Fansided

Ranking the 30 Best NFL QB-WR duos in the modern era

By Brad Weiss

ANAHEIM, CA - CIRCA 1991:Joe Montana (16) of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jerry Rice (80) on his TD catch against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium circa 1991 in Anaheim,California on November 25th 1991. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - CIRCA 1991:Joe Montana (16) of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jerry Rice (80) on his TD catch against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium circa 1991 in Anaheim,California on November 25th 1991. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
23 of 30
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 10: Reggie Wayne and Peyton Manning on the stage during the induction ceremony of Dwight Freeney into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor during halftime of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 10: Reggie Wayne and Peyton Manning on the stage during the induction ceremony of Dwight Freeney into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor during halftime of the game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 10, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

30 Best NFL QB-WR duos in the modern era

No. 8: Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne

In the history of the NFL, there are very few quarterbacks who can hold a candle to Peyton Manning. A five-time Most Valuable Player, who won two Super Bowls, Manning got his start in Indianapolis, where he had an elite tandem at the wide receiver group in Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne for his entire time there.

Though Manning finished his career in Denver and won a Super Bowl, it is his work with Wayne that lands him at No. 8 on this list. This was a duo that dominated the AFC for so many years, and while Manning had his struggles in the postseason, Wayne certainly did not, finishing his career No. 2 in postseason receptions behind only Jerry Rice.

This dynamic duo spent 11 seasons together in Indianapolis, helping them take home a championship in Super Bowl XLI, a game that saw Manning connect with Wayne for a crucial touchdown. Wayne would have seven straight seasons with more than 1,000 yards receiving, as the two also connected for 76 touchdown passes in their time together.

There is a real argument as to whether Wayne or Marvin Harrison was Manning’s No. 1 target in his career, but one thing is for sure, Wayne should be joining Manning and Harrison in Canton soon.

Home/NFL