20 years later, Dilfer is still upset about Ravens departure originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Midway through the 2000 NFL season, Trent Dilfer took over for Tony Banks as the Baltimore Ravens' starting quarterback. With Dilfer under center, Baltimore won 11 of 12 games, capping off an incredible run with the franchise's first Super Bowl title.
Just a few weeks later, though, Baltimore opted to sign a different quarterback in free agency, effectively ending Dilfer's time in the Charm City.
Two decades later, he is still bitter about how his time in Baltimore ended.
"You know, I've been through a lot in my life and I try not to be bitter about anything," Dilfer said, via ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "I'd say that's one I'm still harboring a little bit of bitterness, because of the why. It was so poorly evaluated on their behalf. They knew I was hurt."
The Ravens would ultimately sign former Chiefs signal-caller Elvis Grbac to replace Difler.
On paper, the move made sense. Grbac was coming off a Pro Bowl season in Kansas City, while Dilfer struggled under center at times during his year with the Ravens, despite the team's overall success.
Dilfer joined the Seattle Seahawks in free agency, where he would spend the next four years of his career. Dilfer started just 12 games over that span, appearing in 22 contests, serving as Matt Hasselbeck's primary backup.
The signing of Grbac didn't work out for the Ravens, either. The quarterback played just one season with the team, throwing more interceptions (18) than touchdowns (15), while Baltimore lost in the divisional round of the playoffs.
A major reason Dilfer was upset he didn't return to Baltimore was he didn't have a chance to defend the Super Bowl title on what he felt was a more talented Ravens team.
"[It] still is tough because I do think that 2001 team was better probably from a talent standpoint, and I would have loved to have been able to captain that ship," Dilfer said.
