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

Going way back once again, Sammy Baugh is considered the first great superstar quarterback. He even predates Sid Luckman. Baugh is much different than any other quarterback on this list. He was also an all-world punter (he’s had seasons where he led the league in punting average) and a fantastic defensive back (he recorded 11 interceptions in 1943 alone). This was an era where star players never left the field, and Baugh was the best at just about everything. In one game, Baugh threw for four touchdowns and got four interceptions on defense.

Let’s focus on his passing. He led the league in yards four times, including an unheard-of 2,900 yards in 1947. He led the league in completion percentage eight times, a record he still holds today. His 70.3 completion percentage in 1945 was the industry standard for decades. It wasn’t matched until 1982, when Ken Anderson set the record.

Baugh was a marvel in his time. Sportswriters and spectators were in awe of what he did. Who knows where football would be today if there was no Baugh. He was the Babe Ruth of football. Ahead of his time doesn’t do him justice. Baugh was beyond great, and he could compete with just about anyone in today’s game.

Baugh was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 1963, one of two QBs in that class (along with Dutch Clark).