25 Greatest NFL Quarterbacks (since 1960)

[vcczar]

25 Greatest NFL Quarterbacks (since 1960):

1. Tom Brady -- Best of the 2010s QBs. Greatest winner ever. 
2. Peyton Manning -- clear winner if we relied exclusively on efficient passing and took titles out of the picture. That is, best pure passer ever. Best of the 2000s QBs
3. Joe Montana - greatest QB of the 1980s
4. Drew Brees - Best among QBs that were basically their entire offense. 
5. Steve Young - Best of the 1990s QBs. Would be #3 on this list if he were not a backup for Joe Montana for so long. The greatest left-handed QB and the greatest mobile QB. 
6. Aaron Rodgers -- If he hadn't had to back up Favre for so long, he would probably make it to #3 by the end of his career. Least error-prone QB. 
7. Brett Favre -- amazing considering how hit-or-miss he could be. Greatest risk taker QB led to some of the best season for a QB. Despite being just behind Rodgers, he's clearly overshadowed by Rodgers, who is a much more reliable, efficient QB than Favre. 
8. Dan Marino -- sort of the first Drew Brees in that he was the entire offense. Never had a good RB. Quickest passer in NFL history. He had the mobility of a paperweight but still was sacked less than anyone else. Much better passer than John Elway, who is more popular.
9. Johnny Unitas -- Best QB of the 1960s and arguably the first modern QB. That is, the first QB to lead an offense that was arguably primarily a passing offense. Is #4 on the list if we include seasons before 1960.
10. Len Dawson 
11. Roger Staubach -- Best QB of the 1970s. The first Steve Young. His listing is impressive considering that he didn't start until his early 30s. He was in the Navy and then a backup/occasional starter. Could have kept playing. His best season was his last season. 
12. Fran Tarkenton 
13. Bart Starr
14. John Elway -- this probably shocks people. Elway was the poster child for QBs in the 1980s and 1990s, mainly for his arm and toughness. He did go to 5 Super Bowls, but he was arguably the primary reason they lost three of them. He was blown out by arguably weaker teams. Despite his arm strength, he put up only above average statistics. The Defense carried the team, although he did hold up the offense. His best seasons came when he finally got a RB--Terrell Davis--on his team. This is when he won both of his SBs. Elway was consistently a top 5 QB, but rarely top 3. His consistency lifts him here as do 5 SB appearances. 
15. Ben Roethlisberger -- Kind of overshadowed by living in an era of Mannings, Brady, Brees, and Rodgers. 
16. Kurt Warner -- When he was good, he was elite. When he was bad, he was invisible. What a strange career. Couldn't get any playing time until he was about 27. Instant MVP and SB winner. Got injured and sucked. Was a backup. Found a 3rd team and was MVP-calibre again, giving the Cardinals their first great season in their history.
17. Terry Bradshaw -- sort of a cross between John Elway and Joe Montana
18. Ken Stabler 
19. Bob Griese
20. Dan Fouts -- the first Brett Favre
21. Ken Anderson -- Somehow not in the Hall of Fame
22. Daryl Lamonica -- Didn't play long but was a top QB when he played. Somehow not in the Hall of Fame
23. Jim Kelly
24. Philip Rivers -- Might not make the Hall of Fame as he rarely made it far in the play offs, but statistically he should make it.
25. Russell Wilson

Other notes: Troy Aikman (#27 on my list) barely misses the cut. I remember when he was a rookie, magazines were saying he was a cross between Marino and Elway. He was so accurate he could hit a coffee cup off a persons head from 50+ yards a way. However, Dallas rarely had to rely on him because of Emmitt Smith. As such, Aikman rarely through over 3,000 yards and passed for over 20 TDs only once. On top of this, he only played for about 12 years. Norm Van Brocklin and YA Title would be on the list if we included time prior to the 1960s. Both were great in the early 1960s but most of their career was before 1960. Matt Ryan is #26 on my list and Pat Mahomes is #28. Mahomes will likely be #12 or better by the end of his career. Three Hall of Famers -- Moon, Namath, and Jurgensen--weren't actually that great in comparison to some who aren't in the Hall of Fame -- Rivers, Anderson, Lamonica, McNabb, Morrall (greatest backup ever), Frank Ryan, Gannon, Hadl, and Brodie. Romo and McNair were better than Namath and Jurgensen. In Jurgensen's defense, he was his entire offense and was on terrible teams. He was often considered to have thrown the prettiest passes. He sort of made the Hall of Fame out of sympathy for having his talents wasted on a bad team. Namath appears to make the Hall of Fame for an upset victory against Unitas's Colts. Last thing, I should mention why Morrall (a backup QB) is almost in the top 25. He pretty much won the SB or contributed to a SB every time he had sufficient playing time. Unitas was injured twice late in the season and Morrall stepped in and won two SBs for the Colts, and he won a SB with the Dolphins, starting most of the games for an injuried Griese during the Dolphins undefeated season. He had to backup two Hall of Fame QBs. Who knows if he would have been this great had he started routinely. 

[ConservativeElector2]

43 minutes ago, vcczar said:

25 Greatest NFL Quarterbacks (since 1960):

Aaron Rodgers -- If he hadn't had to back up Favre for so long, he would probably make it to #3 by the end of his career. Least error-prone QB. 

...

Ben Roethlisberger -- Kind of overshadowed by living in an era of Mannings, Brady, Brees, and Rodgers.

Two weeks ago or so they mentioned the 2011 Super Bowl during the Monday Night Football coverage. Rightfully they said barely anyone thought this was going to be the last SB so far staring Rodgers and Roethlisberger. Pretty weird thought indeed.

Btw, 2011 was my first Super Bowl year. 

Edited October 20, 2021 by ConservativeElector2

[jvikings1]

Funny thing about the top 2 (Brady and Manning) is how they do not really fit into the typical QB stereotype.

Brady has never been the most talented but has an insane mental capacity for the game. Manning never had a pretty pass (even during his prime), but he was still insanely good.

[vcczar]

2 hours ago, jvikings1 said:

Funny thing about the top 2 (Brady and Manning) is how they do not really fit into the typical QB stereotype.

Brady has never been the most talented but has an insane mental capacity for the game. Manning never had a pretty pass (even during his prime), but he was still insanely good.

Manning would study like 15 hours of tape a day or something insane like that. 

[jvikings1]

1 hour ago, vcczar said:

Manning would study like 15 hours of tape a day or something insane like that. 

Brady and Manning are both a testament to the role that mental toughness and work ethic/preparation can bring to the game. Neither should have accomplished what they did/have based on pure football ability.