Tier list

NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: The Definitive Tier List

By Rank Parade Team · Updated October 2, 2026 · 32 ranked

Ranking NFL quarterbacks is a great way to start an argument at any bar in America, and we're here for it. We took 32 of the greatest to ever take a snap, from leather-helmet legends to the guys slinging it right now, and sorted them into tiers based on rings, stats, longevity and that harder-to-measure thing: how much they actually changed the position.

This list leans on what fans and analysts tend to agree on after decades of debate, with our own calls where the arguments never really end. Think we buried someone too low or ranked a guy too high? That's the fun of it. Build your own and see how it stacks up.

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SS Tier: The Mount Rushmore conversation

Tom Brady

Seven rings, five Super Bowl MVPs, and a career that outlasted multiple coaching staffs and at least one supposed decline. The 199th pick turned into the answer to every 'who's the GOAT' question for a reason.

About Tom Brady

Brady played for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning seven Super Bowl titles across 23 NFL seasons. He holds numerous career passing records and is widely considered the greatest quarterback in league history.

Super Bowl Wins: 7
MVP Awards: 3
Draft Position: 199th overall, 2000

Joe Montana

4-0 in Super Bowls with zero interceptions in those games, which is almost unfair. 'The Catch' and the drive to beat Cincinnati in Super Bowl XXIII are the stuff you show rookies to explain what clutch actually means.

About Joe Montana

Montana led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl titles in the 1980s, never losing one and never throwing an interception in any of them. He's remembered for engineering legendary late-game drives.

Super Bowl Wins: 4
Super Bowl MVPs: 3

Peyton Manning

Five MVPs, two different franchises taken to Super Bowl wins, and he basically ran the offense like a coordinator on the field. Nobody read a defense pre-snap like Peyton, and the audibles became their own genre of entertainment.

About Peyton Manning

Manning quarterbacked the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, winning Super Bowls with both franchises. Known for his pre-snap reads and audibles, he set the single-season passing touchdown record.

Super Bowl Wins: 2
MVP Awards: 5

Patrick Mahomes

Still adding to his resume, which is the scary part. Multiple rings, an MVP, and a highlight reel of no-look passes and off-platform throws that make defensive coordinators look silly in real time.

About Patrick Mahomes

Mahomes quarterbacks the Kansas City Chiefs and has become the face of the modern NFL with his improvisational throws. He's already won multiple Super Bowls and an MVP award early in his career.

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

AA Tier: Legends with real cases for S

John Elway

The Drive against Cleveland is one of the great clutch moments in football history, and he finally got his rings in Denver before riding off. Arm strength and competitiveness that aged into two Super Bowl wins at the end of his career.

About John Elway

Elway led the Denver Broncos for 16 seasons, capping his career with back-to-back Super Bowl wins. 'The Drive' against Cleveland in the 1986 AFC Championship remains one of the most famous plays in NFL history.

Team: Denver Broncos
Super Bowl Wins: 2

Dan Marino

No rings, and that's the whole debate with Marino forever. But the quickest release of his era and a 1984 season that redefined what a passing offense could look like before most of today's rules changes even existed.

About Dan Marino

Marino spent his entire career with the Miami Dolphins, retiring as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. He never won a Super Bowl but is regarded as one of the purest passers ever.

Team: Miami Dolphins
Pro Bowls: 9

Aaron Rodgers

Four MVPs and a release that made throwing windows look bigger than they were. The Super Bowl total feels light for the talent level, which is the main thing holding him back from the very top.

About Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers starred for the Green Bay Packers for over a decade, winning four MVP awards and a Super Bowl title. He's known for his accuracy and ability to extend plays outside the pocket.

MVP Awards: 4
Super Bowl Wins: 1

Johnny Unitas

The guy who basically invented the modern quarterback position, throwing touchdown passes in a record streak of games that stood for decades. The 1958 championship game against the Giants is still called 'The Greatest Game Ever Played' for a reason.

About Johnny Unitas

Unitas quarterbacked the Baltimore Colts through the late 1950s and 1960s, famous for his consecutive-game touchdown pass streak. He's credited with helping popularize professional football through nationally televised games.

Team: Baltimore Colts
MVP Awards: 3

Brett Favre

Ironman streak of consecutive starts that may never be touched, paired with a gunslinger style that won a title and also threw some unforgettable interceptions. Equal parts brilliant and reckless, and that's exactly the point.

About Brett Favre

Favre played most of his career with the Green Bay Packers, setting durability records with his consecutive starts streak. He won a Super Bowl and three straight MVP awards in the 1990s.

MVP Awards: 3
Super Bowl Wins: 1

Drew Brees

Retired as the most accurate passer the league had seen, rebuilding a city's team and its spirit after Katrina along the way. The volume numbers are absurd, and the Super Bowl run with the Saints sealed the legacy.

About Drew Brees

Brees spent most of his career with the New Orleans Saints, retiring as the NFL's career passing yards leader. He led the Saints to their only Super Bowl title following Hurricane Katrina.

Team: New Orleans Saints
Super Bowl Wins: 1

Steve Young

Spent years in Montana's shadow before stepping in and winning his own Super Bowl MVP, with six touchdown passes in that game alone. A lefty who could beat you with his legs just as easily as his arm.

About Steve Young

Young took over from Joe Montana in San Francisco and led the 49ers to a Super Bowl title of his own, throwing a then-record six touchdown passes in that game. A left-handed dual threat, he won multiple MVP awards.

Team: San Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl Wins: 1

BB Tier: Hall of Famers, no argument

Otto Graham

Played in ten championship games across ten seasons and won seven of them, numbers that sound made up for the AAFC and NFL combined. Hard to compare across eras, but the winning percentage speaks for itself.

About Otto Graham

Graham quarterbacked the Cleveland Browns through the AAFC and NFL in the late 1940s and 1950s, reaching the championship game every season he played. His winning record remains virtually unmatched.

Team: Cleveland Browns
Championship Appearances: 10

Terry Bradshaw

Four Super Bowl rings with the Steel Curtain era Steelers, and two Super Bowl MVPs to go with it. Critics say the defense carried him early, but he grew into the quarterback those teams needed by the end.

About Terry Bradshaw

Bradshaw led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s, anchored by a dominant defense. He won Super Bowl MVP honors twice.

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowl Wins: 4

Roger Staubach

Captain America brought Dallas back from the brink more than once, and the original 'Hail Mary' pass to Drew Pearson gave the term its name. Two Super Bowl wins and a Vietnam deployment before his NFL career even started.

About Roger Staubach

Staubach quarterbacked the Dallas Cowboys to two Super Bowl titles after serving in the Navy, including time in Vietnam, before starting his NFL career. His last-second touchdown pass to Drew Pearson originated the term 'Hail Mary'.

Team: Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl Wins: 2

Troy Aikman

Three Super Bowl rings in four years as the triplets with Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin turned Dallas into a dynasty. Not flashy, just efficient and precise when the stakes were highest.

About Troy Aikman

Aikman led the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles in the 1990s as part of a core that included Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. He was known for his accuracy and poise in big games.

Team: Dallas Cowboys
Super Bowl Wins: 3

Bart Starr

Five championships with Lombardi's Packers, including the first two Super Bowls, and the quarterback sneak in the Ice Bowl is one of the most famous plays in league history.

About Bart Starr

Starr quarterbacked Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers dynasty, winning five NFL championships including the first two Super Bowls. His quarterback sneak won the famous Ice Bowl game.

Team: Green Bay Packers
Championships: 5

Jim Kelly

Four straight Super Bowl appearances with Buffalo, even though he never got the ring to match. Ran the no-huddle K-Gun offense before tempo football was trendy.

About Jim Kelly

Kelly quarterbacked the Buffalo Bills' no-huddle offense to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances, though the team lost all four. He's remembered as one of the toughest competitors of his era.

Team: Buffalo Bills
Super Bowl Appearances: 4

Warren Moon

Had to go to the CFL first and dominate there before the NFL gave him a real shot, then came back and racked up huge passing numbers with the Oilers. A Hall of Famer whose career path says a lot about the league's history.

About Warren Moon

Moon starred in the CFL before getting an NFL opportunity, then put up huge passing numbers with the Houston Oilers' run-and-shoot offense. He's enshrined in both the CFL and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

Team: Houston Oilers
Pro Bowls: 9

Kurt Warner

Grocery store stock boy to Super Bowl MVP is one of the best stories the league has ever produced. The Greatest Show on Turf years in St. Louis were must-watch football, full stop.

About Kurt Warner

Warner went from stocking grocery store shelves to winning Super Bowl MVP with the 'Greatest Show on Turf' St. Louis Rams. He later revived his career with the Arizona Cardinals, reaching another Super Bowl.

Team: St. Louis Rams
Super Bowl Wins: 1

Ben Roethlisberger

Two Super Bowl rings and a knack for extending plays that broke coverage and broke ankles in equal measure. Big Ben's size and ability to shake off sacks made him a nightmare to bring down cleanly.

About Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger quarterbacked the Pittsburgh Steelers to two Super Bowl titles, known for his size and ability to break tackles while extending plays. He spent his entire 18-year career with Pittsburgh.

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Super Bowl Wins: 2

CC Tier: Great careers, real flaws

Fran Tarkenton

Scrambling before scrambling was a known quarterback skill, and he racked up passing numbers that held records for years. Three Super Bowl trips with the Vikings, but no wins, is the asterisk on an otherwise huge career.

About Fran Tarkenton

Tarkenton played for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants, popularizing scrambling as a quarterback skill. He retired as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.

Team: Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl Appearances: 3

Dan Fouts

Air Coryell in San Diego made him must-watch TV years before the modern passing boom, throwing for huge yardage totals in an era that didn't make it easy. Never got past the AFC title game, which caps his ceiling here.

About Dan Fouts

Fouts ran Don Coryell's pass-heavy 'Air Coryell' offense with the San Diego Chargers in the late 1970s and 1980s. He led the league in passing yards four straight seasons.

Team: San Diego Chargers
Pro Bowls: 6

Sammy Baugh

One of the first true passing quarterbacks in a league that was mostly running the ball, and he also punted and played defense because that's how football worked back then. Hard to rank precisely against modern players, but the influence is real.

About Sammy Baugh

Baugh played for the Washington franchise from the late 1930s through the early 1950s, becoming one of the first great passing quarterbacks in a run-dominated league. He also punted and played defensive back during his career.

Team: Washington

Joe Namath

Guaranteed a Super Bowl win over the heavily favored Colts and then delivered it, which alone buys a lifetime of goodwill. The stats don't jump off the page, but that one moment changed how people saw the AFL.

About Joe Namath

Namath quarterbacked the New York Jets to victory in Super Bowl III, famously guaranteeing the win over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. The upset is credited with legitimizing the AFL ahead of the AFL-NFL merger.

Team: New York Jets
Super Bowl Wins: 1

Sid Luckman

Helped bring the T-formation into the mainstream with the Bears and won multiple championships doing it. A foundational figure for how offenses evolved, even if the era makes direct comparisons tricky.

About Sid Luckman

Luckman quarterbacked the Chicago Bears in the 1940s, helping popularize the T-formation offense. He led Chicago to multiple NFL championships during his career.

Team: Chicago Bears

Len Dawson

Won Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs and was the steady hand of the old AFL for years. Consistent and smart rather than spectacular, which is its own kind of valuable.

About Len Dawson

Dawson quarterbacked the Kansas City Chiefs to victory in Super Bowl IV, capping a steady and productive career mostly spent in the AFL and early NFL merger years.

Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Super Bowl Wins: 1

Joe Burrow

Took Cincinnati to a Super Bowl shockingly early in his career and has looked like one of the most naturally gifted passers in the league ever since. Injuries have slowed the climb up this list, but the talent isn't in question.

About Joe Burrow

Burrow led the Cincinnati Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance early in his career after a standout college run at LSU. Injuries have interrupted an otherwise highly productive start to his NFL career.

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

DD Tier: Good enough to remember, not enough to crown

Josh Allen

The arm talent and the legs make him a walking highlight reel, and the MVP-level seasons are piling up. Buffalo still hasn't gotten over the hump in the playoffs, which is the only thing keeping him out of the tiers above.

About Josh Allen

Allen quarterbacks the Buffalo Bills and has become one of the league's premier dual-threat passers, combining elite arm strength with running ability. He's won an MVP award and taken the Bills deep into the playoffs repeatedly.

Team: Buffalo Bills

Lamar Jackson

Two MVPs and a running style that broke the single-season rushing record for a quarterback. The postseason résumé is still catching up to the regular season brilliance.

About Lamar Jackson

Jackson quarterbacks the Baltimore Ravens and has won multiple MVP awards behind his record-setting rushing ability. He set the single-season rushing yards record for a quarterback.

Team: Baltimore Ravens
MVP Awards: 2

Philip Rivers

Threw for a ton of yards and never missed a start for years, but the Chargers never got him to a Super Bowl. The sidearm delivery and trash talk made him one of the most entertaining quarterbacks to watch, ring or no ring.

About Philip Rivers

Rivers spent most of his career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, known for his durability and sidearm throwing motion. He retired among the career leaders in passing yards and touchdowns without ever reaching a Super Bowl.

Team: San Diego/LA Chargers

Eli Manning

Beat Brady's undefeated Patriots team not once but twice, with Super Bowl MVPs both times, and that alone buys him a permanent seat at the table. The regular season numbers were never elite, which is exactly the point people argue about.

About Eli Manning

Manning quarterbacked the New York Giants to two Super Bowl upsets over Tom Brady's heavily favored Patriots, winning MVP honors both times. He started 16 consecutive seasons for the Giants.

Team: New York Giants
Super Bowl Wins: 2

Russell Wilson

Won a Super Bowl early with the Legion of Boom defense doing a lot of the heavy lifting, then kept producing big plays with his legs and arm for years after. The decline in Seattle and the struggles elsewhere have dented the case since.

About Russell Wilson

Wilson led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl title behind the 'Legion of Boom' defense early in his career. Known for his mobility and deep-ball accuracy through his years in Seattle.

Team: Seattle Seahawks
Super Bowl Wins: 1

How we ranked them

We weighed championships and MVPs, but didn't let rings alone decide it, since quarterback is a team sport dressed up as an individual one. Peak dominance, longevity, how a guy performed in big games, and his actual influence on how football is played all mattered. We also factored in era: beating up zone defenses in 2020 isn't the same as throwing into 1965 secondaries. Consensus from fan forums and film-room breakdowns shaped most of the order, with our own tiebreakers where the room was split.

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FAQ

Who is the greatest NFL quarterback of all time?

Most fans and analysts point to Tom Brady given the seven Super Bowl rings, but Joe Montana and Peyton Manning are right there in the conversation depending on what you value most.

Why is Dan Marino ranked so high with no Super Bowl ring?

Marino's 1984 season and quick release changed how people thought about the passing game, and era-adjusted stats still hold up decades later. Rings matter, but they're not the only measure of greatness.

Where do current quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson rank among the all-time greats?

They're still writing their stories, so we placed them based on what they've proven so far rather than projecting the rest of their careers. Both have the talent to climb significantly higher over time.

Is Patrick Mahomes already a top-five quarterback of all time?

Based on rings, MVPs and highlight-reel plays already banked, yes, most rankings including this one put him in the top tier alongside Brady, Montana and Manning.

How do you compare quarterbacks from different eras fairly?

You can't do it perfectly. We weighed championships, statistical dominance relative to the era, and influence on how the position is played, rather than just raw counting stats.

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Image credits

Tom BradyPhoto: Barcex, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Joe MontanaPhoto: Sean L. Dickinson, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Peyton ManningPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Patrick MahomesPhoto: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
John ElwayPhoto: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Dan MarinoPhoto: Webefex, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Aaron RodgersPhoto: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Johnny UnitasPhoto: Jay Publishing, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Brett FavrePhoto: MN National Guard, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Drew BreesPhoto: Tammy Anthony Baker from Louisiana, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Steve YoungPhoto: TeachAids, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Otto GrahamPhoto: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Terry BradshawPhoto: Elizabeth Fraser/United States Army/Arlington National Cemetery, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Roger StaubachPhoto: The White House, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Troy AikmanPhoto: FOX Sports, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Bart StarrPhoto: Vintage Football Card Gallery, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Jim KellyPhoto: Staff Sgt. Corenthia Fennell, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Warren MoonPhoto: Warren Moon Press Conference | Oilers Tribute Week, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Kurt WarnerPhoto: Sgt. Macario P. Mora Jr, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Ben RoethlisbergerPhoto: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Fran TarkentonPhoto: Super-Nerd, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Openverse) · License · Source
Dan FoutsPhoto: Kodak, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Sammy BaughPhoto: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Joe NamathPhoto: New York Jets, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Sid LuckmanPhoto: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Len DawsonPhoto: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joel Pfiester/Released, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Joe BurrowPhoto: Lordstown Motors, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Josh AllenPhoto: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Lamar JacksonPhoto: U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Delano Scott, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) · Source
Philip RiversPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Eli ManningPhoto: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source
Russell WilsonPhoto: Larry Maurer, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons) · License · Source