In the history of the NFL, no position commands more attention, scrutiny, or respect than that of the quarterback. They are the field generals, the leaders, and the difference-makers who can single-handedly change the course of a game, a season, or a franchise’s destiny. The Super Bowl era, beginning in 1966, has produced a pantheon of these legendary players, each leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
This list is a celebration of those few, truly special athletes who defined their generation and set the standard for greatness. We will delve into the careers of players whose leadership, skill, and clutch performances have earned them a permanent place in the sport’s history. These quarterbacks are the reason we watch, the reason we cheer, and the reason we debate endlessly in sports bars about who truly is the best.
This is a deep dive into the careers that transcended their time, showcasing players who combined incredible arm talent with unwavering mental toughness. These were the quarterbacks who not only won Super Bowls but did so with a style and flair that made them icons. We have carefully curated this list, considering everything from statistics and championships to longevity and overall influence on the game. The following countdown represents our definitive list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks of the Super Bowl era.
The criteria for being considered among the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks is immense, requiring a combination of individual brilliance and team success on the biggest stage. Each entry on this list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks is a testament to what it takes to be truly elite. This is a definitive look at the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks to ever play the game.
10. Brett Favre
Brett Favre was a football icon whose career was defined by his thrilling, gunslinging style and his incredible longevity. Playing for the Green Bay Packers for the majority of his career, Favre won a Super Bowl and captivated fans with his fearless, often reckless, approach to the game. His powerful arm, combined with his high-risk, high-reward plays, made him a captivating figure and a fan favorite.
His sustained success and ability to stay on the field for so long set a new standard for durability at the position, and his legacy remains strong as a defining member of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
Favre holds numerous records, including a remarkable streak of 297 consecutive starts, which is a testament to his toughness. He was a three-time NFL MVP, a testament to his elite level of play. While his career was also marked by a high number of interceptions, his willingness to take chances and his pure love for the game made him an electrifying player to watch.
His place among the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks is secured by his Super Bowl victory and his unparalleled passion for the sport. His career was a roller coaster of emotions and jaw-dropping plays that perfectly encapsulated the excitement of football, a key reason he belongs on a list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
| Key Stat | Brett Favre holds the NFL record for consecutive starts by a quarterback with 297 games from 1992 to 2010. |
9. Terry Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw was the field general of the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty, leading the team to an incredible four Super Bowl victories in a six-year span. While his individual statistics may not match some of the others on this list, his success on the biggest stage is undeniable. Bradshaw was a tough, hard-nosed quarterback whose leadership and clutch performances were the heart of the Steelers’ dynasty. He was the perfect quarterback for a team built on a bruising defense, and his ability to make big plays in key moments was legendary.
Bradshaw’s toughness was a key part of his success. He was known for his ability to play through injuries and his willingness to stand tall in the pocket, even when facing a ferocious pass rush. His four Super Bowl wins, a record at the time, are the foundation of his legacy and a key reason he is considered one of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
He was the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls, a truly historic achievement. His four Super Bowl rings are a testament to his success and are a major reason for his inclusion in this list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
| Key Stat | Terry Bradshaw was the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls, and he was named Super Bowl MVP twice. |
8. Steve Young
Steve Young’s career was defined by his incredible efficiency, his dual-threat ability as a passer and runner, and his remarkable success after taking over for a legend. After spending years as the backup to Joe Montana, Young finally got his chance to be the full-time starter for the San Francisco 49ers and took full advantage. He led the 49ers to a Super Bowl title and won an NFL MVP award, proving that he was an elite quarterback in his own right. His combination of incredible accuracy and athletic running ability made him a nightmare for defenses.
Young’s Super Bowl XXIX performance, in which he threw a record six touchdown passes, is one of the greatest single-game performances by a quarterback in NFL history. He was a master of the West Coast offense, and his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs made him a truly unique and influential player. His career was a testament to his patience and perseverance.
The fact that he was able to win a Super Bowl and an MVP while standing in the shadow of a legend is a testament to his greatness and a key reason he is considered one of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks. His incredible efficiency and Super Bowl victory cemented his place as one of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
| Key Stat | Steve Young holds the NFL record for the highest career passer rating at 96.8. |
7. Dan Marino
Dan Marino is a quarterback whose arm talent was so legendary that it changed the way the position was played. Playing for the Miami Dolphins, Marino set numerous passing records, including the single-season passing yards record, at a time when the passing game was not as prominent as it is today. His quick release and incredible accuracy made him a pure pocket passer who could dissect any defense. Marino was a true superstar, and his prolific passing statistics are a testament to his raw talent.
While Marino never won a Super Bowl, his individual dominance is undeniable, and his influence on the position is immense. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler and an NFL MVP, and his career passing totals are still among the best in NFL history. He was a master of the quick-strike offense, and his ability to get the ball out of his hands in a hurry made him a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
His legacy is one of pure passing brilliance, and the fact that he was able to put up such incredible numbers in a different era of football is a key reason he is considered one of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks. His pure passing talent alone earns him a spot on our list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
| Key Stat | Dan Marino was the first quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in a single season, a record that stood for 27 years. |
6. John Elway
John Elway’s career was a journey of incredible highs and lows, but it was his final two seasons that cemented his legacy as one of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks. After years of carrying a subpar Denver Broncos team to three Super Bowl losses, Elway finally won back-to-back Super Bowls in his final two seasons, retiring as a champion. Elway was known for his incredible arm strength, his ability to extend plays with his legs, and his knack for making clutch plays in key moments.
Elway’s “The Drive,” a 98-yard game-tying drive in the AFC Championship Game, is one of the most legendary moments in NFL history. He was the ultimate comeback artist, and his ability to lead his team to victory in the face of adversity was a defining trait of his career. His Super Bowl victories, coming at the end of his career, were a fitting reward for a player who had given so much to the game.
His longevity, arm strength, and late-career success all contribute to his place on our list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks. His incredible comebacks and Super Bowl wins are a key part of his legacy as one of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
| Key Stat | John Elway led his team to 46 fourth-quarter comebacks, including 31 game-winning drives. |
5. Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas was a trailblazer who revolutionized the quarterback position. Playing for the Baltimore Colts, Unitas was a master of the two-minute drill and a pioneer of the modern passing game. He was known for his calm demeanor, his incredible accuracy, and his ability to make plays in the clutch. Unitas was a three-time NFL MVP and a Super Bowl champion, and his influence on the position is immense. He set the standard for what a quarterback could be, and his legacy is still felt in the game today.
Unitas’s defining moment was the 1958 NFL Championship Game, which is often called the “Greatest Game Ever Played.” In a moment of pure drama, Unitas led his team down the field in the final minutes to tie the game and then won it in overtime. The game was a turning point for the NFL, and it cemented Unitas’s reputation as a clutch performer.
His leadership, his accuracy, and his pioneering spirit make him a cornerstone of our list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks. He was the first modern quarterback and a key figure on any list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
| Key Stat | Johnny Unitas set an NFL record with 47 consecutive games with a touchdown pass, a record that stood for 52 years. |
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4. Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers is a quarterback whose talent is so immense that he is often considered the most physically gifted quarterback in NFL history. Playing for the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers has been a master of the deep ball, the scramble, and the improvisation. His incredible arm strength, his pinpoint accuracy, and his ability to avoid pressure make him a nightmare for defenses. Rodgers has won a Super Bowl and multiple NFL MVP awards, and his career passing numbers are among the best in the sport.
Rodgers’s ability to make plays with his arm and his legs, often on the same play, is a testament to his unique skill set. He is a master of the “free play,” where he draws the defense offsides and then launches a deep pass for a big gain. His MVP seasons are some of the most efficient and dominant seasons by a quarterback in NFL history.
His Super Bowl win and his incredible physical gifts make him a lock for a spot on the list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks. His raw talent alone puts him in the conversation for being one of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
| Key Stat | Aaron Rodgers holds the NFL record for the lowest career interception percentage, with a rate of just 1.4%. |
3. Drew Brees
Drew Brees was a quarterback whose career was a testament to his perseverance, his accuracy, and his incredible work ethic. After being written off by many, Brees found a home with the New Orleans Saints and led the franchise to its first-ever Super Bowl victory. Brees was a master of the short-to-intermediate passing game, and his ability to deliver the ball with pinpoint accuracy to all of his receivers was legendary. He was a 13-time Pro Bowler and an NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Brees holds numerous NFL records, including the most career passing yards and the most career completions. His Super Bowl XLIV victory, in which he led the Saints to a historic win, was a moment that brought a city and a fan base together in a way that had never been seen before. His career was a testament to his resilience and his commitment to his craft.
His Super Bowl win, his incredible passing statistics, and his influence on the city of New Orleans make him a definitive entry on our list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks. His incredible accuracy and Super Bowl victory make him a key figure on any list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
| Key Stat | Drew Brees holds the NFL record for the most career passing yards with 80,358 yards. |
2. Joe Montana
Joe Montana was a quarterback whose career was defined by his incredible success and his ice-cold demeanor in the clutch. Playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Montana won an incredible four Super Bowls and was a three-time Super Bowl MVP. He was a master of the West Coast offense, and his ability to make quick, accurate throws to his receivers was legendary. Montana was a smooth, calm presence in the pocket, and his ability to stay cool under pressure earned him the nickname “Joe Cool.”
Montana’s defining moment was “The Catch,” a last-minute touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the 1982 NFC Championship Game that sent the 49ers to the Super Bowl. He was the ultimate clutch performer, and his ability to lead his team to victory in the face of adversity was a defining trait of his career.
His four Super Bowl wins, his three Super Bowl MVP awards, and his incredible playmaking ability all combine to make him a lock for the list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks. His perfect Super Bowl record makes him one of the most successful quarterbacks and a top choice on our list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
| Key Stat | Joe Montana has a perfect 4-0 record in the Super Bowl and was named Super Bowl MVP three times |
1. Tom Brady
Tom Brady is, without a doubt, the greatest quarterback of all time. His incredible career, which spans two decades and two different franchises, is a testament to his longevity, his clutch play, and his unparalleled success. Brady has won an incredible seven Super Bowls, more than any other player in NFL history. He is a five-time Super Bowl MVP, a three-time NFL MVP, and a 15-time Pro Bowler. His career passing numbers are among the best in the sport, and his ability to consistently win at the highest level is unmatched.
Brady’s defining characteristic is his ability to play his best when the stakes are highest. He has led his teams to countless fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives in the Super Bowl and in the playoffs. His work ethic, his leadership, and his mental toughness are all legendary, and his success is a testament to his commitment to his craft. He has won Super Bowls in three different decades and is the only quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different teams.
His seven Super Bowl rings are an unbreakable record, and his legacy is a masterclass in what it takes to be truly great. His unmatched success and longevity make him the undisputed number one on our list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks. He is, without a doubt, the GOAT and the best choice for our list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
| Key Stat | Tom Brady has won seven Super Bowls, more than any other player in NFL history. |
FAQs
Q1: What are the main criteria for ranking the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks?
A1: We consider a combination of factors, including Super Bowl wins, individual statistics, longevity, clutch performance, and overall impact on the game and their franchise. These are the key elements we use to determine our rankings for the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
Q2: Why is Dan Marino on the list if he never won a Super Bowl?
A2: While Super Bowl rings are a significant factor, Marino’s inclusion is based on his revolutionary arm talent and the unprecedented passing numbers he put up in an era that was not built for the passing game. His individual dominance is a key reason he belongs on our list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks.
Q3: What makes Tom Brady the number one pick?
A3: Tom Brady is the number one choice on our list of the Top 10 Greatest Quarterbacks due to his unprecedented success and longevity. His seven Super Bowl titles, five Super Bowl MVP awards, and his ability to win in three different decades set him apart from all other quarterbacks.
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