NFL All-Time QB Rank No. 32: Sonny Jurgensen

Ranking the top 50 quarterbacks in NFL history…

32. Sonny Jurgensen

Drafted in the fourth round (43rd overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957 out of Duke University, Jurgensen spent his first four seasons as a backup to Norm Van Brocklin, contributing minimally but earning a championship ring as part of the 1960 NFL title team without playing in the game.

He became the starter in 1961, leading the NFL in passing yards (3,723) and touchdowns (32), earning First-Team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection.

Traded to the Washington Redskins in 1964, Jurgensen thrived under coaches like Otto Graham and Vince Lombardi, leading the league in passing yards four more times (1966, 1967, 1969, 1974) and touchdowns once more in 1967. He guided Washington to the 1972 NFC Championship game, their first playoff appearance in decades, though they lost Super Bowl VII.

A five-time Pro Bowler and 1967 NFL passer rating leader, Jurgensen was named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team.

Over his 18-year career, Jurgensen amassed 2,433 completions for 32,224 yards and 255 touchdowns, with a 57.1 percent completion rate and 82.6 passer rating, holding multiple records at retirement including five 400-yard games. He ranks among the all-time leaders in passing yards and touchdowns for his era. He was known for his football intelligence and ability to read coverages pre-snap.

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983, Jurgensen’s legacy endures as one of the NFL’s greatest pure passers, influencing modern quarterback play despite never winning a Super Bowl.

But who ranks ahead of Jurgensen at No. 31 all-time?