Throughout the history of the NFL, we have seen a lot of extremely talented quarterbacks, because after all we are talking about the best league, with the best players. However, only a handful of quarterbacks manage to maintain an outstanding level throughout their careers.
There are quarterbacks who won it all individually and collectively, leaving exceptional career stats, and that combination of factors gives them arguments to be considered as the best of all time. Obviously, a list of 10 is not easy to make, and that is why several legends such as Eli Manning, Steve Young and Fran Tarkenton were left out.
10 Philip Rivers
You might be surprised to see Philip Rivers on this list. Certainly, a guy who only has one Comeback Player of the Year award on his resume doesn't seem like a big deal, but Rivers had an exceptional career from a statistical standpoint. He had 12 seasons of 4,000+ passing yards, so it's no wonder he ranks sixth all-time in that department. In addition, Rivers is also top 10 all-time in pass completions (5,277), touchdown passes (421) and yards per pass attempt (7.8).
9 Ben Roethlisberger
The 2021 season was Ben Roethlisberger's last, and while his performance was lackluster, that doesn't hurt his Hall of Fame-worthy career at all. Big Ben is top five all-time in pass completions (5,440) and passing yards (64,088), while ranking eighth in touchdown passes (418).
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback had two Super Bowl rings and six Pro Bowl appearances. Interestingly, the only individual award Ben won was AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2004.
8 John Elway
John Elway will always be remembered for winning two consecutive championships and then going home. He decided to retire while on top of the world, a respectable decision, but surely, he could have continued to play at an extraordinary level for a couple more years. In addition to being a fantastic thrower, Elway had an uncanny ability to run the ball, recording 3,407 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. Elway's versatility made him a completely unpredictable player, and that was one of the reasons for his successful career.
7 Dan Marino
Unfortunately, Dan Marino never won a Super Bowl, but no one can deny that he is one of the best NFL quarterbacks of all time. Marino played 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins, leading the league in passing yards five times, winning the AP MVP in 1984. That same season, Marino and the Dolphins nearly became champions, but lost the big game to the San Francisco 49ers. Marino put up phenomenal stats, but the most incredible thing about his career is that he had a sack percentage of 3.13, the lowest in history.
6 Brett Favre
Brett Favre was a fantastic quarterback, mainly because of his consistency and hard work. Although Favre is the player with the most passes intercepted (336), he completed 6,300 passes, with 71,838 passing yards, and he is one of only four quarterbacks with more than 500 touchdown passes in the NFL. Buckhead Brett was a three-time AP MVP, 11-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XXXI winner with the Green Bay Packers.
5 Joe Montana
Four-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Super Bowl MVP, two-time AP MVP, eight-time Pro-Bowler, what a formidable career Joe Montana had. He was the best quarterback of the 1980s, by far. Montana was simply on another level, watching him throw the ball was a delight. Unfortunately, Montana had to deal with several injuries throughout his career, including an elbow injury that caused him to miss two seasons, which obviously prevented Montana from becoming even greater.
4 Drew Brees
Drew Brees is synonymous with talent and consistency, and that is precisely why his career was incredible. Brees completed 7,142 passes (second most all-time), 24.9 passes completed per game (the best all-time), with 80,358 passing yards (second most), 67.7 pass completion percentage (second best) and a 98.7 rating (fifth best).
Believe it or not, Drew Brees never won an MVP award, and boy did he deserve it in a couple of seasons, but he did achieve eternal glory when he won Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints.
3 Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers has the second-highest passer rating of all time (104.5), reflecting the fact that he has thrown the ball phenomenally throughout his entire career. Rodgers has 449 touchdown passes (fifth most) and 4,651 pass completions for 55,360 passing yards (tenth most), and if nothing goes wrong, Rodgers will continue to climb the ranks in all categories. In addition, Rodgers was Super Bowl XLV champion and MVP, and he has won four AP MVP awards, including the last two seasons.
2 Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning is the player with the most MVP awards (five) for a reason, as he was a legendary quarterback, and his level of play was outstanding throughout his entire career. Peyton Manning's 2013 season was arguably the best season for a quarterback in the history of the sport, with 450 passes completed, 5,477 passing yards and 55 touchdowns passes. The Sheriff won the Super Bowl twice, including his final season, to end his career with a flourish.
1 Tom Brady
Tom Brady has had an unparalleled career, as just saying that he has won more Super Bowl rings (seven) than any franchise is enough to describe his greatness. To top it off, Brady is a five-time Super Bowl MVP, and three-time AP MVP of the season. The GOAT is the all-time leader in passes completed (7,263), passing yards (84,520) and touchdown passes (624), and he's not done yet. Tom Brady is not only the best quarterback of all time, but probably the best overall player as well. We are very lucky to witness Tom Brady’s career.