The 10 most underrated quarterbacks in NFL history

8. Dave Krieg

Perhaps the most notable moment of Krieg’s career came against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1990. Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas set the single-game record with seven sacks that day, but he just missed an eighth in a critical moment. Krieg somehow managed to stay upright as Thomas bore down on him, and he unleashed the game-winning touchdown pass on the game’s final play.

Krieg was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1980. He stepped in for Jim Zorn in 1983, leading the team to the first playoff berth in franchise history and two postseason wins. Seattle went 12-4 and win the AFC West in 1984 with Krieg as the starter, then they won 10 games in 1986 and made the playoffs two more times in 1987 and 1988.

After Seattle, Krieg played for the Chiefs (1992-93), Detroit Lions (1994), Arizona Cardinals (1995), Chicago Bears (1996) and Tennessee Oilers (1997-98). At age-37 with Arizona he started all 16 games, and he started 12 games for Chicago the following year.

Krieg got beaten up a good bit in his career, and he’s still been sacked the fifth-most times in league history (494). He also retired with the most career fumbles, but has since been surpassed.

Krieg is also top-25 all-time in touchdown passes (261; 18th) and passing yards (38,147; 23rd). Lost in the shuffle of notable peers who won more, and what the Seahawks have had of recent vintage at quarterback, Krieg is clearly underappreciated.