NFL's Greatest Quarterbacks Ever From Each Team
Every NFL team has a franchise quarterback. Players like Tom Brady, who won five Super Bowls, keep the discussion going about who will be called the greatest of all time. Some teams can easily pick their best quarterback, while others do not have a clear choice. This list shows the best quarterback for each NFL team based on championships, influence, and legacy.
Staubach led the Cowboys to four Super Bowls. Besides being a good leader on the field, Staubach is also a Navy veteran. This explains his nickname, "Captain America." He is one of the famous players known for leading comebacks. He earned the name "Captain Comeback" because he was a great athlete and could run while avoiding the defenders. Staubach's strong leadership and will to win resulted in 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns.
Montana performed well in critical moments. He won four Super Bowls, and his 4-0 record is perfect and achieved the highest passer rating, 127.85. He is among the most highly rated quarterbacks ever. He was an excellent leader and proved that when he won Super Bowl 23 with a last-minute score. He was a two-time MVP, and upon retirement, he led the team in passing yards and touchdowns.
Terry Bradshaw was the most iconic player for the Pittsburgh Steelers as he took the team to four Super Bowl victories between 1974-1979, establishing an NFL dynasty. Drafted first overall in 1970, he turned a flailing franchise into one on the rise. After a very rough beginning, though, he became the linchpin for the victory won by the team and finished winning many titles in the process. He is one of the most successful quarterbacks in the NFL, having won two Super Bowl MVPs and four championships.
Green Bay has produced some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, with Aaron Rodgers being the best. Rodgers has four MVP awards, and his passing stats are incredible—59,679 yards, 480 touchdowns, and the NFL record for interceptions, which shows his efficiency. He could throw the ball in many ways, from long passes to precise throws along the sidelines, which made him the best quarterback the team has ever had.
Eli Manning's wins at the beginning of his career against Tom Brady's Patriots were vital because they ended their perfect season in 2007. Eli Manning, known for being tough, played in 210 games in a row, a key part of his career. Some people have said he was not always consistent, but he stepped up when it was most important in New York. He is the Giants' all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.
Tom Brady is consistently named one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and people often call him the GOAT. His seven Super Bowl rings make him stand out as excellent. He also has three MVP awards, 14 Pro Bowls, and many game-winning drives. He was drafted in the sixth round and broke the team record for most passing yards with over 74,571. Moreover, his touchdown record is 541. His success in the playoffs strengthens his legacy.
Patrick Mahomes, the king of Kansas City. From 2019 to 2023, he changed football forever with his no-look, off-platform throws from the quarterback position. Mahomes has led the Chiefs to four Super Bowls over six years and won three. As of 2024, he is the franchise career leader in passing yards, with 29.
Warner's rise to stardom is miraculous. Warner is the most excellent NFL story about an undrafted supermarket clerk becoming the quarterback for the Rams. He led St. Louis to two Super Bowls, winning one and earning two MVPs. 1999, he shone by throwing to stars like Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. Warner led Super Bowl 34 to the first-ever title for the Rams.
Dan Marino is more famous for not winning a Super Bowl. He is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and has many records, including the most career touchdown passes. He could throw the ball fast and made great long throws. Although he lost one Super Bowl, regular-season play made him the best quarterback ever for the Dolphins.
Matt Ryan, nicknamed "Matty Ice," scored passing marks for his 14 years with the Falcons. His MVP season in 2016 was very special, but his most excellent game came in the Super Bowl against the Patriots in a momentous match. Although the Falcons lost the Super Bowl in leading 28-3 at the half, Ryan's excellence is plain and simple.
Lamar Jackson is the most unique QB ever to lead in Baltimore. His elite passing and running redefine the position. In 2019, Jackson set the quarterback rushing record for a season and won MVP. Though he has not won a Super Bowl, his exciting play has led to multiple playoff appearances for the Ravens.
Jim Kelly played four Super Bowls from 1990 to 1993. Though he lost all of them and has a record of 0-4, Jim Kelly is one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. He has several records with his team and is the greatest quarterback in his team's history.
Donovan McNabb has faced a lot of bad luck, and the fans did not believe in him when he was picked. He took the Eagles to many playoff games and even lost to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. McNabb has records of passing yards and touchdowns with the team, making his legacy in Philadelphia long-lasting.
For a long time, Sid Luckman has been the best quarterback in the Chicago Bears' history. He helped the team win four NFL championships in the 1940s and played as a defensive back and punter. His success greatly impacted the Bears' legacy, and his record for passing touchdowns lasted over 70 years.
In his MVP season in 2015, he led the Panthers to the Super Bowl, and he transformed the team into a strong one during his tenure, bringing them to the Super Bowl. He set many records for passing touchdowns and yards for the franchise and became an essential figure in the game's history. He was a quarterback who could both pass and run.
John Elway ran faster than any defender and used his strength to gain more yards. He could throw a football farther and harder than most, and his passing ability was often more exciting than his running ability. Elway faced criticism, being called a "loser" after the Broncos went 0-3 in Super Bowls in the late 1980s. In the 1997-98 seasons, Elway, at 37 years of age, won his first Super Bowl ring and another the following year, changing the narrative of his career. He retired as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, holding records and boasting playoff success and two Super Bowl wins.
Ken Anderson was a quarterback who played for the Bengals for over ten years. He won the NFL MVP award in 1981 and led the team to the Super Bowl, where they lost to Joe Montana and the 49ers. Among his many achievements was the NFL's completion percentage record, which he achieved in 1982. He significantly impacted the Bengals and set records for passing yards and touchdowns that future quarterbacks like Boomer Esiason would try to beat.
The Browns did not have an outstanding, steady quarterback, but Otto Graham was their best leader. In his 10 years of playing, he led them to ten championship games, winning seven. He was an excellent passer who passed for the most yards in the league for five years. He was also a strong competitor who helped his teams reach the top yearly.
Matthew Stafford played 12 years with the struggling Detroit Lions but was an exceptional player. Stafford started all playoff games, playing in three while throwing for over 51,000 yards; he set some team records during his time as a Lion on completions and passing yards plus touchdowns. Stafford played throughout his career as a quarterback; he often was bold or had a powerful arm on throws. He made history by helping the Rams win a Super Bowl after being traded to them in 2021.
Joe Namath is a legend for the Jets and is always remembered for his promise of winning against the Colts in Super Bowl III. Even with knee injuries, his bold confidence was essential during his playing days. His career saw many interceptions; the Jets won thrice during 12 years. However, his Super Bowl win, 4,000-yard season, and big personality make him one of the greatest to wear Jets green. His mixed record makes him one of the best quarterbacks Jets history has produced.
Matt Schaub has the most passing yards and touchdowns for the Texans. His time in Houston had good and bad moments, but his leadership helped the team succeed like never before. The Texans never had a top quarterback to lead their team, but they would not have come so close without Schaub.
Peyton Manning enjoyed a stellar 13-year tenure with the Colts, during which time he set records and succeeded for the team. He passed for over 54,000 yards and won four MVP awards. His precision, football IQ, and strong plays in big games made him one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Manning rewrote the story of the Colts, and his impact is still felt today.
Brunell was the Jaguars' first top quarterback and helped the team do well in its early years. From 1996 to 1999, he led the Jaguars to the playoffs four consecutive seasons, including two AFC Championship Games. People will never forget how he played for such a long time. He set a standard for future quarterbacks and is one of the best players in the franchise's history.
Kenny "The Snake" Stabler was an NFL quarterback known for performing in critical situations. He was perfect in essential moments and helped the Raiders win their first Super Bowl in 1976. He earned the nickname "Mr. Clutch". Leaving a lasting legacy in Oakland, he retired as the Raiders' all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.
Hart was the main player for the Cardinals in the 1970s, leading a potent offence with coach Don Coryell. Hart was the quarterback for the "Air Coryell" offence, famous for long passes and clever plays. He became the Cardinals’ all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, changing the team into a strong offensive team. Even though he didn’t win a Super Bowl, Hart greatly affected the Cardinals' success in the 1970s.
Philip Rivers has had an incredible career since joining the San Diego Chargers as a starting quarterback in 2006. He holds all the passing records for San Diego and played in 240 consecutive games, one of the most incredible streaks in NFL history. Rivers led the Chargers to many playoff games but never won a Super Bowl, so he was a skilled but unsuccessful quarterback.
Many regard Tarkenton as the greatest quarterback to ever play for the Vikings. He was one of the first dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL, able to run and have a mighty arm with which to throw. Tarkenton led the Vikings to three Super Bowls but lost all of them, but his influence is
enormous. He retired as the leader in passing yards, and his legacy is still unmatched in Minnesota.
Brees changed what it meant to be a quarterback in New Orleans, helping the Saints win their first Super Bowl in 2009. He was 6 feet tall and did not rely on size but on his accuracy and ability to lead, with a career completion rate of 68.8%—one of the best in NFL history. Brees turned the Saints into a strong team, setting franchise records and winning many awards.
Wilson quickly became stardom material with the Seahawks. Wilson was drafted in the third round, began as a rookie, and led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win in 2014. He is known for his accuracy and scrambling ability and has become the face of the franchise, setting records for passing yards and touchdowns. He took the Seahawks to many playoff games, but they could not win another Super Bowl afterwards.
Tom Brady's coming to Tampa Bay was the biggest news in NFL history. Leaving the New England Patriots after two decades, Brady went to the Buccaneers in 2020 and won them a Super Bowl in his first season there, his seventh. Legendary career: six Super Bowl wins with the Patriots, breaking records, and becoming the NFL's winning face. His leadership and football IQ make him a GOAT quarterback.
From the moments of unforgettable performances to unforgettable Super Bowl victories, the players have set the most fertile passing records. All these quarterbacks made different legacies with different teams at unique periods in NFL history. But what they accomplished and meant will make an amazing impact on future generations of quarterbacks.
