The quarterback position is the most important in football, and some of the NFL’s greatest legends have played under center.
From clutch performers to statistical juggernauts, these are the best quarterbacks in NFL history. Let the debates begin!
45. Jim Hart
Jim Hart was the steady hand that kept the St. Louis Cardinals (yes, they used to be in St. Louis!) competitive for nearly two decades. With over 34,000 career passing yards and four Pro Bowl selections, he was one of the most prolific passers of the 1970s.
44. Tony Romo
Romo was one of the most talented quarterbacks of his era, but postseason success eluded him. His improvisational skills and ability to extend plays made him must-watch TV.
43. Jim Plunkett
A two-time Super Bowl champion with the Raiders, Plunkett had a rollercoaster career but proved he could win when it mattered most. He remains one of the best comeback stories in NFL history.
42. Mark Brunell
Brunell was an electric dual-threat quarterback, leading the Jacksonville Jaguars to early success in their franchise history. His left-handed throws and clutch performances made him a fan favorite.
41. Vinny Testaverde
With a career spanning over two decades, Testaverde put up impressive numbers and had a cannon for an arm. While he never won a Super Bowl, his longevity and talent earn him a spot here.
40. Joe Flacco
Flacco’s 2012 playoff run was legendary, culminating in a Super Bowl MVP performance. “January Joe” always seemed to step up in the postseason, making him a memorable quarterback.
39. Rich Gannon
Rich Gannon might not be the first name that comes to mind when talking about all-time great quarterbacks, but his late-career resurgence was nothing short of spectacular. After bouncing around the league, he found his stride with the Raiders, winning the 2002 MVP and leading them to a Super Bowl appearance.
38. Boomer Esiason
The 1988 NFL MVP, Esiason led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance and was known for his strong arm and quick decision-making. He remains one of Cincinnati’s best signal-callers.
37. Ken Stabler
“The Snake” had an uncanny ability to win games in dramatic fashion, leading the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory in the 1976 season. His swagger and leadership made him a Raiders legend.
36. Michael Vick
Vick revolutionized the quarterback position with his electrifying speed and rocket arm. While his career had ups and downs, his impact on the game is undeniable.
35. Matthew Stafford
Stafford’s numbers were always great, but his Super Bowl win with the Rams cemented his legacy. His arm talent is among the best in NFL history.
34. Randall Cunningham
Before Vick, there was Cunningham. His ability to run and pass at a high level made him a true dual-threat quarterback ahead of his time.
33. Phil Simms
Simms led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl victories, including an MVP performance in Super Bowl XXI. His toughness and efficiency make him a deserving entry on this list.
32. Matt Ryan
Ryan won an MVP in 2016 and led the Falcons to Super Bowl LI, where they famously lost after leading 28-3. Despite that, his consistent play and longevity earn him a top-40 spot.
31. Josh Allen
A 6’5″, 240-pound quarterback who runs like a freight train and throws like a rocket launcher? Yeah, Josh Allen is built different. His combination of power, agility, and deep-ball accuracy makes him one of the most exciting players to watch, and when he’s in the zone, he’s nearly unstoppable.
30. Bob Griese
Griese helped lead the Miami Dolphins to two Super Bowl titles, including their perfect 1972 season. He was a cerebral passer who commanded the game with poise.
29. Lamar Jackson
Lamar isn’t just a quarterback—he’s a game-changer. With breakaway speed that makes defenders look silly and an arm that keeps defenses honest, he’s a one-man nightmare for opponents. The two-time MVP has proven that a run-first quarterback can dominate, and his ability to turn any play into a highlight reel moment makes him one of the most electrifying QBs ever.
28. Kerry Collins
Collins had a long career with flashes of brilliance, including leading the Giants to a Super Bowl appearance. His strong arm and durability made him a staple in the league.
27. Eli Manning
Say what you will about Eli’s regular-season numbers, but he won two Super Bowls, both against the Patriots, and both with legendary clutch performances. That alone makes him an all-time great.
26. Daryle Lamonica
Nicknamed “The Mad Bomber,” Lamonica was one of the NFL’s best deep-ball throwers. He helped define the vertical passing game for the Raiders.
25. Joe Theismann
Theismann was the heart and soul of the Washington franchise in the early 1980s, winning an MVP and leading them to a Super Bowl title.
24. Donovan McNabb
McNabb was a consistent winner with the Eagles, making five NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance. His dual-threat ability made him one of the best of his era.
23. Dan Fouts
Fouts was ahead of his time, putting up video-game numbers in an era when passing wasn’t as prominent. He led the Chargers’ high-flying offense in the late 1970s and early 80s.
22. Russell Wilson
Wilson’s winning ways and dual-threat abilities put him among the greats. From his early days leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win to his reputation as a clutch performer, Wilson has a knack for making magic happen when the game is on the line.
21. Jim Kelly
Kelly’s Bills made four straight Super Bowl appearances in the early 90s, and though they never won, his impact on the game is undeniable.
20. Fran Tarkenton
Tarkenton was a scrambling machine and a prolific passer, revolutionizing the position in the 60s and 70s.
19. Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben won two Super Bowls with the Steelers and was known for his toughness, extending plays, and coming through in clutch moments.
18. Warren Moon
Moon’s numbers were incredible, and had he played his entire career in the NFL instead of Canada, he’d likely be even higher on this list.
17. Bart Starr
Starr led the Packers to five championships, including the first two Super Bowls, and was the definition of clutch.
16. Kurt Warner
Warner’s journey from grocery store clerk to Super Bowl MVP is one of the best underdog stories in NFL history. His pinpoint accuracy and leadership led the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” to a championship and made him a Hall of Famer.
15. Drew Brees
Brees wasn’t the biggest, the strongest, or the most hyped prospect, but he turned into one of the most accurate passers in history. The Saints’ all-time great broke records left and right, racking up more than 80,000 passing yards and leading New Orleans to its first-ever Super Bowl win.
14. Roger Staubach
“Captain America” was a winner through and through, leading the Cowboys to two Super Bowls and countless clutch moments.
13. Steve Young
Young replaced Joe Montana and somehow lived up to the standard, winning three Super Bowls and putting up video-game numbers. He went on to inspire a number of quarterbacks who came behind him.
12. Terry Bradshaw
Bradshaw led the Steelers to four Super Bowls, making him one of the most decorated quarterbacks ever.
11. Otto Graham
Graham dominated the early years of pro football, winning seven championships. He did it before Tom Brady made it cool!
10. Troy Aikman
Three Super Bowl rings, a cannon for an arm, and the leader of one of the most dominant teams in NFL history—the 90s Dallas Cowboys. Aikman was never about the flashy stats, but he thrived under pressure, delivering pinpoint throws when it mattered most.
9. Dan Marino
The best quarterback to never win a Super Bowl? Probably. Dan Marino revolutionized the passing game, shattering records with his quick release and insane arm strength. His 1984 season, where he threw for 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns (in an era where those numbers were unheard of), still holds up today. Rings or not, he’s an all-time great.
8. John Elway
Elway had it all—athleticism, a rocket arm, and an uncanny ability to mount fourth-quarter comebacks. He dragged some average Broncos teams to the Super Bowl before finally winning back-to-back titles late in his career. With five Super Bowl appearances and a reputation as one of the fiercest competitors in NFL history, Elway earns his spot in the top 10.
7. Aaron Rodgers
If pure talent determined this list, Rodgers might be top three. His ability to throw on the run, make impossible tight-window passes, and create magic outside the pocket is unmatched. His Super Bowl win, multiple MVPs, and mind-blowing touchdown-to-interception ratio make him one of the most efficient QBs ever. Love him or not, Rodgers is undeniably elite.
6. Johnny Unitas
Old-school greatness. Unitas played in an era when quarterbacks took brutal hits, and passing was nowhere near as refined as it is today. Still, he dominated, winning three MVPs and three championships while pioneering the modern passing game. Without Unitas, the game wouldn’t be what it is today.
5. Brett Favre
The NFL’s ultimate gunslinger. Favre played the game with a backyard football mentality, making ridiculous throws that left both fans and coaches holding their breath. His record-setting career saw him win three MVPs, a Super Bowl, and become the league’s all-time leader in nearly every passing stat (until Brady and Brees showed up). Plus, that ironman streak? Legendary.
4. Joe Montana
“Joe Cool” was the epitome of clutch. Four Super Bowl wins, zero losses, and three Super Bowl MVPs—Montana never flinched in the biggest moments. Whether it was The Catch or his flawless performance in Super Bowl XXIV, he always delivered. If you needed one quarterback to win a game with two minutes left, Montana was the guy.
Read More: 13 Legendary NFL Players Who Won Multiple MVPs
3. Peyton Manning
No one ran an offense like Manning. His football IQ was off the charts, and his ability to read defenses at the line of scrimmage was like watching a chess master at work. Two Super Bowls, five MVPs (an NFL record), and countless passing records made him a statistical juggernaut. The way he revolutionized the quarterback position cements his status as one of the all-time greats.
Read More: 10 Quarterbacks Who Were Carried to a Super Bowl
2. Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes is a human highlight reel, redefining what’s possible at the quarterback position. With his cannon arm, ridiculous off-script plays, and ability to dominate in the biggest moments, he’s already stacked up Super Bowl rings, MVPs, and jaw-dropping plays that will be replayed forever. If there’s a quarterback you don’t bet against, it’s Mahomes.
Read More: The Greatest QBs of All Time, Ranked
1. Tom Brady
Come on, was there ever any doubt? Seven Super Bowl rings, five Super Bowl MVPs, three league MVPs, and records for passing yards, touchdowns, and wins. Brady defied Father Time and played at an elite level into his mid-40s. More than just stats, though, it was his ability to deliver in the biggest moments, orchestrate comebacks, and dominate for two decades that make him the undisputed GOAT.
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