He played college football for the Houston Cougars and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft.
He moved on to the University of Houston where he earned Conference USA Offensive Most Valuable Player of the Year honors in 2006.
However, after suffering a concussion in week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, Kolb was replaced at quarterback by Michael Vick.
He tied the league record with 578 total yards, and earned Conference USA offensive co-player of the week honors for his performance.
He was named the Cougars' MVP in the Fort Worth Bowl in a 42–13 loss to Kansas after passing for 214 yards and scoring one rushing touchdown.
[15] The 2006 season was Kolb's signature college year, in which he threw 30 touchdowns and only four interceptions on the way to a 10–4 record and a Conference USA championship.
[17] He went 22-for-35 for 235 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Rice University on September 2, and was named the Conference USA Player of the Week for his efforts.
[20] Kolb won the conference's offensive MVP, but Houston lost to South Carolina 44–36 in the Liberty Bowl.
[21] He worked out with Danny Arnold in Stafford, Texas, in February 2007 in order to prepare for the NFL Scouting Combine.
[35] He played the entire second half of the Eagles game against the Baltimore Ravens on November 23 after an infamous benching of McNabb.
[36] Kolb threw an interception in the endzone to Ed Reed, who took it back 108 yards for a touchdown, an NFL record.
[38] Kolb's first NFL start was a 48–22 loss against the New Orleans Saints at home on September 20, 2009, due to an injury to Donovan McNabb.
His first career touchdown was recorded in the first quarter of that game on a 71-yard pass to DeSean Jackson; he threw for 391 yards on 31 completions.
[39] On September 27, 2009, Kolb made his second start in place of McNabb, throwing for 327 yards and two touchdowns in a 34–14 win against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"[41] Kolb gained many comparisons to the situation Aaron Rodgers endured backing up Brett Favre during his first three seasons.
[42] On March 26, Adam Schefter reported that the Eagles expected Kolb to be the starting quarterback for the 2010 season.
[51] During the game, Kolb made an illegal horse-collar tackle on Falcons safety William Moore following an interception.
[53] After the 2010 season, there was speculation that the Eagles would look to make a deal for Kolb since Vick was the clear starting quarterback.
[64] Against the Baltimore Ravens in week 8, Kolb suffered turf toe in the first quarter but remained in the game, passing for 153 yards on 10 completions, one touchdown, and one interception.
[65] After being held out of next four games with the foot injury, he returned for a week 13 overtime victory against the Dallas Cowboys in which he had 247 yards and threw the game-winning 52-yard screen pass to LaRod Stephens-Howling.
Skelton suffered an injury in the fourth quarter of the game, and Kolb led the team to a come-from-behind victory.
In an October 14 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Kolb suffered a rib injury late in the fourth quarter.
Skelton began taking snaps for the injured Kolb and was only able to complete 2 of 10 passes with a game-costing interception in the OT period.
Kolb is known for inserting frozen Payday candy bars in his boom box, which he claims gives him the relaxation needed to achieve a long cast.