Top QB’s of the 70’s — NFL Top 10
We take a look back at the top passers of the NFL during the 1970s.
This list is a compilation of the Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks of the 1970s. The QB’s of the ’70s had flash, style, and toughness. In the NFL during the 1970’s you had to be tough because of the rules. Back then Corners were able to annihilate Receivers at the line of scrimmage and Quarterbacks weren’t protected like you see today. It was a different time and playing Quarterback wasn’t easy so in this list, I pick out the best of the best. La Creme de la Creme.
Before we begin, be sure to check out the other Quarterback Top 10 rankings below:
Now let's get into this list!
10) Archie Manning: New Orleans Saints
Stats for the Decade: 31–68–3 QB Record, 87 TD, 123 INT, 54.3 Cmp.%, 65.4 Rate, 16,568 Passing Yards, 1864 Rushing Yards, 18 Rushing TD
Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 2x Pro-Bowler
The Breakdown:
Manning had the utter misfortune of playing for a horrible expansion team with absolutely no offensive line or talent on offense. Manning was constantly getting hurt and running for his life. Still, the mere fact that he was able to make two Pro-Bowl appearances with the Saints, speaks to the talent that he had. If Manning had played for a team like the Cowboys, Steelers, or even an average team during the decade, the Bills, Manning would probably be in the Hall of Fame today.
9) Bert Jones: Indianapolis Colts
Stats for the Decade: 38–24 QB Record, 78 TD, 56 INT, 55.9 Cmp.%, 80.2 Rate, 11,435 Passing Yards
Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 1x Pro-Bowler, 1x All-Pro, 1x MVP, 1x Offensive Player of the Year
The Breakdown:
Jones is another Quarterback like Manning, who may have been a Hall of Famer had he not been injured. His 1976 season is one the best in NFL history. Jones had a strong arm, was deadly accurate and at his peak put up comparable numbers to what we see in today’s NFL.
8) Billy Kilmer: New Orleans Saints & Washington
Stats for the Decade: 52–31 QB Record, 109 TD, 92 INT, 53.6 Cmp.%, 74.4 Rate, 13,909 Passing Yards
Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 1x Pro-Bowler
The Breakdown:
Ironically Kilmer started his Career as a Running-Back. When you looked at Kilmer throwback then as a Quarterback, you wouldn’t be surprised at the fact that he used to be a Running-Back. It was ugly.
Kilmer was a very ugly thrower and wasn’t a good thrower at all. So why is he on this list? Plain and simply, he was a winner and clutch (think Tim Tebow but with a more sustained level of success). It wasn’t pretty but he did what he had to do to get Washington a win.
7) Jim Hart: Arizona Cardinals
Stats for the Decade: 62–57 QB Record, 137 TD, 145 INT, 51.4 Cmp.%, 68.9 Rate, 23,026 Passing Yards
Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 4x Pro-Bowler
The Breakdown:
Hart is one of my favorite Quarterbacks to go back and look at in the ’70s. Hart was a gun-slinger and, to me should be in the NFL Hall of Fame. From 1974 to 1977 Hart was one of the elite passers of the decade. His ability to push the ball down the field introduced us to “Air Coryell”.
Many believe that the “Air Coryell” Offense started with the Chargers in the ’80s, when in fact it was Jim Hart who first ran the offense to perfection in the ’70s. From 1974 to 1977 Hart threw for over 10,000 yards, and 70 touchdowns while leading the Cardinals to a 38–18 record.
6) Ken Anderson: Cincinnati Bengals
Stats for the Decade: 59–52 QB Record, 125 TD, 101 INT, 56.4 Cmp.%, 78.9 Rate, 20,300 Passing Yards
Accolades/Awards for the Decade: Walter Payton Man of the Year, 2x Pro-Bowler
The Breakdown:
One of the more accurate Quarterbacks of not just the Decade, but of All-Time. Anderson’s ability to throw with timing and anticipation was perfect for the West Coast Offense of Bill Walsh. Anderson was a really good Quarterback and consistently put up impressive numbers, especially for the “dead-ball” era.
5) Bob Griese: Miami Dolphins
Stats for the Decade: 81–34–1 QB Record, 140 TD, 118 INT, 58.2 Cmp.%, 81.1 Rate, 18,129 Passing Yards
Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 6x Pro-Bowler, 2x All-Pro, 2x Super-Bowl Champion
The Breakdown:
I’m not one to crucify a Quarterback for being a great Game-Manager and doing what the team asks, and needs him to do for the team to win. Especially when you are Bob Griese and you delivered 2 Super-Bowl wins. Griese didn’t throw the ball a whole bunch but when he did he was a highly effective Quarterback that could hurt you with his Accuracy. He was a crucial part of the Dolphins' success.
4) Ken Stabler: Oakland Raiders
Stats for the Decade: 69–26–1 QB Record, 150 TD, 143 INT, 59.9 Cmp.%, 80.2 Rate, 19,078 Passing Yards
Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 1x MVP, 1x Offensive Player of the Year Award, 4x Pro-Bowler, 1x All-Pro, 1x Super-Bowl Champion
The Breakdown:
For a while, the “Snake” had been snubbed from the Hall of Fame until he finally made it in 2016. Stabler was a gun-slinger that threw a lot of Interceptions, but he also threw for a lot of Touchdowns and helped the Raiders win the Super-Bowl during the 1976 NFL season.
3) Terry Bradshaw: Pittsburgh Steelers
Stats for the Decade: 83–36 QB Record, 147 TD, 163 INT, 51.6 Cmp.%, 67.5 Rate, 19,918 Passing Yards, 1,971 Rushing Yards, 28 Rushing TD
Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 4x Super-Bowl Champion, 2x Super-Bowl MVP, 3x Pro-Bowler, 1x All-Pro, 1x MVP
The Breakdown:
Bradshaw is only this high for the mere fact that he was able to win 4 Super-Bowls in one Decade. That is extremely unremarkable. Not only that, but his performance got better in the Playoffs. Bradshaw’s Passer rating improved by 13 points from the Regular Season to the Post-Season. He was a clutch player but his erratic performances and inconsistency in the Regular Season keep him from the top spot.
2) Roger Staubach: Dallas Cowboys
Stats for the Decade: 84–29 QB Record, 152 TD, 107 INT, 57.1 Cmp.%, 83.6 Rate, 22,279 Passing Yards, 2,204 Rushing Yards, 19 Rushing TD
Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 6x Pro-Bowler, 2x Super-Bowl Champion, 1x Super-Bowl MVP, Walter Payton Man of the Year
The Breakdown:
Staubach was the “original Captain America” for “America’s Team”, the Dallas Cowboys. Staubach was one of the more mobile Quarterbacks of the decade and can make plays throwing on the run or just taking off to pick up a few Yards. He helped the Cowboys reach three Super-Bowls and win two.
Staubach’s Passer Rating for which he was the Full-time starter in the decade was a remarkable 86.3. That’s fantastic for the ’70s. He led the NFL in Passer rating 4 times in the decade. His 84 wins during the decade were tops amongst all Quarterbacks for the '70s.
1) Fran Tarkenton: New York Giants & Minnesota Vikings
Stats for the Decade: 77–41–2 QB Record, 156 TD, 132 INT, 59.7 Cmp.%, 79.8 Rate, 23,863 Passing Yards
Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 4x Pro-Bowler, 1x All-Pro, 1x MVP, 1x Offensive Player of the Year
The Breakdown:
The best Quarterback without question, of the ’70s. When I think of 1970’s Quarterbacks, I think of Fran Tarkenton. Tarkenton was never able to win a Super-Bowl but he did get to the “big-game” three times where he and his team fell short. Still, Tarkenton’s contributions cannot go unnoticed. He was a great scrambler and thrower of the football on the run.
When Tarkenton retired he was the All-time leader in almost every major NFL Passing statistical category. He may not have the rings to be number one but as an individual talent, it’s hard to say that there was a better Quarterback in the decade. Tarkenton was Aaron Rodgers before Aaron Rodgers.
