Football fans know the heartbreak of watching their quarterback throw an interception. One second, your team is marching down the field; the next, it’s a crushing turnover that kills the momentum. While some of the most legendary quarterbacks in NFL history threw plenty of interceptions, the players with the most in a single season have seasons they’d probably like to forget. Let’s dive into the infamous record holders for the most passing interceptions in a season.
5. Fran Tarkenton – 32 Interceptions (1978)
Fran Tarkenton, one of the NFL’s most celebrated quarterbacks, also appears on this list. In 1978, his final season, Tarkenton threw 32 interceptions for the Minnesota Vikings. While those turnovers were a glaring blemish, it was far from a disastrous swan song.
Tarkenton led the league in completions, attempts, and passing yards that year, setting career highs in all three categories. The NFL’s expansion to a 16-game schedule in 1978 contributed to these numbers, but it was still an impressive season for a player wrapping up an 18-year Hall of Fame career. Tarkenton’s willingness to take risks defined his playing style, even in his final year.
4. John Hadl – 32 Interceptions (1968)
John Hadl threw 32 interceptions during the 1968 season with the San Diego Chargers. However, Hadl proved that interceptions don’t always define a season. In the same year, he led the league in touchdown passes (27) and passing yards (3,473), earning himself a Pro Bowl nod.
The Chargers finished 9-5 that season, and Hadl showed that big plays often come with risks. This marked the last winning season for Hadl with the Chargers before he moved on to the Los Angeles Rams in 1973, where he continued to build his impressive six-time Pro Bowl career.
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Also Read: 5 NFL Players With The Most Consecutive Games Played In The League’s History
3. Frank Tripucka – 34 Interceptions (1960)
In the AFL’s inaugural season in 1960, Frank Tripucka set a record nobody wanted: 34 interceptions in 14 games for the Denver Broncos. The AFL’s 14-game season (two more games than the NFL at the time) and Tripucka’s high pass volume led to his dubious record.
Tripucka threw 7.1% of his passes for interceptions, but his 478 pass attempts that year were unprecedented. The Broncos leaned heavily on his arm, and Tripucka symbolized the AFL’s pass-heavy, risk-taking style. His record lasted just two years before Blanda surpassed it, but his impact on the league’s history remains undeniable.
2. Vinny Testaverde – 35 Interceptions (1988)
Vinny Testaverde is the most recent quarterback to throw over 30 interceptions in a season, with 35 during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 1988 campaign. Unlike Blanda, Testaverde’s team didn’t fare well. The Bucs finished with a 5-11 record, and Testaverde managed only 13 touchdown passes to counteract his 35 picks.
Despite this rocky season, Testaverde rebounded over his 21-year NFL career. He led the league in interceptions four times, but his ability to rack up touchdowns (275 in his career) and his two Pro Bowl selections show he wasn’t defined by this one tough year. His 1988 season stands as a reminder that even great quarterbacks can have terrible stretches.
1. George Blanda – 42 Interceptions (1962)
George Blanda holds the all-time record for most interceptions thrown in a season, with a jaw-dropping 42 picks during the 1962 AFL season. Despite this, Blanda’s legacy as a Hall of Famer and one of football’s toughest competitors remains intact.
Blanda entered 1962 riding high after being named AFL Player of the Year in 1961, where he threw 36 touchdowns and just 22 interceptions. But his interception total almost doubled the following year. Surprisingly, his Houston Oilers still thrived, finishing 11-3 and making it to the AFL title game.
Unfortunately for Blanda, his interception troubles resurfaced in the championship game. He threw five picks, and the Oilers fell to the Dallas Texans in a 20-17 overtime loss. While 1962 wasn’t Blanda’s finest season, his career spanned over two decades, proving he could overcome even the roughest patches.
Tom Brady’s Interception Record Feels Unbreakable
To put these numbers in perspective, consider Tom Brady, widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The most interceptions he ever threw in a single season was just 14. The quarterbacks on this list often had to carry their teams, throwing deep and taking risks, which led to astronomical interception totals.
