Greatest Quarterbacks of All-Time: No. 15: Roger Staubach

In selecting the 25 greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, I took into account QB stats, accolades, (Pro Bowls, All-Pro selections, Offensive Player of the Year honors, MVP's, etc.) as well as regular season and postseason success—making note of the era each signal caller played in and how the game operated at that time. 

15. Roger Staubach

Dallas Cowboys, 1969-1979

(ABC News Photo)

Staubach was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 10^th-round of the 1964 NFL Draft as a future draft pick. The Cowboys were permitted to pick the Navy QB who won the 1963 Heisman Trophy, despite the fact that he was legally bound to serve in the military until June of 1969[1].

            After serving his time in the Naval Academy, Staubach joined the Cowboys prior to the 1969 season. The 29-year-old Staubach did not become the full-time starter until 1971, replacing Charlie Morton. A mobile QB with a cannon arm, Staubach won his final seven starts in the regular season as the Cowboys won the NFC East with an 11-3 record. Behind its tenacious defense—which let up just 18 points in three postseason games—Dallas won its first Super Bowl in franchise history. Staubach was named MVP of Super Bowl VI after completing 12 out of 19 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins.

            The Cowboys returned to the Super Bowl four years later but were upended by Terry Bradshaw’s Pittsburgh Steelers. Dallas won their next trip to the Super Bowl, Super Bowl XII, against the Denver Broncos. Staubach tossed a touchdown and 183 yards in the 27-10 victory. The Cowboys repeated as NFC champions the following season but came up short against the Steelers in Super Bowl XIII.

            In Staubach’s final NFL season (1979), the Hall of Famer set career highs in completions (267), passing yards (3,586) and touchdown passes (27).  He ended his storied career with 22,700 passing yards and 153 touchdowns versus 109 interceptions. Staubach also scrambled for 2,264 yards and scored 21 rushing touchdowns on 410 carries. He led the NFC in passer rating six times and retired with the best career passer rating at the time. Appearing in four Super Bowls (winning two), Staubach won roughly 74% of his regular season starts and 64.7% in the postseason.

*All stats courtesy of Pro-Football Reference and NFL.com.

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  [1] “Navy’s Roger Staubach Signs Contract Dallas Contract But Must Wait 4 Years”. Lawrence World-Journal. Associated Press. December 7, 1965.