 carries for 57 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns.

2003 season

Kitna played every offensive down and became the first player in franchise history to throw every one of the team's passes in a single-season. He threw 137 straight passes with no interceptions. In the twelfth game 34–27 win against the San Diego Chargers, he tied his career high with four touchdown passes. In the thirteenth game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he led a 24–20 comeback win, making a game-winning 18-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds remaining.

He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year after throwing for over 3,500 yards and 26 touchdown passes (second in the AFC) in leading the Bengals to an 8–8 record, the team's first non-losing season since 1996.

2004 season

Kitna's secondary role with the team was to prepare young quarterback Carson Palmer (the Bengals' #1 draft pick in 2003). It was a role Kitna accepted gracefully. The two quarterbacks developed a close friendship off the field, particularly because both men are avid golfers.

By 2004, Palmer was ready to take over the starting job, leading the Bengals to another 8–8 season. Kitna was the backup quarterback until seeing his first action of the season in the thirteenth game against the New England Patriots, due to a season-ending knee injury to Palmer. He made 9-of-13 completions for 126 yards and one touchdown in a 28–35 loss.

In his first start of the season against the Buffalo Bills, he made 16-of-32 completions for 151 yards and one touchdown. He led the team to a 23–22 win against the New York Giants, throwing a four-yard touchdown pass with 0:44 remaining, while also completing 20-of-32 passes for 186 yards, 2 touchdowns and one interception. In the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, he completed 16-of-27 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown, winning 38–10 against the eventual NFC champions.

2005 season

Kitna entered his first game of the season during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions and led the offense on a field goal drive. He played in the final offensive series against the Buffalo Bills and went 2-of-2 for 17 yards. He replaced Palmer in the second quarter of the season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, completing 13-of-24 passes for 76 yards and 2 interceptions in a 37–3 loss.

He was unexpectedly thrust back behind center during the Bengals' AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 8, 2006. Palmer went down with a left knee injury on his second play from scrimmage and Kitna stepped in off the bench and into a relief role. Kitna finished 24-of-40 for 197 yards, one touchdown and 2 interceptions and one fumble as the Bengals fell to the eventual Super Bowl XL champion Pittsburgh Steelers 31–17.

Detroit Lions

2006 season

On March 14, he signed with the Detroit Lions as an unrestricted free agent, to compete with Josh McCown for the quarterback position. Kitna was named the starter and became the first quarterback in franchise history to take every snap in a single-season.

He registered 372 completions (franchise record), 596 attempts (franchise record), 62.4 pass completion rate (second in franchise history), 4,208 passing yards (second in franchise history), 21 touchdowns (fourth in franchise history) and 22 interceptions. He also became the second quarterback in franchise history after Scott Mitchell, to pass for 4,000 yards in one season. His four 300-yard passing games were the fourth-most in the NFL.

2007 season

The Lions offense was ranked ninth in the league in passing, with Kitna starting all 16 games, while throwing for 4,068 yards, 18 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He set a single-game franchise record and a personal career-high with 442 passing yards against the Philadelphia Eagles. He became the first quarterback in franchise history with back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons.

2008 season

Kitna suffered a back injury in the fourth game of the season and was placed on the injured reserve list on October 14. The Lions became the first NFL team to finish a season with no wins and 16 losses.

He passed Charlie Batch for the eighth place on Detroit's all-time passing list with 9,034 yards. He finished with 68-of-120 (56.7%) for 758 yards and 5 touchdowns.

On February 28, 2009, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for cornerback Anthony Henry.

Dallas Cowboys

In 2009, the Cowboys acquired Kitna to improve their backup quarterback situation, after Brad Johnson had a 1–2 record, including a 35–14 loss against the New York Giants when Tony Romo was injured during the previous season. Kitna did not play a single down for the Cowboys in the regular season.

In 2010, Kitna remained idle until October 25, when Romo suffered a broken clavicle against the New York Giants and was later placed on the injured reserve list on December 21. Kitna ended up suffering an abdominal injury against the Arizona Cardinals on Christmas Day, and was replaced with second-year quarterback Stephen McGee for the rest of the season. Kitna played well in relief of Romo throwing for 2,365 yards, 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in the 9 games he started, compiling a 4–5 record and a career-high 88.9 passer rating in the process.

In 2011, he suffered a herniated disk problem in training camp that limited him to only 3 games. In his last action, he took the last snap on a 44–7 victory over the Buffalo Bills on November 13. He couldn't play the rest of the season because his back condition never improved. He was placed on the injured reserve list on December 14. McGee was promoted to backup quarterback in his place. The injury forced him to announce his retirement from the NFL on January 12, 2012.

On Christmas Eve, 2013, Kitna was called out of retirement to serve as an emergency back-up behind quarterback Kyle Orton, for the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, following a back injury to Romo. He donated his game salary ($55,294 before taxes) to the Lincoln High School Booster Club.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg Lng TD Sck SckY Fum Lost
1997 SEA 3 1 1–0 31 45 68.9 371 8.2 61 1 2 82.7 10 9 0.9 8 1 3 10 1 0
1998 SEA 6 5 3–2 98 172 57.0 1,177 6.8 70 7 8 72.3 20 67 3.4 21 1 11 72 5 1
1999 SEA 15 15 8–7 270 495 54.5 3,346 6.8 51 23 16 77.7 35 56 1.6 10 0 32 198 7 1
2000 SEA 15 12 6–6 259 418 62.0 2,658 6.4 71 18 19 75.6 48 127 2.6 13 1 33 166 11 3
2001 CIN 16 15 6–9 313 581 53.9 3,216 5.5 49 12 22 61.1 27 73 2.7 20 1 25 185 6 2
2002 CIN 14 12 2–10 294 473 62.2 3,178 6.7 72 16 16 79.1 24 57 2.4 12 4 24 159 1 1
2003 CIN 16 16 8–8 324 520 62.3 3,591 6.9 82 26 15 87.4 38 113 3.0 15 0 37 249 1 0
2004 CIN 4 3 2–1 61 104 58.7 623 6.0 30 5 4 75.9 10 42 4.2 15 0 6 41 1 1
2005 CIN 3 0 – 17 29 58.6 99 3.4 16 0 2 36.4 2 14 7.0 11 0 2 10 0 0
2006 DET 16 16 3–13 372 596 62.4 4,208 7.1 60 21 22 79.9 34 156 4.6 18 2 63 388 3 2
2007 DET 16 16 7–9 355 561 63.3 4,068 7.3 91 18 20 80.9 25 63 2.5 11 0 51 320 4 1
2008 DET 4 4 0–4 68 120 56.7 758 6.3 47 5 5 72.2 6 34 5.7 10 0 15 89 1 0
2009 DAL 0 0 – DNP
2010 DAL 10 9 4–5 209 318 65.7 2,365 7.4 71 16 12 88.9 31 147 4.7 29 1 21 100 2 0
2011 DAL 3 0 – 6 10 60.0 87 8.7 33 1 2 82.1 3 -2 -0.7 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013 DAL 0 0 – DNP
Career 141 124 50–74 2,677 4,442 60.3 29,745 6.7 91 169 165 77.4 313 956 3.1 29 11 323 1,987 43 12

Postseason

Year Team Games Passing Rushing Sacks Fumbles
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg Lng TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg Lng TD Sck SckY Fum Lost
1999 SEA 1 1 0-1 14 30 46.7 162 5.4 22 1 2 46.8 1 1 1.0 1 0 6 32 0 0
2005 CIN 1 0 – 24 40 60.0 197 4.9 24 1 2 60.1 4 25 6.3 12 0 4 20 0 0
2009 DAL 0 0 – DNP
Career 2 1 0–1 38 70 54.3 359 5.1 24 2 4 54.4 5 26 5.2 12 0 10 52 0 0

Coaching career

From 2012 to 2014, Kitna was a math teacher and head football coach at alma mater, Lincoln High School. As coach he led the team to a 5–5 record in the 2012 season. Lincoln improved to 8–2 in 2013 and 11–1 in 2014. Lincoln shared the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) District 3A Narrows regular season championship in 2013, with a 5–1 conference record tied with Lacey Timberline. In 2014, Lincoln went 7–0 in conference play and won the outright regular season championship.

In January 2015, he resigned from Lincoln and accepted the head coaching job at Waxahachie High School in Waxahachie, Texas, south of Dallas.

In February 2018, Kitna was hired at Brophy College Preparatory, an all-men Jesuit high school in Phoenix, Arizona. He guided the football team to a 7–4 record and a state appearance.

In June 2018, he was named the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football, which began play in 2019. However, he did not coach a game for the Fleet as he joined the Dallas Cowboys staff in January to become their quarterbacks coach and work with Dak Prescott. In 2020, he was not retained by new Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy.

In March 2020, Kitna was hired as the football head coach and athletic coordinator at Burleson High School in Burleson, Texas. He would coach there until the 2022 season.

In February 2023, Kitna was hired as the head football coach and dean of students at Lakota East High School in Liberty Township, Ohio.

Head coaching record

Team Year Overall Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
Tacoma (WA) Lincoln 2012 5 6 0 .454 4th in WA 3A Narrows 0 1 .000 Lost to Bellevue (WA) in 3A First Round.
Tacoma (WA) Lincoln 2013 8 3 0 .727 T-1st in WA 3A Narrows 0 1 .000 Lost to Sammamish (WA) Eastside Catholic in 3A First Round.
Tacoma (WA) Lincoln 2014 11 1 0 .917 1st in WA 3A Narrows 2 1 .667 Lost to Sammamish (WA) Eastside Catholic in 3A Quarterfinals.
Tacoma (WA) Lincoln total 24 10 0 .705 2 3 .400
Waxahachie (TX) 2015 6 4 0 .600 5th out of 8 in TX 5A Region II District 14 0 0 .000 Did not qualify.
Waxahachie (TX) 2016 6 4 0 .600 5th out of 8 in TX 5A Region II District 10 0 0 .000 Did not qualify.
Waxahachie (TX) 2017 8 5 0 .615 4th out of 8 in TX 5A Region II District 10 2 1 .667 Lost to Lone Star (Frisco, TX) in 5A-D2 Region II Regional Finals.
Waxahachie (TX) total 20 13 0 .606 2 1 .667
Brophy College Preparatory (AZ) 2018 7 4 0 .636 3rd out of 5 in AZ 6A Premier Section 0 1 .000 Lost to Mountain Pointe (AZ) in Conference 6A First Round.
Brophy College Preparatory (AZ) total 7 4 0 .636 0 1 .000
Burleson (TX) 2020 6 4 0 .600 2nd out of 4 in TX 5A-2 Region II District 5 Zone B 0 0 .000 Did not qualify.
Burleson (TX) 2021 8 4 0 .667 3rd out of 8 in TX 5A-2 Region II District 5 1 1 .500 Lost to Lovejoy (Lucas, TX) in 5A-D2 Region II Area Round
Burleson (TX) 2022 3 7 0 .300 5th out of 8 in TX 5A-2 Region II District 5 0 0 .000 Did not qualify.
Burleson (TX) total 17 15 0 .531 1 1 .500
Lakota East (OH) 2023 1 9 0 .100 8th out of 8 in Greater Miami Conference 0 0 .000
Career total 69 51 0 .575 5 6 .454

Personal life

Kitna became a Christian while attending Central Washington University. His parents, who had previously been non-religious, later became Christians as well. Kitna has four children with his wife. His son Jalen was a quarterback at Florida, but was dismissed from the team in December 2022 after being arrested on child pornography charges. The charges were later reduced to a misdemeanor after investigation, and he was able to re-enroll in classes. Jalen has since committed to play for the UAB Blazers for the 2024 season.

References

  1. ^ O'Neil, Danny (May 19, 2012). "Jon Kitna's greatest play: NFL QB to high-school math teacher". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  2. "Seahawk Notebook -- Jon Kitna's Back, For NFL Tutelage". The Seattle Times. August 27, 1996. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  3. "A Star is Born". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  4. Marvez, Alex (January 14, 2001). "Suddenly, Kitna Doesn't Look So Bad To Seahawks". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  5. Trotter, Jim. "Chargers beat Seahawks everywhere except where it matters, the scoreboard". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on December 7, 2000.
  6. Purdy, Mark (December 17, 2000). "New Raiders revert to old Raiders form". San Jose Mercury News.
  7. Cour, Jim (January 5, 2001). "SEAHAWKS: Holmgren promises to rebuild... quickly". Kitsap Sun. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  8. "PLUS: PRO FOOTBALL; Bengals Sign Kitna To 4-Year Contract". The New York Times. March 9, 2001.
  9. Bell, Jarrett (January 9, 2006). "Steel hurtin': Steelers roll". USA Today. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  10. "Kitna agrees to four-year deal with Lions". ESPN. March 14, 2006. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  11. "Jon Kitna". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  12. "Tony Romo breaks left collarbone". Associated Press. October 26, 2010. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  13. "Cowboys put Jon Kitna on IR". ESPN. December 14, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  14. "Former Cincinnati Bengal Jon Kitna Decides to Retire". Bengals101.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013.
  15. "Cowboys decide on... Jon Kitna to backup Kyle Orton".
  16. Archer, Todd (December 26, 2013). "Kitna will give check to high school team". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  17. ^ Carpenter, Les (December 19, 2012). "Former NFL QB Jon Kitna finds 'gold mine' at his troubled old high school". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  18. "Lincoln 2013 Football Schedule". maxpreps.com. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  19. "Lincoln 2014 Football Schedule". maxpreps.com. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  20. "3A Narrows Football Standings". maxpreps.com. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  21. "3A Narrows Football Standings". maxpreps.com. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  22. Cotterill, TJ. "Jon Kitna resigns coaching, teaching job at Lincoln High to take job in Texas". Tacoma News-Tribune. Archived from the original on January 22, 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  23. "Former NFL QB Jon Kitna hired as Brophy Prep football coach". azcentral. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  24. Crabtree, Curtis (June 1, 2018). "San Diego AAF team to have coaching staff filled with NFL names". Profootballtalk.com. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  25. "Cowboys to hire Jon Kitna as quarterbacks coach". ESPN. January 20, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  26. "Jon Kitna, former Bengals quarterback, named head coach at Texas high school". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  27. The Increase Stories (April 3, 2013). Jon Kitna - My Story. YouTube. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  28. Cox, Allen. "Casual Comfort - South Sound Magazine". South Sound Magazine. Premier Media Group. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  29. "Florida QB Jalen Kitna jailed on child pornography counts". ESPN.com. November 30, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  30. Scarborough, Alex (December 30, 2023). "Dismissed Florida QB Kitna joining UAB, Dilfer". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 25, 2024.

External links

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