Ryan Leaf Tweets Ultimate Self-Deprecating Response to Peyton Manning's Rookie Interceptions Record

The NFL Draft kicks off this Thursday, and the football world is bracing for LSU quarterback Joe Burrow to be selected first overall by the Cincinnati Bengals. During an ESPN appearance on Sunday, future Hall of Fame signal-caller Peyton Manning revealed that Burrow contacted him for advice about how to carry the burden of being a top overall pick. Manning, ever the jokester, quipped that he won't have hard feelings toward th 2019 Heisman winner if he breaks his rookie interceptions record.

Enter former NFL Draft bust Ryan Leaf. The former San Diego Chargers quarterback knows that his play never translated to the pro level, and has thus cultivated a strong sense of humor when looking back at his ill-fated tenure. Leaf, who was chosen No. 2 overall just after Manning in the 1998 draft, sent out a tweet on Sunday afternoon to express his belief that he would've absolutely set the record for most interceptions by a rookie QB... if only he had been able to play all 16 games!

It's good to see Leaf being able to poke fun at himself here. Other players wouldn't dare do such a thing, no matter how great or small their careers turned out to be.

Leaf played in 10 games in his rookie campaign. Even though he had a strong preseason, the Washington State product struggled to hold onto the ball and throw accurate passes. But his biggest deterrents were his work ethic and his erratic, explosive behavior in front of the media. That led to the Chargers benching Leaf in favor of Craig Whelihan.

As a rookie, Leaf threw for 1,289 yards, two touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Given that Manning threw 28 picks in his rookie season, it's hard to see Leaf even reaching that mark in a full 16-game slate, to be fair.

No matter the case, we'll give Leaf huge credit for his self-burn.