I know it may not seem like it, but I assure you that Brett Favre will actually retire one of these days. And the NFL leader in career passing yards, touchdown passes, completions, interceptions and consecutive starts will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. So where does the gunslinger rate among the greatest quarterbacks of all-time?:
10. Terry Bradshaw. 1970-1983
One of the most successful quarterbacks, Bradshaw led the Steelers to four titles in a six-year span. But Bradshaw only made three Pro Bowls and had an abundance of talent surrounding him with two Hall of Famers at wide receiver, a running back that’s in Canton and the best defense for a decade.
9. Fran Tarkenton, 1961-1978
Tarkenton led the Vikings to three Super Bowls and retired with pretty much every passing record. But he also ended his career without winning a championship in 18 seasons. He made nine Pro Bowls and was named league MVP in 1975. Tarkenton would be higher if he got a ring.
8. Sammy Baugh, 1937-1952
A member of the inaugural class inducted into the Hall of Fame, Baugh was one of the most versatile players — leading the league in passing, punting and interceptions in 1943. Slingin’ Sammy was a passing pioneer during an era that rarely put the ball in the air. He led the Redskins to five title games and two championships.
7. Dan Marino, 1983-1999
Marino owned every record before Favre broke them. The nine-time Pro Bowler had a cannon for an arm. In 1984, Marino’s second NFL season, he broke six regular season records and made the Super Bowl. But the Dolphins lost to the 49ers and Marino never made it back to the title game in his 17-year career.
6. John Elway, 1983-1998
Elway had one of the most clutch performances in NFL history, leading the Broncos on “The Drive” in the AFC title game. But Elway’s early career was also marked with three Super Bowl losses. He ended his title drought with back-to-back championships in 1997-98 as the Broncos complimented Elway with an elite rushing attack.
5. Brett Favre, 1991-Present?
He may be hurting his legacy with his looming retirement and jersey switch from Packers’ green to Vikings’ purple, but Favre still owns every passing record, has made 11 Pro Bowls and was named NFL MVP from 1995 to 1997. He only has one Super Bowl title in 19 seasons though. Could 2010 be his year?
4. Tom Brady, 2000-Present
The three-time champion has won an NFL MVP and two Super Bowl MVPs. In 2007, Brady passed for an NFL-record 50 touchdowns and led the Patriots to an undefeated regular season, only to fall short by losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. Brady has a 14-4 career playoff record and has made five Pro Bowls.
3. Peyton Manning, 1998-Present
The 34-year-old is already in the top five in career passing touchdowns and passing yards. Manning is the model of consistency — passing for at least 26 touchdowns and 3,700 yards every season — and he has led the Colts to at least 12 wins an NFL-best seven straight years. He has an NFL-record four MVPs, but just one Super Bowl to show for it.
2. Johnny Unitas, 1956-1973
Johnny U won three MVPs, a Super Bowl and two NFL championships. Unitas led the Colts to a 23-17 sudden death overtime victory over the Giants in the 1958 championship, dubbed the “greatest game ever played.” Unitas threw a touchdown in 47 straight games with the Colts from 1956 to 1960, a record that still stands.
1. Joe Montana, 1979-1994
Joe Cool went to four Super Bowls and won all of them, being named MVP three times. The eight-time Pro Bowler is in the top 10 in career passing touchdowns and passing yards. He was the league MVP in 1989 and 1990. No quarterback was better under pressure, Montana lead his teams to 31 come-from-behind wins in the fourth quarter.
