The Best Quarterbacks for Every Team in NFL History
Quarterbacks.
The one position on the field where teams have to have stability in order to be successful. They are the most decorated players on the football field and they are the most scrutinized player on the football field.
If you have a good quarterback, then you have a chance to win every single game that you play. Â
If you don't, then you are doomed before the season even starts, unless you are the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.
So who are the best of the best?
Who can say that they were the best quarterback in their franchise's history?
The list was composed with a few specific criteria in mind, namely longevity, record as starter, championships (or if they were unable to win a championship, did they at least elevate their teams performance), and what significant records that he might hold.
After much debate and deliberation, here are the best quarterbacks of all time for every single franchise in the NFL.
The Year's Active section on each QB's profile refers to years they were with their respective team, not necessarily their total number of years in the league.
Buffalo Bills: Jim Kelly
1 of 32
Jim Kelly was Peyton Manning before Peyton Manning. He led a fast-paced, no-huddle offense and those Bills teams won four consecutive AFC championships, something that no other franchise has accomplished.
The only knock on the resume is that in those Super Bowls, the Bills were unable to win one of them.
Years Active: 1986-1996
Notable Stat(s): Bills all-time leader in pass yards (35,467), led team to four straight AFC championships (1990-1993).
Miami Dolphins: Dan Marino
2 of 32
Dan Marino has the worst label that any quarterback can have: Best to Never Win a Super Bowl. He got every other accolade that a player can possibly hope to haveâthe only thing that eluded him in his illustrious career was a championship.
Years Active: 1983-1999
Notable Stat(s): second all-time in passing TDs (420), second in career pass yards (61,361).
New England Patriots: Tom Brady
3 of 32
When people use the terms Montana or Elway-esque to describe the way that you play the quarterback position, you are probably pretty good.
Since becoming the Patriots starter in 2001, Brady has won three Super Bowls, two Super Bowl MVPs, and one NFL MVP (soon to be two in a couple of weeks). He is the best in the NFL right now and one of the best to ever play the game.
Years Active: 2000-Present
Notable Stat(s): NFL Record 50 TD Passes in 2007, three-time Super Bowl winner, two-time Super Bowl MVP.
New York Jets: Joe Namath
4 of 32
Itâs really a testament to the lack of quality that the Jets have had at the quarterback position that Joe Namath is the best in their franchises history. He had one shining moment, his guarantee of a Super Bowl victory in 1968.
Namath was immensely talented but was plagued by injuries for much of his career. Even so, his overall numbers werenât overly impressive. He is more of a media icon then a football icon.
Years Active: 1965-1976
Notable Stat(s): Super Bowl IIIÂ MVP, two-time AFL MVP.
Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco
5 of 32
Joe Flaaco is on the list because the Ravens franchise has been around for 15 years and he is the best of that bunch, plus he has room to get better. He led the Ravens to the AFC Championship Game in his rookie season.
The Ravens have Super Bowl aspirations this year thanks in large part to Flaccoâs play and his progression in the Ravens offense.
Years Active: 2008-Present
Notable Stat(s): First rookie in NFL history to win two straight playoff road games in 2008.
Cincinnati Bengals: Ken Anderson
6 of 32
Ken Anderson is one of only two Bengals to ever win the NFL MVP award (the other was his replacement, Boomer Esiason). He guided that team to their first ever Super Bowl appearance in 1981, and nearly led them to victory if not for that pesky Montana guy in San Francisco.
Years Active: 1971-1986
Notable Stat(s): 1981 NFL MVP, led NFL in pass yards in 1975 and 1976.
Cleveland Browns: Otto Graham
7 of 32
The greatest winner in the history of professional football, Otto Graham is often a forgotten man when discussing the list of great quarterbacks. He should be right at the top with any of them.
He was an all-pro every year that he was a member of the Browns and has the best winning percentage of any quarterback in NFL history (81 percent).
Years Active: 1946-1955
Notable Stat(s): Three-time NFL champion, nine-time All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowl selection, best winning percentage of any quarterback in NFL history.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Terry Bradshaw
8 of 32
Terry Bradshaw is one of the most entertaining personalities in the NFL, and when he was playing, he was one of the best in the game. He was the man that helped make Lynn Swann and John Stallworth Hall of Famers.
The Steel Curtain defense gets most of the credit, but without Bradshaw, the Steelers likely wouldnât have won as much as they did in the '70s.
Years Active: 1970-1983
Notable Stat(s): Four-time Super Bowl champion, two-time Super Bowl MVP, 1978 NFL MVP.
Houston Texans: Matt Schaub
9 of 32
Matt Schaub is as talented as any quarterback in football today. He has a big arm, quick release, and good accuracy. His only problem is the Texans' defense has never been able to back him and the offense up.
Years Active: 2007-Present
Notable Stat(s): Led NFL In pass yards, completions, and attempts in 2009.
Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts: Johnny Unitas
10 of 32
Itâs a coin flip between Johnny U and Peyton Manning. A slight edge goes to Unitas because of what he did relative to the era that he played in.
When Unitas played, quarterbacks werenât asked to be the focal point of the offense with their arm. That didnât stop Colts coach Weeb Ewbank from having Johnny throw the ball a lot. He changed the quarterback position forever. Not many guys can say that.
Years Active: 1956-1972
Notable Stat(s): Three-time AP NFL MVP, 10-time Pro Bowl selection, three combined championships (two NFL World Championships, one Super Bowl).
Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans: Warren Moon
11 of 32
Warren Moon might have the biggest arm of any quarterback in NFL history. He could wind up and let the ball go as deep as anyone ever. He had a number of very good years with the Oilers and was even voted NFL MVP in 1990 by the Newspaper Enterprise Association.
He made it to nine Pro Bowls in his 17-year career. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Years Active: 1984-1993
Notable Stat(s): Nine-time Pro Bowl selection, 1990 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 49,325 career pass yards.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Mark Brunell
12 of 32
The Jaguars' history is still relatively short, and Mark Brunell remains the best of the bunch. When he was in Jacksonville, the offense was more methodical than imposing but they were very successful.
With Brunell, the Jaguars went to the playoffs three times in their first four years of existence. They are the only expansion team that has ever done that.
Years Active: 1995-2003
Notable Stat(s): Three-time Pro Bowler, 31,935 career pass yards, franchise leader in TDs (144).
Denver Broncos: John Elway
13 of 32
The only lockdown guaranteed franchise quarterback in NFL draft history, John Elway was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in 1983 but he didnât want to play with them. He used his leverage as a baseball player to get traded to the Denver Broncos.
Broncos fans have never been more in love with a player before, or since he retired, following the team's second straight Super Bowl in 1998.
Years Active: 1983-1998
Notable Stat(s): NFL MVP (1987), two-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP (XXXIII), 51,475 career pass yards.
Kansas City Chiefs: Len Dawson
14 of 32
Len Dawson played for three different teams in six years before finally finding a home in Kansas City. He led the Chiefs to their first, and only, Super Bowl victory in 1969.
He holds the record for most seasons leading the league in completion percentage. He was a six-time All-Star in the AFL and made an All-Pro team in 1971.
Years Active: 1963-1975
Notable Stat(s): three-time AFL champion, most seasons leading league in completion percentage.
Oakland Raiders: Ken Stabler
15 of 32
Ken Stablerâs game really had to evolve as time went on. He started out as a scrambling quarterback who could get by with his arm. After some injuries took their toll on his body, he had to become a more traditional passer.
He was very successful either way, winning an MVP in 1974 and a Super Bowl victory over Minnesota.
Years Active: 1970-1979
Notable Stat(s): two-time All-Pro, 1974 NFL MVP, led NFL in passing TDs twice.
San Diego Chargers: Dan Fouts
16 of 32
Dan Fouts was the leader of one of the most explosive offenses in NFL history with the Chargers of the early 1980s. He threw for over 4,000 yards in three straight seasons (1979-1981), and led the NFL in pass yards four straight times (1979-1982).
He led the Chargers to two AFC Championship Games in 1980 and 1981. They wouldnât advance to a Super Bowl with Fouts under center, but that was more because of their defense and not Foutsâ ability.
Years Active: 1973-1987
Notable Stat(s): 1982 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, three-time First Team All-Pro.
Dallas Cowboys: Roger Staubach
17 of 32
Roger Staubach led the Cowboys to their first two championships by winning Super Bowl VI and XII. He made six Pro Bowls in his 11-year career and won a Super Bowl MVP. Also, he led the NFL in passer rating four different times.
He was also a very good runner, accumulating over 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground.
Years Active: 1969-1979
Notable Stat(s): Super Bowl VI MVP, two-time Super Bowl champion, career QB rating of 83.4.
New York Giants: Phil Simms
18 of 32
Often one of the most overlooked quarterbacks in history, Phil Simms remains the gold standard for Giants' signal-callers. He was a huge part of the Giants winning Super Bowl XXI, he set the Super Bowl record for completion percentage (22-for-25, 88 percent), and most consecutive passes completed in a Super Bowl (10).
He has been snubbed for the Hall of Fame because he âonlyâ won one Super Bowl and wasnât on the field when the team won Super Bowl XXV.
Years Active: 1979-1993
Notable Stat(s): Super Bowl record for completion percentage (88 percent), 33,462 career pass yards.
Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan McNabb
19 of 32
Eagles fans may scoff now, but Donovan McNabb led the most successful period in that franchise's history. He led them to four consecutive NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance.
He was the only offensive threat that the team had for a long time, which led to some of his numbers being less than stellar. When the team finally put quality weapons around him, his numbers really jumped up.
Years Active: 1999-2009
Notable Stat(s): 2004 NFC Offensive Player of the Year, six-time Pro Bowl selection.
Washington Redskins: Sammy Baugh
20 of 32
Sammy Baugh was a part of the first class ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. He was a seven-time First Team All-Pro and two-time Player of the Year. Â
He helped to revolutionize the quarterback position by making a forward pass a part of the offensive game plan. The Redskins have only retired one number in their history, Baughâs No. 33.
Years Active: 1937-1952
Notable Stat(s): seven-time First Team All-Pro, two-time NFL Player of the Year.
Chicago Bears: Sid Luckman
21 of 32
Sid Luckman helped to revolutionize the T-formation offense for the Bears in the 1940s. He led the league in touchdown passes three times. He holds the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a game with seven.
The Bears havenât had anyone close to Luckmanâs level in the 60 years since he retired.
Years Active: 1939-1950
Notable Stat(s): 1943 NFL MVP, holds record most touchdown passes in a single game (seven).
Green Bay Packers: Bart Starr
22 of 32
A four-time Pro Bowler and the first ever Super Bowl MVP, Bart Starr remains the gold standard for Packers quarterbacks. He led the franchise to five NFL championships, including three straight from 1965-67.
Starr was elected to four Pro Bowls and was a two-time First Team All-Pro in 1961 and 1966.
Years Active: 1956-1971
Notable Stat(s): two-time Super Bowl MVP, 1966 NFL MVP, two-time First Team All-Pro.
Minnesota Vikings: Fran Tarkenton
23 of 32
Before Brett Favre and Dan Marino, Fran Tarkenton was the NFLâs career leader in touchdown passes with 342. He made it to nine Pro Bowls and won the 1975 NFL MVP award.
He was also a terrific running quarterback, amassing over 3,600 yards in his NFL career. He was one of the great dual-threat quarterbacks of all-time.
Years Active: 1961-1966, 1972-1978
Notable Stat(s): 47,003 career pass yards, 342 career passing touchdowns, 1975 NFL MVP.
Detroit Lions: Bobby Layne
24 of 32
Looking at Layneâs overall numbers you wonât be very impressed. However, he was one of the great winners in NFL history.
He guided the Lions to three straight NFL championships, including two consecutive victories in 1952 and 1953. He was by far the most successful quarterback the Lions have ever had.
Years Active: 1950-1958
Notable Stat(s): five-time Pro Bowl selection, 26,768 career passing yards.
Atlanta Falcons: Steve Bartkowski
25 of 32
Steve Bartkowski has the distinction of being the guy taken ahead of Walter Payton in the 1975 NFL Draft. Not to say that Bartkowski didnât have a good career, but he wasnât Walter Payton.
He did post consecutive 30-touchdown seasons in 1980 and 1981. He also won the Rookie of the Year in 1975.
Years Active: 1975-1985
Notable Stat(s): Falcons all-time leader in passing yards (23,470).
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees
26 of 32
Drew Brees has taken over as the best quarterback in Saints history. Granted, itâs not an illustrious list, but he has done more than any other quarterback in franchise history.
He signed with the Saints in 2006 and the franchise has had unprecedented success. They have made the postseason in back-to-back years (or will, barring a catastrophe) and they won a Super Bowl in 2009 with Brees leading the attack.
Years Active: 2006-Present
Notable Stat(s): Super Bowl XLIV MVP, three-time All Pro Selection, 2010 AP Male Athlete of the Year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Doug Williams
27 of 32
Doug Williams is most remembered for winning the Super Bowl as quarterback of the Redskins, but before he did that, he was the best player the Bucs had.
The Bucs made the playoffs three times in Williams' first four seasons at quarterback. He left Tampa amid contract disputes with management. It took the team nearly 20 years to recover from the loss of Williams.
Years Active: 1978-1982
Notable Stat(s): 73 passing touchdowns, 12,648 passing yards.
Carolina Panthers: Jake Delhomme
28 of 32
The Panthers made an unexpected Super Bowl run in 2003 with Jake Delhomme under center. He is the franchise's all-time leader in attempts and completions, and holds a Super Bowl record for longest touchdown pass (85 yards).
Years Active: 2003-2009
Notable Stat(s): longest touchdown pass in Super Bowl history, Panthers franchise leader in attempts and completions.
Arizona Cardinals: Kurt Warner
29 of 32
Kurt Warner was only a member of the Cardinals for five years, but the Cardinals hadnât had the level of success that he brought since they were in Chicago.
They won two straight division titles and made it to a Super Bowl, nearly winning it, too. If you want to know how important and great Warner was to the Cardinals, look at the team this year.
Years Active: 2005-2010
Notable Stat(s): 100 passing touchdowns for two different teams (St Louis, Arizona), most pass yards in a single postseason (1,156 yards with Arizona in 2008).
San Francisco 49ers: Joe Montana
30 of 32
Few teams can boast the nearly 20-year run that the 49ers had with Joe Montana and then Steve Young as quarterbacks. âJoe Coolâ remains the standard in San Francisco.
He led the team to four Super Bowls in the 1980s and is probably the best quarterback in the two-minute drill in NFL history.
Years Active: 1979-1992
Notable Stat(s): four-time Super Bowl champion, two-time NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1989).
Seattle Seahawks: Dave Krieg
31 of 32
Dave Krieg is one of the biggest reasons that the Seahawks were relevant in the 1980s. After a couple years sitting on the bench, he finally got his chance to start and he ran with it. He guided them to their first playoff appearance in franchise history in 1983.
He remains one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history. He threw for over 38,000 yards, 261 touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 81.5.
Years Active: 1980-1991
Notable Stat(s): 13th in NFL in career pass yards (38,147), franchise records for 400-yard passing games (four) and games with four or more touchdown passes (7).
Los Angeles/St Louis Rams: Norm Van Brocklin
32 of 32
For his first two years, Norm Van Brocklin split time at the quarterback position with Bob Waterfield. The platoon worked as the Rams led the NFL with 466 points scored in 12 games.
He was a nine-time Pro Bowler and 1960 NFL MVP. He led the Rams to an NFL championship in 1951.
Years Active: 1949-1957
Notable Stat(s): Nine-time Pro Bowl selection, First Team All-Pro (1960), 1960 NFL MVP.
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