Currently the league is blessed with more elite QBs than ever before in history. Please remember while reading these that they are ranked based on skill, not accomplishments, although ability to rally a team when necessary did come into play. These are not fantasy rankings, yet rankings on pure ability, talent, and poise at the QB position.
- Peyton Manning: Maybe the greatest quarterback in the history of the game. When he retires he should have all of the passing records. He gets credited with turning the Colts around and with playing consistently every time he steps on the field.
- Tom Brady: Undoubtedly the greatest clutch QB currently playing the game. During his career he has proven that he can put up good numbers without elite WRs and epic numbers with them.
- Donovan McNabb: Other than T.O. McNabb has never had an elite or even legitimate number one WR, however he has still made the pro-bowl 5 times and when he’s healthy is one of the game’s best QBs. Unlike the other QBs on this list he can run when given any opportunity, and that added dimension makes him very hard to contain.
- Matt Hasselbeck: Hasselbeck is always a consistent and quality player, and it is his consistency that pushed him this far up the list.
- Eli Manning: Without last year’s postseason Eli doesn’t even make the top ten, but he proved that he can take care of the ball, while putting it in the endzone when he gets in a groove…which luckily happened to be when it mattered.
- Tony Romo: Although Dallas fans will be mad that Romo is only 6, they must understand that after only a year and a half as a starter Romo has yet to prove that he can still put up numbers week-in week-out, in the playoffs, without an elite WR, or when his girlfriend is watching.
- Carson Palmer: The Cincinnati offense revolves around Palmer’s play, which is generally great, but without more than one season with a winning record one simply cannot justify putting him any higher.
- Drew Brees: Brees had a bad year last year and still put up 4423 yards and 28 TDs, however before his emergence in New Orleans he was good, but not great.
- Ben Roethlisberger: Big Ben, other than in 2006, has been great in Pittsburgh. He has led game winning drives, won a Superbowl, and usually has his team in a position to win. His numbers and achievements earned him this spot.
- David Garrard: Definitely the QB who was given the least, and he delivered by doing exactly what he was asked to do; take care of the ball. He only had 3 INTs and had a passer rating of 102.2…not bad for someone who’s best receiver had 38 receptions, 629 yards, and 10 TDs (Reggie Williams).
Honorable Mention: Vince Young, Marc Bulger, Derek Anderson, Phillip Rivers
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2 months ago
"His numbers and achievements earned him this spot."
Isn't that a bit hypocritical?
from 2 months ago
I'm confused by why you think that is hypocritical. It sounds pretty straight forward to me. His numbers and achievements earned him spot number 9 on this list, in Graeme's mind anyway. Hypocritical is when you contradict you're previous thoughts/actions with new and different thoughts/actions. That statement is not within a million miles of hypocrisy.
from 2 months ago
"These are not fantasy rankings, yet rankings on pure ability, talent, and poise at the QB position."
You said that this wasn't based on past accomplishments or stats.
2 months ago
Winning a Super Bowl isn't enough to get Eli Manning that high on the list. Not by a long shot. Let's not forget that Trent Dilfer wears a Super Bowl ring, too. Manning ranked 25th in the league in QB rating with a 73.9 last season, behind perennial all-stars like Joey Harrington (77.2), Jon Kitna (80.9), and Sage Rosenfels (84.8).
2 months ago
Tom Brady number two? I'm glad you're not the GM of my team... wow.
2 months ago
i like it. i would have to disagree with putting manning up that high though. 3 weeks of good play isnt enough to say he's a top 10, let alone top 5 guy. i've been saying my top 3 are manning, brady, mcnabb in that order so good job there. ballsy putting garrard in the top 10 after one year and only 18 TDs. i think he definitely has the potential though. overall, good stuff.
2 months ago
tom brady is number one. no doubt about it. Eli Manning doesn't even deserve a top 8 ranking he should be like 9th or 10th. I think carson palmer and matt hasselbeck need to trade places, hasselbeck isn't that good
2 months ago
To be fair i was a bit generous regarding Eli, but i put him there on the assumption that he would be almost as good as he was in the 2007 post season in the 2008 regular season. Oh and Andrew Roethlisberger's play that got him that super bowl ring, no one else's, so.... what's your point?
2 months ago
Trent Edwards should be in the top 10. It's ok you don't think so. Maybe you will change your mind next year when he passes for 5000 yards
2 months ago
Aren't you the same guy who said the Bills should be number one in my power rankings?....get real
2 months ago
I am about the biggest Giants fan i know... I love Eli he's a great big game quarterback, he's clutch and he doesn't ever get injured... but outside of the the playoffs Eli isn't a top 5 qb in the league.. BUT that could change after this year
2 months ago
I think Trent Edwards actually will be a T op 10 quarterback after this season, but he certainly won't have 5,000 passing yards, lol.
2 months ago
Update: McNabb from five years ago>>>McNabb today. I'd argue that QB's 6-10 are better than the No. 3-5 you have listed, but everybody is entitled to their opinion for a reason.
2 months ago
I'm happy to see someone with the intelligence to put McNabb at the top where he deserves to be. Go D-Mac!
One thing - I do think Jason Campbell deserves a spot on this list.
And lets not get carried away with Peyton Manning - best of all time? I don't think so. You know how he's endorsing everything from Sony to Oreos? Which of these breakfast foods will he NEVER have a paid endorsement for?
A. Bacon
B. Hash Browns
C. Eggs
D. Waffles
The answer? C, of course. He just cannot scramble - and likely eats his eggs hard-boiled - like he plays QB - just stand there until it's ok to release them from the pot.
about 1 month ago
Good article!
about 1 month ago
Brees could benefit from a better O-Line. Would the Chargers not let go of him; he would have taken the Chargers deeper. Rivers has had great moments but Drew is more consistent in the pocket.
about 1 month ago
I agree with Carter. AS much as I hate seeing Brady play, the guy is though and accurate. Tom Bray deserves the number one spot (Too many rings and maybe more to come!)
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