Bartkowski played college football for the California Golden Bears, earning consensus All-American honors as a senior in 1974.

Bartkowski is one of ten quarterbacks in NFL history who have achieved consecutive 30-touchdown passing seasons (1980 and 1981) at least one time in their career.

[7][8] Bartkowski set the record for consecutive games with at least three touchdown passes at home with five which he established over the 1980 and 1981 seasons.

In 1984, Bartkowski started the Falcons' first 11 games, but was injured late in the season and replaced by Mike Moroski.

[9][10] Bartkowski began 1985 as the starter, but an 0–5 start led to his benching and losing the job to David Archer.

He was added to their roster as an emergency quarterback, due to the current starter, Jay Schroeder, playing with a fractured rib.

The Los Angeles Rams signed Bartkowski in the 1986 pre-season when holdover Dieter Brock suffered a season- (and career-) ending injury.