Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks of the 60s
By: Jeffrey Genao
Tags: NFL, Sports, Blogger, The Sports Scientist, Top 10

The 1960’s was a time where you rarely saw 3,000 yard passers. If a Quarterback in the 60’s threw for 3000 yards, that would be equivalent to being a 4,800 yard passer in today’s NFL. It was a different time so the standard of what are good or great statistics is viewed and should be viewed in a different light. Lets keep this in mind when looking into the rankings of the top signal callers of the decade. Also keep in mind that these rankings are based on what the Quarterbacks did in the 60’s (1960–1969) and not their entire career. I’ll give you guys a preview….. there are 7 Hall-of-Famers on this list. That’s how much depth there is on this list.

Before we get started make sure to check out the previous Top 10 QB Lists below.

Top 10 Lists:

Top 10 QB’s of the 70's

Top 10 QB’s of the 80's

Top 10 QB’s of the 90's

Let the countdown begin!

A Hall-of-Famer cracks the number 10 spot.

10) Y.A. Title: San Francisco 49ers & New York Giants-

Stats for the Decade: 35–14–3 QB Record, 55.7 Cmp.%, 11,133 Passing Yards, 100 TD, 71 INT, 83.5 Rate

Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 1x MVP, 3x Pro-Bowler, 2x All-Pro

The Breakdown:

Title only played four full seasons in the 60’s and in three of those he was arguably a top 5 passer. He led the league in touchdown passes twice and had two back-to-back seasons of 30 or more touchdown passes which was unprecedented at the time. In fact Title’s league leading 36 Touchdown Passes in 1963 is still a New York Giants single season record. Very impressive considering guys like Phil Simms and Eli Manning each played over 15 seasons for the team. Title’s lack of playoff success and the fact that he only had 3 great seasons in the decade keep him from being higher this list.

The “mad bomber” definitely earned his nickname.

9) Daryle Lamonica: Buffalo Bills & Oakland Raiders-

Stats for the Decade: 40–4–1 QB Record, 49.2 Cmp.%, 12,274 Passing Yards, 105 TD, 83 INT, 74.9 Rate

Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 3x Pro-Bowler, 3x AFL Champion, 2x All-Pro

The Breakdown:

One of the original gunslingers nicknamed the “mad bomber” and for good reason, Lamonica could sling it and threw for a lot of yards. Lamonica had three 3,000 yard passing seasons.

All regular season. No post season success for the prolific signal-caller.

8) Roman Gabriel: Los Angeles Rams-

Stats for the Decade: 51–24–4 QB Record, 51.5 Cmp.%, 15,406 Passing Yards, 109 TD, 75 INT, 76.1 Rate

Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 1x MVP, 3x Pro-Bowler, 1x All-Pro

The Breakdown:

One of the more prolific passers of the 60’s, Gabriel wasn’t much of a clutch Quarterback. In fact he never won a playoff game. However he was a winner in the regular season and a great regular season player.

One of the more forgotten Quarterbacks in NFL History.

7) Don Meredith: Dallas Cowboys-

Stats for the Decade: 47–32–4 QB Record, 50.7 Cmp.%, 17,199 Passing Yards, 135 TD, 111 INT, 74.8 Rate

Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 3x Pro-Bowler

The Breakdown:

One of the more forgotten and underrated Quarterback’s in the history of the NFL. Meredith was an accurate passer for his time. He could scramble, and make throws on the run. A fun player to watch play and someone who was reliable and durable.

Tarkenton was a pest for opposing defenses that had to game plan for his running and throwing.

6) Fran Tarkenton: Minnesota Vikings & New York Giants-

Stats for the Decade: 47–68–4 QB Record, 53.9% Cmp., 23,140 Passing Yards, 186 TD, 134 INT, 81.0 Rate, 2,672 Rushing Yards, 20 Rush TD

Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 5x Pro-Bowler

The Breakdown:

Legacy wise, you could make the argument that Tarkenton belongs higher on this list but, his best years came in the 70’s. Still, the numbers Tarkenton was able to put up in the 60’s was impressive. He didn’t win much but he made a reputation of being a great scrambling Quarterback that can hurt you with his legs and strong arm. Many forget his time with the New York Giants. He was a four time Pro-Bowler for them from 1967–1970 and threw for an incredible 92 touchdown passes for them in that span.

Great stats. Not a lot of winning though.

5) Sonny Jurgensen: Philadelphia Eagles & Washington Redskins-

Stats for the Decade: 49–60–7 QB Record, 56.4 % Cmp., 26,222 Passing Yards, 207 TD, 154 INT, 82.4 Rate

Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 5x Pro-Bowler 1x All-Pro

The Breakdown:

The numbers this guy put up throughout his career is ridiculous. He had a rocket arm and threw for a ton of yards. He didn’t play for a ton of winning teams but individually as a passer he led the NFL in passing yards five times during the decade.

The original “glorified Game Manager”.

4) Bart Starr: Green Bay Packers-

Stats for the Decade: 81–32–4 QB Record, 58.9% Cmp., 125 TD, 90 INT, 19,126 Passing Yards, 87.7 Rate

Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 5x NFL Champion, 2x Super-Bowl Champion, 2x Super-Bowl MVP, 1x MVP, 4x Pro-Bowler, 1x All-Pro

The Breakdown:

Starr is the Bob Griese of his era. An above average, Hall of Fame “Game Manager”. I mean that as a compliment. Starr was a master at calling the game from the line of scrimmage and was extremely accurate and clutch when his team needed him to be. He won 2 Super-Bowl MVP’s in 2 Appearances and he rode his playoff runs and clutch play into the Hall of Fame.

Mr. Swag

3) Len Dawson: Cleveland Browns & Kansas City Chiefs-

Stats for the Decade: 66–32–4 QB Record, 56.7% Cmp., 19,007 Passing Yards, 183 TD, 120 INT, 87.2 Rate

Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 1x Super-Bowl Champion, 1x Super-Bowl MVP, 6x Pro-Bowler, 2x All-Pro

The Breakdown:

Many want to anoint Patrick Mahomes the best Quarterback in Chiefs history but the truth is, that title belongs to Len Dawson. Dawson led the Chiefs to their first Super-Bowl win and was won of the most statistically prolific Quarterbacks of the decade. He had style too and was a “cool” QB with swag. In fact he had a propensity for smoking cigarettes while sitting on the sidelines during a game, he then would go back out on the field and throw touchdown passes. Now that’s BADASS!

What could’ve been had Namath not been injured?

2) Joe Namath: New York Jets-

Stats for the Decade: 37–23–4 QB Record, 50.2% Cmp., 15,487 Passing Yards, 97 TD, 104 INT, 70.1 Rate

Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 1x Super-Bowl Champion, 1x Super-Bowl MVP, 4x Pro-Bowler, 1x All-Pro

The Breakdown:

If Len Dawson was the Prince of swag during the 60’s Joe Namath was the King. Joe Namath was the “chosen one” during the 60’s and a box office draw for football. He was one of the most important and popular players of his era. On those things alone and the fact that he put money and fans in seats warrants his spot this high on the list. People really underrate Namath because of his inconsistent stats but the fact is he was much more important to the game than just the “box-score”. Namath’s biggest contribution came when he guaranteed the Jets win in Super-Bowl III. Namath lived up to his promise and delivered the New York Jets their first and only Super-Bowl win. Not only that but, Namath’s masterful game winning MVP performance in the Super-Bowl played a huge part in the NFL and AFL merging. It was thought the AFL was years away from being competitive with the NFL. Namath and the Jets pulled off the biggest upset in NFL History and proved the theory wrong. Namath has a case for being Number one on this list.

The “Peyton Manning” of his era.

1) Johnny Unitas: Baltimore Colts-

Stats for the Decade: 76–39–3 QB Record, 55.3% Cmp., 26,548 Passing Yards, 182 TD, 165 INT, 79.0 Rate

Accolades/Awards for the Decade: 2x MVP, 7x Pro-Bowler, 3x All-Pro

The Breakdown:

Although Unitas wasn’t able to win a Super-Bowl until the 1970 Season, he is best remembered for his work in the 60’s. Unitas was the Peyton Manning of his era. A master at the line of scrimmage and one of the best regular season Quarterbacks this league has ever seen. Had he not been injured during Super-Bowl 3 maybe history would be different and Joe Namath doesn’t live up to his “Guarantee”. As it stands he was the gold standard for statistical excellence and masterful play calling at the line of scrimmage.

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