Fansided

Top 30 NFL players of the 21st century

By Jarrett Bailey

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts calls a play against the New York Jets when the Indianapolis Colts host the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Wildcard playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jets beat the Colts, 17-16. (Photo by Al Pereira/New York Jets/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts calls a play against the New York Jets when the Indianapolis Colts host the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Wildcard playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jets beat the Colts, 17-16. (Photo by Al Pereira/New York Jets/Getty Images) /

2. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning is the greatest regular season quarterback in the history of the NFL. That may sound like a backhanded compliment, but it is said with the utmost respect and definitely not with rude intentions.

Manning led the NFL in passing yards three times and broke the record for passing touchdowns in a season twice. His five league MVPs are the most in history. Plus, he is a 14-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time All-Pro.

For the longest time, Manning was the NFL’s equivalent of LeBron James- everyone knew how special he was, but they wondered if he could ever win a ring. When Manning and the Colts overcame a large deficit to beat the Patriots in the 2006 AFC Championship Game, everyone felt like that was finally going to be the year- it was. The Colts beat the Bears in Super Bowl XLI, and Manning silenced the critics.

He closed out his career in Denver. Like John Elway did in the late 1990s, he went out on top. Manning helped usher in the passing game to new heights, and is a large reason why the league is what it is today. He is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and also one of the most accomplished.

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