Top 50 NFL Quarterbacks: #39 - Dan Fouts

Dan Fouts

Dan Fouts was a 3rd-round draft pick of the Chargers in 1973, and though he was their primary starter almost immediately, it took him several years to break through to elite status. In his 6th season, Don Coryell was hired as the coach, and Fouts started to show some promise, throwing for 2999 yards and 24 touchdowns, but San Diego failed to make the playoffs.

He became a superstar in 1979, when he set a new NFL record with 4082 passing yards while guiding the Chargers to the best record in the league at 12-4. He also led the league in completion percentage, but dropped a real dud in their first playoff game, tossing 5 picks in a 17-14 loss.

In 1980 he obliterated his own record from the previous season, putting up 4715 yards while leading his team back to the playoffs, where he improved on his previous performance, getting past 300 yards with 2 touchdowns in consecutive games, but it wasn't enough to reach the Super Bowl, as Jim Plunkett and the Raiders knocked them out in the AFC title game.

In 1981 he again beat his own passing record, for the third straight year, this time reaching 4802 yards and 33 touchdowns, also the best in the league. While he couldn't be matched in the regular season, he was once again disappointed in the playoffs, losing to Cincinnati in the AFC title game, once again ending up one step short of the ultimate goal.

He may have broken his own record yet again in 1982, but the season was cut down to 9 games by a strike. He finished the season with 2883 yards, which put him on pace for 5125, and he also ended up with 17 touchdowns, the second year in a row that he led the league in both categories. Also for the third year in a row, San Diego lost in its 2nd playoff game.

That was his final chance at winning a title, sadly. The Chargers were not able to make the playoffs again during his final 5 seasons, and although he remained a good quarterback, he was not near the level of his record-breaking years. The length of his solid years was enough to push him into the top 40, but the biggest reason he is here is for his amazing 4-year run, which has only been matched by a few quarterbacks in the history of the league.