The National Football League (NFL) is home to some of the greatest athletes in the world. With each season, another crop of talented players comes into the league and makes their mark. But no position stands out more than the quarterback, who is often the leader of the team and has the most influence over a game’s outcome.
Throughout the history of the NFL, there have been countless great quarterbacks who have left their mark on the game. Some of these players have won multiple Super Bowls, while others have set records and been named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here is a look at the 10 best quarterbacks in NFL history.
1. Tom Brady: Tom Brady is without question the greatest quarterback in NFL history. He is the all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns, and Super Bowl wins. He was a sixth-round draft pick in 2000 and has since won six Super Bowls, four Super Bowl MVPs, and been named to the Pro Bowl 14 times. He is also the only player to have won three NFL MVP awards. Brady is an undeniable legend and will go down as one of the greatest players in NFL history.
2. Joe Montana: Joe Montana is one of the most decorated quarterbacks in NFL history. He is a four-time Super Bowl champion and three-time Super Bowl MVP. He was also named to the Pro Bowl eight times and won the NFL MVP award twice. Montana was the leader of the San Francisco 49ers dynasty in the 1980s, and his ability to make big plays in the clutch earned him the nickname “The Comeback Kid.”
3. Peyton Manning: Peyton Manning is one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. He is the all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, and he won the Super Bowl twice. He was a five-time NFL MVP and was named to the Pro Bowl 14 times. He was also the leader of the Indianapolis Colts for 14 seasons and was the face of their franchise for much of that time.
4. Brett Favre: Brett Favre was one of the toughest quarterbacks in NFL history. He played for three different teams during his career, most notably the Green Bay Packers, and he was a three-time NFL MVP. Favre was known for his toughness and passion, and he was a great leader on the field. He was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times and won the Super Bowl once.
5. Johnny Unitas: Johnny Unitas is widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. He was the leader of the Baltimore Colts during their dynasty years in the 1950s and 1960s, and he won three NFL championships. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and was named NFL MVP three times. Unitas was known for his ability to make big plays in the clutch, and he was the first quarterback to throw for 40,000 yards.
6. Dan Marino: Dan Marino is one of the most beloved quarterbacks in NFL history. He was the leader of the Miami Dolphins for 17 seasons and was known for his strong arm and big plays. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and won the NFL MVP award once. Marino never won a Super Bowl, but he was one of the most prolific passers in NFL history and is widely considered to be one of the best quarterbacks of all time.
7. Steve Young: Steve Young was one of the most accurate quarterbacks in NFL history. He was the successor to Joe Montana as the leader of the San Francisco 49ers, and he led the team to a Super Bowl victory in his first season as a starter. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and won the NFL MVP award twice. Young was known for his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs, and he was one of the most elusive quarterbacks in NFL history.
8. John Elway: John Elway is one of the most iconic quarterbacks in NFL history. He was the leader of the Denver Broncos for 16 seasons, and he was known for his strong arm and willingness to take risks. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and won the Super Bowl twice. Elway was also the first quarterback to lead his team to five Super Bowls, and he was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
9. Roger Staubach: Roger Staubach was one of the most clutch quarterbacks in NFL history. He was the leader of the Dallas Cowboys for 11 seasons and was known for his ability to make big plays when the game was on the line. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and won the Super Bowl twice. Staubach was named NFL MVP once and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
10. Fran Tarkenton: Fran Tarkenton is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in NFL history. He was the leader of the Minnesota Vikings for 13 seasons and was known for his ability to make plays with both his arm and his feet. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and won the NFL MVP award once. Tarkenton was the first quarterback to throw for more than 3,000 yards in a season, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
These are the 10 best quarterbacks in NFL history. Each of these players has made their mark on the NFL, and they are all legends of the game. From Tom Brady to Fran Tarkenton, these quarterbacks have set records and won championships. Their accomplishments will remain in the annals of NFL history for generations to come.