When you think of football, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
For most of us, it’s the quarterback—the star of the show, the leader on the field, and often the player who decides if a team sinks or swims.
Without question, quarterbacks are the face of the game.
From Joe Montana’s perfect throws to Tom Brady’s never-ending reign, these players are the NFL.
Now, picking the best quarterbacks of all time?
That’s like arguing over the best pizza toppings—everyone has favorites, and it’s bound to get a little heated.
But that’s part of the fun, right?
So, grab a snack, settle in, and let’s take a closer look at some of the greatest ever to play the game.
Let’s get into it.
Key Takeaways
- Quarterbacks are the face of football. They’re leaders and decision-makers and often carry the team on their shoulders.
- Ranking the best quarterbacks sparks debate. Everyone has favorites shaped by stats, personal memories, or unforgettable moments.
- Each great QB brought something special. From Joe Montana’s cool under pressure to Warren Moon breaking barriers to Tom Brady’s unmatched winning streak, every player on this list changed the game in their own way.
How Do We Rank Quarterbacks?
Before we jump into the rankings, let’s talk about criteria.
Here’s what we’ve taken into consideration in our rankings:
- Championships: Rings matter, but they’re not the whole story. A quarterback doesn’t win alone.
- Stats: Passing yards, touchdowns, interceptions, you name it. Numbers don’t lie.
- Legacy: Did they change the game? Inspire generations? Make us scream at the TV?
- Clutch Factor: How did they handle the big moments?
Now you know how we’ve ranked the best quarterbacks of all time, let’s get into it.
22. Norm Van Brocklin
Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1949–1957), Philadelphia Eagles (1958–1960)
Norm Van Brocklin was a straight-up trailblazer.
The “Dutchman” still holds the single-game passing record of 554 yards, a feat he achieved in 1951 with the Rams.
His arm strength, football IQ, and ability to perform in big games made him one of the most revered players of his era.
After moving to the Eagles, Van Brocklin transformed a struggling team into champions, leading them to an NFL title in 1960, where they beat Vince Lombardi’s Packers.
A 9-time Pro Bowler and league MVP in 1960, Van Brocklin set the standard for leadership and toughness at the quarterback position.
His career of 24,000+ passing yards was staggering for his time.
Van Brocklin retired immediately after leading the Eagles to their 1960 championship, becoming the only quarterback to do so after winning the title.
Mic drop, indeed.
21. Len Dawson
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1957–1959), Cleveland Browns (1960–1961), Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs (1962–1975)
Len Dawson was the ultimate cool-headed leader who brought credibility to the AFL.
After struggling in the NFL, Dawson thrived under head coach Hank Stram in Kansas City.
He won three AFL championships and led the Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl IV, where he earned MVP honors.
Dawson was a master of efficiency.
He led the league in completion percentage seven times and paved the way for the modern passing game.
Dawson’s impact on the AFL and his role in legitimizing the league before the merger cannot be overstated.
With over 28,000 passing yards and 239 touchdowns, his Hall of Fame career speaks for itself.
At halftime during Super Bowl IV, Dawson lit up a cigar and drank a Fresca in full uniform.
And moments like this were exactly why everyone called him ‘Mr. Cool.’
20. Fran Tarkenton
Teams: Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966, 1972–1978), New York Giants (1967–1971)
Fran Tarkenton was the league’s first true dual-threat quarterback.
His scrambling ability and his knack for extending plays revolutionized the position.
Tarkenton retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (47,003) and touchdowns (342).
He led the Vikings to three Super Bowl appearances, though he never won the big one.
Despite the lack of championships, his innovation and durability over an 18-season career are unparalleled.
A 9-time Pro Bowler and 1975 MVP, Tarkenton is remembered as a pioneer who laid the groundwork for mobile quarterbacks like Steve Young and Russell Wilson.
Tarkenton ran for 3,674 career yards, a number that still ranks among the top rushing quarterbacks in NFL history.
19. Warren Moon
Teams: Houston Oilers (1984–1993), Minnesota Vikings (1994–1996), Seattle Seahawks (1997–1998), Kansas City Chiefs (1999–2000)
Warren Moon shattered barriers as the first Black quarterback inducted into the Hall of Fame.
After dominating the Canadian Football League with five Grey Cup championships, Moon joined the NFL and became one of the most prolific passers.
Over his 17-year NFL career, Moon threw for 49,325 yards and 291 touchdowns, and along the way, he thrived in the pass-heavy ‘Run-and-Shoot’ offense with the Oilers.
He was a nine-time Pro Bowler and twice led the NFL in passing yards.
His career was defined by his resilience, as he overcame racial stereotypes to prove that he belonged among the game’s elite.
Despite his impressive regular-season performances, Moon’s teams never advanced past the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Moon is one of the rare quarterbacks to play professionally into his 40s, which clearly shows his incredible longevity and durability.
18. Jim Kelly
Team: Buffalo Bills (1986–1996)
Jim Kelly was the driving force behind the Buffalo Bills’ dominance in the early 1990s.
His leadership of the no-huddle, “K-Gun” offense took the league by storm.
Kelly led Buffalo to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances—a feat unmatched in NFL history.
While the Bills fell short in all four, Kelly’s ability to guide his team to the big game year after year is a testament to his talent and determination.
Kelly retired with over 35,000 passing yards and 237 touchdowns.
A 5-time Pro Bowler and first-ballot Hall of Famer, Kelly remains one of the most respected quarterbacks in NFL history.
His toughness and grit, especially in playoff battles, define his legacy.
Before joining the NFL, Kelly lit up the USFL, throwing 83 touchdowns in just two seasons with the Houston Gamblers.
17. Kurt Warner
Teams: St. Louis Rams (1998–2003), New York Giants (2004), Arizona Cardinals (2005–2009)
From stocking shelves at a grocery store to hoisting a Lombardi Trophy, Kurt Warner’s journey is one of the greatest underdog stories in NFL history.
He burst onto the scene with the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf,” leading them to a Super Bowl win in 1999 and earning league MVP and Super Bowl MVP honors.
Warner later revitalized his career with the Arizona Cardinals, where he led them to their first Super Bowl appearance in 2008.
Warner was a two-time league MVP and finished his career with a passer rating of 93.7. He threw for over 32,000 yards and 208 touchdowns.
It’s safe to say he’s one of the most accurate and efficient quarterbacks in history.
In fact, Warner is the only quarterback to throw three touchdown passes in three different Super Bowls.
16. Terry Bradshaw
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983)
If championships define greatness, Terry Bradshaw deserves his spot here.
He led the Steelers to four Super Bowl wins in the 1970s and earned two Super Bowl MVP awards.
Bradshaw’s big-game performances helped define Pittsburgh’s dynasty, even if his stats weren’t always eye-popping.
Bradshaw was known for his deep ball and clutch throws, including his game-winning touchdown pass to Lynn Swann in Super Bowl X.
Despite his inconsistent regular-season stats, he was a two-time All-Pro and NFL MVP in 1978.
Bradshaw is one of the few quarterbacks with a perfect 4-0 record in the Super Bowl.
15. Aaron Rodgers
Teams: Green Bay Packers (2005–2022), New York Jets (2023–present)
Aaron Rodgers is the definition of efficiency and precision.
He holds the NFL record for the best touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.75:1).
There’s no question Rodgers dazzles fans with his incredible arm talent and uncanny ability to throw pinpoint passes on the run.
And his Super Bowl XLV win solidified his place among the greats.
Rodgers’ four MVP awards highlight his dominance during the regular season.
With over 59,000 passing yards and 475 touchdowns, plus a career passer rating of 103.6, Rodgers has put up some incredible numbers.
But what really sets him apart is his knack for stepping up in high-pressure moments.
Rodgers waited three years behind Brett Favre before finally taking over as Green Bay’s starter.
And for all his talent, it’s surprising he has just one Super Bowl ring to show for it.
14. Dan Marino
Team: Miami Dolphins (1983–1999)
Dan Marino broke new ground and redefined what a quarterback could achieve.
His 1984 season, where he threw for 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns, was decades ahead of its time.
Marino retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (61,361) and touchdowns (420).
Marino’s lightning-fast release and rocket arm made him a nightmare for defenses.
Yet, despite his record-breaking career, he never captured a Super Bowl win.
He was the first quarterback to throw for over 60,000 yards and reached the Super Bowl in just his second season, but he never made it back
13. Patrick Mahomes
Team: Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present)
Patrick Mahomes is already rewriting the record books at just 29 years old.
His resume is historic, with three Super Bowl wins, two league MVPs, and three Super Bowl MVPs.
Mahomes’ ability to make impossible throws and his creativity on the field have changed how the position is played.
In just seven seasons, Mahomes piled up over 30,000 yards and 230 touchdowns.
And he set the record for the highest postseason passer rating at 105.8 along the way.
On top of that, he’s the only player ever to hit 5,000 passing yards in college and the NFL.
12. Bart Starr
Team: Green Bay Packers (1956–1971)
Bart Starr epitomized leadership and poise, leading the Packers to five NFL championships.
He won the first two Super Bowls and was named MVP in both games.
Starr is still the most efficient quarterback in NFL postseason history, with a 104.8 passer rating.
His career stats—24,718 passing yards and 152 touchdowns—might not jump off the page, but his influence on the Packers dynasty under Vince Lombardi is undeniable.
And, of course, his game-winning sneak in the 1967 ‘Ice Bowl’ is still one of the most iconic moments in NFL history.
11. Steve Young
Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986), San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)
Steve Young was the ultimate dual-threat quarterback, and he combined elite accuracy with a knack for making plays on the run.
Taking over from Joe Montana in San Francisco, Young led the 49ers to a Super Bowl XXIX victory, where he threw a record-setting six touchdown passes.
A two-time MVP, he led the league in passer rating six times and wrapped up his career with a 96.8 rating and over 33,000 passing yards.
His 43 rushing touchdowns still rank among the most by a quarterback.
Fun fact: Young is a descendant of Brigham Young, the founder of BYU, where he also played college football.
10. Johnny Unitas
Teams: Baltimore Colts (1956–1972), San Diego Chargers (1973)
Johnny Unitas was the NFL’s first superstar quarterback, known for his clutch performances.
He led the Colts to three championships, including a win in the 1958 NFL Championship.
That game is often called “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
Unitas was a 3-time MVP and held the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (47) for over 50 years.
Praised for his precision passing and leadership, Unitas truly changed the way the quarterback position was played.
The Steelers initially cut Unitas before signing with the Colts—a mistake Pittsburgh fans regret to this day.
9. John Elway
Team: Denver Broncos (1983–1998)
John Elway led the Broncos to five Super Bowls, eventually winning two championships in his final seasons to seal his legacy.
With a rocket arm and a knack for clutch moments, Elway was one of the most exciting quarterbacks of his time.
Over his career, he racked up 46 game-winning drives, ranking him among the all-time greats.
And who could forget his famous ‘helicopter dive’ in Super Bowl XXXII? It captured his relentless drive to win.
Drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1983, Elway refused to play for them, leading to a trade that sent him to Denver.
8. Roger Staubach
Team: Dallas Cowboys (1969–1979)
Roger Staubach, known as “Captain America,” was the face of the Cowboys during the ’70s.
He led Dallas to five NFC Championships and two Super Bowl victories (VI and XII).
Staubach’s leadership and clutch performances made the Cowboys “America’s Team.”
He had a .746 career-winning percentage, the second-best among quarterbacks with at least 100 starts.
Staubach coined “Hail Mary” after a game-winning bomb to Drew Pearson in a 1975 playoff game.
7. Brett Favre
Teams: Green Bay Packers (1992–2007), New York Jets (2008), Minnesota Vikings (2009–2010)
Brett Favre was the NFL’s original gunslinger, and he brought heart and fearless play to every game.
Over 20 seasons, he piled up 71,838 passing yards and 508 touchdowns—both records when he retired.
He’s still the only player to win three MVP awards in a row, pulling it off from 1995 to 1997.
And with 297 straight starts, Favre became the league’s ultimate ironman.
Along the way, he led the Packers to a Super Bowl XXXI win and gave fans endless jaw-dropping moments.
Of course, his risky style had its downsides, too. He ended his career with 336 interceptions, a stat his critics never forgot.
6. Otto Graham
Team: Cleveland Browns (1946–1955)
Otto Graham’s career stats are the stuff of legend—10 seasons, 10 championship appearances, and seven titles.
He ruled the AAFC and NFL and set a new standard for what a quarterback could be.
With an average of 9.0 yards per attempt, he still holds the highest mark in NFL history. Graham won three NFL MVPs and is often seen as one of the first modern quarterbacks.
By the time he retired, his 86.6 passer rating was almost unheard of for his era.
And if that wasn’t enough, he even found time to win a basketball championship with the Rochester Royals back in 1946.
5. Peyton Manning
Teams: Indianapolis Colts (1998–2011), Denver Broncos (2012–2015)
Peyton Manning was the ultimate student of the game, redefining quarterbacking as a mental battle.
Known for his obsessive preparation, Manning called plays at the line like a chess master.
He won five MVP awards, the most in NFL history, and two Super Bowl titles.
Manning’s 2013 season (5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns) is the best single-season performance ever.
He retired with 71,940 passing yards and 539 touchdowns, ranking third and second all-time, respectively.
Manning is the only quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different teams as a starter.
4. Drew Brees
Teams: San Diego Chargers (2001–2005), New Orleans Saints (2006–2020)
Drew Brees built a reputation as the NFL’s ultimate precision passer, setting all-time records with 80,358 passing yards and 7,142 completions.
Over 20 seasons, he redefined accuracy and consistency.
In 2009, he led the Saints to their first Super Bowl win, earning MVP honors in the process.
Brees is the only quarterback with five 5,000-yard seasons, and that’s a feat no one else has matched.
His leadership helped turn the Saints from underdogs into serious contenders, and his streak of 54 straight games with a touchdown pass broke a long-standing record set by Johnny Unitas.
3. Patrick Mahomes
Team: Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present)
At just 29 years old, Patrick Mahomes has already changed how we think about quarterbacking.
With three Super Bowl wins, three Super Bowl MVPs, and two league MVP awards, his resume is something else.
Mahomes blends creativity, arm strength, and poise in ways the NFL has never seen.
He holds the record for the highest postseason passer rating (105.8).
Mahomes is the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 20,000 career passing yards, achieving it in just 67 games.
2. Joe Montana
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992), Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994)
Known as ‘Joe Cool’ for his calm under pressure, Montana was the ultimate clutch quarterback.
He went a perfect 4-0 in Super Bowls and took home three MVP awards along the way.
As the driving force behind the 49ers’ 1980s dynasty, he mastered the West Coast offense and set a new standard for quarterbacks.
Montana wrapped up his career with 40,551 passing yards and 273 touchdowns.
His game-winning drive in Super Bowl XXIII still stands as one of the most iconic moments in NFL history.
1. Tom Brady
Teams: New England Patriots (2000–2019), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)
Seven Super Bowl rings.
10 Super Bowl appearances.
The most passing yards and touchdowns in NFL history.
He’s the best quarterback of all time.
But Tom Brady isn’t just the GOAT—he’s the gold standard for quarterbacks.
Brady’s ability to adapt and dominate across three decades cements his legacy.
He holds records for most postseason wins (35) and playoff touchdowns.
Brady’s 2020 Super Bowl win with the Buccaneers made him the oldest starting quarterback to win a championship.
Who’s Your GOAT?
There you have it—the ultimate rundown of the best QB’s of all time.
So, who’s your pick for the greatest of all time? Is it the clutch performer, the record-breaker, or the ultimate champion?
One thing’s for sure: the debate isn’t ending anytime soon. Let the arguments—and the passion—begin!
