Most Fumbles Recovered in NFL History
In the NFL, turnovers can completely alter the game and fumble recoveries are among the most overlooked plays in football. Whether it’s a defender picking up a loose ball or a quarterback jumping on his own error, recovering a fumble can shift the momentum in just seconds. Warren Moon holds the record for the most fumbles recovered in NFL history, finishing his career with 56 recoveries.
Photo Credit: Houston Oilers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 5 Most Fumbles Recovered in NFL History
Here are the top 5 players with the most fumbles recovered in NFL history, highlighting the sharp instincts and relentless drive that define the league’s most resilient defenders.
| Rank | Player | Fumble Recoveries |
| 1 | Warren Moon | 56 |
| 2 | Dave Krieg | 47 |
| 3 | Boomer Esiason | 45 |
| 4 | Russell Wilson | 45 |
| 5 | Tom Brady | 44 |
Warren Moon (56 Fumble Recoveries)
Career: 1984-2000
Teams: Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs
Warren Moon is not only known for his powerful arm and his Hall of Fame career but he also has one of the weirdest records in NFL history. Moon recovered 56 fumbles which is the highest number ever by any player. This makes sense when you consider that as a quarterback he had the ball in his hands every play. When chaos happened in the pocket, he was usually the one jumping on the loose footballs.
Dave Krieg (47 Fumble Recoveries)
Career: 1980-1998
Teams: Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Tennessee Oilers
Dave Krieg may not have been the most exciting quarterback but he managed to recover 47 fumbles. Krieg played for six different teams where he established franchise passing records and became their most successful quarterback for many years. His tendency to scramble and hold onto the ball until the very last moment often created chaos but his knack for diving on loose footballs demonstrated his resilience.
Boomer Esiason (45 Fumble Recoveries)
Career: 1984-1997
Teams: Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals
Boomer Esiason is ranked third in history with 45 fumble recoveries. His knack for jumping on loose balls highlighted a different aspect of his game. He safeguarded possessions during a time when quarterbacks didn’t have the protections they do now. His quick reflexes in the pocket allowed him to steer clear of expensive turnovers and those 45 recoveries demonstrate that he was a reliable player who maintained drives even when under pressure.
Russell Wilson (45 Fumble Recoveries)
Career: 2012-present
Teams: Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants
Russell Wilson has quietly made his way into the upper echelon of NFL history for fumble recoveries with 45. Wilson established his legacy with the Seahawks where he won a Super Bowl and was selected for nine Pro Bowls. His agility keeps him near the ball and most of his recoveries happen when he dives on his own fumbles.
Tom Brady (44 Fumble Recoveries)
Career: 2000-2022
Teams: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady is ranked fifth all-time with 44 fumble recoveries. Brady displayed amazing awareness in the pocket jumping on loose balls to safeguard possessions. While with the Patriots, he recovered 39 fumbles and added more with the Buccaneers including three during his Super Bowl season in 2020. This skill to secure the ball under pressure showcases the same calmness that established him as the greatest quarterback ever.
