All-Time Cardinals QBs Ranked: Warner #1, Hart #2

Tim Van Galder

#16 · Arizona Cardinals
Retired 1 Year In The NFL
🏆 2× Second-team All-Big Eight (1965, 1966)
Tim's
HAIR
5.1
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Tim Van Galder or the Cardinals?

Tim Van Galder Legacy

HEYTC AI
Tim Van Galder was the Wisconsin kid who shredded Big Eight records at Iowa State, a dual-threat star in football and baseball, before the Cardinals snagged him in the sixth round. His NFL legacy? One electric Sunday in 1972, when the journeyman taxi-squad vet stepped in cold on opening day and outdueled Johnny Unitas, steering St. Louis to a gritty 10-3 upset over the Colts—his lone pro win, a signature snapshot of raw guts over glamour. Bouncing to the Jets after a concussion-riddled stretch, he carved a bigger mark as "TVG," the sharp-tongued St. Louis sportscaster who owned the airwaves. Tim passed in 2022, leaving the booth a little quieter.
Tim Van Galder passed away on January 26, 2022 at the age of 77.

Tim Van Galder Rating Breakdown

Season
Non-Factor
Fantasy
Non-Factor
Playoffs
Non-Factor
Overall
Cooked
1 year with the Cardinals

Tim Van Galder Career Stats via Wikipedia

0 Pass Yards
1 Touchdowns
7 INTs
0.0% Comp %
5.1 HAIR

Frequently Asked Questions About Tim Van Galder

How does Kyler Murray compare to Tim Van Galder?

Kyler Murray's lapping Tim Van Galder like a Ferrari passing a tricycle—Kyler's got over 15,000 yards and 80+ TDs as Cards starter, while Tim's "legacy" is five '72 starts, 434 yards, one TD, and seven picks for a 34.5 rating that screams panic. Murray's mobile wizardry would've made Tim's pocket arm look prehistoric.

Is Tim Van Galder in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Nah, Tim Van Galder's not in Canton—no bust, no gold jacket, just a pension check from tricking the Cards into five starts back in '72. Guy beat Johnny Unitas in a practice squad tale once, but Hall voters skipped his 1-7 TD-INT line faster than Hart took his job.

How would Tim Van Galder perform in today's NFL?

Tim Van Galder in today's pass-happy NFL? Those no-blitz, protective rules might juice his 50% completion on 79 throws, but seven picks in five games scream turnover machine against zone coverages and edge rushers. Iowa State's record-setter at QB, he'd be a camp arm at best, not starting over Kyler.

How does Tim Van Galder compare to Jim Hart?

Jim Hart ate Tim Van Galder's lunch—Hart's 34.49 career rating towers over Tim's gruesome 34.5 (that's 5.07ish in some logs) from those five '72 starts. Both Cards QBs, but Hart ran the show for a decade; Tim got benched midseason, admitted he mouthed off instead of playing backup ball. Classic fringe vs. franchise guy.