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Mike Fanelli gives his take on the greatest quarterback of all time for every NFL team.
The world of sports is centered around the NFL, with the quarterback position being the most important in the game.
Some teams have had multiple Hall of Fame passers in their franchise history, with a few having only 2-3 starting quarterbacks in 50 years.
So, let’s look at the top quarterback in franchise history for every team in the NFL.
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Arizona Cardinals – Kurt Warner
Warner made it to the Hall of Fame in 2017. The superstar had two Hall of Fame-worthy careers in the NFL, playing outstanding football for the St. Louis Rams and the Cardinals. During his five years with Arizona, Warner averaged 259.7 passing yards and 1.6 touchdowns per game.
Atlanta Falcons – Matt Ryan
Many questioned the Falcons' decision to draft Ryan in 2008. However, the former Boston College star was what the team needed following the Michael Vick fiasco. Ryan spent all but one year of his NFL career in Atlanta, holding the franchise record in several passing categories.
"Get ******* set!"
EVERY @M_Ryan02 TD from his Falcons careerhttps://t.co/4yVnQQtuax pic.twitter.com/2ZUecy4yWW
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 23, 2024
Baltimore Ravens – Lamar Jackson
While Jackson still has most of his career ahead of him, he is already the best quarterback in franchise history. The superstar has won two NFL MVP Awards, including last year. Yet, he is coming off his best season and likely will take home the award again next week.
Buffalo Bills – Josh Allen
The Bills have had multiple elite quarterbacks in franchise history. While Jim Kelly deserves significant respect, Allen is arguably one of the top-10 quarterbacks of all time. The superstar has accounted for at least 40 touchdowns in five consecutive years.
Carolina Panthers – Cam Newton
Newton has plenty of haters, but the former No. 1 overall pick turned around a struggling Panthers franchise. He had the best individual year in team history, winning the NFL MVP Award in 2015 and leading Carolina to the Super Bowl.
Chicago Bears – Jay Cutler
Unfortunately, the Bears have had one of the worst selection of quarterbacks in league history. Hopefully, Caleb Williams can eventually break that trend. However, Cutler has been the franchise’s top passer, playing eight years in Chicago, totaling 23,443 passing yards and 154 touchdowns.
Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow
While only five years into his NFL career, Burrow is already the top passer in franchise history. The former LSU star led the Bengals to playoffs in his second year. Furthermore, he got Cincinnati to the Super Bowl that season. While they didn’t come away victorious, Burrow has given hope to a once-struggling franchise.
Joe Burrow's first playoff TD goes to CJ Uzomah!#RuleTheJungle #SuperWildCard
📺: #LVvsCIN on NBC
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/PfH6UIf5zC— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2022
Cleveland Browns – Baker Mayfield
The original Browns left Cleveland after the 1995 season to become the Baltimore Ravens. Therefore, this pick is only about the franchise since they returned in 1999. Unfortunately, The Browns have had the worst luck at the quarterback position, with Baker Mayfield being the only one to ever give the fan base any feeling of hope.
Dallas Cowboys – Roger Staubach
Dallas has had several Hall of Famers in franchise history, including multiple a the quarterback position. The debate between Staubach and Troy Aikman could be either way, depending on which fan you ask. However, Staubach was the leader of the Tom Landry Cowboy teams that dominated during the 1970s.
Denver Broncos – John Elway
Some younger fans would pick Peyton Manning after he gave the team their last Super Bowl victory. However, the Mike Shanahan and Elway teams of the late 1990s were historical. Elway had one of the best arms in NFL history, totaling over 51,000 passing yards and 300 touchdowns in his career.
Detroit Lions – Matthew Stafford
Unfortunately, Stafford couldn’t bring a title home to Detroit. However, the future Hall of Famer’s trade jump-started the Lions’ rebuilding process. Yet, the former No. 1 overall pick finished his time in Detroit as a hero, showing elite toughness while playing through several significant injuries.
Green Bay Packers – Aaron Rodgers
There hasn’t been a more fortunate franchise than the Packers at the quarterback position. They have gone from Bart Starr to Brett Favre to Rodgers to potentially Jordan Love. While Rodgers isn’t the superstar he once was, the veteran is the only quarterback with three seasons of at least 40 passing touchdowns and under seven interceptions.
Seasons in @NFL history with 40+ TD passes & 7 or fewer INTs:
Aaron Rodgers, 2011 - 45/6
Aaron Rodgers, 2016 - 40/7
Aaron Rodgers, 2020 - 48/5#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/O4S5kmhOI8— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 4, 2021
Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud
The Texans have only been around for 23 years. They spent most of those years with awful quarterback production despite drafting several passers with a top-five selection. However, the team finally has their franchise quarterback in Stroud. He has led the team to a playoff win in both of his first two NFL seasons.
Indianapolis Colts – Peyton Manning
Manning is the clear-cut pick for the Colts after an outstanding career. The Hall of Famer is one of the top quarterbacks in NFL history. He won four MVP Awards and made the Pro Bowl 11 times during his 13 seasons in Indianapolis.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Mark Brunell
Hopefully, Trevor Lawrence can take over this honor someday. However, Brunell has been the franchise’s top quarterback. Jacksonville made the playoffs four times in the first five years with him under center, including a pair of appearances in the AFC Title Game.
Kansas City Chiefs – Patrick Mahomes
Since taking over as the team’s starting quarterback in 2018, Mahomes has been the top quarterback in the NFL. The future Hall of Famer has at least made it to the AFC Championship Game every year as the starter. More importantly, he is on his way to his fifth Super Bowl in the past six years, potentially bringing home his fourth trophy.
Patrick Mahomes since becoming the starter:
Year 1: AFC Championship
Year 2: Won Super Bowl
Year 3: Lost Super Bowl
Year 4: AFC Championship
Year 5: Won Super Bowl
Year 6: Won Super Bowl
Year 7: Super BowlNever been a better start to a career in the history of the game.
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) January 27, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders – Derek Carr
Unfortunately, Carr’s time with the Raiders ended poorly. However, the former Fresno State star had an outstanding career with the franchise, including the move from Oakland to Las Vegas. He finished his nine years with the Raiders, totaling over 35,000 passing yards and 217 touchdowns.
Los Angeles Chargers – Philip Rivers
While Justin Herbert will likely take this honor at some point over the next decade, Rivers is arguably one of the most underrated quarterbacks in NFL history. Rivers broke all of Dan Fouts franchise records, totaling 59,271 passing yards and 397 touchdowns while playing through a playoff game with a torn ACL.
Los Angeles Rams – Matthew Stafford
Stafford is one of two quarterbacks to make this list for two teams. While the future Hall of Famer’s time with the Detroit Lions lacked playoff success, that hasn’t been the case in Los Angeles. The veteran won the Super Bowl in his first season with the team, building an excellent connection with Cooper Kupp.
Two months ago, Cooper Kupp capped off a remarkable season with the game-winning TD to give the @RamsNFL their first Super Bowl championship since 1999!#RamsHouse | @NFL pic.twitter.com/IZN9XDRHW7
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) April 13, 2022
Miami Dolphins – Dan Marino
Miami has had several outstanding quarterbacks in franchise history, including Hall of Famer Bob Griese. However, Marino is at the top of the list. He was the NFL’s MVP Award winner in 1984. While Marino only made one Super Bowl in his career, he holds several team passing records.
Minnesota Vikings – Fran Tarkenton
Some will argue that Daunte Culpepper deserves this honor. However, Tarkenton is an icon in Minnesota, posting a 91-73-6 record as the team’s starting quarterback. He was a dual-threat quarterback before it became the norm. Tarkenton owns the team records for passing yards and touchdowns.
New England Patriots – Tom Brady
The greatest quarterback of all time makes the list for the first of two times. Brady is the clear-cut best player in Patriots history, accounting for all six of the franchise’s Super Bowl victories. Despite being a sixth-round draft pick, he has been the best to ever play the game of football.
7 Super Bowl wins
5 Super Bowl MVPs
3 NFL MVPs
15 Pro Bowls
6 All Pros
Most career wins
Most career passing yards
Most career passing TD
Made the playoffs in 20 of 21 seasons as a starter
Most clutch player everCongrats to Tom Brady, the 🐐🐐🐐
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 1, 2023
New Orleans Saints – Drew Brees
Older fans will make a case for Archie Manning over Brees. However, the former Purdue star led the team through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Furthermore, he made the Pro Bowl almost every year with the Saints, consistently putting himself in the MVP race despite never winning the award.
New York Giants – Eli Manning
While he started off as the younger brother of Peyton Manning, Eli built a Hall of Famer career for himself. The younger Manning didn’t put up the passing numbers like his big brother. Yet, Eli’s top accomplishment will be going 2-0 in the Super Bowl, with both wins coming over Tom Brady.
New York Jets – Joe Namath
Broadway Joe is the only quarterback in franchise history to win the Super Bowl, proudly guaranteeing a win over Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts. While the Jets look for their next franchise quarterback, fans should be grateful for the Hall of Famer.
Philadelphia Eagles – Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia is arguably the hardest city to play in America. However, Hurts has stood up to the challenge despite not being a top-tier passer. The former Oklahoma star is on his way to the Super Bowl for the second time in the past three years.
Two-time NFC Champion, Jalen Hurts ‼️ pic.twitter.com/EfdMSIs9vD
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 27, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers – Terry Bradshaw
Fans could go in one of two directions with this pick, with Bradshaw or Ben Roethlisberger. However, the Hall of Famer has four Super Bowl rings from the 1970s, leading one of the most impressive teams in the NFL during his playing days.
San Francisco 49ers – Joe Montana
The 49ers have had several talented quarterbacks in franchise history. However, Montana and Steve Young rise above the rest. While he finished his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Montana will always be remembered as a 49er, winning three Super Bowl MVP awards.
Seattle Seahawks – Russell Wilson
Wilson took the NFL by storm as a rookie. The Seahawks signed Matt Flynn to a significant free-agent contract the same year they spent a third-round pick on Wilson. Yet, the rookie won the starting role and never looked back, posting a 104-5301 record in 10 years with the team, making the Super Bowl in his second season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tom Brady
You know you’re the greatest quarterback of all time if you have more Super Bowl wins than any team in the NFL. After 20 years with the New England Patriots, Brady won the Super Bowl in his first season with the Buccaneers, defeating Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
3 years ago today the Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs to capture their 2nd Super Bowl title.
This was Tom Brady’s 7th Super Bowl win. #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/Nb6VGxk8E0
— A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) February 7, 2024
Tennessee Titan – Warren Moon
Unfortunately, this was a tough call between Moon and Steve McNair. However, I give a slight edge to Moon. He is in the Hall of Fame after finishing his career as the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.
Washington Commanders – Joe Theismann
Hopefully, Jayden Daniels can end his career as the best quarterback in Washington franchise history. The Commanders, formerly known as the Redskins, have multiple quarterbacks in the Hall of Fame. However, Theismann is the most notable after defeating the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII.
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