In the extensive history of the National Football League (NFL), the quarterback position has been the focal point of team success and gridiron glory. With each passing period, extraordinary quarterbacks come up, redefining the game and leaving an indelible mark on the field. As we go into NFL history, the topic of the 10 best quarterbacks elicits strong reactions and passionate debate from fans and experts alike. From pioneering passes to modern-day maestros, these quarterbacks have engraved their names in football legends, earning a spot among the game’s finest.
Ranking the top ten best quarterbacks in NFL history is based on statistical achievements, on-field performance, leadership characteristics, and game influence, with a rich tapestry of skills spanning decades. Some elite groups of quarterbacks mark the pinnacle of greatness and pay tribute to the game’s progression.
Let’s dive into our list of the Top 10 Best Quarterbacks in NFL History.
10) Otto Graham
| Career Status: Retired |
| Teams: Cleveland Browns |
| Years Played: 1946–1955 |
| Career Achievements: |
| * NFL Championships: 7 |
| * NFL Most Valuable Player Awards: 3 |
| * Pro Bowl Selections: 6 |
| * First-Team All-Pro Selections: 6 |
| * Passing Yards: 23,584 |
| * Touchdown Passes: 174 |
| * Completion Percentage: 55.8% |
Otto Graham, regarded as one of the most influential quarterbacks in NFL history, cements his spot among the top ten best players ever. Graham’s effect on the game transcends decades, solidifying his place as a football icon thanks to his tremendous talent, leadership abilities, and unprecedented success on the field.
Graham’s statistics and accomplishments say much about his quarterback abilities. He was a three-time NFL MVP and six-time First-Team All-Pro pick; he consistently delivered clutch performances and raised his team’s play to unparalleled heights. His ability to perform under pressure and lead the Browns to unprecedented victory cemented his status among the football greats.
In conclusion, Otto Graham’s achievements in the NFL and long-term effect on the game solidify his ranking as the tenth-best player in NFL history on our list. His exceptional skill, leadership abilities, and unrivaled success on the field have left an indelible stamp on football history, guaranteeing his reputation as a gridiron pioneer will last for years.
9) Drew Brees
| Career Status: Retired |
| Teams: San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints |
| Years Played: 2001–2020 |
| Career Achievements: |
| * Super Bowl Champion: 1 |
| * NFL Most Valuable Player Awards: 1 |
| * Pro Bowl Selections: 13 |
| * First-Team All-Pro Selections: 1 |
| * Passing Yards: 80,358 |
| * Touchdown Passes: 571 |
| * Completion Percentage: 67.7% |
Drew Brees, known for his precise passing and unwavering commitment, cements his spot as the ninth-best quarterback in NFL history after a career marked by greatness and unequaled success.
From his early days with the San Diego Chargers to his legendary time with the New Orleans Saints, Brees made an unmistakable impression on the sport, garnering the admiration of both fans and teammates. With his unwavering work ethic and unrivaled football knowledge, he redefined the quarterback position and established new standards of greatness in the modern NFL.
Furthermore, Brees consistently delivered clutch performances, taking his team’s play to new heights. His ability to read defenses, make quick choices, and throw accurate passes in adversity made him a deadly opponent on the field and a genuine game-changer for the Saints.
8) Aaron Rodgers
| Career Status: Active |
| Teams: Green Bay Packers |
| Years Played:2005–present |
| Career Achievements: |
| * Super Bowl Champion: 1 (XLV) |
| * Super Bowl MVP: 1 (XLV) |
| * NFL Most Valuable Player Awards: 3 |
| * Pro Bowl Selections: 9 |
| * First-Team All-Pro Selections: 3 |
| * Passing Yards: 51,245 |
| * Touchdown Passes: 445 |
| * Completion Percentage: 65.1% |
Aaron Rodgers stands out in the mosaic of NFL history, his career demonstrating extraordinary talent, perseverance, and inventiveness. Rodgers’ story flows through gridiron wins, memorable events, and a legacy engraved in football stories, ranking him as the eighth-best quarterback in NFL history on this list.
Rodgers’ determination and talent propelled him from calm college halls to the thunderous roars of NFL stadiums. With a Super Bowl victory and many MVP awards under his belt, Rodgers embodied the epitome of quarterbacking creativity. His ability to thread needles with pinpoint passes, execute game-winning drives, and elevate teammates to greatness paved the way to gridiron glory.
In conclusion, Aaron Rodgers’ story exemplifies the transformational power of skill, perseverance, and compassion.
7) John Elway
| Career Status: Retired |
| Teams: Denver Broncos |
| Years Played: 1983–1998 |
| Career Achievements: |
| * Super Bowl Championships: 2 |
| * Super Bowl MVP Awards: 1 |
| *Pro Bowl Selections: 9 |
| * First-Team All-Pro Selections: 1 |
| * Passing Yards: 51,475 |
| * Touchdown Passes: 300 |
| * Completion Percentage: 56.9% |
Few names in NFL history are as renowned and esteemed as John Elway’s. From his electric exploits on the field to his lasting effect on the Denver Broncos club, Elway’s legacy exemplifies his unrivaled talent and drive. Elway’s status as the sixth-best quarterback in NFL history in this list is certain because of his amazing career accomplishments and long-lasting effect on the sport.
Moreover, Elway charmed spectators early on with his explosive manner of gameplay and incredible capacity to engineer game-winning drives. With his cannon arm and exceptional athleticism, he reinvented the quarterback position, establishing himself as a dual-threat force capable of defeating defenses with both his arm and legs. His energetic presence on the field encouraged confidence in his teammates while frightening opposing defenses.
His leadership qualities on and off the field established an example for future generations of quarterbacks, motivating many players to strive for glory and never give up on anything less than greatness.
6) Dan Marino
| Career Status: Retired |
| Teams: Miami Dolphins |
| Years Played: 1983–1999 |
| Career Achievements: |
| * Super Bowl Championships: 0 |
| * Super Bowl MVP Awards: 0 |
| *Pro Bowl Selections: 9 |
| * First-Team All-Pro Selections: 3 |
| * Passing Yards: 61,361 |
| * Touchdown Passes: 420 |
| * Completion Percentage: 59.4% |
In the annals of NFL history, several names stand out as beacons of greatness, among them Dan Marino. Despite not winning a Super Bowl, Marino’s mastery of the quarterback position has left an everlasting effect on the game. Marino’s NFL career is a tribute to exceptional talent, persistence, and a never-ending quest for success. He is ranked as the sixth-finest quarterback of all time in this list.
In addition, Marino rewrote the record books with each flick of his wrist during his legendary career with the Miami Dolphins. His incredible ability to analyze defenses and deliver blows downfield made him a terror for opposing teams. Marino finished his career with 61,361 passing yards and 420 touchdown passes, establishing his legacy as an offensive powerhouse.
All things considered, Marino’s everlasting legacy serves as a reminder that true greatness is determined by the lasting influence we have on the game and the world around us, not just by championships.
5) Brett Favre
| Career Status: Retired |
| Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings |
| Years Played: 1991–2010 |
| Career Achievements: |
| * Super Bowl Championships: 1 |
| * Super Bowl MVP Awards: 0 |
| *Pro Bowl Selections: 11 |
| * First-Team All-Pro Selections: 3 |
| * Passing Yards: 71,838 |
| * Touchdown Passes: 508 |
| * Completion Percentage: 62.0% |
Brett Favre is known for his tenacity, endurance, and unrivaled enthusiasm for football. Throughout his legendary NFL career, Favre demonstrated a remarkable mix of arm power, improvisational brilliance, and an unwavering competitive spirit that endeared him to fans worldwide. From his early years as a gunslinger with the Green Bay Packers to his later spells with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, Favre’s effect on the gridiron transcended statistics, leaving an everlasting legacy on the sport.
In addition, Brett Favre’s legacy is characterized by his ability to produce under pressure and deliver in key situations. Favre’s statistical successes include a record-breaking 11 Pro Bowl nominations and three First-Team All-Pro accolades.
In the final analysis, it was his intangible qualities—his leadership, tenacity in the face of adversity, and relentless commitment to his craft—that truly distinguished him as one of the game’s all-time greats.
4) Johnny Unitas
| Career Status: Retired |
| Teams: Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Years Played: 1956–1973 |
| Career Achievements: |
| * NFL Championships: 3 |
| * NFL Most Valuable Player Awards: 3 |
| * Pro Bowl Selections: 10 |
| * First-Team All-Pro Selections: 5 |
| * Passing Yards: 40,239 |
| * Touchdown Passes: 290 |
| * Completion Percentage: 54.6% |
Some individuals in the NFL’s legendary vault generate the same devotion and admiration as Johnny Unitas. Unitas, known for his leadership, precise passing, and outstanding football IQ, is still regarded as a shining example of brilliance in football history. His NFL career is a monument to his indomitable spirit, steadfast resolve, and unflinching devotion to perfection, as he is the fourth-finest quarterback in history.
In addition, Johnny Unitas’ quest to NFL stardom began in 1956 with the Baltimore Colts, when he immediately established himself as a football genius. Unitas, with his signature flat-top hairdo and unwavering drive, personified quarterbacking excellence. Unitas led the Colts with grace and accuracy, orchestrating several comebacks and delivering crucial performances that cemented his reputation as a genuine field commander.
Ultimately, Unitas remains a towering presence in the hearts and minds of football fans all across the world, immortalized in the annals of gridiron brilliance.
3) Peyton Manning
| Career Status: Retired |
| Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos |
| Years Played: 1998–2015 |
| Career Achievements: |
| * Super Bowl Championships: 2 |
| * Super Bowl MVP Awards: 1 |
| *Pro Bowl Selections: 14 |
| * First-Team All-Pro Selections: 7 |
| * Passing Yards: 71,940 |
| * Touchdown Passes: 539 |
| * Completion Percentage: 65.3% |
Peyton Manning’s NFL history is one of unprecedented brilliance and accomplishment. Manning’s effect on the game goes beyond numbers, as he embodies the pinnacle of quarterbacking excellence. From his precise throwing to his extraordinary football IQ, Manning’s NFL career is a monument to his unyielding drive to greatness and his long reputation as one of the game’s greatest players.
Moreover, Manning shattered throwing yardage and touchdown pass records. Manning’s prowess on the field is unrivaled, with 14 Pro Bowl selections and seven First-Team All-Pro honors to his résumé. His two Super Bowl triumphs, including a Super Bowl MVP title, solidified his place as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history.
To sum up, Manning’s legacy stands out for its unprecedented excellence. Peyton Manning’s name stood out in the pantheon of NFL quarterbacks as a tribute to the lasting force of desire, tenacity, and the quest for perfection.
2) Joe Montana
| Career Status: Retired |
| Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs |
| Years Played: 1979–1994 |
| Career Achievements: |
| * Super Bowl Championships: 4 |
| * Super Bowl MVP Awards: 3 |
| *Pro Bowl Selections: 8 |
| * First-Team All-Pro Selections: 3 |
| * Passing Yards: 40,551 |
| * Touchdown Passes: 273 |
| * Completion Percentage: 63.2% |
Few players in NFL history have made such a lasting impression as Joe Montana. Montana’s NFL career is a tapestry of genius, leadership, and unrivaled success, and he is considered the second-best quarterback in history on our list. From his early days with the San Francisco 49ers to his final years with the Kansas City Chiefs, Montana’s record as a gridiron maestro is unparalleled.
Throughout his remarkable career, Montana demonstrated a rare combination of talent, accuracy, and calmness under pressure. His four Super Bowl titles and three Super Bowl MVP trophies demonstrate his ability to compete at peak levels when the stakes were highest. Through “The Catch” and his iconic performances on football’s biggest stage, Montana sealed his place in NFL history as one of the game’s greatest quarterbacks.
To sum up, Joe Montana’s NFL career showcases the elegance of quarterbacking. Montana’s career as the second-best quarterback in history exemplifies what it takes to thrive both on and off the field. In a league renowned for its finest players, Montana’s name is carved in the vault of football heroes, permanently entrenched as a master craftsman of the game.
1) Tom Brady
| Career Status: Active |
| Teams: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Years Played:2000–Present |
| Career Achievements: |
| * Super Bowl Champion: 7 |
| * NFL Most Valuable Player Awards: 5 |
| * Pro Bowl Selections: 14 |
| * First-Team All-Pro Selections: 3 |
| * Passing Yards: 84,520 |
| * Touchdown Passes: 624 |
| * Completion Percentage: 64.0% |
Not many players in the history of the NFL have reached the level of excellence and dominance that Tom Brady has. Brady is widely recognized as the greatest quarterback of all time, and his unprecedented success, leadership, and longevity have established his status as a football legend. Brady’s NFL career, from his early days as a sixth-round draft selection to his record-breaking accomplishments and several Super Bowl titles, exemplifies his unflinching dedication to perfection and tireless pursuit of greatness.
In addition, Brady has completely rewritten the record books with his pinpoint passes, clutch heroics, and unequaled competitiveness. His seven Super Bowl wins and five Super Bowl MVP trophies demonstrate his ability to compete at peak levels when the stakes are highest. Brady has established himself as the pinnacle of quarterbacking greatness in NFL history, orchestrating game-winning drives and leading his team to incredible turnarounds.
In Conclusion, Tom Brady’s NFL career shows the everlasting legacy of excellence. As the greatest quarterback of all time, Brady has had an unrivaled effect on the game and football culture. Brady’s name will long be associated with excellence, leadership, and the never-ending quest for greatness in the hearts and minds of football fans all around the world. As we commemorate his incredible accomplishments and extraordinary career, Tom Brady’s reputation as the greatest quarterback in NFL history continues to live on for decades.
Summary
The top 10 Best Quarterbacks In NFL History Are
1. Tom Brady
2. Joe Montana
3. Peyton Manning
4. Johnny Unitas
5. Brett Favre
6. Dan Marino
7. John Elway
8. Aaron Rodgers
9. Drew Brees
10. Otto Graham