<P> Drew McQueen Bledsoe (born February 14, 1972) is a former American football quarterback who played 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Bledsoe is best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993 to 2001, before losing his job after sustaining an injury . He also played for the Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys . </P> <P> The first overall pick in 1993 NFL Draft, Bledsoe helped improve the fortunes of the Patriots, who had fallen on hard times . Under his tenure as starting quarterback, the Patriots ended a seven - season postseason drought, qualified for the playoffs four times, and made one Super Bowl appearance . In his second season with the team, he was named to the 1995 Pro Bowl and was the youngest quarterback to appear in the NFL's all - star game at the time . </P> <P> Following a period of declining success and two consecutive seasons where the Patriots missed the playoffs, Bledsoe suffered a near - fatal injury early in the 2001 season and was replaced as starter by Tom Brady . He was unable to regain his starting position after he was medically cleared to play due to Brady's success with the team, which culminated with the franchise's first Super Bowl win, although Bledsoe relieved Brady in the AFC Championship game and led the Patriots to victory to secure their berth in the Super Bowl . Bledsoe then retired after short stints with the Bills and the Cowboys . For his accomplishments in New England, he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2010 . He also gave the Patriots a trophy at the end of the AFC Championship game in 2018 . </P> <P> Bledsoe attended Walla Walla High School and was a letterman in football, basketball and track . In football, he was named a first team All - State selection by the Tacoma News Tribune . In track, he competed in the throwing events, recording top - throws of 45.34 meters in the discus throw and 54.70 meters in the javelin throw . </P>

Who played for the patriots before tom brady
find me the text answering this question