30 Greatest NFL Quarterbacks of All Time: How Does Aaron Rodgers Compare?

This ranking of the greatest American pro quarterbacks of all-time is based on accomplishments.

I graded each quarterback’s accomplishments according to the following scale:

50%  – Championships. How many times did he win a league championship? I included only championships from leagues that eventually merged into the NFL (NFL, AFL, AAFC)

20%  – Winning % as starter. Including playoffs.

15%  – All-Star seasons in his league.

15%  – QB rating (regular season)

(Perfect QB grade of 100 = 8 championships, 90% winning pct., 12 time All-Star, and a 100 QB rating)

Dan Marino Tier (30-18)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

10 Oct 1993: Quarterback Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins looks on during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Dolphins won the game, 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

These 12 quarterbacks graded out in the 40s on my scale.

These QBs are characterized by a relatively limited greatness.

Of course we’re splitting atoms here, we’re talking about the 30 greatest snap-takers of all-time.

Although they all share greatness, they also share at least one area where their resume doesn’t stack up to the greatest of the great.

30. Joe Namath – 40.688

Broadway Joe Namath of the New York Jets

1 champ

50% win

5x all-star

65.5 QB rtg

We all know about the Super Bowl ring he guaranteed he would win with the New York Jets.

Ultimately though, his legend is much more than his accomplishments.

Broadway Joe was style over substance but his substance was enough to put him among the best.

29.Daryle Lamonica – 42.327

Daryle Lamonica and his legendary coach John Madden

0 champ

78% win

5x all-star

73 QB rtg

Only our number 1 ranked QB won a higher percentage of games than Daryle Lamonica.

28.YA Tittle – 42.383

YA Tittle

0 champ

58% win

7x all-star

74.3 QB rtg

This could just as easily been called the YA Tittle tier.

He lost the NFL title game each year from 1961-1963.

27.Donovan McNabb – 43.358

Larry French/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

0 champ

64% win

6x all-star

85.7 QB rtg

If we gave points for conference championship games, McNabb would be higher on this list. Also, if that were true, Jim Kelly would actually be included in this list.

I don’t think Donovan will accomplish enough to move up any higher on this list than 25th.

On the other hand, if he can latch on somewhere (Minnesota) and ride some stacked veteran team (Vikings) to a Super Bowl ring, he would burst into the discussion of the top 20 signal-callers ever.

26.Ken Stabler – 43.719

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

SONOMA, CA - JUNE 21: Ken Stabler, National Football League Legendary quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, is introduced as the Grand Marshal during pre race activities prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Infineo

1 champ

66% win

4x all-star

75.3 QB rtg

Kenny Stabler took over for 29th ranked QB Daryle Lamonica and rode the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl.

He also put himself among the greats.

25.Kurt Warner – 45.033

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

3 Feb 2002: Kurt Warner #13 of the St. Louis Rams sets up to pass during Super Bowl XXXVI between the New England Patriots and the St. Louis Rams at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

1 champ

59% win

4x all-star

93.7 QB rtg

People say Kurt Warner played himself into the Hall of Fame during his last run with the Arizona Cardinals.

I say he was already there after leading “The Greatest Show on Turf” with the St. Louis Rams in the early 2000s.

24.George Blanda 45.367

George Blanda

2 champs

54% win

4x all-star

63.7 QB rtg

Blanda would be much higher on a list of the greatest football players of all time.

His longevity is his legacy not his accomplishments.

23.Warren Moon – 45.940

Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images

18 Oct 1992: Quarterback Warren Moon of the Houston Oilers looks to pass the ball during a game against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won the game, 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Tim DeFrisco /Allsport

0 champ

49% win

9x all-star

80.9 QB rtg

Warren Moon was ahead of his time. He was a beautiful quarterback to watch.

He won 5 Grey Cups in Canada but winning did not translate into the NFL.

It amazes me he was still able to go to 9 Pro-Bowls after spending the early 80s in the CFL.

22.Drew Brees – 46.413

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Gett

1 champ

56.3% win

5x all-star

91.7 QB rtg

This is what winning a Super Bowl does. It takes a really good quarterback and thrusts him into the light of greatness.

I predict he finishes his career with a few more Pro-Bowls and ends up around number 17 on this list.

21.Fran Tarkenton – 46.834

Fran Tarkenton and the Minnesota Vikings

0 champs

53.3% win

9x all-star

80.4 QB rtg

One of the best scramblers of all-time on those old Minnesota Viking teams with the “Purple People Eater” defense.

20.Ben Roethlisberger – 47.087

Al Bello/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

2 champs

71% win

1x all-star

92.5 QB rtg

I can see Big Ben leading the Steelers to another title and getting a few Pro-Bowls for himself.

I can also see neither of those things happening.

I think Ben ends his career among the greatest of the great but not in the top ten.

19.Dan Marino – 49.488

Allen Steele/Getty Images

16 Oct 1988: Quarterback Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins prepares to pass the ball during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins won the game 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Allen Steele /Allsport

0 champs

60% win

9x all-star

86.4 QB rtg

What more can you say about Dan? He will always be known for his quick-release and his lack of rings.

Even so, a Super Bowl ring wouldn’t have been enough to put him in the top 15 on this ranking.

18.Bobby Layne – 49.526

Bobby Layne, Detroit Lions

2 champs

62% win

5x all-star

63.4 QB rtg

Bobby Lane is an example of why it’s hard to compare eras. A QB rating of 63.4 was not that bad in his day.

The Detroit Lions, of course, have been cursed the 50 years since.

Steve Young Tier (17-13)

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

NOV 1987: SAN FRANCISCO QUARTERBACK JOE MONTANA TALKS WITH HEAD COACH BILL WALSH, AS BACKUP QUARTERBACK STEVE YOUNG LISTENS, DURING THE 49ERS GAME AT CANDLESTICK PARK IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule/ALLSPORT

These five men scored in the 50s on my grading scale and are all very accomplished.

Yet their accomplishments are not quite great enough to be considered with the crème de la crème.

17.Steve Young – 54.013

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - FEBRUARY 06: (L-R) Former teammates Jerry Rice and Steve Young talk on stage after Rice was announced as one of the newest enhrinees into the Hall of Fame during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Press Conference held at t

1 champ

65% win

7x all-star

96.8 QB rtg

Steve Young is the personification of this tier.

He has a complete resume for sure, but it is not as qualified as the elite of the next level.

Nevertheless, if we were discussing the most athletic QBs of all-time, Young is top 3.

16.Sammy Baugh – 54.019

Slingin' Sammy Baugh

2 champs

55% win

7x all-star

72.2 QB rtg

Slingin' Sammy Baugh set the bar as far as passing goes in the 1940s.

His completion percentage of 70.3 in 1945 remains third all-time in the NFL record books.

15.Len Dawson – 57.491

2 champs

62.3% win

7x all-star

82.8 QB rtg

Len was the best QB in the AFL during the 60s.

He won an AFL title and was the winner of the final AFL-NFL title game before the merger in 1970.

14.Roger Staubach – 57.930

Getty Images/Getty Images

7 Jan 1979: Quarterback Roger Staubach of the Dallas Cowboys moves the ball during a playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Cowboys won the game, 28-0. Mandatory Credit: Allsport /Allsport

2 champs

73.3%

6x all-star

83.4 QB rtg

Roger Staubach was an All-American Boy on America’s Team and he was great.

The only thing keeping him from being in the top ten all-time is a few more Pro-Bowl years.

He did serve in the Navy before he started his professional career.

13.Bob Griese – 58.742

2 champs

62% win

8x all-star

77.1 QB rtg

Bob Griese place in history is secure as being a part of perfection in 1972.

His other accomplishments put him right near the very elite of NFL quarterbacking.

Crème de la Crème (12-1)

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots shakes hands with Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts after their game at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

These greats all scored above 60 and their accomplishments put them in a category above the rest of the best.

12. Troy Aikman – 60.367

Elsa/Getty Images

8 Nov 1999: Troy Aikman #8 of the Dallas Cowboys gets ready for the hike during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Herbert H. Humphery Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Cowboys 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /

3 champs

58% win

6x all-star

81.6 QB rtg

Three Super Bowls in four years made Troy Aikman the QB of the 90s.

His real legacy is in his leadership during those crazy Cowboy years of the early 90s.

He always remained focused, calm, and collected with all those distractions.

11. Terry Bradshaw – 60.488

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Fox broadcasters, Terry Bradshaw (L) and Howie Long commentate prior to Super Bowl XLV between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan D

4 champs

68% win

3x all-star

70.9 QB rtg

Terry Bradshaw set the standard for Pittsburgh Steeler quarterbacking by accumulating more Super Bowl rings (4) than Pro Bowls (3).

Big Ben is right on track with two rings and one Pro Bowl.

10. Norm Van Brocklin – 60.950

2 champs

62% win

9x all-star

75.1 QB rtg

In the beginning of his career, Norm Van Brocklin shared quarterback duties with star QB Bob Waterfield.

They created a tandem that scored 38.8 points a game in 1950 setting an NFL record that still stands.

9. Brett Favre – 61.083

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings looks for an open receiver while playing the Green Bay Packers at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/

1 champ

63% win

11x all-star

86 QB rtg

Great Stats + lots of Pro Bowls + lots of wins + a Super Bowl = top ten QB all-time.

I say the last few years helped his legacy rather than hurt it. A few extra Pro Bowls never hurt.

8.John Elway – 62.229

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

25 Jan 1998: John Elway #7 of the Denver Broncos runs into the end zone for the touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XXXII at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Denver Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers 31-24. Manda

2 champ

65% win

9x all-star

79.9 QB rtg

John Elway planted himself firmly in the top ten all-time with those two title runs to close out his career in the late 90s with the Denver Broncos.

He would’ve still been top 20 on this list without those rings.

7. Sid Luckman – 62.550

4 champs

55% win

5x all-star

85 QB rtg

Maybe the Bears have finally found Sid Luckman’s replacement in Jay Cutler.

I’m not even sure if that’s a joke or not.

6. Peyton Manning – 63.383

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts calls a play against the New Orleans Saints during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Gett

1 champ

66% win

11x all-star

94.9 QB rtg

Peyton would be number five on this list had he taken down Drew Brees and the Saints in Super Bowl 44.

I think Peyton is really motivated to win at least one more ring.

I say he’ll accomplish that and move up to number four on this list before he hangs ‘em up.

5. Tom Brady – 68.850

Al Bello/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/G

3 champs

76% win

6x all-star

95.2 QB rtg

What a great time it is in the NFL right now that there two of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time battling to see who can finish their career higher on the ladder of the football elite.

I say Brady holds on to his lead and finishes at number three, ahead of Manning in this ranking.

4. Bart Starr – 69.662

5 champs

64% win

4x all-star

80.5 QB rtg

In my opinion, you can’t go wrong arguing for any of the top four on my list, especially this guy.

Bart Starr was VInce Lombardi’s QB.

Along with the next guy on this list, Bart Starr led the NFL into a new era in the late sixties.

3. Johnny Unitas – 70.860

3 champs

65% win

10x all-star

78.2 QB rtg

Unitas was and continues to be a mythical figure to his fan base.

He won the “Greatest Game Ever Played” and he threw a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games which remains a record.

He was very instrumental to the growth of football in America.

2. Joe Montana – 76.236

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

27 Jul 1991: Quarterback Joe Montana and wide receiver Jerry Rice of the San Francisco 49ers talk to each other during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Raiders. The 49ers won the game 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

4 champs

71% win

8x all-star

92.3 QB rtg

He’s the guy that all the current greats idolized while they were sowing their football roots.

He is the King of Modern NFL Quarterbacking.

His place in the pantheon of QBs was threatened a few years back when Tom Brady was seemingly steamrolling toward his fourth Super Bowl ring. Thanks to my 48^th ranked QB Eli Manning, Joe’s place is safe now.

Tom and Peyton are the only guys playing today that are close and I don’t see either of them ever usurping Joe Cool.

1. Otto Graham – 94.086

7 champs

79% win

7x all-star

86.6 QB rtg

Flat out; dude was a winner.

Otto Graham went to play basketball at Northwestern.

The football coach talked him into joining the squad as a tailback.

The Browns drafted him and put him at quarterback.

All he did after that was dominate the AAFC winning the championship all four years of the league’s existence. When the Browns joined the NFL, he took his team to the NFL championship game six years in a row winning it three times. 10 years, 10 championship games, 7 titles…enough said.

He also won over 80% of his games and was selected as an All-Pro nine times.

He retired in 1955 with a career QB rating of 86.6 which is off the charts for that era.

The Up and Comers

Handout/Getty Images

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - FEBRUARY 07: In this handout photo provided by Disney, Super Bowl XLV Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers takes a celebratory ride with Mickey Mouse, following the Green Bay Packers' 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers Februa

Finally, here are five active QBs within reach of being one of the 30 most accomplished QBs of all-time.

31.       Philip Rivers – 39.342 0 champs, 69% win, 3x all-star, 97.2 QB rtg

I say Phillip wins a Super Bowl somewhere down the line and moves into top 25 all-time on this list.

32.       Aaron Rodgers – 39.150 1 champ, 60% win, 1x all-star, 98.4 QB rtg

I think if we do this ranking again in ten years, we’ll find Aaron Rodgers right up there with his old buddy Brett Favre. He has the most upside in this group and I think he has the character to be top ten all-time.

41.       Tony Romo – 37.245 0 champ, 62% win, 3x all-star, 95.5 QB rtg

When Tony Romo first came on, I thought he had a chance to be considered with Brady and Manning. He still does have a chance but it’s just not that good. I say he ends up with a ring and a bunch of Pro Bowls and a top 30 ranking.

48.       Eli Manning – 35.702 1 champ, 58% win, 1x all-star, 80.2 QB rtg

I think this might be as good as it gets for Eli. Maybe a few more Pro Bowls.

49.       Michael Vick – 35.476 0 champ, 55% win, 4x all-star, 80.2 QB rtg

He’s in that top three group I mentioned with Steve Young as far as athletic ability. I would love to see him win a ring. I don’t know if it’ll happen but he’ll definitely get more Pro Bowls. I don’t think he cracks the top 30 though.