30 greatest NFL QBs of all time: Where does Patrick Mahomes rank now?

There is a clear line right here. Fran Tarkenton is one of the very best ever, but it’s hard to put him higher than 18th on this list. He is very high on the list of all time stats (14th in yards and 11th in touchdowns). He was one of the very best in the league in two different decades. This was someone who was elusive before that was a requirement for the position. He could not be stopped once he got moving.

Tarkenton started and ended his career with the Minnesota Vikings. He had a really good stretch with the Giants in between. He brought Big Blue back to prominence at a time when the New York Jets were becoming the kings of the big city. The Giants gave up two first-round picks and more to get Tarkenton, but he was only 27 years old and entering his prime.

The Vikings learned from their mistake and traded back for Tarkenton in 1972. He would bring them to three Super Bowls, even though the franchise has yet to win one.

The nine-time Pro Bowler ended his career in 1978 after 18 years in the league. In his final season, he led the league in passing. He could have kept going, but he was always contemplating when to hang ’em up. He will go down as one of the best dual threats in the history of the league, up there with Cam Newton and Michael Vick.