Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks of All Time

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How Do We Choose the Best NFL Quarterbacks of All Time?

With no set formula for how to be a great NFL quarterback, it can be hard to piece together the greatest of all time. All of these quarterbacks have different play styles and processes, but regardless of how they do it, these quarterbacks are the best. They performed well in one or more categories like counting statistics, championships, records, or just physical prowess. Check in with us at Zone Report in the future so you can help us decide who makes the cut for our upcoming lists.

Who are the Top Ten NFL Quarterbacks of All Time?

Quarterbacks are the most important member of the offense. They are the leader and manager of the game, dissecting coverages and calling audibles. The best quarterbacks do all of this with ease and some. They are efficient, smart, and win games because of their efforts. Some of the best have different special skills, whether it be as a pure pocket passer, dual threat, or gunslinger, but all of these quarterbacks are winners, and the best to ever grace the field.

#1 Tom Brady

Every fan expected this. Tommy Touchdowns is the best quarterback for a multitude of reasons and he is not exactly close to his competition. During his 23 seasons in the NFL, Brady collected an unreal 7 Super Bowl wins and 5 Super Bowl MVPs. That is an astronomical number, and to put some icing on the cake, he is one of only two quarterbacks who has ever won a Super Bowl for multiple teams. In addition to all of the winning that Brady did in the postseason, he was also extremely productive in the regular season with 3 MVPs.

TB12 is a once in a generation player, especially in his years with New England. His 2007 campaign is unlike any other season I have ever seen. With over 4800 passing yards and an unfathomable season QBR of 117.2, that season alone is enough to etch Brady’s name into the Hall of Fame.

#2 Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes is probably the only player who currently has a shot at catching Brady. In his short seven year career so far, Patrick has already won two MVPs, two Super Bowls, and two Super Bowl MVPs. It is so much for such a young player. And his accolades aren’t even the most impressive part about his resume. Watching Mahomes’ highlights and some of the games with the All 22 cameras reveals just how physically impressive and talented he is. He is the definition of a gunslinger, sending the ball down field on a rope time and time again. 

Patrick can easily collect a few more rings and join the conversation with Brady as one of the greatest of all time, but if he were to retire today, we would still have him at two on our list. He is so impressive on the field that we have to overlook some of the lesser stats and smaller number of titles to place him higher on the list. We are excited to see more of Mahomes for years to come.

#3 Peyton Manning

For those who didn’t get the opportunity to watch Manning in Indianapolis, you may not understand why The Sheriff is such a special player. The original gunslinger, Peyton Manning only had two seasons under 4000 passing yards in the first 13 years of his career. For reference, no quarterback in Chicago Bears history has ever reached 4000 passing yards in a single season. 

Manning was also spectacular in Denver. His 2013 season was unreal. The offense was entirely based on Mannings ability to sling the ball, throwing more than any other team in the league. While doing so, he averaged over 340 yards a game. That is tied for the most all-time and considering it came in the twilight of his career and after a massive neck injury. Manning was a special talent every year.

#4 Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is a controversial player off the field, but there’s no discussion needed about what he has done on the field. Rodgers took over where Farve left off and never looked back. He has always been one of the most individually successful quarterbacks of all time. His four MVPs are the second most on the list, despite his one Super Bowl win. A-Rod’s arm is unique. His strength is so rarely combined with the accuracy that Rogers has. This talent has led him to be known as one of the league’s best hail mary threats. Given everything we have seen from Rodgers, we hope that we see his achilles at full strength soon.

#5 Joe Montana

A legend in San Francisco, Montana had the privilege of playing with some of the all time greats. Names like Jerry Rice stand out, and it is easier to be a great player and win games when you are surrounded by other great players, but here’s the kicker, Montana won two MVPs before Rice ever graced the NFL. It is clear that Montana’s resume stands on its own merits. 

Montana was defined by efficient passing. His career completion percentage was just over 63%, which is very high and respectable and included leading the league in completion percentage 5 times during his career. Montana was ahead of his time, and his career still stacks up against the players to come after him.

#6 Dan Marino

Marino is arguably the greatest quarterback to never win a Super Bowl. When Dan Marino’s career began, he was white hot. In three of his first four seasons, Marino had over 4000 yards and one of which was over 5000 yards. That 5000 yard season was his MVP season as well. When starting so well, many fans might expect to see more in the later years of Marino’s career, but he was tied to a struggling Miami franchise and never quite was able to hit the same highs he had before. Marino is in a unique position, not having won much, but still being so great for years and years.

#7 Drew Brees

When New Orleans won their only Super Bowl in franchise history, it meant something. In the years prior to the championship, the location of the Saints was in jeopardy. They were in a position where they may be forced to leave New Orleans after the community was decimated by Hurricane Katrina. After struggling for years, they finally committed to stay in New Orleans and everything took off for the Saints.

Fans were at an all time high and Brees and the team could feel it. Despite a middling record of 11-5, once the playoffs began, the Saints ignited and created an important moment for the city. This story of New Orleans and their Super Bowl is the perfect encapsulation of Drew Brees. A talented quarterback, who was defined by his fight and will to win. He overcame the odds and became one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

#8 Steve Young

Another legend from San Francisco, Steve Young was behind Joe Montana for a long time. In the late 1980’s and some of the early 1990’s, until he eventually got the opportunity to take over from Montana in ‘91. The following year, after Montana was gone, Young proved that the Niners made the right call in riding with him as he won the MVP award. 

In terms of stats, Steve Young’s QBR is something that jumps off the sheet. He had four straight seasons of over 100 rating. On top of that he had 5 seasons leading the league in completion percentage. Young was the perfect candidate to take over from Montana and carry on the success in San Francisco.

#9 John Elway

While in Denver, Elway had a great career which entailed a lot of winning. He was an MVP and a 2 time Super Bowl winner, earning one Super Bowl MVP in process as well. Ironically, it was not his best. His 1993 season was arguably better than when he won MVP, but was beaten by Emmitt Smith. It is clear that Elway was amazing, but like with Mahomes, he does not have the same number of accolades as some quarterbacks, but based on what he gave us on the field, we could not leave him off.

#10 Fran Tarkenton

Fran Tarkenton represents a different era of football. When most teams were nose to the grindstone, running the ball often and aggressively, Tarkenton was one of few quarterbacks who could really sling the ball. Bouncing between Minnesota and New York, he was in the MVP race with both teams and won his MVP in his second stint in Minnesota. When he retired, Tarkenton held the record for the most pass attempts, completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns in NFL history. Tarkenton was one of the first quarterbacks to ever throw the ball as well as modern quarterbacks.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks

Who is the Best NFL Quarterback of All Time?

It is pretty clear that Tom Brady is the greatest of all time. Although most records are held by other players, it is his nonstop winning that elevates him to the top of the list. He won 7 Super Bowls, more than anyone else.

What NFL Quarterback has the Most Rings?

The leader for most rings ever is Tom Brady. He has 7 Super Bowl wins. The next closest is a tie between Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana with 4 each.

What is a Dual Threat Quarterback?

A dual threat quarterback is a quarterback who can effectively pass and run the ball. They have multiple facets of their game that they have honed and mastered. Dual threat quarterbacks are becoming increasingly common.

Has any Quarterback Beaten all 32 Teams?

Only four quarterbacks in NFL history have won against all 32 teams, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Brett Farve, and Drew Brees.