Top 10 Greatest NFL Quarterbacks of All Time

Previously, as part of our Top 10 positional series, we visited the tight end position. Today, we look at the field generals of the NFL, the quarterbacks. The NFL has seen many quarterbacks change the way the game is played. To be considered among the top ten quarterbacks of all-time you must be more than a game changer. You have to be transcendent in the position.

Firstly, we must determine how we are coming to the decisions we are making. What matters the most? Additionally, we must take the era into account and where these players ranked in the era they were in. Of course, you cannot make a list like this based purely on stats. Let’s take a look at the top 10 quarterbacks of all time.

1. Tom Brady

All-Decade Team: 2000s First Team & 2010s First Team

All-Pros: 3x First Team, 3x Second Team

Super Bowls: 10 Appearances, 7 Wins, 5x Super Bowl MVP

MVPs: 2x

Numbers: 40,551 Passing Yards, 273 Passing TD, 139 INT, 63.2% Completion, 6.60 ANY/A

Top 5: Passing Yards 5x, Passing TD 7x, Passer Rating 9x, ANY/A 7x

Tom Brady is almost unanimously considered the greatest quarterback of all time. This title was cemented with his legendary 27-3 comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in the 2016 Super Bowl. Brady has both the statistical dominance of Peyton Manning and the postseason success of Joe Montana, having won seven Super Bowls and been named Super Bowl MVP five times. His ability to perform under pressure and lead his team to victory is unparalleled, making him a true legend of the game.

It is difficult to overstate the extent of Brady’s accomplishments over his long and illustrious career. Here are just a few of the most remarkable feats he has achieved:

• He has thrown 43 more postseason touchdown passes than the quarterback with the second-most in history.
• Made 14 conference championship appearances.
• Played in 10 Super Bowls, winning 7 of them.
• More playoff wins than any other quarterback has playoff games played.
• He has won a Super Bowl in three different decades.
• 13 NFL teams have played fewer playoff games in their entire history than Brady has won in his career.
• Brady has more playoff wins than all but four NFL franchises.

While opinions on who is the greatest quarterback of all time may vary, there should be no argument against Tom Brady. With seven Super Bowl wins and numerous other records, he has solidified his place in NFL history.

2. Joe Montana

All-Decade Team: 1980s First Team

All-Pros: 3x First Team, 2x Second Team

Super Bowls: 4 Appearances, 4 Wins, 3x Super Bowl MVP

MVPs: 2x

Numbers: 40,551 Passing Yards, 273 Passing TD, 139 INT, 63.2% Completion, 6.60 ANY/A

Top 5: Passing Yards 5x, Passing TD 7x, Passer Rating 9x, ANY/A 7x

Joe Montana was undeniably a superstar of the 1980s. He was not only the face of the NFL but also the driving force behind the 1980s 49ers dynasty, which dominated the entire decade. Montana’s talent and leadership on the field were unmatched, leading his team to four Super Bowl victories in just nine years, solidifying his place in NFL history as the greatest of all time.

Indeed, Montana’s statistics were not as dominant as Peyton Manning’s or Dan Marino‘s. He never led the league in passing yards and only led the league in touchdowns twice. However, Montana’s skill, leadership, and poise were undeniable. Fans and analysts alike recognized his exceptional talent and saw something special happening in real-time. In the late 1980s, Montana rightfully earned the title of the greatest quarterback ever, thanks to his unparalleled success in leading the 49ers to Super Bowl victories and his impressive performances on the field.

Montana’s postseason performances were legendary. He won 16 of 23 playoff games and had one of the greatest playoff runs in NFL history in 1989, where he threw 11 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, and had a remarkable 146.54 passer rating in three playoff games. Additionally, Montana’s Super Bowl performances were also unparalleled, with 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in four Super Bowls, leading his team to victory in all four with three Super Bowl MVPs. Montana epitomized what it meant to be a winner and always rose to the occasion when it mattered most.

3. Peyton Manning

All-Decade Team: 2000s Second Team

All-Pros: 7x First Team, 3x Second Team

Super Bowls: 4 Appearances, 2 Wins, 1x Super Bowl MVP

MVPs: 5x

Numbers: 71,940 Passing Yards, 539 Passing TD, 251 INT, 65.3% Completion, 7.17 ANY/A

Top 5: Passing Yards 12x, Passing TD 16x, Passer Rating 11x, ANY/A 10x

Undoubtedly, Peyton Manning is the most exceptional regular-season quarterback of all time. His prowess in altering the offense on virtually every play has made him a household name. Additionally, he had the autonomy to modify the offense at any given moment. In addition to his impressive adaptability, he transformed the position, setting a new standard for how to lead an offense.

Manning’s regular season statistics remain unparalleled, even by the most elite quarterbacks. Over a ten-year span from 2003 to 2013, he accumulated five MVP awards, seven First Team All-Pros, and a 78% win rate. Moreover, he broke the single-season touchdown record not once, but twice. His 2004 season is widely regarded as the greatest in history, where he finished with a 121.1 passer rating and broke the touchdown record for the first time.

Despite his exceptional regular season career, Manning’s playoff performances have been a subject of criticism. Out of his 15 playoff appearances, he was one-and-done nine times. Though he has won two Super Bowls, his performance in those playoff runs was underwhelming. In the 2006 playoffs, he had a TD:INT ratio of 3:7, while in 2015, he was carried to another Super Bowl by the Broncos’ defense. Manning’s lackluster performance in Super Bowls is evident from his meager tally of three touchdowns across four games, with no touchdowns in two of the four. As a result, his playoff record is the main reason why he falls short of being regarded as the greatest of all time.

4. Otto Graham

All-Decade Team: 1950s

All-Pros: 4x First Team, 2x Second Team

Championships: 3x NFL Championship, 4x AAFC Championship

MVPs: 3x

Numbers: 23,584 Passing Yards, 174 Passing TD, 135 INT, 55.8% Completion

Top 5: Passing Yards 9x, Passing TD 8x, Passer Rating 9x

Although Unitas may have surpassed Graham as the greatest ever by many, I rank Graham higher on this list. Graham was recognized for his precision and effectiveness as a passer, winning the league’s completion percentage title five times. He was the quintessential quarterback who could lead his team to victory. Additionally, he holds the highest era-adjusted passer rating in NFL history.

Otto Graham’s success as a quarterback is undeniable, as evidenced by his ten consecutive championship game appearances and seven championship wins. He was also recognized with three league MVP awards and had a unique ability to run the ball, leading the league in rushing touchdowns twice. Remarkably, he finished his career with an unbelievable 105-17-4 record. His impressive accomplishments have solidified his place in football history, with some comparing him to a 1950s version of Tom Brady.

While Graham’s accomplishments are impressive, one argument against him being ranked higher on the list is the era he played in. During his career, there were only eight to twelve teams in the league, meaning there was less competition than there is today. However, this is not Graham’s fault and should not take away from his accomplishments. It is simply a factor that needs to be considered when comparing him to quarterbacks who played in more competitive eras.

5. Johnny Unitas

All-Decade Team: 1960s

All-Pros: 5x First Team, 3x Second Team

Super Bowls: 2 Appearances, 1 Win, 0 Super Bowl MVPs (Also won 3 NFL Championships)

MVPs: 3x

Numbers: 40,239 Passing Yards, 290 Passing TD, 253 INT, 54.6% Completion, 5.41 ANY/A

Top 5: Passing Yards 11x, Passing TD 9x, Passer Rating 10x, ANY/A 5x

Johnny Unitas, affectionately known as “Johnny U,” is considered the epitome of the modern-day quarterback, as he revolutionized the position. In his debut season as a starter, he led the league in both passing yards and touchdown passes. He went on to win several MVP awards and championships. By the time of his retirement, Unitas was widely regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time by many.

Unitas’ career is replete with legendary stories, including his comeback in the “Greatest Game Ever Played” in 1958 and his appearance in the infamous Super Bowl III against the New York Jets. Furthermore, he has an impressive collection of hardware to his name, including three championships and three league MVP awards. Additionally, when he retired, he held many career passing records, such as the record for the most consecutive games with a touchdown pass, which stood for 52 years and was nicknamed “The Streak.” Ultimately, Unitas’ contributions to professional football have helped shape the sport into what it is today.

It is difficult to find any shortcomings in Unitas’ career that would justify his placement at number five on the all-time list. One could point to his championship game performances that were lacking. However, the simple answer is that there are four other quarterbacks with stronger arguments. It is important to note that while Unitas was considered the greatest of all time during his era, the title has been claimed by multiple quarterbacks since then.

6. Patrick Mahomes

All-Decade Team: None (Yet…)

All-Pros: 2x First Team, 1x Second Team

Super Bowls: 2 Appearances, 2 Wins, 2x Super Bowl MVP

MVPs: 2x

Numbers: 24,241 Passing Yards, 192 Passing TD, 49 INT, 66.3% Completion, 8.05 ANY/A

Top 5: Passing Yards 4x, Passing TD 4x, Passer Rating 3x, ANY/A 4x

Although my pick may be controversial, please hear me out. Patrick Mahomes is undeniably the greatest pure talent at quarterback we have ever witnessed. In just five seasons, he has achieved more than most quarterbacks in history. In my opinion, he embodies the magic of Brett Favre, the efficiency of Aaron Rodgers, and the clutchness of John Elway. Although his career is still young, his talent is undeniable.

Mahomes’ impressive list of accolades includes two league MVPs, two Super Bowl MVPs, and leading his team to the AFC Championship game every year he has been a starter. Additionally, he holds records for the highest career passer rating, average net yards per attempt, and passing yards per game. However, his 2022 season may be the most remarkable for a quarterback in history. He won the league MVP, the Super Bowl, and a Super Bowl MVP. Additionally, he led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns and was voted First Team All-Pro. Undoubtedly, he is on track to become the greatest quarterback of all time.

While it’s true that there aren’t many negatives to his game, one argument against him on this list could be that he doesn’t have the same volume of statistics as other quarterbacks on this list. However, we must consider a fundamental question: is this player better than the previous players? When we view it in this context, the answer is unequivocally yes.

7. Aaron Rodgers

All-Decade Team: 2010s Second Team

All-Pros: 4x First Team, 1x Second Team

Super Bowls: 1 Appearance, 1 Win, 1x Super Bowl MVP

MVPs: 4x

Numbers: 59,055 Passing Yards, 475 Passing TD, 105 INT, 65.3% Completion, 7.35 ANY/A

Top 5: Passing Yards 4x, Passing TD 8x, Passer Rating 9x, ANY/A 7x

Aaron Rodgers is without a doubt one of the most efficient quarterbacks in NFL history. He is known for his precision passing, mobility, and ability to make plays both inside and outside the pocket. Rodgers sat behind Brett Favre for 3 seasons until he took over in 2008. Recently Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets where he will embark on a new adventure at 39 years old.

Rodgers has won four league MVP awards and also has been an All-Pro five times. Additionally, he led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory in 2011, earning Super Bowl MVP honors in the process. He currently has the second-best passer rating ever and the best TD:INT ratio in league history.

However, Rodgers only winning one Super Bowl with his talent is a disappointment. When your counterparts are Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, one doesn’t cut it. As far as on-field talent, the only knock on Rodgers is that he has been known to hang onto the ball too long which has resulted in sacks and has caused him to take unnecessary hits.

Despite these tiny criticisms, Rodgers is largely considered one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history. His ability to make throws that few other quarterbacks can make and the efficiency he plays, highlight his incredible talent.

8. Brett Favre

All-Decade Team: 1990s Second Team

All-Pros: 3x First Team, 3x Second Team

Super Bowls: 2 Appearances, 1 Win, 0 Super Bowl MVPs

MVPs: 3x (Three consecutive MVPs)

Numbers: 71,838 Passing Yards, 508 Passing TD, 336 INT, 62% Completion, 5.93 ANY/A

Top 5: Passing Yards 11x, Passing TD 11x, Passer Rating 6x, ANY/A 6x

Brett Favre is one of the most recognizable names in NFL history, known for his long and successful career playing for the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, and Minnesota Vikings. He played in the NFL for 20 seasons, retiring as the league’s all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns, completions, and attempts.

Favre was known for his toughness, his ability to make plays both inside and outside the pocket, and his ability to improvise when things didn’t go as planned. He was a 3-time league MVP, an 11-time Pro Bowler, and led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory in 1996.

However, some have criticized Favre for his tendency to take risks with the football, leading to a high number of interceptions. Additionally, Favre’s decision to come out of retirement multiple times toward the end of his career has been viewed by some as detrimental to his legacy.

Despite these criticisms, Favre’s career accomplishments and moments cannot be disputed. His record-breaking numbers and his ability to make big plays in clutch situations have cemented his place in NFL history.

9. John Elway

All-Decade Team: 1990s First Team

All-Pros: 3x Second Team

Super Bowls: 5 Appearances, 2 Wins, 1x Super Bowl MVP

MVPs: 1x (A very controversial MVP as Joe Montana and Jerry Rice split votes)

Numbers: 51,475 Yards, 300 TD, 226 INT, 56.9% Completion, 5.60 ANY/A

Top 5: Passing Yards, 5x, Passing TD 3x, Passer Rating 4x, ANY/A 4x

Elway is known for his long and successful career playing for the Denver Broncos from 1983 to 1998. Also, Elway led the Broncos to five Super Bowl appearances, winning back-to-back titles in 1997 and 1998, and was known for his legendary arm strength, mobility, and ability to make big plays in clutch situations.

He was a 9-time Pro Bowler, and although he never earned a first-team All-Pro selection, he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1987. Elway’s career accomplishments include setting numerous records, including leading the league in completions, attempts, and passing yards in 1993.

However, some have criticized Elway for his performance in big games earlier in his career. Before winning his first Super Bowl in 1997, Elway had lost three previous Super Bowl appearances, leading some to question if he could ever get over the hump. Moreover, his lack of great numbers in the first half of his career is something to take note of. However, this could largely be due to the system he was in which was not taking advantage of everything Elway had.

10. Dan Marino

All-Decade Team: None

All-Pros: 3x First Team, 3x Second Team

Super Bowls: 1 Appearance, 0 Wins, 0 Super Bowl MVPs

MVPs: 1x

Numbers: 61,361 yards, 420 TD, 152 INT, 59.4% Completion, 6.55 ANY/A

Top 5: Passing Yards 11x, Passing TD 8x, Passer Rating 6x, ANY/A 8x

Dan Marino is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He played for the Miami Dolphins for 17 seasons from 1983 to 1999 and led the team to 10 playoff appearances during that time. Additionally, Marino set numerous records during his career, including the single-season record for passing yards and touchdown passes in 1984.

Marino was known for his quick release, powerful arm, and ability to make quick decisions on the field. He was a 9-time Pro Bowler and a 3-time First-Team All-Pro. Without a doubt, he is the most difficult quarterback to sack in NFL history, leading the league in Sack % a remarkable ten times. Additionally, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005 and owned almost every passing record in NFL history.

Despite his many accomplishments, Marino was criticized for his lack of success in the playoffs. He led the Dolphins to just one Super Bowl appearance, which they lost to the San Francisco 49ers in 1985. Some also criticized Marino’s lack of mobility which was obvious by his 87 career rushing yards.

Overall, Marino is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, and his impact on the game is still felt today. His records and achievements have cemented his place in football history as a true legend of the sport.