NFL Legends: Ranking the 20 Best Quarterbacks in History
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The Elusive Art of Quarterbacking: What Makes a Legend?
Being an NFL quarterback means thriving at one of the most demanding roles in all professional sports. Success is not simply about arm strength, but also swift decision-making, reading complex defenses, evading pressure, and executing perfectly under immense scrutiny. Over decades, the league has seen a parade of exceptional talents—yet only a select few have set the gold standard for greatness. This definitive list evaluates the 20 best quarterbacks in NFL history, celebrating their skill, stats, longevity, and impact on the game.
20. Kurt Warner: From Grocery Stores to Super Bowl Glory (1998–2009)
Kurt Warner’s story is the quintessential NFL underdog saga. Despite not being drafted in 1994, Warner found his way back into football through the Indoor Football League and a spell in NFL Europe. Signed by the St. Louis Rams to replace an injured starter, Warner made an electrifying NFL debut, throwing three touchdown passes in each of his first three games. His historic 1999 season—4,353 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and a 65.1% completion rate—earned him an MVP title and a Super Bowl victory. Across 12 NFL seasons with the Rams, Cardinals, and Giants, Warner tallied 32,344 yards and 208 touchdowns, collecting two MVP awards, a Super Bowl MVP, and four Pro Bowl nods. He entered the Hall of Fame in 2017, forever remembered as one of football’s great leaders.
19. Jim Kelly: Buffalo’s No-Huddle Maestro (1986–1996)
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Drafted 14th overall in 1983 by the Buffalo Bills, Jim Kelly propelled the team to four straight Super Bowl appearances, a unique feat. Although victory eluded him in those games, his innovative use of the hurry-up offense brought excitement and success to Buffalo. Kelly played 11 seasons, compiling franchise records with 35,467 passing yards and 237 touchdowns, and earning his Hall of Fame induction in 2002.
18. Terry Bradshaw: The Steely Core of a Dynasty (1970–1983)
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Terry Bradshaw was the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl reign in the 1970s, helping capture four championships in six years. Picked first in the 1970 draft (thanks to a coin toss over the Chicago Bears), Bradshaw spent his entire 14-year career in Pittsburgh, throwing for 27,989 yards and 212 touchdowns, winning two Super Bowl MVPs, and earning Hall of Fame honors in 1989.
17. Warren Moon: Dual-Hall Fame Pioneer (1984–2000)
Despite going undrafted, Warren Moon built his reputation in the CFL with five Grey Cup wins before joining the Houston Oilers. Although he never reached a Super Bowl, Moon’s 291 career touchdowns and 49,325 passing yards speak to his impact. He took the Oilers to seven straight playoff appearances and was selected for nine Pro Bowls. Moon remains the only quarterback inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
16. Otto Graham: Cleveland’s Postwar Champion (1946–1955)
Few quarterbacks can match Otto Graham’s dominance, who led the Cleveland Browns to seven championships in just a decade. Even though much of his career came before the Super Bowl era, Graham still holds NFL records for yards per pass attempt (8.63) and highest winning percentage by a starting quarterback (81.0%). With three NFL titles and induction into the Hall of Fame in 1965, Graham’s legacy is undeniable.
15. Troy Aikman: The Dallas Difference-Maker (1989–2000)
Turning down a baseball career, Troy Aikman was the first overall pick in 1989, launching a celebrated era for the Dallas Cowboys. In 12 seasons, he led his team to three Super Bowl victories, earning a Super Bowl MVP and six Pro Bowl appearances. Aikman’s career totals—32,942 passing yards and 165 touchdowns—ensure his continued place in Hall of Fame discussions.
14. Bart Starr: Ice Bowl Hero and Championship Leader (1956–1971)
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Bart Starr’s calm, poised play defined 1960s football. With the Green Bay Packers, Starr won five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls, taking MVP honors in both. His sterling postseason record (9–1) and 24,718 passing yards make him a permanent fixture among the game’s all-time best, with Hall of Fame honors bestowed in 1977.
13. Ben Roethlisberger: Steelers’ Modern Mainstay (2004–2021)
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“Big Ben” Roethlisberger quickly made an impact, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year and, at age 23, becoming the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl. In 18 seasons with Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger threw for over 64,000 yards and 418 touchdowns, picking up six Pro Bowl selections and delivering two Super Bowl titles to the city.
12. Roger Staubach: America’s Team’s Icon (1969–1979)
Roger Staubach paired a legendary college career with an illustrious NFL run—all with the Dallas Cowboys. Winning two Super Bowls and six Pro Bowl nods across 11 seasons, he was not only a force on the field but also a post-football success story. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985, Staubach’s 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns cement his role as a 1970s standout.
11. Fran Tarkenton: Master of Mobility (1961–1978)
Fran Tarkenton’s career was marked by endurance and innovation, maturing into greatness during his 15th NFL year with the Vikings. The 1975 MVP and Offensive Player of the Year led the league in completions and touchdowns and took Minnesota to consecutive Super Bowls. Over 47,003 yards and 342 touchdowns later, Tarkenton remains celebrated even without a Super Bowl win.
10. Dan Marino: The Arm That Redefined Passing (1983–1999)
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Few QBs ever threw the ball quite like Dan Marino. Despite never winning a ring, Marino revolutionized the passing game, retiring with more than 40 NFL records. In 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins, he reached the Super Bowl once and became the first quarterback to pass for 400 career touchdowns. Marino logged 61,361 passing yards, attended nine Pro Bowls, and entered the Hall of Fame in 2005.
9. Steve Young: The Ultimate Dual-Threat Leader (1985–1999)
After a rocky start in the USFL and Tampa Bay, Steve Young flourished with the San Francisco 49ers, stepping in for Joe Montana and never looking back. With two MVPs and a Super Bowl XXIX victory (where he claimed the MVP), Young led the NFL in multiple passing categories and posted 33,124 yards and 232 touchdowns in his career. He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2005.
8. Aaron Rodgers: The Modern Maestro (2005–Present)
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Aaron Rodgers has redefined efficiency at his position, holding the highest career passer rating and best touchdown-to-interception ratio among quarterbacks. With a Super Bowl title, four MVPs, and over 59,000 yards to his name, Rodgers continues to be a statistical titan and perennial Pro Bowler, setting a benchmark for future generations.
7. Johnny Unitas: The Blueprint for the Modern Quarterback (1956–1973)
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Johnny Unitas was a late-round draft pick who proved that pedigree isn’t everything. After being released by the Steelers, Unitas joined the Baltimore Colts, becoming a legend over 17 seasons. With 10 Pro Bowls, three MVPs, four NFL championships, 40,239 passing yards, and 290 touchdowns, Unitas was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979, setting the standard for modern quarterback play.
6. Brett Favre: Iron Man of the Gridiron (1991–2010)
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Brett Favre’s irrepressible style earned him three consecutive MVPs and 11 Pro Bowl selections over two decades across four teams, with most success coming as a Green Bay Packer. Leading the team to back-to-back Super Bowls (victory in XXXI), Favre retired with 71,838 passing yards and 508 touchdowns. His durable streak and passion for football make him a true icon, recognized with a Hall of Fame induction in 2016.
5. John Elway: Denver’s Dual Threat (1983–1998)
Known for his versatility, John Elway spent 16 seasons as the Denver Broncos’ franchise cornerstone. Elway’s 51,475 passing yards, 300 touchdowns, two Super Bowl victories as a player (and a third as a GM), and nine Pro Bowl appearances exemplify his competitive drive. His Hall of Fame induction came in 2004.
4. Drew Brees: Record-Breaking Saint (2001–2020)
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Initially doubted due to his size, Drew Brees proved every critic wrong by shattering passing records and becoming the heart of the New Orleans Saints. He holds the record for the most seasons leading the league in passing yards. Over a 20-year career with the Chargers and Saints, Brees amassed 80,358 yards and 571 touchdowns. A Super Bowl MVP and 13-time Pro Bowler, Brees was celebrated for his accuracy and leadership.
3. Joe Montana: The Definition of Clutch (1979–1994)
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Joe Montana is synonymous with cool under pressure, orchestrating unforgettable moments for the San Francisco 49ers—including “The Catch” and a flawless four-for-four Super Bowl record. Montana tallied 40,551 yards, 273 touchdowns, and three Super Bowl MVPs by the time he retired, earning Hall of Fame induction in 2000 and forever defining championship poise.
2. Peyton Manning: The Intelligent Field General (1998–2015)
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Peyton Manning, taken first overall in 1998 by the Indianapolis Colts, built a career defined by analytical brilliance and record-setting numbers. With five MVP awards, two Super Bowl rings, and more touchdown passes (55 in 2013) and All-Pro selections (seven) than anyone in history, Manning finished his career with 71,940 yards and 539 touchdowns. He joined the Hall of Fame in 2021.
1. Tom Brady: The Ultimate NFL Quarterback (2000–2022)
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Tom Brady stands atop the quarterback pantheon as the ultimate success story. Famous for being the 199th overall pick, he combined fierce determination with impeccable preparation, delivering more career victories (251), passing yards (89,214), touchdown passes (649), Super Bowl championships (7), and Super Bowl MVPs (5) than any other player. Brady’s partnership with Bill Belichick forged an enduring dynasty in New England. With 15 Pro Bowls and a slew of individual accolades, Brady’s records set a standard likely never to be matched.
The Legacy of the NFL’s Quarterback Elite
The history of the NFL is shaped by its premier quarterbacks—athletes whose skill, leadership, and drive have delivered iconic moments and redefined the game for generations. As the league continues to evolve, these 20 quarterbacks have etched their names in gridiron legend, setting a benchmark for aspiring stars in seasons to come.
