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Who is the best quarterback of all time? This question is not new but comes up countless times after every NFL season. You may have heard people talk about the top 1, top 2, or top 3 positions. What about the rest? Who is the greatest QB of all time?
That’s when this question becomes more complex and requires more data to process. According to the latest NFL stats, Scott Fujita will give you an accurate ranking of the best quarterbacks of all time. Let’s dive into the article below!
Best QBs of all time
Contents
Top 10 Best Quarterbacks of All Time in NFL Record
Who is the greatest quarterback of all time? The best NFL QB of all time is Tom Brady. Below are the top 10 quarterbacks of all time, according to NFL stats.
View more:
- Best tight ends of all time
- Best wide receivers of all time
1. Tom Brady
- Team: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- NFL championships: Seven Super Bowl rings.
- Honors: 14-time Pro Bowl, 3-time MVP.
Brady
At first, no one would have thought that Brady would have such a brilliant career as he only finished 199th place in the 2000 NFL Draft.
During his 18 years with the New England Patriots, he led the NFL team to 17 division titles, six world championships. He is a nine-time Pro Bowler.
While coming with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady led the NFL team to Super Bowl LV won. He achieved 5th Super Bowl MVP honors.
Brady has participated in many Super Bowls (10 times), and 7 Super Bowl wins.
He won three NFL MVP Awards in 2007, 2010, and 2017. In addition, he also won 14 Pro Bowl invitations and five All-Pro selections.
Brady becomes the greatest quarterback of all time in NFL history. In his career records, he has played in 264 games. He holds second place in terms of passing touchdown percentage at 79,204. At the same time, no one in history has surpassed the record 581 passing touchdowns.
This video recaps Brady’s exploits during his illustrious quarterback career.
2. Joe Montana (Joe Cool)
- Team: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs.
- NFL championships: Four Super Bowl victories.
- Honors: 8-time Pro Bowl, 2-time MVP, Hall of Fame.
Joe Montana
Montana is no.2 in the top 10 qbs of all time in the NFL seasons.
Before being “usurped” by Tom Brady, Joe Montana was the best QB of all time in NFL history.
During his football career, Joe Montana had Super Bowl titles. He also had the most passes thrown without an interception, with 122 in only four games.
View more about Josh Allen
In 3 Super Bowl MVP selections, he was only “beaten” by Tom Brady. However, he had a stellar career earning two NFL MVP honors in the 1989 and 1990 seasons.
He also received eight nominations for the Pro Bowl and five nominations for the All-Pro.
Montana is an example of composure and bravery. He always keeps his spirit of steel and overcomes the most difficult situations. The legacy of feats that Joe Montana left behind is still a monument that many NFL players are aiming for.
The playoff quarterback decided to retire in 1994 after serving the Kansas City Chiefs for the last two seasons. He was “inducted” to the 2000 Pro Football Hall of Fame.
3. Peyton Manning
- Team: Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.
- NFL championships: two NFL championships.
- Honors: 14-time Pro Bowl, 5-time MVP, Hall of Fame.
Peyton Manning
Since the 1998 NFL Draft, Peyton Manning has received a lot of attention from the audience and the clubs. During his 17 years playing for the Colts and the Broncos, Peyton Manning won 5 NFL MVP titles. It is a record number for any NFL player.
He’s gone through 10 All-Pros and 14 Pro Bowls in league history.
Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time who holds the most records in NFL history for single seasons and careers.
He holds second place in the ranking for career wins (200). Manning won four Super Bowl rings. He also achieved MVP by leading the Colts to victory over the Bears in Super Bowl XLI.
Peyton Manning has the epitome of a football prodigy. He has a very high football IQ. Manning always works hard and leaves a positive image of a great personality, whether in or off the field. He can go into the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame.
4. Johnny Unitas
- Team: Baltimore Colts and San Diego Chargers.
- NFL championships: Three-time Super Bowl ring.
- Honors: 10-time Pro Bowl, 3-time MVP, Hall of Fame.
Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas was the iconic quarterback of his era. To this day, young NFL players are still following his example. His career was mainly devoted to the Baltimore Colts. It included a three-time NFL championship and a 5th Super Bowl victory.
Johnny Unitas earned four-time NFL MVP and 10-time Pro Bowls in his 18-year-career.
5. Otto Graham
- Team: Cleveland Browns.
- NFL championships: Three super bowl victories.
- Honors: 5-time Pro Bowl, Hall of Fame.
Otto Graham
Automatic Otto is one of the top 5 QBs of all time in Super Bowl history. He won three NFL championships and four AAFC championships when playing for the Cleveland Browns during his career. He earned NFL MVP three times and MVP award two purple.
Otto Graham was “nominated” for All-Pro 7 times and Pro Bowler 5 times. Otto Graham was the most prolific passer in the Super Bowl era.
He is the holder of the highest QB passer rating of 86.6 until Montana’s retirement in 1994.
Graham led the NFL in passing yards per attempt of 9.0 in NFL history.
He rushed for 44 touchdown passes in his 10-year career. Otto was “inducted” into the 1965 Pro Football Hall of Fame.
6. Drew Brees
- Team: San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints.
- NFL championships: One Super Bowl title.
- Honors: 13-time Pro Bowl.
Drew Brees
Drew Brees enjoyed a successful five-year career with the San Diego Chargers. After that, he officially joined the New Orleans Saints and began his era.
Brees led the New Orleans Saints to their one and only XLIV Super Bowl victory in 2009. He earned MVP honors in that season.
He is the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards of 80,358 and completions of 7,142. He ranked second all-time in touchdown passes of 571.
He recorded an all-time completion percentage of 67.7; 280 passing yards per game and 54 passing touchdowns.
Besides, Drew Brees is the fastest quarterback. He reached the 60,000 and 70,000 passing yard marks soonest. He also ranks fourth in career regular-season wins of 172.
7. Dan Marino
- Team: Miami Dolphins.
- NFL championships: 0.
- Honors: 9-time Pro Bowl, once MVP, Hall of Fame.
Dan Marino
Dan Marino is the best quarterback of all time with no championship ring.
Dan Marino played for the Miami Dolphins and retired in 1999. He is one of NFL history’s leading time touchdown passes (420).
He posted 61,361 passing yards and 4,967 completions. Throughout Marino’s career, he led the NFL in completion percentage six times.
8. Roger Staubach
- Team: Dallas Cowboys.
- NFL championships: Two Super Bowls wins.
- Honors: 6-time Pro Bowl, Hall of Fame.
Roger Staubach
Roger Staubach played in the quarterback position for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 to 1979.
Roger Staubach started the NFL Draft in 1964. He only really started his NFL career in 1969 after completing his military service.
He played four Super Bowls and had two Super Bowl victories. Roger Staubach led the NFL in passer rating four times in 1971,1973, 1978, and 1979.
He was the first quarterback of four to win the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP. The rest is Marcus Allen, Desmond Howard, and Jim Plunkett.
9. John Elway
- Team: Denver Broncos.
- NFL championships: two Super Bowl titles.
- Honors: 9-time Pro Bowl, 1-time MVP, Hall of Fame.
People often consider John Elway as the quarterback with the most muscular arms. He ranks 10th in the top 10 NFL quarterbacks of all time at 51,475.
Elway is one of 13 quarterbacks to win both a Super Bowl and an MVP.
10. Aaron Rodgers
- Team: Green Bay Packers.
- NFL championships: Once won Super Bowls.
- Honors: 9-time Pro Bowl, 3-time MVP.
Other Best Qbs of All Time in NFL History
- Sammy Baugh (Two Super Bowl wins).
- Brett Favre.
- Bart Starr.
- Troy Aikman.
- Steve Young.
- Sid Luckman.
- Terry Bradshaw.
- Russell Wilson.
- Ben Roethlisberger.
- Kurt Warner.
- Jim Kelly (only quarterback to lead his team to four consecutive Super Bowls in NFL history).
- Warren Moon (Edmonton Eskimos team of Canadian Football League and Four NFL teams).
- Fran Tarkenton.
- Len Dawson.
- Norm Van Brocklin.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section collects questions related to the topic of best QBs of all time in NFL records.
1. Who won the first championship in the NFL?
The first team to win the NFL championship is the Chicago Bears.
2. Who won the most NFL titles?
The Green Bay Packers team has won the most NFL titles. They include 9 NFL championships and 4 Super Bowls.
The Green Bay Packers team is the only NFL team to win the AFL-NFL World Championship game.
Final Thoughts
This list is valid for the time being. Figures and rankings are subject to change after each NFL season. Don’t forget to visit Scott Fujita often to catch the latest sports news.
Thank you for reading!
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I'm quite familiar with the NFL and its quarterbacks! The article you've shared delves into the legacy of some of the greatest quarterbacks in football history. It covers their achievements, accolades, and the impact they've had on the sport. The list highlights the top 10 quarterbacks of all time, presenting in-depth insights into their careers, statistics, and contributions to the NFL.
- Tom Brady: Known for his longevity and multiple Super Bowl victories, he's a standout figure with an unparalleled career.
- Joe Montana: A legendary quarterback with remarkable composure and success in Super Bowls, setting standards that subsequent players aspire to.
- Peyton Manning: Renowned for his football IQ and numerous records, including MVP titles and career wins.
- Johnny Unitas: An iconic figure from a different era, setting high standards with multiple MVP awards and Pro Bowl appearances.
- Otto Graham: Often celebrated for his efficiency and prowess during his time with the Cleveland Browns.
- Drew Brees: Holder of multiple records, including passing yards and completions, and an integral part of the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl victory.
- Dan Marino: A record-holder in touchdown passes despite not winning an NFL championship.
- Roger Staubach: Known for his success with the Dallas Cowboys, including Super Bowl victories.
- John Elway: Famous for his arm strength and achievements with the Denver Broncos.
- Aaron Rodgers: A highly skilled quarterback with impressive accolades, including MVP titles.
The article also touches on other noteworthy quarterbacks who have made significant contributions to NFL history. Additionally, it provides insights into NFL championships, addressing questions about the first championship winner and the team with the most NFL titles, which is the Green Bay Packers.
This comprehensive list and discussion provide readers with a thorough understanding of these quarterbacks' impact on the sport, their accomplishments, and their rankings in NFL history.
If you're into sports discussions, I'd love to hear your thoughts on these quarterbacks or any other aspect of football!
