Selected by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 1973 NFL college draft, Fouts became the team's starting quarterback before the end of his rookie season. He didn't emerge as a genuine star until Don Coryell became head coach during the 1978 season.

Coryell installed a pass-oriented offense that became known as "Air Coryell." During the next eight seasons, Fouts averaged 2,729 yards and 24 touchdown passes a year. He set an NFL record with 4,082 yards passing in 1979 and extended it to 4,715 yards in 1980 and to 4,802 yards in 1981.

Fouts was named the American Football Conference player of the year by The Sporting News and United Press International in 1979 and by UPI in 1982, when he was selected as the NFL player of the year by the Professional Football Writers Association.

He retired after the 1987 season and became a broadcaster. He has served as sports anchor for a San Francisco television station, has done college football analysis for ABC and NBC, and had a stint on ABC's Monday Night Football broadcasts.

During his 15 years in the NFL, Fouts completed 3,297 of 5,604 passes for 43,040 yards. He also rushed for 13 touchdowns. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.