The American Football Scene
Although American football has many key players, the quarterbacks have been the star of the show since the inception of the game. Be it the pass game to the run game; they have what it takes to turn the match over in a matter of seconds!
They are so crucial to the game that entire franchises can be built upon some of the best quarterbacks in the world. Over the years, there have been various famous football personalities, but this quarterback definitely stole the crowd's hearts. You must have heard of Tom Brady? Of course! However, you may not know what just happened! The rankings have changed. Wondering who sits on the top of the pedestal? Well, that's what we're here to discuss.
31. Joe Namath
The former quarterback of the New York Jets is also known as ‘Broadway Joe.’ He played for the Los Angeles Rams during his last season in the league in 1977, while during 1965-1976, he played for New York Jets.
Associated Press named him the ‘league’s greatest character’ despite his team having 68 wins and 71 losses. Listing down his other achievements, he was an AFL champion in 1968, and he also became an NFL Super Bowl Champion the very next year in Super Bowl III. Ooo ... excellent start, isn't it? Well, we wait till you hear who's next!
30. Dan Fouts
Although they might be known as the Los Angeles Chargers now but when we talk about Dan Fouts, he has been a San Diego Charger through and through. His career in the league spanned for around 14 years (1973-1987) but what is even more astonishing is the fact that he became the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards and that too, in three consecutive seasons!
Backed up by his skills, the Chargers made it into two AFC Championship Games but unfortunately, that didn’t lead to anything more fruitful. Nevertheless, Fouts was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993 and was elected to the Pro Bowl six times. Moreover, he was also the NFL passing yards leader from 1979 until 1982. We're damn sure you can't guess this next one!
29. Philip Rivers
During his 17-season career, Philip Rivers was a lifelong San Diego Charger, and his last season is taking place in Indianapolis as a Colt. Being originally placed as a backup, he was the starting quarterback between 2006 and 2019.
To crunch some numbers, Rivers threw 421 touchdowns with a formidable 209 interceptions out of 63,440 yards thrown. He has led his team to six postseason appearances and four division titles. He was also personally named to eight Pro Bowls. Next up, ladies heartthrob and one heck of a quarterback. Take a guess?
28. Eli Manning
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that being a Quarterback is in Eli Manning’s genes as he is the youngest son of quarterback Archie Manning and the younger sibling to respected quarterback Peyton Manning. He has served for New York Giants for 16 seasons, but his inconsistency has robbed him of glory on several occasions.
Having said that, his admirable performances against the formidable New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI led to Giants victories, despite the latter being the underdogs. Another feather in his hat is the feat of starting in 210 straight games, which is the third-longest quarterback streak in NFL history.
27. Ken Anderson
In 1981, Ken Anderson took the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl, and during the same year, he also became the AP NFL Most Valuable Player and the AP NFL Most Offensive Player of the Year.
His career spanned from 1971-1986 and then from 1993 to 2002 as he was a quarterback and then coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. Anderson has led the league in passing yards twice, competition percentage three times, and passer rating four times. Next up, the best quarterback from the 1950s-60s!
26. Norm Van Brocklin
Norm Van Brocklin was a part-time starter with the fierce 1950s Los Angeles Rams franchise and played for them from 1949 until 1957. The year 1951 saw him set a league passing record of 540 yards and that too, in just one game!
Quite remarkable if you ask us! His run with the Bengals ended when he was traded to the Eagles in 1957. He soon became the only quarterback to beat the Packers, built upon Lombardi, in the 1960 title game. Heard of "Lenny the Cool?" Well, he's up next!
25. Len Dawson
Also known as ‘Lenny the Cool,’ Len Dawson was an absolute AFL league legend. The year 1962 witnessed Len Dawson winning the AFL championship. He also won the pre-Super Bowl in the year 1962 and 1966.
As the Super Bowl IV was nearing its culmination, Dawson eventually became a Super Bowl-winning champion. His overall stats are pretty remarkable as well as he was the AFL leader in passer rating (6X), competition percentage (7x), and touchdown passes (4x). Quite great numbers, we must say!
24. Fran Tarkenton
A Quarterback from Minnesota Vikings, Fran Tarkenton played for the team from 1961 until 1966 and from 1972 until his retirement in 1978. If you are wondering what he did in the six-year gap, he played for the New York Giants.
Fran starred in 18 seasons for both teams combined. During the second stint with the Vikings, he led his team to three Super Bowl appearances. Despite being the passing yards leader in 1978, he lost all three Super Bowl games. Well, hard luck, but he still made it to our list!
23. Warren Moon
Warren Moon played for 17 years in the NFL but was only able to win three postseason starts. However, his journey to becoming one of the greatest's quarterbacks was full of unforeseen hurdles and discrimination.
Warren Moon had to battle racial inequalities during his college and professional days. This was the reason why he had to star in the Canadian Football League before getting a chance to participate in the NFL. Oh, you thought this was it, well wait for the next one!
22. Jim Kelly
Before marking his debut in the NFL, Jim Kelly played for three seasons in the United States Football League of UFSL. He was a Buffalo Bill, and his career spanned from 1986 to 1996. No wonder he sits amongst the greatest and the legends!
Because he participated in a different league like the UFSL, his achievements are often overlooked. But in the grand scheme of things, his four Super Bowl losses don’t look great either. And that's where things went downhill for him!
21. Kurt Warner
During Kurt Warner's one and only championship, he was declared the Super Bowl MVP, and he has also won two league MVPs. He was a quarterback that was 1-2 in his Super Bowl starts. There were several reasons why he couldn’t tap his full potential in his career.
The Giants dropping him in favor of Elli Manning, Rams benching him after an injury in 2003, or the Cardinals focusing on developing Matt Leinart into the next-generation Neil Lomax. There was no lucky break for Warner.
20. Ben Roethlisberger
During his prime time, Ben Roethlisberger led the NFL in passing yards–5,129 yards in 2018. The other notches in his belt include winning two Super Bowls, and he also started in a third. But that's not all!
Since he turned 30, the Quarterback has managed to throw over 290.3 passing yards per game, making it his one of the most noteworthy achievements. If you thought this was shocking, wait for the next name on our list!
19. Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson has been a lifelong Seattle Seahawk and has been a part of the league since 2012. Despite him being a ‘rookie,’ he’s off to a legendary start with the franchise. Since 2016, this Quarterback has managed to run over 2,000 yards himself while also leading passing yards outside the tackle box–2,122.
Riding on the back of Wilson’s skills, the Seahawks has appeared in two Super Bowls. His other stats that deserve appreciation is his passer rating of over 100, 22 completed tight-window throws, and 32 deep completions.
18. Terry Bradshaw
Some might consider Terry Bradshaw a mediocre quarterback, but he was an esteemed name for 13 years while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And that's not all!
Despite not receiving the desired appreciation, he has four Super Bowl rings on his fingers. When it comes to attempting a minimum of 40 passes during one Super Bowl game to achieve over 11.1 yards per attempt, he continues to be the number one Quarterback! Interesting, isn't it? Keep reading to learn who takes that number one spot, we wonder if you see it coming!
17. Sid Luckman
Sid Luckman has won four NFL titles for Chicago Bears. He served 12 years as an irreplaceable part of Chicago Bear from 1939-1950. As the Bears QB, Luckman managed an overwhelming 98-32-3 record. And, this is just the beginning ...
He also led the NFL in passing yards, passer rating, and touchdown passes thrice, respectively. What sets him apart and truly stands out is his average of 10.9 yards per throw during his 1943 season. Overshadowing himself, he also managed 19.9 yards per completion during the same season. Hence, truly deserving a spot on our list!
16. Steve Young
Steve Young was capable of running and throwing on the run—that's exactly what made him the 20th-century version of the triple-threat man. It took Young five seasons to finally become San Francisco 49ers 1987-1999 starter, but he made sure that he reaped most out of this opportunity.
Backed up by his raw skills and talent, he managed to win one Super Bowl, two MVP distinctions, and the leader in passer rating (6X). He also led the league in passer rating four consecutive times, from 1991 until 1994, making him the only quarterback in history to achieve this feat! Way to go, Young!
15. Troy Aikman
Aikman has always been strong, steady, and was able to promptly release the ball at a moment’s notice, but his stats don’t actually reflect his potential, and there’s a reason behind that.
He was a QB for the Dallas Cowboys during his 1989-2000 career, and the Cowboys were essentially a running team throughout the ’90s. Fortunately, his 11-4 playoff record has a substantial impact on every American football fan out there, and that's why he's often counted among the greats of the game.
14. Bart Starr
Starr still holds the record for the highest postseason passer rating at a staggering 104.8 out of 150 pass attempts. He has a 9-1 postseason record but is still ranked below Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. He is renowned for his monumental throws and has had great success throwing during deep third and one. But it wasn't until the 1996 NFL Championship that he gained momentum amongst millennials.
Starr threw four touchdowns in the 1966 NFL Championship Game, making it one of his defining moments. If you don’t remember this heroic feat, he also got fame for his mind-wrecking QB sneak during the 1967 Ice Bowl.
13. Brett Favre
Favre is known for being one of the best players and not quarterbacks! His consistency has also attracted praises from across the country, whether it be in Atlanta, Green Bay, New York, or Minnesota.
He became the first QB to throw 35 touchdowns in a season and that too, for three consecutive seasons. And not just that, he has also won three MVP distinctions in the meantime. Can you take a wild guess on who'll be coming up next? Here's a hint—he's also known as “Slinging Sammy.”
12. Sammy Baugh
Let’s turn the clock, shall we? Sammy Baugh played for the Washington Redskins from 1937 until 1952. Being a rookie, it was considerably hard to score three touchdowns and 335 yards during the 1937 NFL Championship Game, and that too, when 100 yards per game was common!
However, for Sammy Baugh, it was all a piece of cake! Also known as “Slinging Sammy,” he threw for 3,000 yards in 1947 and completed 70.3% of his passes in 1945. Now, that's something!
11. Aaron Rodgers
While holding a passing rating over 100, Aaron Rodgers has been voted MVP twice and is also the owner of a Super Bowl ring. He also holds a 4.23 to 1 touchdown-interception ratio, and his regular-season record stands at 100-57-1.
The numbers might sound impressive, but Rodgers still hasn’t led the Packers back to a Super Bowl Game in quite some time. But that does not make him a bad player now, does it?
10. John Elway
Being immeasurably swift with a strong arm to match, John Elway won both the 1997 and 1998 Super Bowl Championships. And trust us when we say—it doesn’t end there.
Elway was also the league’s first quarterback to start in five Super Bowls. During the time of his retirement, he had the second-most game-winning drives. With 40 to winning drives to his name since the days of the 1950s league, he will always be considered a great player!
9. Roger Staubach
You are going to need to sit down before we unfold the stats of Roger Staubach in front of you. During his first season as a full-time starter, Staubach went 13-0! With a 100+ passer rating, he also took his team to win the Super Bowl.
When you consider winning percentages, he is the second-most leader with a .746%. Along with two Super Bowl Championships, he started in four Super Bowls out of his crazy successful eight seasons. He also led the league in passer rating (4X) and finished his career with an 85-29 record!
8. Dan Marino
You know what Jack Andrade of the NFL Network Researcher had to say about Dan Marino? “Adjusted for era…Marino’s 1984 season equated to a QB throwing for 5,668 yards and 58 touchdowns in 2018.″
During his 1984 season, Marino became the first quarterback to gloss over 5,000 passing yards and threw 48 touchdowns. He did all this despite being sacked 13 times!
7. Drew Brees
Consistency is what sets Drew Brees apart from the crowded list of quarterbacks. Sure, he may not be the most imposing, nor the most elite athlete on the field but Bree has five mentions out of a total of 11 times a quarterback has thrown for more than 5,000 yards in a single season!
Do you want more? This feat hasn’t been achieved by any Quarterback more than once! Brees has carved out another league record for himself: being the season passing yards leader seven times! Well, this next one's a bit of a shocker, fellas!
6. Otto Graham
Graham threw for a 99.1 passer rating and a 2-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, especially at that time when the passing game was basically non-existent. Otto Graham has made 10 Championship Game appearances out of 10 seasons.
Four of which coming from the All-America Football Conference. For the uninitiated, it was considered to be a rival league to the NFL. Graham basically threw for a first-down, every down, with an average of nine yards-per-attempt during his career.
5. Johnny Unitas
A failed businessman later in life, Johnny Unitas' on-field endeavors are worth remembering. He appeared as a San Diego Charger in 1973 for one season but he had been a lifelong Baltimore Colt (1956 – 1972) through and through!
With only one 1971 Super Bowl win to his name, he did lead the Colts to three NFL Championships (1958, 1959, 1968). Being named to the Pro Bowl in 10 out of 12 seasons, his 124-65-4 career record is considered pretty impressive.
4. Peyton Manning
Most of us might remember Peyton Manning as a Denver Bronco, but he was an Indianapolis Colt from 1998 until 2011. He had his own way of throwing off the opposite team. Manning first used to observe the defensive line in front of him, and as the game went ahead, he used to call out his own plays to counteract this formation and then let out dummy calls to confuse the rival team.
This trait made him a new kind of quarterback. Throughout his career, he has been named league MVP five times! Backed by his skills, Colts and Broncos became the Super Bowl Champions in XLI and 50, respectively. Huh, and you thought football was easy?!
3. Joe Montana
Joe Montana was an archer in disguise. Known for his super-accurate throws, he earned himself four Super Bowl Champion distinctions – XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV. That’s not all!
He was also awarded Super Bowl MVP three times! Montana was deemed worthy of eight Pro Bowl invitations because he was the 1989 and 1990 NFL Most Valuable Player. Last but not least, it's time to find out the second-best quarterback ever, at least as per the ranking. Quite a shocker, we must say!
2. Tom Brady
You saw it coming, didn’t you? If anyone deserves the top spot, it has to be Brady! However, he has managed to secure the second spot! Factoring in his Super Bowl wins, he became the champion in Super Bowl XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, and LLIII. The list goes on and on and on!
If you still cannot give him his well-deserved legendary status, we have some more stats to convince you otherwise. All ready to board the "Brady" train? WELL, LET'S GO!
The List Goes On and On
Well, here it goes - 14X Pro Bowler, 3X First-Team All-Pro, 3X passing yards leader, and 4X passing touchdown leader. Not to forget - four-time Super Bowl MVP – XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, and LI and 2X NFL Offensive Player of the Year!
There's no person who hasn't been a Tom Brady fan and why wouldn't you be? Probably one of the most successful Quarterbacks ever, Brady deserves every praise and for all the right reasons! Ooo, time for finding out the best quarterback ever ... take a guess?
1. Patrick Mahomes
Yep, we have Patrick Mahomes coming in and stealing the top spot for the best quarterback in the last 100 years! With his impressive stats, it was only right for him to stand at top of the pedestal! The second-youngest quarterback after Ben Roethlisberger to win the Super Bowl, Mahomes was named in Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2020.
Just at 25, Patrick Mahomes has managed to achieve what many find particularly tough. His statistics are a testament to his amazing skills. Mahomes is one among only four African-American quarterbacks who have been felicitated with the theAll-Pro MVP award. Furthermore, he's the second African-American to win the Super Bowl’s Most Valuable Player after Doug Williams. It was only natural for him to sweep the top spot!
Summing It Up
So, here you go folks! This was the list of the best quarterbacks in the last 100 years. Some of the names might've been starkly different than what you expected but we have considered everything from stats to wins in ranking them.
That being said, who are your favorite quarterback and favorite team? Comment down and let us know who you support? Oh, don't forget to share this amazing article as well!