PONTIAC, MI – JANUARY 24: Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI on January 24, 1982 at the Silver Dome in Pontiac, Michigan. The Niners won the Super Bowl 26 -21. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Football fans love to argue over who is the best at each position. It’s so hard to determine greatness in a game that has been played for so long. Here is a list of the 25 greatest quarterbacks to have ever played. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment and let us know!
25. Russell Wilson (2012-present)
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 points as he takes off on a run against San Francisco 49ers during the the game at CenturyLink Field on September 17, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks beat the San Francisco 49ers 12-9. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
One of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks of all time
24. Dan Fouts (1973-1987)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 7: A general view of the Los Angeles Chargers logo in the end zone from an elevated position before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
The first player to throw for 4000 yards in three consecutive seasons
23. Len Dawson (1957-1975)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 29: A detail of the Kansas City Chiefs logo on a helmet prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
The Premier QB in the AFL before winning a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs
22. Fran Tarkenton (1961-1978)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 18: A general view of the Minnesota Vikings’ logo on the 50 yard line during the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints on December 18, 2011 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
Started and lost three Super Bowls
21. Jim Kelly (1986-1996)
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)
Gunslinging USFL QB came to the NFL and lost four Super Bowls with the Bills.
20. Warren Moon (1984-2000)
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)
He would be even higher on the list, but he spent the first six years of his career in the CFL.
19. Kurt Warner (1998-2009)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 30: Kurt Warner #13 of St. Louis Rams turns to hand the ball off to Marshall Faulk #28 against the Tennessee Titans during Super Bowl XXXIV at the Georgia Dome on January 30, 2000 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Ram won the game 23-16. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Went from bagging groceries to winning two league MVPs and a Super Bowl.
18. Terry Bradshaw (1970-1983)
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 18: Terry Bradshaw #12 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl X on January 18, 1976 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The Steelers won the Super Bowl 21-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Won four Super Bowls as the QB of the Pittsburgh Steelers
17. Steve Young (1985-1999)
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)
The only player to lead the lead in passer rating for four consecutive seasons.
16. Bart Starr (1956-1971)
IRVING, TX – NOVEMBER 29: Tackle Chad Clifton #76 of the Green Bay Packers with a #21 sticker on his helmet for Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins during play with the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on November 29, 2007 in Irving, Texas (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Widely considered to be one of the greatest playoff quarterbacks of all time.
15. Sid Luckman (1939-1950)
CHICAGO – NOVEMBER 26: The Chicago Bears “C” logo at the North end of Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears football team in Chicago on November 26, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Won four titles in 12 years for the Chicago Bears and was a veteran of WWII.
14. Roger Staubach (1969-1979)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 28: A detail shot of the Dallas Cowboys logo painted at midfield prior to an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on November 28, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Had a .746 winning percentage and won two Super Bowls.
13. Patrick Mahomes (2017-present)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 23: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
With three Super Bowls already, Mahomes will finish much higher on the list by the time he retires.
12. Troy Aikman (1989-2000)
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)
Many consider him to be the most accurate passer ever.
11. Sammy Baugh (1937-1952)
LANDOVER, MD – JANUARY 01: A general view of the Washington Commanders logo on the stadium concourse before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Browns at FedExField on January 1, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
In a time when quarterbacks were passing for 1000 yards per season, Baugh was throwing for 3000.
10. Aaron Rodgers (2005-present)
DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 07: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers poses with the MVP trophy after speaking to the media during a press conference at Super Bowl XLV Media Center on February 7, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
His TD:INT ratio is the best of all time.
9. John Elway (1983-1998)
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)
Elway was the first QB to start in five Super Bowls.
8. Brett Favre (1991-2010)
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)
Had 297 consecutive starts.
7. Johnny Unitas (1956-1973)
INDIANAPOLIS – DECEMBER 22: Indianapolis Colts logo at mid-field at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts football team on December 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Led the league in passing TDs for four straight seasons.
6. Dan Marino (1983-1999)
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)
Many think he is the best quarterback to never win a Super Bowl.
5. Drew Brees (2001-2020)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his second quarter touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Second most passing yards (80,358) of all time.
4. Otto Graham (1946-1955)
(Original Caption) Otto Graham, star quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, holds the face guard attached to his helmet. He and other players in the National Football League are wearing the face guards to protect themselves, as pro football seems to be getting rougher.
10 seasons, 10 championship game appearances.
3. Peyton Manning (1998-2015)
INDIANAPOLIS – JANUARY 24: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass while playing against the New York Jets during the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 24, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Jets 30-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Third most career passing yards and 5x League MVP.
2. Joe Montana (1979-1994)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 28: Quarterback Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers sets up to pass against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV at the Superdome on January 28, 1990 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 49ers defeated the Broncos 55-10. (Photo by Gin Ellis/Getty Images)
Arguably, no quarterback was better with the game on the line and two minutes left on the clock.
1. Tom Brady (2000-2022)
New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady (12) as he completes a pass against the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game, 01/19/2002. (Photo by Arthur Anderson/Getty Images)
Seven-time Super Bowl winner who is the NFL leader in passing yards and TD passes.