Throughout the NFL, the quarterback position has emerged as one of the most important positions on the field. Quarterbacks come in all shapes and sizes. Some are a generational talent and others fail to succeed in the NFL. Here are my top 10 quarterbacks ever.

(Honorable Mentions: Brett Favre and Fran Tarkenton)

#10. Otto Graham

Graham had a shorter career than most quarterbacks but he is still one of the best quarterbacks of all time. He was a three-time NFL Champion, a three-time UPI (United Press International) NFL MVP, and a five-time pro-bowler. During his career with the Browns, he led them to 10 straight championship games and won seven of them. Graham threw for 23,584 yards, with 174 touchdowns, and 135 interceptions. He also holds the record for most yards per pass attempt with nine. In 1965, Graham was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

#9. John Elway

The franchise quarterback for the Denver Broncos from 1983-1998. Elway is a two-time Super Bowl champion, a Super Bowl MVP, a nine-time Pro Bowler, and a two-time AFC Offensive Player of the Year. He also won NFL MVP in 1987. Not to mention that Elway is one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the postseason, recording four fourth-quarter comebacks and six game-winning drives. Elway led the Broncos to five Super Bowls, but only won two. He was a 2004 Hall of Fame inductee.

#8. Johnny Unitas

A legendary career that would last for 18 seasons, Unitas threw for 40,239 yards, threw 290 TDs, but did throw 253 interceptions. Unitas was named MVP four times, made 10 Pro Bowls, and five first-team All-Pro honors. Unitas held the record for most consecutive games with a passing touchdown for 52 years, until Drew Brees broke it in 2012. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

#7. Drew Brees

Brees was drafted in the second round of the NFL draft by the Chargers. After a five-year stint, Brees joined the New Orleans Saints where his career took off. Despite never winning an MVP, he led the Saints to their one and only Super Bowl victory in 2009. Brees would also win Super Bowl MVP. He is second all-time in regular season passing yards (80,358), and touchdowns (571). Brees retired in 2020 and currently waits for his chance to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

#6. Dan Marino

Marino never won a Super Bowl during his 17-year career with the Miami Dolphins, but he did not have the best-supporting cast. He would go on to make the Hall of Fame in 2005. Marino broke many passing records during his career, but many of them have been broken. However, he still holds many passing records for the Dolphins. Marino was named the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1983 and won NFL MVP in 1984. Marino threw for 61,361 yards, and 420 touchdowns over his career along with six All-Pro selections.

#5. Patrick Mahomes

This ranking can definitely cause some controversy, but in five years as a starter, he has accomplished more than any other quarterback has. Mahomes has already cemented himself as the top quarterback in the league with his insane arm strength and ability to extend plays. Mahomes is a two-time Super Bowl champion, winning MVP in both games. He is also a two-time NFL MVP, and won NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2018, along with being a three-time All-Pro selection. Mahomes is one of two quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in a season (Peyton Manning). Mahomes also has the record for the best career passer rating at 105.7. At the age of 27, Mahomes is on pace to break multiple NFL records and is already on his way to a Hall of Fame career.

#4. Joe Montana

Montana would have a successful career with the San Francisco 49ers. He has a perfect 4-0 Super Bowl record and the highest Super Bowl quarterback rating (127.8). Montana would go on to be a four-time Super Bowl champion, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, and a two-time NFL MVP, and was the 1989 NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He put up over 40,000 yards during his career along with 273 touchdowns. He retired in 1994 and was a Hall of Fame inductee in 2000.

#3. Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers career got off to a late start after being the backup to Brett Favre for three years. Nonetheless, Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks of all time. As of the 2022 season, Rodgers has 59,055 passing yards (ranks 9th all-time), 475 passing touchdowns (ranks 5th all-time), and a career passer rating of 103.6 (ranks 2nd all-time). Rodgers also has the best passer rating in a season with 122.5 in 2011, and the most consecutive passes without an interception (402). He only has one Super Bowl victory, but Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP, a 10-time pro bowler, and is a four-time first-team All-Pro.

#2. Peyton Manning

Drafted first overall in 1998 by the Indianapolis Colts, Manning’s career was off to a rough start, but quickly developed into one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Manning is the only player in NFL history to win the NFL MVP five times. He is also a two-time Super Bowl champion, a Super Bowl MVP, 14-time Pro Bowler, a two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and was named an All Pro 10 times. Over his career, Manning put up 71,940 yards, 539 TDs, and has a career passer rating of 96.5. In 2021, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, his first year of eligibility.

#1. Tom Brady

Brady may not have the mobility and arm strength of other quarterbacks on this list, but he is the most accomplished player in NFL history. He finished his career with seven Super Bowls rings, which is more than every NFL franchise. Brady had a 20-year run with the New England Patriots where he lead them to 17 division titles, and nine Super Bowl appearances, winning six of them. In 2020, Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and led them to a Super Bowl victory in his first year there. He is a five-time Super Bowl MVP, a three-time NFL MVP, 15 pro bowl appearances, and five-time All-Pro. Brady holds the record for most regular season passing yards (89,214), and touchdowns (649).

“12 Tom Brady” by Peter Bond is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0