Skip to main content

Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks of All Time Rankings

Ranking the best Quarterbacks in the history of the NFL such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and many more

Image

By admin | October 8, 2021

The NFL is led by some of the top stars over the history of the league. This includes some of the best quarterbacks to play the game and some of the smartest players to play the game. From the Likes of Bart Starr to Roger Staubach to Johnny Units to Peyton Manning to Tom Brady. The quarterback position has been a position that has produced a ton of stars over the years.


When debated, it is hard to put together an exact Top 10 list of the quarterback position because of how each individual person values the position. Nonetheless, here is our list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks of All-Time. 

Honorable Mention

Brett Favre

Team(s): Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcon & New York Jets

When looking at the Greatest Quarterbacks of All-Time it is hard to not mention Brett Favre in the conversation. However, with the addition of some of the greats that are still playing or have just hung up their cleats, Favre has fallen out of the Top 10.

When his career was over, Favre was the NFL All-Time passing leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns and quarterback wins all of which have been surpassed. Favre finished his career with 71,838 yards to go with 508 touchdowns while winning three straight NFL MVP awards.

Bart Starr

Team(s): Green Bay Packers

Once a Packer, always a Packer, fits Bart Starr who played his entire NFL career from 1956 to 1971 with the Green Bay Packers. Starr finished his career as a two time Super Bowl Champion and two time Super Bowl MVP while also winning five NFL championships.

Over his career, Starr passed for 24,718 yards to go with 152 touchdowns in an ERA that was built on running the football and defense. In addition, Starr was a four time Pro Bowler, NFL MVP and led the league in passing rating in five different seasons.

Troy Aikman

Team(s): Dallas Cowboys

One name that is well deserving as a top 10-15 NFL Quarterback is the Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer, Troy Aikman. After being selected number one overall by the Dallas Cowboys, Aikman put together a solid career leading the team to three Super Bowl titles while taking home Super Bowl XXVII MVP.

In addition, Aikman was a six time NFL Pro Bowler. While he put together a solid career, concussions ended his career which may have limited his total production. Aikman finished his career with a 61.5 passing percentage with 32,942 passing yards and 165 touchdowns.

Top 10 Quarterbacks

10. Roger Staubach

Team(s): Dallas Cowboys

Coming in at number 10 is another Dallas Cowboys great quarterback Roger Staubach. Staubach who played his college career at Navy, put together a stellar NFL career finishing his career with 22,700 passing yards and 153 touchdowns in a run first ERA of football.

During his time with the Cowboys Staubach led the Cowboys to back to back Super Bowl titles while winning the MVP during Super Bowl VI. However, despite his success Staubach missed out of his first four years of the NFL to serve his four year commitment to the Navy. 

9. Aaron Rodgers

Team(s): Green Bay Packers

One quarterback that could easily see his name move into the Top 5 is the Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers who has put together a stellar career all with the Packers continues to put together big numbers year in and year out despite being one of the older veterans playing the position within the NFL.

Since taking over the starting duties in 2008, Rodgers has passed for at least 4,000 yards in nine different seasons and at least 30 touchdowns in seven seasons. His success on the field has helped guide the Packers to one Super Bowl championship while helping him win Super Bowl MVP as well as three league NFL MVP awards.

Rodgers has led the league in touchdowns twice, passer rating three times while setting multiple NFL records including fastest quarterback to 400 career passing touchdowns, most seasons with at least 40 and 45 touchdown passes and the highest season passing rating. 

8. John Elway

Team(s): Denver Broncos

After a little drama to start his NFL career, John Elway got his career on track after being traded to the Denver Broncos. Elway who was known for his late game heroics was as good of a quarterback as any in the NFL.

Elway led the Broncos to five different Super Bowls winning two while taking home the Super Bowl XXXII MVP award. Over his career, Elway passed for 51,475 yards to go along with 300 passing touchdowns. Elway won the 1987 NFL MVP award and led the NFL in passing yards once.

In addition to his regular season numbers, Elway passed for 4,964 yards with 27 touchdowns during the postseason while adding 461 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. The Broncos quarterback is one of only two players to rush for a touchdown in four different Super Bowls.

7. Otto Graham

Team(s): Cleveland Browns

When trying to compare and rank players with different ERA it can be tricky and the same is said about the quarterback position with the evolution of the game. That said, it is very hard to not talk about Otto Graham as one of the best quarterbacks to play the game.

Graham, who played for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference and then the NFL, helped the Browns become a powerhouse while leading them to 10 straight Championships between the two leagues.

In those ten contests, the Browns won seven of them including the 1950, 1954 and 1955 NFL Championship. Graham finished his career with 13,499 yards passing, 682 yards rushing, 174 passing touchdowns and 33 rushing touchdowns.

His performance on the field earned him three NFL MVP awards and four first team All-Pro honors while leading the NFL in passing yards twice, passing touchdowns once and passing rater twice. 

6. Dan Marino

Team(s): Miami Dolphins

The question when comparing quarterbacks is how important is the weight of winning a Super Bowl during the debate? That is the question with Dan Marino as he was as good of a passing quarterback on this list. However, the former Miami Dolphins All-Pro failed to deliver the Dolphins a Super Bowl during his tenure at quarterback.

Nonetheless, Marino put together a brilliant career winning both the NFL MVP award and Offensive Player of the Year award. In addition, Marino led the league in passing yards in five different seasons and passing touchdowns in three straight seasons.

When his career was over, Marino led the NFL all time in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns. Marino helped set the standards for some of the game’s top passing stars. 

5. Drew Brees

Team(s): San Diego Chargers & New Orleans Saints

The face of the New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees helped turn around a struggling organization into one of the best teams in the NFC year in and year out. This included three straight NFC Championship appearances while leading the team to the Super Bowl XLIV championship while taking home the Super Bowl MVP award.

Brees passed for at least 5,000 yards in four different seasons and over 4,000 yards in seven different seasons. Brees is currently the leader in pass completions and formerly held the record for most passing yards All-Time and passing touchdowns All-Time.

Along with those numbers, Brees became the first quarterback in the history of the NFL to pass for over 80,000 yards. 

4. Johnny Unitas

Team(s): Baltimore Colts & San Diego Chargers

When thinking of NFL greats that would have been great in today’s game, Johnny Unitas is one of the names that comes up on the top of that list.

Unitas, who was known for his ability to call plays at the line of scrimmage, ran a style of offense that was before it’s time and one that many considered changed the style of play of the quarterback position.

The former Baltimore Colts star helped lead the Colts to three NFL championships and a 16-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V. Unitas finished his career with three NFL MVP awards, five first team All-Pro honors while leading the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns in four different seasons.

Over his career, Unitas threw for 40,239 yards to go along with 290 touchdown passes. 

3. Joe Montana

Team(s): San Francisco 49ers & Kansas City Chiefs

This is where the list starts to get a little tricky as the top three quarterbacks are debated by many with Joe Montana, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in the discussion.

While Montana could easily be the number two on the list, he lands at number three based on the success of the top two. Montana helped lead the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl titles while winning three Super Bowl MVP awards in those four games.

Over his career, the 49ers great won two NFL MVP awards, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award while leading the NFL in passing touchdowns and passer rating in two different seasons. 

2. Peyton Manning

Team(s): Indianapolis Colts & Denver Broncos 

The debate on where Peyton Manning should land will always be debated but nonetheless, the NFL Hall of Famer is one of the great passing quarterbacks of All-Time and possibly the best passer the NFL has produced.

While he falls to number two based on the Super Bowl success of Tom Brady, it is hard to look past what Manning could do on the field and his ability to change a play at the line of scrimmage. Manning passed for 71,940 yards over his NFL career between the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos while throwing for 539 touchdown passes.

When his career was over, Manning held the record for passing yards, passing touchdowns, NFL MVP awards, 4,000 plus yard passing seasons and single season passing yards. After winning his Super Bowl XLI with the Colts, Manning added a second Super Bowl title leading the Broncos to Super Bowl 50. 

1. Tom Brady

Team(s): New England Patriots & Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Seven and counting. That is all you need to know when it comes to the future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. While his playing days are still ongoing, Brady has won seven Super Bowl titles, five Super Bowl MVP awards and three NFL MVP awards.

Brady, who spent his first portion of his career with the New England Patriots, has now helped return a Super Bowl title to Tampa Bay by becoming the first team in the NFL to win a title in their home stadium after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LV.

Brady currently holds the record for most passing yards and most passing touchdowns by a quarterback. Over his career, Brady has passed for 80,359 yards to go along with 591 passing touchdowns.

As his career dwindles down, the NFL great continues to put together big numbers year in and year out to help solidify his stance as the Great NFL Quarterback of All-Time.

How would you rank the greatest Quarterbacks in history? Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Fanatics.com, or more that is specific to you. Join the contest by ranking below

Leave a comment

Players Count 10
  1. Dan Marino

    QB All-Time
  2. Drew Brees

    QB All-Time
  3. Johnny Unitas

    QB All-Time
  4. Joe Montana

    QB All-Time
  5. Peyton Manning

    QB All-Time
  6. Tom Brady

    QB All-Time
  7. John Elway

    QB All-Time
  8. Otto Graham

    QB All-Time
  9. Brett Favre

    QB All-Time
  10. Bart Starr

    QB All-Time
Selected Players

Top 10 NFL Best Middle Linebackers of All Time Rankings

Before we get into the Best Middle Linebackers of All...

October 23, 2021

Top 10 NFL Best Defensive Tackles of All Time Rankings

Before we get into the Best Defensive Tackles of All...

November 12, 2021

Top 10 Best Soccer Clubs in the World 2023 Rankings

Football Club Rankings 2023 The 2022-2023 season in football was...

July 26, 2023

Top 10 WNBA Rookie of the Year 2024 Rankings

Who is the WNBA Rookie of the Year? The 2024...

October 30, 2024

Thank you

Your email has been successfully subscribed.

Who will be the 2024-2025 NFL MVP?

Jayden Daniels - 1 Votes

Josh Allen - 0 Votes

Patrick Mahomes - 0 Votes

Lamar Jackson - 0 Votes

Jared Goff - 0 Votes

Total Voters: 1

Loading ... Loading ...

Mobile For an optimal experience please
rotate your device to portrait mode

Crop Image