In his 19-year NFL career, Krieg played for the Seahawks (1980–1991), Kansas City Chiefs (1992–1993), Detroit Lions (1994), Arizona Cardinals (1995), Chicago Bears (1996), and Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998).
When injuries sidelined Jim Zorn late in the season, Krieg started the last three games and played well, helping the team record two of its six wins that year.
[5] In his first NFL start against the New York Jets on December 6, Krieg ran for one touchdown and threw for two others, including a 57-yard game-winning completion to Steve Largent.
[6][7][8][9] Krieg began the strike-shortened 1982 season as the Seahawks' starting quarterback and played respectably until a thumb injury sidelined him for several weeks.
When Zorn continued to struggle in the final game of the season,[10] Coach Mike McCormack inserted Krieg, who rallied Seattle to a victory over the Denver Broncos.
The Milton product's consistent play complemented the considerable talents of All-Pro wide receiver Steve Largent and Pro Bowl running back Curt Warner, allowing the Seahawks to make the playoffs for the first time in the team's eighth season.
Krieg played brilliantly in the wild card round of the playoffs, helping his team rout Steve DeBerg and the Broncos in the Kingdome.
Knox replaced Krieg with Jim Zorn to finish out the game as the visiting Seahawks lost to the Raiders, who went on to win Super Bowl XVIII.
Rising to the occasion, Krieg threw for 3,671 yards and 32 touchdowns, leading his team to a 12–4 record and another wild card playoff appearance.
Moreover, his steady play helped the Seahawks eliminate the reigning Super Bowl champion Raiders in a wild card showdown in the Kingdome.
Nicknamed "Mudbone" by his Seattle teammates,[15] Krieg led the Seahawks on five-game winning streak to finish the season, during which his passer rating exceeded 126.
Although he missed seven games with a separated shoulder, his excellent play helped propel the Seahawks to their first AFC West Division Championship.
However, Krieg's pedestrian performance on the road in the playoffs contributed to the Seahawks' swift elimination at the hands of the top-seeded Cincinnati Bengals.
In the spring of 1989, Krieg competed in NBC's prestigious Superstars competition, a series of physical challenges pitting athletes from various sports against one another.
He placed first in the basketball and rowing events, beating athletes including Gault, Walker, Randall Cunningham, Evander Holyfield, and Carl Lewis.
The running game sputtered as injuries slowed Curt Warner, and the aging offensive line struggled to open holes for him.
Although the Seahawks managed only a 7–9 record, Krieg played well enough to earn a return trip to the Pro Bowl, where he performed impressively, helping lead the AFC to victory.
However, on the last play of the game, as time expired, Thomas closed in for yet another apparent sack, but Krieg eluded the linebacker and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Paul Skansi for the win.
Seattle General Manager Tom Flores decided to retain Stouffer and McGwire, and to let Krieg become a free agent.
Krieg signed with the Seahawks' division rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and started for them throughout 1992, leading his new team to a 10–6 record, including two victories over Seattle.
However, Krieg's poor performance in the playoffs on the road contributed to the wild-card Chiefs' swift elimination by the San Diego Chargers.
Although Mitchell's erratic play contributed to the team's poor 4–5 start,[25] coach Wayne Fontes stuck with the young quarterback as his starter until an injury sidelined him in mid-season.
[9] Krieg came off the bench and ignited a dynamic offense showcasing the talents of running back Barry Sanders and wide receiver Herman Moore.
Although Kramer's poor play contributed to the Bears' feeble 1–3 beginning, Coach Dave Wannstedt allowed him to continue starting until an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
In January 2017, Krieg raised the 12 Flag atop the Space Needle a few days before the Seahawks defeated the Detroit Lions, 26–6, in an NFL Wild Card playoff game.