It can be argued that there is no position in any other sport that carries more weight than quarterback in American football. A player who plays in this position is generally considered the leader of the offensive team and is often tasked with calling off the play, a responsibility that further gives them full credit or responsibility for the team’s performance. Over the years, so many players have demonstrated an exceptional ability to be among the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Some were lucky enough to win it all while others, despite all their remarkable talent, were unable to secure a coveted Super Bowl title or NFL championship before him.
The Greatest NFL Quarterbacks of All Time
1. Joe Montana
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1979-1992) and Kansas City Chiefs (1993-1994)
Titles: 4× Super Bowl champion (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV)
Joe Montana earned the nickname Joe Cool for his ability to keep calm under pressure, which is considered the most crucial trait for a quarterback. The New Eagle, a native of Pennsylvania, is additionally considered the greatest quarterback in big game history. he has never thrown an interception or lost a Super Bowl game in his career.
Montana played college football at Notre Dame, winning the national championship in 1977 before turning pro after being selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 82nd pick in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft.
2. John Elway
Team: Denver Broncos (1983-1998)
Titles: 2× Super Bowl champion (XXXII, XXXIII)
While many would say John Elway’s quality has been hampered by his inability to lead his team over the line when it counts, seeing as he appeared in five Super Bowls but only managed to win two, his quality quarterback cannot be overstated. Bronco, who was long selected 1st overall in the 1983 NFL Draft, was ahead of his time in his ability to run the ball. He is the only quarterback and second player in NFL history to score a touchdown in four different Super Bowls.
3. Tom Brady
Team: New England Patriots (2000-present)
Titles: 6× Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII)
Tom Brady’s legendary status as a quarterback speaks for itself. Although he is known for his lack of arm strength and mobility, essential characteristics of a player in the position he occupies, he has managed to stand out as an all-time great player. thanks to his accuracy, decision-making and soccer IQ.
Like Montana who appears above him, Brady was a lightly regarded prospect from the University of Michigan. The 1997 national champion was picked by the Patriots with the 199th pick in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Since that time, he has remained on the team, setting the NFL record for longest streak quarterback for a franchise.
4. Dan Marino
Team: Miami Dolphins (1983-1999)
Titles: None
Dan Marino is another person who is considered to be one of the best NFL quarterbacks in history despite never having been on a Super Bowl-winning team, which inadvertently detracted from his legendary status. The Miami Dolphins career player was revered for one of the fastest throws by any passer in league history, as well as his ability to diagnose defenses.
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native played college football for the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football team from 1979 to 1982, before joining the Dolphins. Some of the awards he won during his career include: NFL Rookie of the Year in 1983; 1984 NFL Most Outstanding Player and NFL Offensive Player of the Year; and 1998 NFL Man of the Year Walter Payton, among others.
5. Johnny Unitas
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1955), Baltimore Colts (1956-1972), San Diego Chargers (1973)
Title: Super Bowl Champion (V); 3× NFL champion (1958, 1959, 1968)
Johnny Unitas is widely regarded as the NFL’s first great quarterback of the modern era. He was known for his abilities to stay cool under pressure and to make a pass. Evidenced by the fact that he held the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass that stood for 52 years, until Drew Brees came along and beat him in 2012.
Unitas attended and played college football during the University of Louisville prior to his election by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the ninth round of the 1955 NFL Draft. Among his career accomplishments were four touchdowns passing in the NFL (1957-1960), four times in the NFL (1957, 1959, 1960, 1963) and ten times in the Pro Bowler (1957). -1964, 1966, 1967).
6. Brett Favre
Teams: Atlanta Falcons (1991), Green Bay Packers (1992-2007), New York Jets (2008) and Minnesota Vikings (2009-2010)
Titles: Super Bowl Champion (XXXI)
Brett Favre, better known as The Gunslinger or Football, Iron Man, was renowned for his impressive production and durability, setting the NFL record for consecutive starts with 297 games over 19 seasons. Favre fans and NFL fans will never forget the Monday night he shot to fame on the court, just a day after his father died.
Favre performed and set many school records for the University of Southern Mississippi. After spending four years in college, he was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 33rd pick in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft.
7. Peyton Manning
Teams: Indianapolis Colts (1998-2011) and Denver Broncos (2012-2015)
Titles: 2× Super Bowl champion (XLI, 50)
It’s been said over and over again that if a quarterback were to be created in the lab, the first thing scientists would look to give the robot is the brain of Peyton Manning, who was and still is revered for his football IQ, a trait with which he resorted to diagnosing covers and winning battles against coordinating defensive opponents.
The Sheriff, as he is popularly known for his audibility at the line of scrimmage, was first drafted in the NFL Draft in 1998. He went on to set numerous NFL records including touchdown passes and became the only quarterback to kick off the Super Bowl for two franchises more than once each.
8.Steve Young
Teams: Los Angeles Express (1984-1985), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985-1986) and San Francisco 49ers (1987-1999)
Titles: 3× Super Bowl champion (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX)
Of all the quarterbacks to appear on this Steve Young is probably the most dynamic of them all. This because he was an efficient passer and a good receiver. He led the league in passer ratings with a record six times and was quick to take the third-most touchdowns from the QB position in history.
Young, despite interest from the University of North Carolina, attended Brigham Young University (BYU). Among the College Football Hall of Fame inductee’s other accomplishments in 2001, he was a two-time NFL MVP (1992, 1994) and a four-time NFL touchdown leader (1992-94, 1998). ).
9. Otto Graham
Teams: Cleveland Browns (1946-1955)
Titles: 3× NFL champion (1950, 1954, 1955)
If consistent wins and appearances at a championship game have been the criteria for ranking the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks, Otto Graham will undoubtedly rise above all the names that are sure to make the list. Indeed, between 1946 and 1955, the Waukegan, Illinois native led his team to one league championship appearance each season, winning seven of them. Among his other accomplishments, he was three times the NFL’s Most Outstanding Player (1951, 1953, 1955) and twice the NFL’s leader in passing yards (1952, 1953).
10. Fran Tarkenton
Teams: Minnesota Vikings (1961-66), New York Giants (1967-71) and Minnesota Vikings (1972-78)
Titles: None
Having finished in the league’s top 10 leading passers in 17 of the 18 seasons he has played in the NFL, Fran Tarkenton is arguably one of the most reliable passers in NFL history. Even without having ever won a championship, his legendary status is cemented by the fact that at the time of his retirement he held all quarterback records.
A native of Richmond, Va., who played college football at the University of Georgia, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
11. Roger Staubach
Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1969-1979)
Titles: 2× Super Bowl champion (VI, XII)
One wonders what Roger Staubach’s career statistics would have been like if he had become a professional football player right out of college. The 1963 Heisman Trophy winner was attending the US Naval Academy and had to serve in the Navy for four years before he could play professionally. He made his NFL debut as a 27-year-old rookie and was still able to master the process so he could lead his team to the Super Bowl five times. At Super Bowl VI, Staubach was named Most Valuable Player, making him the first of four players to win the Heisman Trophy title and Super Bowl MVP.
12. Dan Fouts
Teams: San Diego Chargers (1973-1987)
Titles: None
Dan Fouts is another player to make it to the NFL’s biggest quarterback list, even though he couldn’t guide his team to a championship. He is able to make it to this list because he was one of the most prolific passing quarterbacks of his time, leading the NFL in passing yards from 1979 to 1982 and becoming the first player in history to throwing for 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.
Fouts, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, played college football at the University of Oregon before being selected in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft.
13. Sammy Baugh
Teams: Washington Redskins (1937-1952)
Titles: 2× NFL champion (1937, 1942)
Sammy Baugh was primarily known for his passing prowess, as he led the league in completion percentage eight times and passing rating six times. He was further revered for his versatility and his ability to play at a high level as a punter and defensive back. The 1963 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee played college football at Texas Christian University before he was seeded sixth overall in the 1937 NFL Final Draft by the Washington Redskins.
14. Sid Luckman
Teams: Chicago Bears (1939-1950) and Newark Bears (1939)
Titles: 4× NFL champion (1940, 1941, 1943, 1946)
While there are plenty of famous quarterbacks, Sid Luckman is renowned for revolutionizing this aspect of the game with his passing abilities, as he is also among the greatest long-range passers in NFL history. He was the first person to ever rush for 400 yards in a game and once had seven touchdowns in a game, a record that still stands today.
15. Bart Starr
Teams: Green Bay Packers (1956-1971)
Titles: 2× Super Bowl champion (I, II); 5× NFL champion (1961, 1962, 1965–67)
Bart Starr was the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl. He was known for his ability to pass the ball, especially in the playoffs, which helped him earn the highest career playoff passer rating of any quarterback in NFL history, as he only lost one game in the playoffs.
A native of Montgomery, Alabama, he played college football at the University of Alabama before being selected 200th overall in Round 17 of the 1956 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.