The position of quarterback is arguably the toughest position to play in all of sports. It requires toughness to stay in the pocket, intelligence to read/dissect defenses, a quick reaction time to get the ball in an open spot, and plenty of other traits that I’m not going to get into here. It also goes without saying that an NFL QB, no matter backup or starter, has to have some talent to play the position at all – for all of us armchair QB’s that get frustrated when our favorite team’s QB throws a pick-six, we probably think we could play better than said player – but can we really? No way.
The last 50 years have seen an incredible number of QB’s play – both currently (Manning, Brady, Roethlisberger) and in the past (Ken Stabler, Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas). With the passing offenses of the NFL throwing more often than ever, we’ll attempt to quantify exactly who the top 100 QB’s of the Super Bowl era are. QB’s like Otto Graham and Sammy Baugh, while surely some of the best players of all time, are omitted from this list, as offenses before the Super Bowl era (1966-2015) were vastly different (think: run, run, and run some more). This is also where it gets tricky – several passers just missed the list, as our criteria says that to make this list, you must have compiled the majority of your stats during and after the first Super Bowl in 1966. Thus, YA Tittle and Johnny Unitas, despite being incredible players, don’t make our list – but John Brodie does. Also, a special shoutout to Sonny Jurgensen, who is definitely one of the greatest QB’s of all time – but missed the list because he played just over half his career before 1966.
Our imaginary but actually real scoring system gives credit for awards (Pro Bowls, MVP’s, Super Bowl MVP’s), era in which they played (Ken Stabler, though his career completion percentage was low, was one of the best of his era), winning percentage, Super Bowls won (Dan Marino is still really high on this list), receivers/talent around him (a QB who played well despite a bad receiving corps or poor defense), comebacks (Frank Reich isn’t on here, but I’ll be damned if he isn’t the backup QB everyone would want on their team), and a plethora of other factors. Current QB’s make this list as well – though any QB, save Greg Cook, has to start at least 30 career games before they can be included here. Russell Wilson is definitely here – the man has won a Super Bowl, probably should have won two in his career so far. Same goes for Matt Ryan, and you’ll be surprised how high Tony Romo is (hint: really high).
Without further ado, here’s Part 1 of the top 100 QB’s of the Super Bowl era. Let the debate begin.
Editor’s Note: This article was written in August 2015, but wasn’t published until now. Add guys like Dalton, Ryan,
Roethlisberger, Palmer up the list, with one or two QB’s possibly going down (but not much).
#100: Tony Eason (1983-1990, Patriots, Jets)
Notables: Led Patriots to the 1985 Super Bowl. Led the NFL in 1984 in INT% with 1.9%.
Let’s be honest, nobody stood a chance in 1985 against the Chicago Bears defense. QB Tony Eason was merely a sacrificial lamb that couldn’t even complete a pass. But to dismiss Eason as a decent enough player is foolish – he led the Patriots to many upsets that year (including a massive upset of the Marino-led Dolphins in Miami), helping the Patriots reach their first Super Bowl, and also making that Patriots team the first to win 3 straight road games to reach the Super Bowl.
Part of the famed QB Class of 1983, he led the NFL in INT% with just 1.9% in 1984, and had a decent TD/INT ratio of 61-51. For the #100 QB on this list, you could do much worse than having Eason on your team.
#99: Trent Dilfer (1994-2007: Bucs, Ravens, Seahawks, Browns, 49ers)
Notables: 1997 Pro Bowler, Super Bowl 35 Champion
The man who game managed the 2000 Ravens to the Super Bowl surely wasn’t a very good quarterback (his career QB Rating is less than Rex Grossman, Bubby Brister, and Don Majkowski), but Dilfer did make a Pro Bowl in 1997 after leading the resurgent Bucs to a 10-6 record. If your claim to fame is being a really good game manager and winning a Super Bowl (along with being a decent late-career veteran QB), you have accomplished something in your career.
He also wasn’t exactly asked to do very much, and even when he was in Tampa Bay/Baltimore, who did he really have to throw to? He played in mainly ball-control offenses, supplemented by incredible defenses.
Also, he’s tied with luminaries like Billy Kilmer and Brad Johnson with 14 4th quarter comebacks all-time.
#98: Greg Cook (Bengals, 1969, 1973)
Notables: Led the NFL in completion percentage, YPA, and YPC in his rookie year (1969). AFL ROY Award winner in 1969.
Bengals QB Greg Cook, if he had played even a 5-10 year career, would be better than half the players on this list. So why is he here, based on not even one season of football? Simple – his YPA and YPC are rookie records for a QB that still stand today (seriously!), and the immortal Bill Walsh said that Cook “could have been the greatest QB ever”.
Sadly, his career never got off the ground. When Chiefs LB Jim Lynch tackled him, Cook suffered a torn rotator cuff that went undiagnosed, thanks to the limited technology of the time. If the medical technology we have in 2015 were available back then, Cook’s career certainly would have been a different story. Perhaps instead of my beloved Steelers, it would have been the Bengals that were the team of the 1970’s.
Instead, we’ll have to remember “what if”.
#97: Gus Frerotte (1994-2008, Redskins, Lions, Broncos, Bengals, Vikings, Dolphins, Rams)
Notables: Journeyman QB made the 1996 Pro Bowl with the Redskins. Headbutted a wall after scoring a TD.
The journeyman QB never had many weapons to work with in his various stops (mainly playing for mediocre to bad teams), but for a 6th round pick in 1994 who was more or less an afterthought behind ultimate draft busy Heath Shuler, he really wasn’t expected to do much.
Frerotte did carve out a nice career for himself, though. He only started 16 games once (Pro Bowl season of 1996), and it makes you wonder whether he’d have had more if he was viewed as something other than a journeyman QB. Do we need to remind you that he headbutted a wall, too?
#96: Elvis Grbac (1994-2001, 49ers, Chiefs, Ravens)
Notables: 2000 Pro Bowler w/the Chiefs, threw for 4169 yards and a 28-14 TD/INT ratio that season. 59.1% career completion percentage.
He played pretty well for the 49ers in spot action before becoming a temporary star with KC, and he even guided the 1997 Chiefs team to a 13-3 record (Grbac started 10 of those games), though the Chiefs were quickly eliminated in the Divisional Playoffs.
Grbac will probably always best be known for mocking QB Trent Dilfer after replacing him as starting QB in 2001 – a soundbite that came back to haunt Grbac – he threw 18 INT’s in 2001, and never played in the NFL again.
#95: Erik Kramer (1987, 1991-1999, ATL/DET/CHI/SDG)
Notables: Holds Bears single-season records for passing yards/passing TDs, former undrafted QB
Erik Kramer sadly attempted suicide in August of this year (non life-threatening injuries sustained) but it’s a good idea to remember that he was an important and solid NFL QB. Surprisingly, he holds the single season Bears passing yards/TD’s record, and his 1995 season overall was one of the better seasons by any NFL QB in history – almost 4,000 yards passing, and a 29-10 TD/INT ratio. It was also the only season he started 16 games.
#94: Kyle Orton (2005-2014, CHI/KC/DEN/DAL/BUF)
Notables: TD/INT ratio of 101-69, 18037 career passing yards
If Orton’s career is indeed finished, he had a solid 10 year run as both a starter and a good backup. In fact, his final year in Buffalo (2014), he threw for 3018 yards and an 18-10 TD/INT ratio in just 12 starts. He also ranks 53rd all time in QBR (81.2%). Though it’s a seriously flawed rating, it’s enough for Orton to make this list easily. Like many players on this list, he’d have had a better career with more weapons around him.
#93: Doug Williams (1978-1982, 1986-1989, TB/WSH)
Notables: First African-American QB to win a Super Bowl (SB XXII), led the Bucs to the 1979 NFC Championship Game, Super Bowl XXII MVP, threw 4 TD’s in a quarter of Super Bowl XXII.
Try to ignore the wretched career completion percentage of 49.5% for Doug Williams. In Tampa Bay, he scarcely had anyone to throw to (those winning Bucs teams mainly relied on great defense and a good run game). Those percentages went up in his few years in Washington (he had some great weapons to throw to), and he’s known as the first black QB to win a Super Bowl. Primarily on the strength of his Super Bowl 22 performance, he makes this list. It should also be noted that he bolted for the USFL in 1982 after the Bucs refused to pay him money, so with that in mind, his counting stats could’ve been even better.
#92: Jeff Blake (1992-2005, NYJCIN/NOR/ARZ/BAL/PHI/CHI)
Notables: 1995 Pro Bowl
Jeff Blake deserved better. As a QB, he threw for 134 TD’s in 100 career starts…yet won just 39 of them, playing for mostly bad Cincy teams. He was a journeyman from 2000-2005, playing for 5 teams – but he did make the 1995 Pro Bowl after throwing for 3800 yards. He probably should have made one the next year after almost repeating the important stats – passing yards, TD-INT ratio, etc. He was also an effective runner, rushing for 2,027 career yards and 12 TD’s.
#91: Brian Griese (1998-2008, DEN/MIA/TB/CHI)
Notables: Led the NFL in QBR and INT% (2000), led NFL in completion% with 69.3% in 2004, 15th all time in completion% with 62.7%, 2000 Pro Bowler
Outside of a magical 2000 season with the Broncos, and 2 stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (the first of which was going very well until he tore his ACL), Griese didn’t do a ton in his career. But what he did do was throw accurately (completing 62.7% career passes) and post solid QBR’s – when he wasn’t injured, that is. He probably would have made another Pro Bowl in 2004 if he had played a full season, also. But hey, at least he can drool over the Super Bowl rings he and his father, Bob, have together.
#90: Jeff Hostetler (1985-1997, NYG/OAK/WSH)
Notables: Took over for an injured Phil Simms and led the Giants to a Super Bowl XXV victory, 1994 Pro Bowler
Though he was shuffled in and out of the lineup with an injured Phil Simms, Jeff Hostetler was instrumental in helping the Giants win their 2nd Super Bowl. After the 1992 season, he had 4 solid years as a starter in Oakland, throwing to the likes of Tim Brown – Hostetler even made the 1994 Pro Bowl. Though he was only a starter for a handful of seasons, Hostetler had a good career arc between 91-96 that many QB’s would be envious of – 4 playoff victories are a pretty big deal as well.
#89: Joe Ferguson (1973-1990, BUF/DET/TB/IND)
Notables: Led the Bills to their first ever NFL playoff win in 1981, led the NFL in TD’s in 1975 with 25
Ferguson was always more of a compiler at QB (throwing for 209 picks, but 29800 passing yards in his NFL tenure). But Joe was also incredibly tough and durable – starting a full season of games 10 times, including every game from 1977-1983. Until Jim Kelly came around, Ferguson was the Bills QB, and given that he led the Bills to their first every playoff win in 1981, Joe has a place in Bills history.
#88: John Hadl (1962-1977, SDG/RAM/GNB/HOU)
Notables: 68/69/72/73 Pro Bowler (the former being AFL Pro Bowl), led league in passing yards/TD’s twice (1968, 1971), started 224 consecutive games at QB – a record that stood until Brett Favre broke it.
The original Chargers gunslinger, in some ways, Hadl was Brett Favre before he existed (in terms of slinging the ball around and durability). In 1973, he led a Rams team that won their division with a 12-2 record…yet had to go on the road to face 10-4 Dallas, thanks to the archaic playoff rules of the time.
Hadl was one of the most durable players in NFL history, and that will probably always be his claim to fame – but he had a great arm, too.
#87: Andy Dalton (2011-Present, CIN)
Notables: 2 Pro Bowls (2011, 2014)
If Dalton could ever even win one playoff game, he’d be higher on this list. As of this writing, the Bengals are 4-0 and Dalton is off to a really, really good start. And Dalton has thrown an incredible 108 TD’s in his 4 seasons and change…but he’s also thrown 10+ picks in each season, and has thrown just 1 TD (against 6 picks) in 4 playoff games. Maybe this could be the year Dalton and Cincy puts it all together for a playoff run?
One thing’s for sure, Dalton is a solid (if ridiculously inconsistent) QB, but only time will tell how far Dalton advances on this list. As of now, he’s a QB with playoff failures who’s also reached 2 Pro Bowls in 4 years. I wonder how many other QB’s have done that in their first 4 seasons?
#86: Stan Humphries (1988-1990, 1992-1997, WSH/SD)
Notables: Led the Chargers to their only SB appearance in 1994, one of a select few QB’s to throw a 99-yard pass
Until Philip Rivers or a future successor leads the Chargers to a Super Bowl victory, Humphries will always be known as the player who did what Dan Fouts could not – lead the Chargers to a Super Bowl appearance. Humphries helped beat one of the best teams in Steelers history (on the road, no less) to advance to the 1994 Super Bowl. They may have been pounded, sure, but let’s be honest – the team they faced, the 49ers, were one of the best teams in NFL history. Humphries racked up a total of 50 career wins in just 81 starts, which is rather impressive considering the Chargers have been known for having tremendous QB’s in their existence.
#85: Joe Namath (1965-1977, NYJ/Rams)
Notables: 1967-1969/1972 Pro Bowler, “The Guarantee”, Super Bowl III MVP, numerous other superlatives. Namath is an icon of NFL lore.
Joe Namath’s career passing statistics aren’t very impressive. He won as much as he lost, threw 220 career INT’s (!!!), completed half his passes, and didn’t make the playoffs again after winning Super Bowl III. Why is he on this list then, despite having worse stats than probably every QB here? Easy. Namath is an integral part of NFL lore, and he led the underdog Jets to a Super Bowl III victory against the 1968 Colts – considered to be one of, if not arguably, the greatest NFL teams of all time. The Jets haven’t been back to the big game since.
Namath also made 5 Pro Bowls, and he led the NFL in both passing yards, passing TD’s, and YPA in 1972.
#84: David Garrard (2002-2010, JAX)
Notables: Led the Jaguars to their most recent playoff victory (2007, @PIT), 2009 Pro Bowler with over 3900 total yards passing and rushing, threw just 3 INTS over 325 PA’s in 2007
In 76 career starts, you’d probably say a TD-INT ratio of 89-54 was rather impressive, right? At least the player was able to limit turnovers, and said player probably played in an average offense that ran the ball a lot.
That player would be Jaguars QB David Garrard. He led the Jags to a huge playoff upset @PIT in 2007, ran for 1746 yards and 17 TD’s in 76 starts, and was generally a solid, occasionally really good QB. Why isn’t he higher on this list, then, despite these efficient stats? Easy – he started just 8 games his first 4 years in the league, and only played for 5 years after that – starting 68 games in those 5 years.
Garrard was never a star, but had he played in a more high-powered offense, he would’ve made far more than just 1 Pro Bowl appearance.
#83: Aaron Brooks (2000-2006, NO/OAK)
Notables: Led the Saints to their first ever playoff victory in 2000, against the defending Super Bowl champion Rams. 1534 career rushing yards (solid mobile QB). Best year was likely 2003 where Brooks put up a 24-8 TD/INT ratio, leading the NFL in INT%.
Aaron Brooks is an integral part of the Saints history. After decades of losing, he helped the Saints finally win a 2000 playoff game, setting the stage for their Super Bowl win years later – though it was obviously Drew Brees who helmed that team. If you throw out Brooks’ abysmal 2006 season with dumspter fire Oakland, he’d have a career TD/INT ratio of 120-84. You can also kinda-sorta ignore the Katrina year of 2005, because let’s be honest, no team could’ve won under those extreme conditions. He really should’ve made a Pro Bowl in 2003. Also, in his 90 career starts, he led 12 4th quarter comebacks. Impressive.
#82: Doug Flutie (1986-1989, 1998-2005, CHI/NWE/BUF/SD)
Notables: 1998 Pro Bowler (after almost a decade in the CFL), surprisingly mobile QB that gained 1634 rushing yards in just 66 career starts.
Doug Flutie is a unique outlier in NFL history. After a few nondescript seasons playing for the Bears and Patriots (and throwing arguably the most famous touchdown pass in college football history), he bolted for the CFL after the 1989 season, spending almost a decade in the league, and winning 3 Grey Cups. To say that him leading the 1998 Bills to a playoff appearance and making a Pro Bowl was improbable – well, that’s an understatement. 476 rushing yards at the age of 37 showed Flutie was a mobile QB, and he had a decent enough season for the 2001 Chargers, where he threw for 3464 yards in his age-39 season.
#81: Matt Schaub (2004-2014, ATL/HOU/OAK)
Notables: Led NFL in CMP/ATT/PYDS in 2009 with a 396/583/4770 line. Pro Bowls in 2009 and 2012. 63.9% career completion percentage. Career QBR of 89.5.
Schaub fell incredibly hard and fast after some truly amazing seasons as the Texans QB. Given that the team is trotting out Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer right now, I’m sure they’d trade the whole world to get Schaub back. 3 4,000 yard passing seasons, 130-86 career TD/INT ratio? Solid career if he is indeed retired, though his last 2 seasons in HOU/OAK soured what was an incredible 5-year run from 2008-2012.
