Bill Munson
Questions about Bill Munson or the Lions?
Bill Munson Legacy
HEYTC AIBill Munson Rating Breakdown
Bill Munson Career Stats via Wikipedia
Bill Munson Career Timeline
HEYTC AI1980 1
Retirement from NFL
Bill Munson officially retired from professional football at age 38 after a 16-year career, having played primarily with the Lions (8 years) and Rams (4 years).
1979 1
Backup stint with Bills
Munson signed as a backup quarterback with the Buffalo Bills, appearing in a few games before retiring from the NFL.
1977 1
Released by Rams
After 4 years with the Los Angeles Rams, Munson was released, concluding his time as a regular NFL starter.
1976 1
Major shoulder injury
Munson suffered a significant shoulder injury that sidelined him for part of the season and contributed to the Rams transitioning to Pat Haden as the primary starter during his 4-year stint.
1974 1
Rams playoff appearance
As the Rams' starting quarterback, Munson led the team to the playoffs, though they lost in the divisional round to the Minnesota Vikings.
1972 1
Traded to Rams
Munson was traded from the Detroit Lions to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback John Huarte and a future draft pick, marking the end of his 8 years with the Lions.
1971 1
Pro Bowl selection
Munson earned his first and only Pro Bowl selection after a strong season with the Lions, passing for 1,851 yards and 13 touchdowns.
1967 1
Became Lions starting QB
Munson took over as the starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions, leading the team for the majority of his 8-year tenure with the franchise.
1964 2
Signed rookie contract with Lions
Munson signed his rookie contract with the Detroit Lions and began his professional career as a backup quarterback behind Milt Plum.
Drafted by Lions
Bill Munson was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round (10th overall pick) of the 1964 NFL Draft out of New Mexico State University.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bill Munson
How does Jared Goff compare to Bill Munson?
Goff's already lapped Munson in every meaningful category—he's got three times the passing yards and a Super Bowl ring to show for it. Munson was a journeyman who had his moment in Detroit's 1968 chaos, accounting for all four wins that season with a league-best 2.4% interception rate. Goff's building a genuine legacy; Munson was a capable bridge in the pre-modern era.
Is Bill Munson in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
No, Munson never made Canton. He threw for 12,896 yards across 16 seasons with five teams, respectable longevity but not Hall-caliber production. His best work came in 1968 when the Lions were desperate—he stabilized a mess, but one good year doesn't get you to Canton.
How would Bill Munson perform in today's NFL?
Modern passing rules would've helped his efficiency, but Munson lacked the arm talent and processing speed elite QBs need today. His 75.2 rating in Detroit suggests he was a game-manager type. With today's spacing and rule changes favoring receivers, maybe he'd be a competent backup, but he'd still be a backup—just a better-looking one statistically.
How does Bill Munson compare to Bobby Layne?
Not close. Layne was a true franchise cornerstone with Hall of Fame credentials; Munson was a solid fill-in who had one exceptional year in 1968. Layne defined an era; Munson had moments. The rating gap tells the story—Layne's 38.72 versus Munson's 20.5 reflects the difference between a legend and a capable journeyman.