The quarterback is considered by many to be the most important position in football. They are tasked to lead their team to victory by making crucial plays, managing play-calling, and showing outstanding leadership skills. The NFL has been filled with remarkable signal callers who have left an indelible mark on the game. It’s not an easy feat to narrow down the top quarterbacks of all time, but in this article, we will take a deep dive into some of the greatest quarterbacks the NFL has ever witnessed.
Tom Brady
You can’t discuss the greatest of all time without starting with Tom Brady. Known for his ability to perform in pressure situations, his incredible work ethic, and his remarkable consistency, Brady holds numerous NFL records, including most career passing yards (89,214), most touchdown passes (649), and total wins by a quarterback, both regular season and postseason. Brady has a total of seven Super Bowl victories, five Super Bowl MVPs, and ten Super Bowl starts, the most by any player in NFL history. He is also the only quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP with two different teams. Maybe the most impressive fact about Brady, though, is that he played at a high level until he retired a year ago at 44 years old.
Joe Montana
During his two decades of playing professional football, Montana helped the San Francisco 49ers win four Super Bowls and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player three times. The hallmark of Montana’s game was his pinpoint accuracy and incredible leadership skills that inspired his teammates to perform their best on the field. His rapport with wide receiver Jerry Rice marked one of the greatest quarterback-wide receiver tandems in the game’s history, with 67 touchdowns being thrown from one Hall of Famer to the other.
Johnny Unitas
Unitas was a pioneer of modern football and he changed the game forever. This legendary quarterback was known for his incredible deep ball accuracy and his ability to come through in clutch situations. Unitas was a revolutionary passer, breaking records, and setting the standard for quarterbacks that would follow in his footsteps. He’s a true icon of the NFL and his legacy continues to inspire young quarterbacks even to this day. Unitas was named MVP three times, first-team All-Pro five times, and a Pro Bowler 10 times.
Dan Marino
Marino’s incredible arm strength and passing ability helped him to become one of the all-time greats. Marino had an illustrious career with the Miami Dolphins that spanned 17 seasons. He was named to nine Pro Bowls and threw for 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns during his career. Marino revolutionized the passing game, and his impact on the NFL can still be seen today. He is considered the greatest passer to never win a Super Bowl.
Peyton Manning
Known by many as “The Sheriff,” Manning is recognized as one of the most prolific passers in history. He holds the NFL record for most MVP Awards, winning it five times. Additionally, he was named first-team All-Pro seven times and a Pro Bowler 14 times. A two-time Super Bowl champion, winning it with both the Colts and Broncos, Manning’s rivalry with Brady is recognized as one of the game’s greatest. The two faced off 17 times, including four times in the AFC Championship. Only Brady and Drew Brees, who endured longer careers, have more passing yards and career touchdowns than Manning.
Conclusion
There are so many great quarterbacks in NFL history that it’s difficult to narrow it down to just a few players. We could write just as many great stories about Drew Brees, John Elway, Brett Favre, and Kurt Warner. Players like Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow hope to one day be added to this list.
Each of these legends mentioned above left their own mark on the game with their impressive performances on the field. If you’re a fan of FanDuel NFL teams, whether you prefer to draft a QB early or seek value later, these quarterbacks are sure to inspire you in your own fantasy football journey.