It was in the nation’s capital that Jurgensen would establish himself as the premier pocket passer of his era. The QB compiled 19,693 yards, 160 TDs and 100 interceptions over a seven-year stretch as the club’s undisputed starter.
His record of 3,747 yards in 1967, which he combined with 31 TD passes, stood until Dan Fouts eclipsed it with the first 4,000-yard passing season in the NFL in 1979 (Joe Namath had the first 4,000-yard passing season in American football ‘600 more).
In the 10 years following Jurgensen’s record-breaking feat, the NFL witnessed a 3,000-yard passer only six more times – one of which was Jurgensen’s return.
Jurgensen’s only winning season as Washington’s starter came in 1969 with Vince Lombardi, the third head QB coach in six years. After Lombardi died of cancer in September 1970, Jurgensen spent one more year as the team’s announcer, under interim head coach Bill Austin.
Jurgensen’s fifth and final head coach in DC, George Allen, installed Billy Kilmer as the team’s new QB in 1971 to start a conservative offense in the first place.
Jurgensen stayed on for four more years, backing up Kilmer as the team’s fortunes finally turned to 40 wins and four straight playoff trips. The final snaps of Jurgensen’s career came in relief for Kilmer in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round. He was 40 years old and it was the only postseason action in his NFL history.
Jurgensen retired with 32,224 yards passing, 255 touchdowns and 189 interceptions. He remains Washington’s single-season record for passing TDs to this day, and his career total of 32 in 1961 still ranks second in Philadelphia.
Although he never received the individual accolades and championships of his decades-long counterparts, Starr and Unitas, those who saw him play recognized his brilliance.
During his one-year opportunity to work with Jurgensen, legendary coach Lombardi put it simply: “He might be the best the league has ever seen. He’s the best I’ve ever seen.”