DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 20: Wilson brand footballs with the NFL logo are pictured during the game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on November 20, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The 1990s was a changing of the guard for the quarterback position, and a new era of explosive passers took control of the league. Here are my top 10 QBs of the ‘90s.
10. Mark Brunell, JAC
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Mark Brunell #8 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks to pass as he runs with the football against the Cleveland Browns during a game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 19, 1999 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Jaguars defeated the Browns 24-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Brunell is the last guy to make the list because he only started for half of the 1990s decade, earning that role with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL’s 1995 expansion. But he made the Pro Bowl twice during the decade and led the Jags to the AFC title game in 1996 and 1999.
9. Drew Bledsoe, NE
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 25: Drew Bledsoe #11 of the New England Patriots holds his jersey with Commissioner Paul Tagliabue looking on during the 1993 NFL Draft on April 25, 1993 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York, New York. Bettis played for the Rams from 1993-1995 (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Bledsoe was a fallen star in the early 2000s, but in the ‘90s, the former No. 1 overall pick was tearing it up for the pass-happy Pats. The strong-armed Bledsoe tossed at least 20 TDs in four of his first six seasons, and led New England to the Super Bowl in 1997.
8. Randall Cunningham, PHI/MIN
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 24: Quarterback Randall Cunningham #12 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a preseason game at Three Rivers Stadium on August 24, 1995 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Steelers 16-6. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
The electrifying Cunningham was a joy to watch, but injuries limited him severely during his NFL career. Despite that, he was productive for both Philadelphia and Minnesota during the ‘90s, and his 1998 season with the Vikings – 34 passing TDs against 10 interceptions – was the pinnacle.
7. Warren Moon, HOU/MIN/SEA/KC
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY–OCTOBER 13: Quarterback Warren Moon #1 of the Houston Oilers appears in the game against the New York Jets during the Houston Oilers vs New York Jets game on October 13, 1991 at the Meadowlands (aka Giants Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Moon may have bounced around the league in the 1990s, but don’t discredit his brilliance as a pocket passer. In 1990 and ‘91, he led the league in passing yards with the Oilers, and left the team in 1994 as the team’s all-time leader in yards, touchdowns and completions. He also made a Pro Bowl in 1997 with Seattle.
6. Dan Marino, MIA
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY–OCTOBER 04: Quarterback Dan Marino #13 of the Miami Dolphins follows the action in the game between the Miami Dolphins vs the New York Jets at The Meadowlands (aka Giants Stadium) on October 4, 1998 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Marino’s prime may have come in the 1980s, but he was still one of the league’s best in the first half of the ‘90s. He made four Pro Bowls in the decade, leading the NFL in passing yards in 1992 and tossing 30 TDs in 1994.
5. Jim Kelly, BUF
Jim Kelly #12, Quarterback for the Buffalo Bills calls an audible at the line of scrimmage during the American Football Conference Wild Card game against the Miami Dolphins on 30 December 1995 at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York, United States. The Bills won the game 37 – 22. (Photo by Al Bello/Allsport/Getty Images)
Fortune didn’t favor Kelly in the winning department. He and the Bills lost four straight Super Bowls in the 1990s, but he was still one of the decade’s top passers. He led the league with 33 TD passes in 1991 and powered the Bills’ elite offense until his retirement in 1996.
4. Troy Aikman, DAL
Troy Aikman #8, Quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys during the National Football League Super Bowl XXVII game against the Buffalo Bills on 31st January 1993 at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, United States. The Cowboys won the game 52 – 17. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Allsport/Getty Images)
Aikman was the opposite of Kelly, a serial winner. Three Super Bowl wins in four years in the ‘90s puts him above Kelly, because it’s hard to compare them otherwise. Aikman’s numbers weren’t anything special, but his lack of turnovers and his clutch play in big moments made him a legend in Dallas.
3. John Elway, DEN
SAN DIEGO, CA – JANUARY 25: John Elway #7 of the Denver Broncos turns to hand the ball off to a running back against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXII on January 25, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Broncos won the Super Bowl 31-24. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
A veteran by the time the 1990s hit, Elway had sharpened up his game to go along with his raw athletic tools. He continued to rack up TDs while limiting turnovers more, and finally secured his first Super Bowl win at age 37 in 1998, and then another in 1999.
2. Brett Favre, GB
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 26: Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XXXI January 26, 1997 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana . The Packers won the game 35-21. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Favre was the definition of a gunslinger – his time in Green Bay produced some bad moments, but also amazing plays. He threw at least 35 TDs each year from 1995-1997 and won a Super Bowl during that stretch as well.
1. Steve Young, SF
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 29: Quarterback Steve Young #8 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates as he runs to the sideline against the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX at Joe Robbie Stadium on January 29, 1995 in Miami, Florida. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 49-26. (Photo by Joseph Patronite /Getty Images)
One of the hardest QBs in history to defend against, Young was exceptional as a passer and a runner. He was incredibly accurate and a threat to make huge plays despite being safe with the football. He tied with Aikman for the most wins in the decade (90), and became the only QB to toss 6 TDs in a Super Bowl in 1995, an MVP performance that has not been repeated since.
