NFL All-Time QB Rank No. 43: Daryle Lamonica

Ranking the top 50 quarterbacks in NFL history…

43. Daryle Lamonica

Drafted in the 24th round by the Buffalo Bills in the 1963 AFL Draft (188th overall) and in the 12th round by the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Draft (168th overall), Lamonica signed with the Bills and served primarily as a backup quarterback behind Jack Kemp from 1963 to 1966. During this period, he contributed to two AFL championships in 1964 and 1965, though his playing time was limited.

Traded to the Oakland Raiders in 1967, Lamonica exploded onto the scene as the starter, earning AFL MVP honors from multiple outlets after throwing for 3,228 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading the league in touchdowns and guiding the Raiders to a 13-1 record, the AFL championship, and a Super Bowl II appearance (a 33-14 loss to the Packers).

He repeated as AFL MVP in 1969, setting career highs with 3,302 yards and 34 touchdowns, again leading the league in both categories while posting a 12-1-1 record, though the Raiders fell in the AFL Championship to the Chiefs.

Lamonica led Oakland to four straight division titles from 1967 to 1970, including the first AFC West crown post-merger.

Over his career, Lamonica amassed 19,154 passing yards, 164 touchdowns and 154 interceptions, with a 72.9 passer rating. He also rushed for 640 yards and 14 touchdowns. His 66-16-6 record as a starter gives him the third-highest winning percentage among NFL quarterbacks all-time.

Lamonica earned three AFL All-Star selections (1965, 1967, 1969), two Pro Bowl nods (1970, 1972) and two first-team All-AFL honors (1967, 1969). In 1969, he set a record with six first-half touchdown passes against the Bills.

Lamonica’s playing style was that of a classic deep-ball specialist: bold, aggressive and unafraid to air it out in any situation, earning him the nickname “The Mad Bomber.”

He remains overlooked for the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite his dominance in the AFL era.

But who ranks ahead of Lamonica at No. 42 all-time?