The St. Louis Rams suffered through nine consecutive losing seasons before Kurt Warner posted a 35-8 starting record over a three-year period beginning in 1998.
The Rams remained competitive for a while once Marc Bulger replaced Warner, but they haven't been back to a Super Bowl. The franchise steadily declined until bouncing back part of the way this season.
The New York Giants were 5-4 with Warner starting and 1-6 without him starting in 2004, his lone season with the team.
Warner was sometimes more effective in relief than as a starter during his first three seasons with Arizona, but he led the team to back-to-back NFC West titles and a 4-2 postseason record when the team committed to him as its starter.
The Cardinals' 3-8 record in their first 11 games following Warner's retirement only enhances perceptions that Warner rescued two franchises.
His Hall of Fame credentials look better now than when he retired.