Craig Morton
Questions about Craig Morton or the Cowboys?
Craig Morton Legacy
HEYTC AICraig Morton Rating Breakdown
Craig Morton Career Stats via Wikipedia
Craig Morton Career Timeline
HEYTC AI1983 1
Released by Broncos; retires
Morton was released by Denver after John Elway was drafted; he briefly attempted a comeback but retired after 18 NFL seasons with 15,308 passing yards.
1982 1
NFL Comeback Player of the Year
Morton won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award after leading the Broncos to a 6-3 strike-shortened season record with 2,270 yards and 13 TDs.
1981 1
Fifth Pro Bowl selection
Despite missing time due to injuries, Morton was named to his fifth Pro Bowl after passing for 2,680 yards and 19 touchdowns in 10 starts.
1980 1
Major rib injury sidelines Morton
Morton suffered a severe rib injury in Week 5 against the Chargers, missing the rest of the season after starting 4-1; backup Matt Robinson took over.
1979 3
AFC Championship and Pro Bowl
Morton led the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game (lost to Steelers) and earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection with 3,728 passing yards and 27 touchdowns.
Signed multi-year Broncos contract
Morton signed a reported four-year contract worth $1.2 million with Denver, becoming the full-time starter and leading the team to an 11-win season.
Traded to Denver Broncos
Morton was traded to the Denver Broncos for quarterback Steve DeBerg, marking the start of his six-year stint as the team's starter.
1977 1
Super Bowl XII appearance with Cowboys
Morton dressed as backup for the Cowboys' victory in Super Bowl XII over the Denver Broncos 27-10, though Staubach started.
1974 1
Third Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition
Morton was selected to his third Pro Bowl and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors after leading the NFL with a 56.3% completion rate in relief of Staubach.
1973 1
Second Pro Bowl honor
Morton made his second Pro Bowl after stepping in for injured Staubach, going 7-3 as starter with 1,728 passing yards and 11 touchdowns.
1971 1
Pro Bowl selection
Morton earned his first Pro Bowl selection after completing 8 of 15 passes for 93 yards in relief appearances for Dallas.
1970 1
Super Bowl V appearance with Cowboys
Morton backed up Staubach as the Cowboys lost Super Bowl V to the Baltimore Colts 16-13; he appeared in limited action during the playoffs.
1969 1
Traded to Dallas Cowboys
Morton was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for running back Walt Garrison, beginning a 10-year tenure where he served primarily as backup to Roger Staubach.
1965 2
Signed rookie contract with Giants
Morton signed his rookie contract with the Giants and spent his first three seasons (1965-1967) as a backup quarterback behind Y.A. Tittle and others.
Drafted by New York Giants
Craig Morton was selected as a fourth-round pick (#49 overall) by the New York Giants in the 1965 NFL Draft out of California.
Frequently Asked Questions About Craig Morton
How does Dak Prescott compare to Craig Morton?
Prescott’s already passed Morton in raw production, but he hasn’t matched Morton’s weirdly unique résumé yet. Morton threw for 27,908 yards and 183 TDs, made it to two Super Bowls with two different teams, and owns a ring with Dallas. Dak’s the better athlete and more efficient passer; Morton’s the guy who survived Landry, Staubach, and the ‘70s steel-cage NFC. Different eras, very different scars.
Is Craig Morton in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
No, Craig Morton is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which feels surprising when you remember he started Super Bowls for both the Cowboys and Broncos and won a title with Dallas. He’s in plenty of other halls — the College Football Hall of Fame and Cal’s halls, plus regional honors — but Canton never called his name.
What is Craig Morton doing now in 2026?
Morton has long since traded blitz pickups for business meetings. After retiring, he coached in the USFL and had a stint as Broncos QB coach, then moved into business in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he’s been based for years. No big media presence, no weekly hot takes—just a Ring of Famer in Denver, living the low-profile post-football life.
How would Craig Morton perform in today's NFL?
Drop 1977 Craig Morton into today’s flag-football-on-grass era, and his arm talent would absolutely play. He led the league in yards per attempt in his prime and pushed the ball downfield aggressively. Give him modern pass protection rules, route concepts, and sports science, and you’re looking at a vertical play-action guy—think Kirk Cousins with more deep shots and a higher tolerance for getting drilled.
Where does Craig Morton rank all-time?
On HeyTC’s All-Time QB list, Morton sits at #52 with a 39.43 rating, which is basically the “hardcore fans and historians nod approvingly” tier. He piled up 27,908 yards, 183 TDs, and 18 seasons while becoming the first QB to start Super Bowls for two different teams. Not a top-tier icon, but a very real piece of NFL quarterback history.
How does Craig Morton compare to Troy Aikman?
Aikman is the polished, three-ring, made-for-Fox version of the Cowboys quarterback ideal; Morton is the tougher, more chaotic earlier draft. Morton checks in at 39.43 and #52 on HeyTC’s list, while Aikman soars with a 69.66 rating. Aikman was more accurate and controlled. Morton stretched the field more, took a beating, and gave you more volatility—high highs, ugly lows.