These are the best Quarterbacks of all-time ranked according to tiers. While the tiers are ranked in order, the players in each tier are not ranked in order. Keep that in mind when reading this list.
TIER 6:
Len Dawson –
Before the AFL/NFL merger, Len Dawson was taking the AFL by storm with 3x championships. He then joined the NFL and found similar success earning the Chiefs a Super Bowl victory.
Super Bowl champion (IV)
Super Bowl MVP (IV)
NFL Man of the Year (1973)
Pro Bowl (1971)
NFL completion percentage leader (1975)
3× AFL champion (1962, 1966, 1969)
AFL Championship MVP (1966)
AFL MVP (1962)
2× First-team All-AFL (1962, 1966)
2× Second-team All-AFL (1964, 1968)
6× AFL All-Star (1962, 1964, 1966–1969)
4× AFL passing touchdowns leader (1962, 1963, 1966, 1967)
6× AFL passer rating leader (1962, 1964–1968)
7× AFL completion percentage leader (1962, 1964–1969)
Season Record: 94-57-8
Playoff Record: 5-3
Career passing stats: 28,711 passing yards, 239 touchdowns, 183 interceptions, 82.6 passer rating, 57.1 completion percentage, 16 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1,293 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per attempt, 9 rushing touchdowns
Joe Namath –
Once an underdog, Joe Namath predicted a victory over the heavily favored Colts. That unlikely victory brought him to stardom and showed off his larger than life personality.
Super Bowl champion (III)
Super Bowl MVP (III)
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1974)
Second-team All-Pro (1972)
Pro Bowl (1972)
NFL passing yards leader (1972)
NFL passing touchdowns leader (1972)
George Halas Award (1969)
AFL champion (1968)
AFL Championship MVP (1968)
2× AFL MVP (1968, 1969)
AFL Rookie of the Year (1965)
First-team All-AFL (1968)
3× Second-team All-AFL (1966, 1967, 1969)
4× AFL All-Star (1965, 1967–1969)
2× AFL passing yards leader (1966, 1967)
Season Record: 62-63-4
Playoff Record: 2-1
Career passing stats: 27,663 passing yards, 173 touchdowns, 220 interceptions, 65.5 passer rating, 50.1 completion percentage, 15 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 140 rushing yards, 2.0 yards per attempt, 7 rushing touchdowns
Drew Bledsoe –
Getting benched for Tom Brady isn’t something to scoff about. It effected people’s perception of Drew Bledsoe, but you have to keep in mind the damage he did before that injury.
Super Bowl champion (XXXVI)
4× Pro Bowl (1994, 1996, 1997, 2002)
NFL passing yards leader (1994)
Second-team All-American (1992)
1992 Heisman ballot
Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year (1992)
Season Record: 98-95-0
Playoff Record: 3-3
Career passing stats: 44,611 passing yards, 251 touchdowns, 206 interceptions, 77.1 passer rating, 57.2 completion percentage, 31 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 764 rushing yards, 2.0 yards per attempt, 10 rushing touchdowns
Donovan McNabb –
This was a wild card spot for me. I could have used a few other Quarterbacks ahead of Donovan McNabb. I instead elected for the underrated dual threat Quarterback.
6× Pro Bowl (2000–2004, 2009)
Philadelphia Eagles No. 5 retired
Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame
Philadelphia Eagles 75th anniversary team
3× Big East Offensive Player of the Year (1996–1998)
Big East Rookie of the Year (1995)
4x First-team All-Big East (1995-1998)
Big East Offensive Player of the Decade (1990s)
Season Record: 98-62-1
Playoff Record: 9-7
Career passing stats: 37,276 passing yards, 234 touchdowns, 117 interceptions, 85.6 passer rating, 59 completion percentage, 24 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 3,459 rushing yards, 5.6 yards per attempt, 29 rushing touchdowns
Ken Stabler –
More interceptions than touchdowns and he’s on this list? There is a short list of Quarterbacks that have both an MVP plus Super Bowl and Ken Stabler is one of them.
Super Bowl champion (XI)
NFL Most Valuable Player (1974)
4× Pro Bowl (1973, 1974, 1976, 1977)
2× First-team All-Pro (1974, 1976)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1974)
2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1974, 1976)
NFL passer rating leader (1976)
NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
Season Record: 96-49-1
Playoff Record: 7-5
Career passing stats: 27,938 passing yards, 194 touchdowns, 222 interceptions, 75.3 passer rating, 59.8 completion percentage, 23 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 93 rushing yards, 0.8 yards per attempt, 4 rushing touchdowns
Matthew Stafford –
It’s about time that Matthew Stafford joined a team that he doesn’t have to carry. In his first season with the Rams, Matthew Stafford earned his well deserved first Super Bowl.
Super Bowl champion (LVI)
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2011)
Pro Bowl (2014)
Detroit Lions All-Time Team
First-team All-American (2008)
Second-team All-SEC (2008)
Season Record: 86-95-1
Playoff Record: 4-3
Career passing stats: 49,995 passing yards, 323 touchdowns, 161 interceptions, 91.1 passer rating, 63 completion percentage, 42 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1,241 rushing yards, 3.3 yards per attempt, 14 rushing touchdowns
Norm Van Brocklin –
Did you know that Norm Van Brocklin holds the record for most passing yards in a game with 554? This is insanity considering he played in the 1950s.
2× NFL champion (1951, 1960)
9× Pro Bowl (1950–1955, 1958–1960)
First-team All-Pro (1960)
NFL Most Valuable Player (1960)
NFL passing yards leader (1954)
Most passing yards in a game (554)
Season Record: 61-36-4
Playoff Record: 2-2
Career passing stats: 23,611 passing yards, 173 touchdowns, 178 interceptions, 75.1 passer rating, 53.6 completion percentage, 17 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 40 rushing yards, 0.4 yards per attempt, 11 rushing touchdowns
Jim Plunkett –
While he was a little bit of a journeyman Quarterback, he still managed to earn 2x Super Bowls with the Raiders. He also played on some really bad teams.
2× Super Bowl champion (XV, XVIII)
Super Bowl MVP (XV)
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1980)
AFC Rookie of the Year (1971)
Heisman Trophy (1970)
Maxwell Award (1970)
Walter Camp Award (1970)
Sporting News Player of the Year (1970)
UPI Player of the Year (1970)
Consensus All-American (1970)
Season Record: 72-72-0
Playoff Record: 8-2
Career passing stats: 25,882 passing yards, 164 touchdowns, 198 interceptions, 67.5 passer rating, 52.5 completion percentage, 22 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1,337 rushing yards, 4.1 yards per attempt, 14 rushing touchdowns
Sid Luckman –
Another one of the OG legends to bring light to the Quarterback position. 4x championships is no joke and he also holds the record for most touchdown passes in a game with 7.
4× NFL champion (1940, 1941, 1943, 1946)
NFL Most Valuable Player (1943)
5× First-team All-Pro (1941–1944, 1947)
Second-team All-Pro (1946)
3× Pro Bowl (1940–1942)
3× NFL passing yards leader (1943, 1945, 1946)
3× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1943, 1945, 1946)
3× NFL passer rating leader (1941, 1943, 1946)
NFL completion percentage leader (1941)
Season Record:
Playoff Record: 3-1
Career passing stats: 14,686 passing yards, 137 touchdowns, 132 interceptions, 75.0 passer rating, 51.8 completion percentage, 10 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: -239 rushing yards, -1.2 yards per attempt, 4 rushing touchdowns
TIER 5:
Philip Rivers –
While he never made a single Super Bowl appearance, he was still at the helm of some dominant Chargers team. He holds nearly every passing record for the franchise and made a name for unorthodox looking throwers.
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2013)
8× Pro Bowl (2006, 2009–2011, 2013, 2016–2018)
NFL passing yards leader (2010)
NFL passing touchdowns co-leader (2008)
NFL passer rating leader (2008)
NFL completion percentage leader (2013)
San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team
ACC Athlete of the Year (2004)
ACC Player of the Year (2003)
ACC Offensive Player of the Year (2003)
ACC Rookie of the Year (2000)
Season Record: 134-106-0
Playoff Record: 5-7
Career passing stats: 63,440 passing yards, 421 touchdowns, 209 interceptions, 95.2 passer rating, 64.9 completion percentage, 35 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 601 rushing yards, 1.6 yards per attempt, 3 rushing touchdowns
Patrick Mahomes –
I believe there is going to be a day when Patrick Mahomes is unanimously viewed as a top 10 Quarterback in NFL history. Hell, maybe even the most talented Quarterback of all-time. That being said, it’s still too early to crown him just yet.
Super Bowl champion (LIV)
Super Bowl MVP (LIV)
NFL Most Valuable Player (2018)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2018)
First-team All-Pro (2018)
Second-team All-Pro (2020)
4× Pro Bowl (2018–2021)
NFL passing touchdowns leader (2018)
Season Record: 50-13-0
Playoff Record: 8-3
Career passing stats: 18,991 passing yards, 151 touchdowns, 37 interceptions, 105.8 passer rating, 66.1 completion percentage, 10 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1189 rushing yards, 5.0 yards per attempt, 8 rushing touchdowns
Dan Fouts –
Dan Fouts made the Air Coryell offense possible. He knew how to stretch the field and because of that was the passing yard leader for four consecutive seasons. Though he never led his team to a Super Bowl.
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1982)
2× First-team All-Pro (1979, 1982)
2× Second-team All-Pro (1980, 1985)
6× Pro Bowl (1979–1983, 1985
4× NFL passing yards leader (1979–1982)
2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1981, 1982)
NFL completion percentage leader (1979)
NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
Season Record: 86-84-1
Playoff Record: 3-4
Career passing stats: 43,040 passing yards, 254 touchdowns, 242 interceptions, 80.2 passer rating, 58.8 completion percentage, 23 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 476 rushing yards, 2.1 yards per attempt, 13 rushing touchdowns
Warren Moon –
The NFL was not willing to give Warren Moon a chance coming out of college. Because of that, he spent his first six seasons in the CFL winning five championships in the process. He also dominated in the NFL, but never found the same post-season success.
9× Pro Bowl (1988–1995, 1997)
First-team All-Pro (1990)
NFL Most Valuable Player (1990)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1990)
2× NFL passing yards leader (1990, 1991)
NFL passing touchdowns leader (1990)
NFL Hall of Fame
Season Record: 102-101-0
Playoff Record: 3-7
Career passing stats: 49,325 passing yards, 291 touchdowns, 233 interceptions, 80.9 passer rating, 58.4 completion percentage, 35 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1736 rushing yards, 3.2 yards per attempt, 22 rushing touchdowns
Terry Bradshaw –
You won’t find a 4x Super Bowl winner get as much hate as Terry Bradshaw. He wasn’t the most important player on this Steelers roster, but he didn’t have to be. He let his dominant Steel Curtain defenses do the heavy lifting.
4× Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV)
2× Super Bowl MVP (XIII, XIV)
NFL Most Valuable Player (1978)
First-team All-Pro (1978)
3× Pro Bowl (1975, 1978, 1979)
2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1978, 1982)
NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
Season Record: 107-51-0
Playoff Record: 14-5
Career passing stats: 27,989 passing yards, 212 touchdowns, 210 interceptions, 70.9 passer rating, 51.9 completion percentage, 23 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 2257 rushing yards, 5.1 yards per attempt, 32 rushing touchdowns
Kurt Warner –
The greatest grocery store clerk to ever play in the NFL. Kurt Warner is the ultimate underdog story. He was at the helm of “The Greatest Show on Turf”.
Super Bowl champion (XXXIV)
Super Bowl MVP (XXXIV)
2× NFL Most Valuable Player (1999, 2001)
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2008)
2× First-team All-Pro (1999, 2001)
4× Pro Bowl (1999–2001, 2008)
2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1999, 2001)
3× NFL completion percentage leader (1999–2001)
2× NFL passer rating leader (1999, 2001)
NFL passing yards leader (2001)
Season Record: 67-49-0
Playoff Record: 9-4
Career passing stats: 32,344 passing yards, 208 touchdowns, 128 interceptions, 93.7 passer rating, 65.5 completion percentage, 11 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 286 rushing yards, 1.7 yards per attempt, 3 rushing touchdowns
Sammy Baugh –
One of the original gangsters for the Quarterback position. Over an era in which the forward pass was an afterthought, Sammy Baugh the first to really put passing Quarterbacks on the map.
2× NFL champion (1937, 1942)
4× First-team All-Pro (1937, 1940, 1942, 1943)
4× Second-team All-Pro (1938, 1941, 1947, 1948)
6× Pro Bowl (1938–1942, 1951)
4× NFL passing yards leader (1937, 1940, 1947, 1948)
2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1940, 1947)
3× NFL passer rating leader (1940, 1945, 1947)
8× NFL completion percentage leader (1940, 1942, 1943, 1945–1949)
Season Record: 11-10-0*
Playoff Record: 14-5
Career passing stats: 21,886 passing yards, 187 touchdowns, 203 interceptions, 72.7 passer rating, 56.5 completion percentage, 19 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 325 rushing yards, 1.0 yards per attempt, 9 rushing touchdowns
Jim Kelly –
It is an absolute travesty that Jim Kelly never won a Super Bowl. There is no doubt in my mind that he deserved it as he led the Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
5× Pro Bowl (1987, 1988, 1990–1992)
First-team All-Pro (1991)
NFL passing touchdowns leader (1991)
NFL passer rating leader (1990)
NFL completion percentage leader (1990)
NFL Hall of Fame
Season Record: 101-59-0
Playoff Record: 9-8
Career passing stats: 35,467 passing yards, 237 touchdowns, 175 interceptions, 84.4 passer rating, 60.1 completion percentage, 28 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1049 rushing yards, 3.5 yards per attempt, 7 rushing touchdowns
TIER 4:
Bart Starr –
The original Super Bowl winner. 9-1 playoff record is no joke. While Bart Starr has all the winning accolades of an elite Quarterback, he also had the benefit of Vince Lombardi operating at a hyper-efficient level.
2× Super Bowl champion (I, II)
2× Super Bowl MVP (I, II)
5× NFL champion (1961, 1962, 1965–1967)
NFL Most Valuable Player (1966)
First-team All-Pro (1966)
3× Second-team All-Pro (1961, 1962, 1964)
4× Pro Bowl (1960–1962, 1966)
4× NFL passer rating leader (1964, 1966, 1968, 1969)
4× NFL completion percentage leader (1962, 1966, 1968, 1969)
Season Record: 94-57-6
Playoff Record: 9-1
Career passing stats: 24,718 passing yards, 152 touchdowns, 138 interceptions, 80.5 passer rating, 57.4 completion percentage, 17 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1,308 rushing yards, 5.3 yards per attempt, 15 rushing touchdowns
Troy Aikman –
They didn’t just become America’s Team overnight. Troy Aikman was at the forefront of transforming this team on route to 3x Super Bowl victories. People love to use his dominant supporting cast against him.
3× Super Bowl champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
Super Bowl MVP (XXVII)
NFL Man of the Year (1997)
6× Pro Bowl (1991–1996)
NFL completion percentage leader (1993)
PFWA All-Rookie Team (1989)
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor
Davey O’Brien Award (1988)
Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year (1987)
National champion (1985)
Cotton Bowl MVP (1989)
Consensus All-American (1988)
Season Record: 94-71-0
Playoff Record: 11-4
Career passing stats: 32,942 passing yards, 165 touchdowns, 141 interceptions, 81.6 passer rating, 61.6 completion percentage, 20 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1,016 rushing yards, 3.1 yards per attempt, 9 rushing touchdowns
Ben Roethlisberger –
Big Ben Roethlisberger became the youngest Quarterback to win a Super Bowl at the ripe age of 23. He then went on to shatter every relevant passing record for the franchise.
2× Super Bowl champion (XL, XLIII)
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2004)
6× Pro Bowl (2007, 2011, 2014–2017)
2× NFL passing yards leader (2014, 2018)
PFWA All-Rookie Team (2004)
MAC Most Valuable Player (2003)
MAC Offensive Player of the Year (2003)
MAC Freshman of the Year (2001)
Season Record: 165-81-1
Playoff Record: 13-10
Career passing stats: 64,088 passing yards, 418 touchdowns, 211 interceptions, 93.5 passer rating, 64.4 completion percentage, 53 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1,373 rushing yards, 2.7 yards per attempt, 20 rushing touchdowns
Roger Staubach –
Roger Staubach won the Heisman trophy, but didn’t join the NFL until the age of 27 because of his four year tour in Vietnam for the Navy. He quickly became the most prolific passer in the NFL.
2× Super Bowl champion (VI, XII)
Super Bowl MVP (VI)
NFL Man of the Year (1978)
Second-team All-Pro (1971)
6× Pro Bowl (1971, 1975–1979)
NFL passing touchdowns leader (1973)
4× NFL passer rating leader (1971, 1973, 1978, 1979)
NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor
Bert Bell Award (1971)
George Halas Award (1980)
Lamar Hunt Award (2012)
Heisman Trophy (1963)
Maxwell Award (1963)
Chic Harley Award (1963)
UPI Player of the Year (1963)
Sporting News Player of the Year (1963)
Unanimous All-American (1963)
Season Record: 85-29-0
Playoff Record: 11-6
Career passing stats: 22,700 passing yards, 153 touchdowns, 109 interceptions, 83.4 passer rating, 57 completion percentage, 21 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 2,264 rushing yards, 5.5 yards per attempt, 20 rushing touchdowns
Fran Tarkenton –
Watching Fran Tarkenton highlights is like watching a goofy cartoon. He was the pioneer of the running Quarterback as he would constantly run side to side before delivering a strike down field.
NFL Most Valuable Player (1975)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1975)
First-team All-Pro (1975)
Second-team All-Pro (1973)
9× Pro Bowl (1964, 1965, 1967–1970, 1974–1976)
NFL passing yards leader (1978)
NFL passing touchdowns leader (1975)
NFL completion percentage leader (1977)
Bert Bell Award (1975)
Season Record: 124-109-6
Playoff Record: 6-5
Career passing stats: 47,003 passing yards, 342 touchdowns, 266 interceptions, 80.4 passer rating, 57 completion percentage, 33 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 3,674 rushing yards, 5.4 yards per attempt, 32 rushing touchdowns
Eli Manning –
One of the clutchest performers of all-time, Eli Manning is the one Quarterback you would want starting for your team to defeat the GOAT Tom Brady. His 117-117 record doesn’t tell the story as in the biggest games he would come to play.
2× Super Bowl champion (XLII, XLVI)
2× Super Bowl MVP (XLII, XLVI)
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2016)
4× Pro Bowl (2008, 2011, 2012, 2015)
New York Giants No. 10 retired
New York Giants Ring of Honor
Bart Starr Award (2020)
Maxwell Award (2003)
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2003)
SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2003)
Second-team All-American (2003)
First-team All-SEC (2003)
Season Record: 117-117-0
Playoff Record: 8-4
Career passing stats: 57,023 passing yards, 366 touchdowns, 244 interceptions, 84.1 passer rating, 60.3 completion percentage, 37 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 567 rushing yards, 1.8 yards per attempt, 7 rushing touchdowns
Russell Wilson –
More people should be talking about Russell Wilson as one of the all-time greats. His winning record is extremely impressive and it wasn’t just a dominant defense that made the Seahawks so great. Russell Wilson was still winning when Pete Carroll wasn’t letting Russ cook.
Super Bowl champion (XLVIII)
8× Pro Bowl (2012–2015, 2017–2020)
NFL passer rating leader (2015)
NFL passing touchdowns leader (2017)
Season Record: 104-53-1
Playoff Record: 9-7
Career passing stats: 37,059 passing yards, 292 touchdowns, 87 interceptions, 101.8 passer rating, 65.0 completion percentage, 32 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 4,689 rushing yards, 5.5 yards per attempt, 23 rushing touchdowns
TIER 3:
John Elway –
John Elway was the ageless wonder before Tom Brady. Not only was he winning Super Bowls at the age of 38, he was also helicopter diving into defenders for the first down. There was no fear in this man.
2× Super Bowl champion (XXXII, XXXIII)
Super Bowl MVP (XXXIII)
NFL Most Valuable Player (1987)
NFL Man of the Year (1992)
3× Second-team All-Pro (1987, 1993, 1996)
9× Pro Bowl (1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996–1998)
NFL passing yards leader (1993)
Season Record: 148-82-1
Playoff Record: 14-7
Career passing stats: 4,964 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 79.7 passer rating, 54.5 completion percentage, 6 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 3,407 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per attempt, 33 rushing touchdowns
Otto Graham –
I was not alive to watch Otto Graham. Hell, I wasn’t even close to being alive. That being said, he passes the research test with flying colors. From 1946-1955, Otto Graham took the Browns to a championship every single year while winning seven of them.
3× NFL champion (1950, 1954, 1955)
3× NFL Most Valuable Player (1951, 1953, 1955)
4× First-team All-Pro (1951, 1953–1955)
5× Pro Bowl (1950–1954)
2× NFL passing yards leader (1952, 1953)
NFL passing touchdowns leader (1952)
2× NFL passer rating leader (1953, 1955)
NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
Season Record: 114-20-4*
Playoff Record: 9-3*
Career passing stats: 23,584 passing yards, 174 touchdowns, 135 interceptions, 86.6 passer rating, 55.8 completion percentage, 8 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 882 rushing yards, 2.2 yards per attempt, 44 rushing touchdowns
Dan Marino –
Winning championships is very important when judging all-time QBs, but Dan Marino is an exception to the rule. His individual accomplishments were nothing short of extraordinary. He was way ahead of his time throwing for 48 touchdowns and 5,084 yards in 1984.
NFL Most Valuable Player (1984)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1984)
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1994)
3× First-team All-Pro (1984–1986)
9× Pro Bowl (1983–1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995)
5× NFL passing yards leader (1984–1986, 1988, 1992)
3× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1984–1986)
NFL passer rating leader (1984)
Season Record: 147-93
Playoff Record: 8-10
Career passing stats: 61,361 passing yards, 420 touchdowns, 252 interceptions, 86.4 passer rating, 59.4 completion percentage, 51 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 87 rushing yards, 0.3 yards per attempt, 9 rushing touchdowns
Johnny Unitas –
His numbers don’t hold up today, but he was a trailblazer for QBs today. The quintessential quarterback of his era, Johnny Unitas is your favorite Quarterbacks, favorite Quarterbacks’ favorite Quarterback.
Super Bowl champion (V)
3× NFL champion (1958, 1959, 1968)
3× NFL Most Valuable Player (1959, 1964, 1967)
NFL Man of the Year (1970)
5× First-team All-Pro (1958, 1959, 1964, 1965, 1967)
3× Second-team All-Pro (1957, 1960, 1963)
10× Pro Bowl (1957–1964, 1966, 1967)
4× NFL passing yards leader (1957, 1959, 1960, 1963)
4× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1957–1960)
2× NFL passer rating leader (1958, 1965)
NFL completion percentage leader (1967)
Season Record: 118-63-4
Playoff Record: 6-2
Career passing stats: 40,239 passing yards, 290 touchdowns, 253 interceptions, 78.2 passer rating, 54.6 completion percentage, 38 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1,777 rushing yards, 3.9 yards per attempt, 13 rushing touchdowns
Brett Favre –
I swear the word gunslinger wasn’t invented until Brett Favre played. One of the most exciting players ever, Brett Favre was never afraid to take risks. It was a blessing and a curse for his success, but to the core is what made him so special.
Super Bowl champion (XXXI)
3× NFL Most Valuable Player (1995–1997)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1995)
3× First-team All-Pro (1995–1997)
3× Second-team All-Pro (2001, 2002, 2007)
11× Pro Bowl (1992, 1993, 1995–1997, 2001–2003, 2007–2009)
4× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1995–1997, 2003)
2× NFL passing yards leader (1995, 1998)
NFL completion percentage leader (1998)
NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
Green Bay Packers No. 4 retired
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
2× Bert Bell Award (1995, 1996)
2× UPI NFC Offensive Player of the Year (1995, 1996)
Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2007)
Season Record: 186-112-0
Playoff Record: 13-11
Career passing stats: 71,838 passing yards, 508 touchdowns, 336 interceptions, 86.0 passer rating, 62 completion percentage, 43 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1,844 rushing yards, 3.1 yards per attempt, 14 rushing touchdowns
Steve Young –
Filling the shoes of Joe Montana is an impossibility and Steve Young did the perfect job. He had to wait his turn and because of that he didn’t start producing at an elite level until the age of 30. I can only imagine the damage he could have done if it started earlier.
3× Super Bowl champion (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX)
Super Bowl MVP (XXIX)
2× NFL Most Valuable Player (1992, 1994)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1992)
3× First-team All-Pro (1992–1994)
7× Pro Bowl (1992–1998)
4× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1992–1994, 1998)
6× NFL passer rating leader (1991–1994, 1996, 1997)
5× NFL completion percentage leader (1992, 1994–1997)
Season Record: 94-49
Playoff Record: 8-6
Career passing stats: 33,124 passing yards, 232 touchdowns, 107 interceptions, 96.8 passer rating, 64.3 completion percentage, 17 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 4,239 rushing yards, 5.9 yards per attempt, 43 rushing touchdowns
TIER 2:
Peyton Manning –
I outlined the importance of winning above, but there is also something to be said about pure talent. Peyton Manning has 5x MVPs to his name – the most in NFL history. Not only that, but he also has the record for most passing touchdowns in a season with 55 along with many other impressive records. Only two Super Bowls leaves something to be desired, but I will not hold that against him.
2× Super Bowl champion (XLI, L)
Super Bowl MVP (XLI)
5× NFL Most Valuable Player (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013)
2× NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2004, 2013)
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2012)
7× First-team All-Pro (2003–2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013)
14× Pro Bowl (1999, 2000, 2002–2010, 2012–2014)
3× NFL passing yards leader (2000, 2003, 2013)
4× NFL passing touchdowns leader (2000, 2004, 2006, 2013)
2× NFL completion percentage leader (2003, 2012)
3× NFL passer rating leader (2004–2006)
Season Record: 186-79
Playoff Record: 14-13
Career passing stats: 71,940 passing yards, 539 touchdowns, 251 interceptions, 96.5 passer rating, 65.3 completion percentage, 56 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 667 rushing yards, 1.5 yards per attempt, 18 rushing touchdowns
Joe Montana –
They called him Joe Cool and it’s clear why. When it came down to crunch time, there is nobody you would rather have under center. Joe Montana made it to four Super Bowls and won every single time. His stats don’t match up to the two Quarterbacks above, but that has more to do with the evolution of the Quarterback position than the ability of Montana.
4× Super Bowl champion (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV)
3× Super Bowl MVP (XVI, XIX, XXIV)
2× NFL Most Valuable Player (1989, 1990)
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1989)
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1986)
3× First-team All-Pro (1987, 1989, 1990)
2× Second-team All-Pro (1981, 1984)
8× Pro Bowl (1981, 1983–1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1993)
2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1982, 1987)
2× NFL passer rating leader (1987, 1989)
5× NFL completion percentage leader (1980, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1989)
Season Record: 117-47-0
Playoff Record: 16-7
Career passing stats: 40,551 passing yards, 273 touchdowns, 139 interceptions, 92.3 passer rating, 63.2 completion percentage, 28 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1,667 rushing yards, 3.7 yards per attempt, 20 rushing touchdowns
Drew Brees –
It’s still a mystery to me how Drew Brees never won an MVP award. Over his time with the Saints, he carried some of the worst defenses in recent memory. He also led the New Orleans Saints to their only Super Bowl championship ever. Some people love to hate Brees, but his completion percentage tells the story. He is the most accurate Quarterback of all-time.
Super Bowl champion (XLIV)
Super Bowl MVP (XLIV)
2× NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2008, 2011)
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2006)
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2004)
First-team All-Pro (2006)
4× Second-team All-Pro (2008, 2009, 2011, 2018)
13× Pro Bowl (2004, 2006, 2008–2014, 2016–2019)
7× NFL passing yards leader (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014–2016)
4× NFL passing touchdowns leader (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)
2× NFL passer rating leader (2009, 2018)
6× NFL completion percentage leader (2009–2011, 2017–2019)
Season Record: 172-114-0
Playoff Record: 9-9
Career passing stats: 80,358 passing yards, 571 touchdowns, 243 interceptions, 98.7 passer rating, 67.7 completion percentage, 53 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 752 rushing yards, 1.5 yards per attempt, 25 rushing touchdowns
Aaron Rodgers –
While many fans still regard Brett Favre as the best Quarterback in Packers history, Aaron Rodgers has cemented himself in my books. He is one MVP away from being tied with Peyton Manning and a Super Bowl away from being in the top 3 conversation.
Super Bowl champion (XLV)
Super Bowl MVP (XLV)
4× NFL Most Valuable Player (2011, 2014, 2020,2021)
4× First-team All-Pro (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021)
10× Pro Bowl (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014–2016, 2018–2021)
4x NFL passer rating leader (2011, 2012, 2020, 2021)
2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (2016, 2020)
NFL completion percentage leader (2020)
Season Record: 139-66-1
Playoff Record: 11-10
Career passing stats: 55,360 passing yards, 449 touchdowns, 93 interceptions, 104.5 passer rating, 65.3 completion percentage, 27 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 3,372 rushing yards, 4.9 yards per attempt, 34 rushing touchdowns
TIER 1:
Tom Brady –
At this point if you don’t think that Tom Brady is the best Quarterback in NFL history, you are in denial. “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing!” When you’re talking about the most winning Quarterback ever by nearly 100 games, it’s clear that Tom Brady is not only the best, but in a tier of his own. Give this man his flowers.
7× Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII, LV)
5× Super Bowl MVP (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, LI, LV)
3× NFL Most Valuable Player (2007, 2010, 2017)
2× NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2010)
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2009)
3× First-team All-Pro (2007, 2010, 2017)
15× Pro Bowl (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009–2018, 2021)
4× NFL passing touchdowns leader (2002, 2007, 2010, 2015)
4× NFL passing yards leader (2005, 2007, 2017, 2021)
2× NFL passer rating leader (2007, 2010)
NFL completion percentage leader (2007)
Season Record: 243-73
Playoff Record: 35-12
Career passing stats: 84,520 passing yards, 624 touchdowns, 203 interceptions, 97.6 passer rating, 64.2 completion percentage, 53 game winning drives.
Career rushing stats: 1,124 rushing yards, 1.7 yards per attempt, 27 rushing touchdowns
