Which quarterback's record of highest rating by a rookie was broken in 2012 by Robert Griffin III?

Ben Roethlisberger held the rookie passer-rating record that Robert Griffin III broke in 2012.

Roethlisberger posted a 98.1 passer rating for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004. Griffin surpassed that mark during his outstanding debut season with Washington, finishing with a 102.4 rating. He completed 65.6% of his passes for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only five interceptions.

Griffin’s season was notable because he combined efficient passing with dangerous rushing ability. He added 815 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, helping Washington win the NFC East and reach the playoffs. His performance earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

The record referred to passer rating among qualifying rookie quarterbacks, not a single-game rating or a perfect 158.3 performance. Griffin also produced a perfect passer-rating game against Philadelphia in November 2012, but that was a separate achievement. Later rookies eventually surpassed his full-season mark, but Roethlisberger was the quarterback whose record Griffin originally broke.