The year 1998 was important for Plummer. He threw for 3,737 yards and 17 touchdowns, but was intercepted 20 times. The Cardinals were 6-7 before winning their final 3 games by a total of 8 points, all in dramatic fashion, to clinch the franchise's first playoff birth since 1982. He then led the Cardinals to their first playoff victory since 1947, 20-6 at Texas Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys. Plummer's ability to lead the team to victory in these close games certainly gave credence to the "Snake" nickname. Also named as a Pro Bowl Alternate.
The year 1999 was an injury-plagued season for Plummer. He suffered a sprained thumb in the second preseason game, broke his finger midway through the season and had nagging hip and groin problems as well. These injuries were partly the reason why he had a bad year; 2,111 passing yards, nine touchdown passes and 24 interceptions for a 50.8 passer rating. He finished 4-8 as a starter and the Cardinals went 6-10 to finish 4th in the NFC East and out of the playoffs.
In 2000, Plummer continued his passing woes from the 1999 season, having slightly better numbers (2,946 yards, 21 interceptions, 66.0 quarterback rating), and reached 10,000 career passing yards in only his 47th career start. In 14 starts he compiled a 3-11 record and the Cardinals finished 3-13 and in last place in the NFC East.
The year 2001 just happened to be Plummer's best season in the NFL at that point in his career. He was one of two quarterbacks to take every snap for his team (Kerry Collins was the other), and he passed for 3,653 yards, 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He had a stretch of 142 consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception until January 6, 2002, when he threw an interception to rookie Redskin linebacker Antonio Pierce. He led the NFL in fourth-quarter passing yards in 2001 (1,227) and led the Cardinals to a 7-9 record and a 4th place in the NFC East.
Plummer's last season with the Cardinals was in 2002. Again, his passing marks were rather poor (53.6 passer rating, 2,972 yards, 18 touchdowns and 20 interceptions), but he passed the 15,000 yard passing yards mark for his career against the San Diego Chargers on September 22.
Plummer signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2003, replacing Brian Griese as the starting quarterback. With the guidance of the Broncos's head coach Mike Shanahan, he had his best season as an NFL quarterback to that point. Controversially, in the first game of the season he pretended to have a concussion to mask a shoulder injury. He finished the season with a career high 91.2 rating. He had the longest run by a Broncos QB on Monday Night Football, 40 yards against the Oakland Raiders. He led them to a wild card playoff berth where they were beaten by the Indianapolis Colts 41-10 at the RCA Dome.
2004 was a roller coaster ride for Plummer. One of his closest friends and former teammates Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan. Plummer wanted to honor his memory by putting a number 40 decal on his helmet. The NFL didn't see eye to eye with Plummer on this issue and went back and forth on whether or not Plummer would take off the decal. He eventually did and took the fine the NFL gave him and encouraged everyone to give to the Pat Tillman foundation. Along with matching or surpassing some of former Broncos QB John Elway's passing records (including the most passing yards and tying for the most touchdown passes in the season), he also threw for 20 interceptions, and was seen giving an obscene gesture to the fans in one game. He led the Broncos to a second straight wild card playoff berth at Indianapolis against the Colts where they were again soundly beaten, 49-24.
On November 27, 2006, after a lackluster performance throughout the regular season, and directly following back to back losses to the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs, Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced that Plummer would be replaced as starting quarterback by rookie Jay Cutler.[1] The decision has been met with mixed reactions by sports analysts and fans alike and has been the catalyst for much speculation regarding Plummer's future with the Denver Broncos. Soon after the 2006 season came to a close, Plummer announced that he will not be returning to the Denver Broncos[citation needed]. On March 2, 2007 The Denver Broncos and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed on a trade that sent Plummer to Tampa in exchange for a fourth round draft pick [2]. Plummer is retiring instead of accepting the trade.
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