All-Time Broncos QBs Ranked: Elway #1, Manning #2

Jim LeClair

#55 · Denver Broncos
Retired 2 Years In The NFL
🏆 All-USFL (1984)
Jim's
HAIR
5.8
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Jim LeClair or the Broncos?

Jim LeClair Legacy

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Jim LeClair was a linebacker who played with the kind of territorial command that made opposing offenses think twice about venturing into his zip code. The 6-3 Cincinnati Bengals stalwart became a starter in 1975 and never relinquished the job, anchoring the defense through the franchise's golden era—most memorably in the freezing hell of "The Freezer Bowl" en route to Super Bowl XVI. A 1976 Pro Bowler who finished with 10 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries, LeClair was the rare defensive lineman who could cover ground like a safety. After football, he coached at Mayville State and served as mayor of Mayville, North Dakota, proving he was built for leadership in any arena. He passed in 2019 at 69, leaving behind the legacy of a player who simply belonged on a football field.
Jim LeClair passed away on November 4, 2019 at the age of 69.

Jim LeClair Rating Breakdown

Season
Non-Factor
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Playoffs
Non-Factor
Overall
Cooked
2 years with the Broncos

Jim LeClair Career Stats

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Frequently Asked Questions About Jim LeClair

How does Bo Nix compare to Jim LeClair?

Bo Nix, the Broncos' current gunslinger, has already tossed for over 3,000 yards in his rookie year, dwarfing Jim LeClair's entire AFL output of 676 yards and a measly 42.3 passer rating across eight spot starts in '67-'68. Nix is building something real in Denver's high-octane offense; LeClair was just a fleeting backup in the pony league days, keeping the bench warm.

Is Jim LeClair in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Nope, Jim LeClair never sniffed Canton—his two AFL seasons with the Broncos netted 676 yards, 2 TDs, and 6 picks, hardly Hall territory. He was a scrappy backup who faded fast after '68, bouncing to semi-pro ball with the Westchester Bulls. Solid journeyman, but the Hall's for icons, not benchwarmers.

How would Jim LeClair perform in today's NFL?

LeClair's raw arm—7.4 yards per attempt in '68—might get a tiny boost from no-touchdown pads and pass-happy rules, but his 50% completion and pick-six habit would get torched by today's blitzes. Think '67-'68 AFL grit meets modern DBs; he'd be a camp arm at best, not a starter in this speed-game era.

How does Jim LeClair compare to John Elway?

LeClair's 42.3 career rating over 99 AFL throws is like bringing a slingshot to a cannon fight against John Elway's 79.0-ish masterpiece (wait, 71.78 per some charts) across 16 Broncos seasons. Both orange-crush QBs, sure, but Elway was Super Bowl magic; LeClair, a two-year footnote with 676 yards total.