Fran Tarkenton’s stats tell the story of a quarterback who stayed productive for nearly two decades in the NFL.
Across 18 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants, Tarkenton recorded 47,003 passing yards, 342 passing touchdowns, 3,674 rushing yards, and 32 rushing scores.
His career also included nine Pro Bowl selections, the 1975 NFL MVP award, and three Super Bowl appearances.
As a person who loves statistics, I’ve covered Fran Tarkenton’s stats, including season-by-season passing numbers, rushing totals, playoff results, major records, awards, height, weight, position, and team history.
Read along to know the full story!
Who is Fran Tarkenton? Plus His Career Stats
Fran Tarkenton was an NFL quarterback who played 18 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants from 1961 to 1978.
Born on February 3, 1940, in Richmond, Virginia, Tarkenton played college football at the University of Georgia before the Vikings selected him in the 1961 NFL Draft.
Wearing No. 10, he became known for his mobility, scrambling ability, and skill at escaping defensive blitzes. Tarkenton finished his NFL career with 47,003 passing yards and 342 touchdown passes.
His combination of passing production and rushing ability made him one of his era’s most productive quarterbacks.
How Tall Was Fran Tarkenton and What Position Did He Play?
Fran Tarkenton was a 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed quarterback who wore No. 10 and became known for his quick scrambling style. These details add useful context to his long NFL career.
- College and Draft: He played at the University of Georgia from 1958–1960 before Minnesota selected him in the third round of the 1961 NFL Draft.
- Teams: Tarkenton played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1961–1966 and 1972–1978, with the New York Giants from 1967–1971.
- Playing Style: His mobility helped him escape pressure and extend plays while throwing a football spiral.
Fun Fact! Tarkenton’s movement made him one of the most mobile quarterbacks of his era.
Fran Tarkenton Stats: Passing Yards, Touchdowns, and More
Fran Tarkenton’s career stats include 47,003 passing yards, 342 touchdowns, 266 interceptions, and 3,686 completions.
Refer to the table below, sorting everything at a glance for you!
| Stat | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Attempts | 6,467 |
| Completions | 3,686 |
| Completion % | 57.0% |
| Passing Yards | 47,003 |
| Yards Per Attempt | 7.3 |
| Touchdowns | 342 |
| Interceptions | 266 |
| Games | 246 |
| Starts | 239 |
| Starting Record | 124–109–6 |
FYI! Attempts are throws, completions are successful passes, and completion percentage shows accuracy. Y/A is yards per attempt, TD% and INT% track scoring and turnovers, and passer rating summarizes efficiency.
What Were Fran Tarkenton’s Best Passing Seasons and Career Highs?
Fran Tarkenton’s highest single-season passing total came in 1978, when he threw for 3,468 yards and attempted a career-high 572 passes.
His best touchdown season came in 1967, when he threw 29 touchdown passes for the New York Giants.
In 1975, Tarkenton completed 64.2% of his passes, the highest completion percentage of his career. That same season, he won the NFL Most Valuable Player award.
His best passer rating came in 1973 at 93.2.
Across these seasons, Tarkenton set career highs in different passing categories rather than producing all of his best numbers in one year. His strongest marks came in passing yards, attempts, touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating.
What Were Fran Tarkenton’s Key Season-by-Season Stats?
Fran Tarkenton played 18 NFL seasons with the Vikings and Giants. These selected seasons show his main passing highs and changes in workload.
| Season | Team / Games | Cmp–Att (Pct.) | Yards | TD–INT / Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Vikings / 14 | 157–280 (56.1%) | 1,997 | 18–17 / 74.7 |
| 1964 | Vikings / 14 | 171–306 (55.9%) | 2,506 | 22–11 / 91.8 |
| 1966 | Vikings / 14 | 192–358 (53.6%) | 2,561 | 17–16 / 73.8 |
| 1967 | Giants / 14 | 204–377 (54.1%) | 3,088 | 29–19 / 85.9 |
| 1968 | Giants / 14 | 182–337 (54.0%) | 2,555 | 21–12 / 84.6 |
| 1969 | Giants / 14 | 220–409 (53.8%) | 2,918 | 23–8 / 87.2 |
| 1970 | Giants / 14 | 219–389 (56.3%) | 2,777 | 19–12 / 82.2 |
| 1971 | Giants / 14 | 226–386 (58.5%) | 2,567 | 11–21 / 65.4 |
| 1972 | Vikings / 14 | 215–378 (56.9%) | 2,651 | 18–13 / 80.2 |
| 1973 | Vikings / 14 | 169–274 (61.7%) | 2,113 | 15–7 / 93.2 |
| 1975 | Vikings / 14 | 273–425 ( 64.2% ) | 2,994 | 25–13 / 91.8 |
| 1976 | Vikings / 13 | 255–412 (61.9%) | 2,961 | 17–8 / 89.3 |
| 1977 | Vikings / 9 | 155–258 (60.1%) | 1,734 | 9–14 / 69.2 |
| 1978 | Vikings / 16 | 345–572 (60.3%) | 3,468 | 25–32 / 68.9 |
His 1967 season produced a career-high 29 touchdowns, while 1973 brought his best passer rating. In his 1975 MVP season, he completed a career-best 64.2% of his passes.
His final season, 1978, brought career highs of 3,468 passing yards and 572 attempts.
What Were Fran Tarkenton’s Career Rushing Statistics?
Fran Tarkenton was also a productive runner, finishing his career with 3,674 rushing yards on 675 carries, a 5.4-yard average, and 32 touchdowns. His best rushing season came in 1966 with 376 yards, followed by 361 yards in 1962 and 356 in 1965.
His rushing totals show how much value he added when passing plays broke down.
Early in his career, scrambling was a major part of his game and helped him escape pressure.
His rushing workload dropped as he aged, falling from 62 carries in 1966 to only 15 in 1977. By 1978, he finished with negative rushing yardage as his mobility declined and Minnesota relied more on linemen providing pass protection.
You Might Not Know This! Tarkenton also played 246 games, recorded 84 fumbles, scored 192 career points, caught one pass, and attempted a career-high 572 passes at age 38 in 1978.
How Did Fran Tarkenton Perform in the Playoffs and Super Bowl?
Fran Tarkenton reached the playoffs five times with Minnesota, appearing in the 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1978 postseasons.
His playoff numbers were:
| Playoff Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 11 |
| Passing Yards | 1,803 |
| Touchdowns | 11 |
| Interceptions | 17 |
| Passer Rating | 58.6 |
| Record | 6–5 |
| Super Bowl Appearances | 3 |
| Super Bowl Wins | 0 |
The Minnesota Vikings confirm that Tarkenton led the team to three Super Bowls: Super Bowl VIII in 1974, Super Bowl IX in 1975, and Super Bowl XI in 1977.
Minnesota lost all three, so Tarkenton finished his career with three Super Bowl appearances but no Super Bowl title.
What NFL Records Did Fran Tarkenton Hold When He Retired?
When Fran Tarkenton retired after the 1978 season, he held several major NFL career records as both a passer and runner.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame lists these career-leading marks:
- Passing attempts: 6,467
- Pass completions: 3,686
- Passing yards: 47,003
- Touchdown passes: 342
- Quarterback rushing yards: 3,674
- Wins as a starting quarterback: 124
Tarkenton also rushed for at least one touchdown in 15 different seasons, a mark recognized by the Minnesota Vikings.
Most of these records were later broken, but they show how productive Tarkenton was for his era.
What Awards and Honors Did Fran Tarkenton Receive?
Fran Tarkenton’s individual honors reflect both his long career and his importance to the Vikings, Giants, and NFL history.
1. The 1975 MVP Season
Tarkenton had one of his best seasons in 1975, throwing for 2,994 yards and a league-high 25 touchdowns as Minnesota finished 12-2.
He won the NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Bert Bell Award. Tarkenton later retired holding six major NFL career records and eventually entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2. Nine Pro Bowl Selections and All-Pro Honors
Tarkenton earned nine Pro Bowl selections during his career, receiving honors in 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1974, 1975, and 1976. His strongest All-Pro recognition came later in his career.
He was named First-Team All-Pro in 1975 and Second-Team All-Pro in 1973, showing how productive he remained well into his 30s.
3. Hall of Fame and Team Honors
Tarkenton entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Class of 1986, eight years after his final NFL season. The Vikings later retired his No. 10 and placed him in their Ring of Honor.
He was also selected among the 50 Greatest Vikings and the New York Giants’ all-time top players, recognizing his lasting impact with both franchises.
How Do Fran Tarkenton’s Stats Compare With Other Legendary Quarterbacks?
Fran Tarkenton finished with more career passing yards and touchdown passes than Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, and Steve Young.
Here is how their career numbers compare:
| Quarterback | NFL Career Years | Seasons | Pass Yards | Pass TD | INT | Rush Yards | Rush TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fran Tarkenton | 1961–1978 | 18 | 47,003 | 342 | 266 | 3,674 | 32 |
| Johnny Unitas | 1956–1973 | 18 | 40,239 | 290 | 253 | 1,777 | 13 |
| Joe Montana | 1979–1994 | 15 | 40,551 | 273 | 139 | 1,676 | 20 |
| Steve Young | 1985–1999 | 15 | 33,124 | 232 | 107 | 4,239 | 43 |
Tarkenton leads this group in passing yards and touchdowns, while Young recorded the most rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
He also produced those totals largely during 14-game seasons, making his passing volume notable for his era.
Summing Up
Fran Tarkenton’s stats show why he remains one of the most notable quarterbacks in NFL history. His 47,003 passing yards, 342 passing touchdowns, and strong rushing production highlight the consistency he maintained across 18 seasons.
His mobility also helped change expectations for how quarterbacks could create plays outside the pocket.
Nine Pro Bowl selections, the 1975 NFL MVP award, three Super Bowl appearances, and several major records further strengthen his legacy.
Do comment on the part of Fran Tarkenton’s career you think best defines his legacy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Games Did Fran Tarkenton Start?
Fran Tarkenton started 239 regular-season games during his 18-year NFL career. He appeared in 246 games overall, showing remarkable durability across multiple eras of professional football.
What Was Fran Tarkenton’s Career Completion Percentage?
Tarkenton completed 3,686 of 6,467 pass attempts, giving him a 57.0% career completion rate. That figure reflects the passing standards and defensive style of his era.
How Many Interceptions Did Fran Tarkenton Throw?
Fran Tarkenton threw 266 interceptions during his career. His turnover totals varied by season, with some of his most efficient passing years coming later in his NFL career.
When Did Fran Tarkenton Retire From the NFL?
He ended an 18-season NFL career that included two separate stretches with the Minnesota Vikings.
