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)
Dan Marino just missed the cut. Parlty due to the fact that his prime was in the 80’s and partly due to the fact that these 5 had more success throughout the entire decade of the 90’s. Here are our top 5 QBs of the ‘90s.
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.
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.
