NFL Rankings: The top 10 quarterbacks of all-time
Honorable mention:
Considering how hard it was to put together a top-10 list as such, these players made the honorable mention so their achievements in their career, whether past or present do not go unnoticed.
-Aaron Rodgers (Packers 2005-present)
While it seemed as if it took forever for him to get drafted, then another eternity for his to start, Packers star quarterback is on pace to become one of the best quarterbacks in Green Bay Packer history.
Rodgers has only suffered one losing season since becoming the Packers starter, winning one Super Bowl so far and has thrown for around 4,000 yards in his first five seasons as a starter, which would’ve been six if he stayed healthy in 2013.
-Drew Brees (Chargers 2001-2005, Saints 2006-present)
They said he was too short and didn’t have enough arm strength. After suffering what many thought was a career-ending shoulder injury in 2005, Brees came back stronger in the most improbable way possible.
The Saints’ unquestioned leader has thrown for 51,081 yards with 363 touchdowns (highlighted by three 5,000 yard seasons) in 13 years in the NFL and led the Saints to their first ever franchise Super Bowl title.
-Warren Moon (Oilers 1984-1993, Vikings 1994-1996, Seahawks 1997-1998, Chiefs 1999-2000)
One of the best passers in the history of the game, Moon could’ve become the best passer ever in the NFL if he didn’t have to compete in the CFL for six years (where he was also one of the best quarterbacks).
But once he got his shot in the NFL in his late 20’s, Moon proved his worth. He amassed nearly 50,000 yards and just under 300 touchdowns in 17 seasons in the NFL, helping him get into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
-Jim Plunkett (Patriots 1971-1975, 49ers 1976-1977, Raiders 1979-1986)
When Jim Plunkett first came into the league with New England, he struggled and got his (you know what) handed to him. He was sacked over 30 times per season in four of his first seven years and everyone’s memory of him was of Plunkett on the ground.
That all changed after signing with the Raiders in 1979.
Plunkett turned his career around with the Raiders, winning a pair of Super Bowls (1980, 1983), throwing for 12,665 yards with 80 touchdowns as the quarterback of the Silver and Black, where he was 38-19 as a starter.
Overall, Plunkett threw for 25,882 yards with 164 touchdowns and is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in Raider history, among the likes of Ken Stabler, Daryl LaMonica and George Blanda.
-Joe Namath (Jets 1965-1976, Rams 1977)
He’s best known for guaranteeing and pulling off one of the greatest upsets in pro football, let alone Super Bowl history when he led to Jets to an underdog win over the Colts in Super Bowl III. However, that was Namath’s biggest hurrah.
Namath only played in three playoff games in his career, including the Super Bowl, and threw more career touchdowns than interceptions (173 touchdowns, 220 interceptions) while throwing for 27,663 yards in his career.
One can only wonder what Namath could’ve been like had he been fully healthy throughout his career, instead of coming into the then-AFL with two bad knees.