Who is the best quarterback of all time?
In eight seasons in the National Football League, Tom Brady has worked his way up from a bench-warming rookie into possibly the best quarterback ever. His story is told in an article in the September 2008 issue of Boys’ Life magazine.
But there are plenty of other great quarterbacks in NFL history. Here is a summary of some of them in alphabetical order. Take a look, and then vote for the best quarterback of all time.
TERRY BRADSHAW (Pittsburgh Steelers, 1970-83): First to win four Super Bowl titles (’74, ’75, ’78, ’79). Two-time Super Bowl MVP. Hall of Fame class of 1989.
TOM BRADY (New England Patriots, 2001-present): Won one NFL Most Valuable Player award and two Super Bowl MVPs. Won three of the four Super Bowls in which he has played. Holds the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a season.
JOHN ELWAY (Denver Broncos, 1983-98): Led Broncos on “The Drive” in 1986 AFC title game in cold and wind at Cleveland, moving 98 yards to beat the clock and force overtime that led to 23-20 victory. Two Super Bowl titles, including one Super Bowl MVP. Hall of Fame class of 2004.
BRETT FAVRE (Green Bay Packers, 1991-2007): Holds NFL passing records for TDs (442), yards (61,655), completions (5,377) and interceptions (228). Seven-time All-Pro and three-time NFL MVP. Led Green Bay to consecutive Super Bowls in 1996, when they beat the Patriots, and 1997, when they lost to the Broncos.
PEYTON MANNING (Indianapolis Colts, 1998-present): Foremost rival to Tom Brady for supremacy among current QBs. Led 2006 Colts to Super Bowl title and was named MVP. Two-time NFL MVP. Six-time All-Pro.
DAN MARINO (Miami Dolphins, 1983-99): Repeated knee surgeries limited mobility but still achieved terrific career statistics — 420 TDs, 61,361 yards, 37 fourth-quarter comebacks. Eight-time All-Pro, one MVP. Only Super Bowl trip came in second season (38-16 loss to 49ers). Hall of Fame class of 2005.
JOE MONTANA (San Francisco 49ers, 1979-94): “My favorite quarterback of all time,” says Tom Brady, who saw many 49ers games as a boy. “I loved the way he carried himself, his leadership ability and the way the team looked up to him.” Montana won four Super Bowls and three MVPs in 1980s. Hall of Fame class of 2000.
BART STARR (Green Bay Packers, 1956-71): The only QB to lead team to five titles (NFL champs in ’61, ’62 and ’65 before there was a Super Bowl, then ’66 and ’67 in first two Super Bowls). Two-time Super Bowl MVP. Hall of Fame class of 1977.
ROGER STAUBACH (Dallas Cowboys, 1969-79): Navy graduate’s debut delayed four years by military commitment, but still led Cowboys to four Super Bowls in the 1970’s, including two victories. Coach Tom Landry called him “possibly the best combination of passer, athlete and leader ever to play in the NFL.” Hall of Fame class of 1985.
JOHNNY UNITAS (Baltimore Colts, 1956-73): First great QB of modern era helped propel pro football toward the tremendous popularity it now enjoys when he led colts to titles in 1958 and 1959. Three-time NFL MVP. Nine-time All-Pro. Hall of Fame class of 1979.
WHO DID WE MISS?
Did your favorite quarterback not make our list? Tell us about it in the comment section below.
Steve Young helped Joe Montana win 2 of his 4 super bowls. If not for his famous run vs. the viking in ’88 Montana would have three. In passing completion percentages and many other passing statistics Steve Young holds the record for best of all time. Indisputably, he is among the top contenders for greatest passer and clutch player of all time. But, what is undisputable is that he was the greatest rushing qb ever. No one has ever thought to make any of the contending qbs, for all-time #1, a half-back, full back, defensive back, or reciever. Yet, for Steve Young these suggestions have been made and given serious consideration. Disputable is that he was the greatest passer; that he was the greatest qb is undisputable.
Johnny Unitas is definately the best. 3 championships 1 super bowl and he played before 1978
Clint Stoerner is the best Quarterback of all time.
WHOOO! go tony romo
Also Steve Pelluer its one of the best
Tony Romo is the best Quarterback of all time.
BRETT FAVRE and DAUNTE CULPEPPER all the way !!!!
The quarterback is the offensive team leader and should be judged on his role in big games i.e. Superbowls and championships if you use this formula then modern QB,s like Elway,Favre and Marino just dont cut the mustard therefore by performance and victories in big championship games including superbowls 1 Joe Montana 2 Terry Bradshaw 3 Tom Brady and inthe future who will doubt that Brady will overtake his boyhood hero Montana?
Fran Tarkenton was an amazing and underrated quarterback. NOBODY scrambled like Fran.
Tom Brady now and Marino Montana Graham and maybe Brett Farve and Tom Brady are just some of the best ever
I think Tom Brady right now is a little bit better than Peyton Manning fantasy wise and overall. But its hard to say who the best QB really is. I am going to say 5 good ones in random order. 1. Joe Montana 2. Steve Young 3.Otto Graham [cle14 makes a good point.] 4.Tom Brady 5 Dan Marino. Remember that was in random order