The quarterback—the most glamorous position in all of sports.
They’re the ones who get all the glory, the big paychecks, and the credit when things go right (and the girls).
But let’s not pretend like some of these guys didn’t actually deserve it.
After all, leading a team to multiple rings and NFL Season MVP awards does require a bit more than just a good jawline and a strong arm.
Best NFL Quarterbacks In History
So, let’s take a look at the top 10 quarterbacks of all time, the ones who truly earned their place on this pedestal—mostly by throwing footballs better than the rest.
Of course we know who #1 is, but what aboout the rest?
1. Tom Brady
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 335
- Passing Yards: 89,214
- Passing Touchdowns: 649
- Super Bowl Titles: 7
- Super Bowl MVP Awards: 5
- Regular Season MVP Awards: 3 (2007, 2010, 2017)
Tom Brady stands atop the NFL quarterback mountain with seven Super Bowl titles, more than any franchise in NFL history.
Known for his big plays in must-win moments, especially in the postseason, Brady has also earned five Super Bowl MVPs, the most by any player.
His regular-season dominance is highlighted by three MVP awards, making him a complete package of talent, leadership, and consistency over his legendary career.
Brady further cemented his legacy after leaving the Patriots amid some bad blood with Bill Belichick to snatch one more Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2. Joe Montana
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 192
- Passing Yards: 40,551
- Passing Touchdowns: 273
- Super Bowl Titles: 4
- Super Bowl MVP Awards: 3
- Regular Season MVP Awards: 2 (1989, 1990)
Joe Montana was the epitome of cool under pressure, earning the nickname “Joe Cool” for his ability to find what was needed in the clutch.
Montana took San Francisco to four Super Bowl wins without a loss, with three Super Bowl MVPs along the way.
He also had two regular-season MVP awards, cementing his legacy as one of the second best quarterback of all time.
3. Peyton Manning
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 266
- Passing Yards: 71,940
- Passing Touchdowns: 539
- Super Bowl Titles: 2
- Super Bowl MVP Awards: 1
- Regular Season MVP Awards: 5 (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013)
Credit: Photograph by Chip Litherland
Peyton Manning is one of the most decorated quarterbacks in NFL history, with a record five regular-season MVP awards.
His ability to read defenses and control the game from the line of scrimmage set him apart.
Manning won two Super Bowls, with MVP honors in one of them.
As his arm started to slow a little in his last couple of seasons, his mastery in reading the short plays was something to watch.
4. Johnny Unitas
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 211
- Passing Yards: 40,239
- Passing Touchdowns: 290
- Championships: 3 (including pre-Super Bowl era)
- Super Bowl MVP Awards: 0
- Regular Season MVP Awards: 3 (1959, 1964, 1967)
Johnny Unitas was a trailblazer in the NFL, changing the quarterback position with his strong arm and leadership.
He led the Baltimore Colts to three championships and won three regular-season MVP awards.
While Unitas didn’t earn a Super Bowl MVP (his prime was in the pre-Super Bowl era), his impact on the game is undeniable, as he helped set the standard for future quarterbacks.
And that haircut is comething that you could set your watch to (Simpsons reference for those in the know).
5. Brett Favre
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 302
- Passing Yards: 71,838
- Passing Touchdowns: 508
- Super Bowl Titles: 1
- Super Bowl MVP Awards: 0
- Regular Season MVP Awards: 3 (1995, 1996, 1997)
Brett Favre was known for his gunslinger mentality, toughness, and love for the game.
He led the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl win in 1996 and his regular-season dominance earned him three straight MVP awards.
Known in his later seasons as one who would retire in the off-season then make a decision to play-on, he may have caused some drama in his later seasons with the Packers and Vikings.
Also loved an innapropriate text message or two with the opposite sex…
6. Dan Marino
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 242
- Passing Yards: 61,361
- Passing Touchdowns: 420
- Super Bowl Titles: 0
- Super Bowl MVP Awards: 0
- Regular Season MVP Awards: 1 (1984)
Dan Marino is often thought of as the best quarterback to have never win a Super Bowl, but his regular-season efforts are pretty legendary.
Marino won the MVP award in 1984 after a huge season in which he became the first quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in a single season.
Despite the lack of a ring, Marino’s impact on the game, particularly in changing the passing game, remains immense.
He also had a pretty memorable role in Ace Ventura Pet Detective.
7. John Elway
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 234
- Passing Yards: 51,475
- Passing Touchdowns: 300
- Super Bowl Titles: 2
- Super Bowl MVP Awards: 1
- Regular Season MVP Awards: 1 (1987)
John Elway is known for his clutch game and his ability to deliver when it mattered most.
After several heartbreaking losses in the Super Bowl, Elway led the Denver Broncos to back-to-back titles in the late 1990s, earning the Super Bowl MVP in his final game.
Elway also won a regular-season MVP award in 1987, and also had a pretty huge set of chompers.
8. Steve Young
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 169
- Passing Yards: 33,124
- Passing Touchdowns: 232
- Super Bowl Titles: 3 (1 as a starter)
- Super Bowl MVP Awards: 1
- Regular Season MVP Awards: 2 (1992, 1994)
Steve Young followed in Joe Montana’s footsteps with the San Francisco 49ers and made his own mark on the game.
Known for his dual-threat ability, Young won two NFL MVP awards and led the 49ers to a Super Bowl in 1994, with MVP honors for his six-touchdown performance.
9. Drew Brees
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 287
- Passing Yards: 80,358
- Passing Touchdowns: 571
- Super Bowl Titles: 1
- Super Bowl MVP Awards: 1
- Regular Season MVP Awards: 0
Drew Brees’ place in the game is defined by his pin-point accuracy and ability to elevate the New Orleans Saints.
Brees won a Super Bowl title in 2010 with MVP honors for his performance.
Although he never took home a regular-season MVP, Brees set multiple records for passing yards, touchdowns, and completions, cementing his place among the all-time best NFL quarterbacks..
10. Aaron Rodgers
Career Stats:
- Games Played: 232 (and counting)
- Passing Yards: 59,055
- Passing Touchdowns: 475
- Super Bowl Titles: 1
- Super Bowl MVP Awards: 1
- Regular Season MVP Awards: 4 (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021)
Aaron Rodgers is one of the most talented QBs to ever play the game, with a combo of arm strength, accuracy, and mobility.
Rodgers has won four regular-season MVP awards and led the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl ring in 2010, with MVP honors.
His ability to make difficult throws look easy has made him one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
Best NFL Quarterbacks Statistics
These 10 quarterbacks have not only dominated the game statistically but have also shined on the biggest stages, winning MVP awards in both the regular season and the Super Bowl.
Let’s compare the stats including games played, passing yards, passing touchdowns, Super Bowl winners, Super Bowl MVP winners and regular season NFL MVP wins.
| Player | Games | Pass Yds | Pass TDs | SB | SB MVPs | Reg MVPs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Tom Brady | 335 | 89,214 | 649 | 7 | 5 | 3 |
| 2. Joe Montana | 192 | 40,551 | 273 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 3. Peyton Manning | 266 | 71,940 | 539 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 4. Johnny Unitas | 211 | 40,239 | 290 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 5. Brett Favre | 302 | 71,838 | 508 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 6. Dan Marino | 242 | 61,361 | 420 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7. John Elway | 234 | 51,475 | 300 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 8. Steve Young | 169 | 33,124 | 232 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 9 Drew Brees | 287 | 80,358 | 571 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 10. Aaron Rodgers | 232 | 59,055 | 475 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
These 10 quarterbacks shone on the biggest stages, winning MVP awards in both the regular season and the Super Bowl.
Whether it’s Brady’s seven Super Bowls and five Super Bowl MVPs, Joe Montana’s perfection in the big games, or Manning’s five regular-season MVPs, these quarterbacks are legends of the game in their own ways.
