Kozora: The Five Greatest Players in NFL History

Patrick Peterson and Bryant McFadden had an interesting discussion on their latest All Things Covered podcast. We discuss whether Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will make it into the top five quarterbacks in NFL history. Muhammad built both of his lists in different places. McFadden got him second and Peterson fifth.

While it’s not all about the Steelers, it was a quiet weekend, but I praised my roster. All-time greats are hard to come by when you’re comparing so many players from different eras, but with that in mind, here are the top five. Share your group below to see how it compares. No, there aren’t any Steelers on this list, but it’s hard to say Terry Bradshaw or Ben Roethlisberger would be that high on the list.

My Top 5 Quarterbacks in NFL History.

1 . Tom Brady (2000-2022)
It’s not easy for Steelers fans to consider the greatest quarterback of all time. Even if you admit to all the scandals, there is no arguing who is the first. This is Brady. A sixth-round pick who made 15 Pro Bowls, seven Super Bowls, five of them MVP and a three-time league MVP. a resume that may never be found. And Spygate is not the only reason for his success.

A fierce competitor and perfectionist, Brady finished his NFL career as the all-time leader in passing yards, touchdown passes and fourth quarter returns. He dominated in the 2000s, 2010s and won two Super Bowls after turning 40 years old. In his age-44 season, he threw for over 5,100 yards and 43 touchdowns, both leading the league. No one could stop Brady. Certainly not Pittsburgh.

2. Johnny Unitas (1955-1973)
In a world with so many great quarterbacks, this may not be a requirement for an all-time list, but it is important to acknowledge the early days of the game. Unitas was not the NFL’s first great quarterback, and as a proxy for football history, names like Benny Freidman, Sid Luckman, Sammy Baugh and Otto Graham are fading from the game’s collective memory.

Even if these names deserved the first five, Unitas stands out above the rest. He was the first true modern-era quarterback with timing and accuracy. Once foolishly cut by the team, Johnny U, a Steeler, made ten Pro Bowls, made five All-Pro teams, won three championships (one of which came in the Super Bowl era) and was a three-time league MVP. The first quarterback ever to score 30 touchdowns in a season led the streak in four of his first five years with the Colts. He also led the league in rushing yards four times during his career.

Perhaps his career lasted too long. Looking at his numbers before his hand injury in 1968, Unitas threw for 252 touchdowns and 189 interceptions, strong numbers for that time. He was a winner whose dazzling play helped put the NFL on the map from the late 50s to the early 60s.

3. Joe Montana (1979-1994)
Four-time Super Bowl champion, benefited from throwing to Jerry Rice, but every quarterback on this list had elite talent. Montana was one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the game with Bill Walsh’s system helping him lead the league in sacks four times.

He won four Super Bowls and was named MVP in three of them, including “The Drive’s” victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII. He made the 49ers the team of the 80s, the new dynasty of the league after the Steelers of the 70s. When he retired after the season (1994), Montana was considered the greatest quarterback in NFL history. He’s probably not at the top anymore, but remains in the top five for most fans.

4. Patrick Mahomes (2017-present)

Mahomes cracked my top five. When I started thinking about this list, I wasn’t sure if he would or not. But with his incredible resume, especially for such a young career, and the acknowledged advantage of having his entire career to look at, this spot is well deserved. It’s not just a remake. Capable of making off-platform shots that few could make, some of his biggest highlights were missing. Watch these plays back-to-back and tell me how absurd they are, even if they fell short in the Super Bowl Mahomes lost.

In six seasons as a rookie, he won three Super Bowls, MVP in all of them, was named league MVP twice, made the Pro Bowl every year and made a couple of All-Pro teams. Admits that we’ve never seen anyone reach his age. Mahomes has shown the ability to develop his game when needed, adapting to two high looks in recent years and playing a safer, smarter, yet incredibly effective game, earned him his final ring.

While Muhammad doesn’t often play from behind, he is as good as anyone in those moments. Since he made the rounds earlier this week, Mahomes is a perfect 7-for-7 when inside seven with a minute left in the season. The rest of the NFL is less than 40 percent. If (when?) he wins another ring, he’ll likely pass Montana. And he is the only name that has a chance to compete with Brady.

5. Peyton Manning (1998-2015)

Manning can still make a strong case that he is the best regular season quarterback in league history. The career of the 14-time Pro Bowler and seven-time All-Pro was just a string of video game numbers. He threw for at least 4,500 yards six times, and his 55 interceptions in 2013 are still the NFL record. Since then, only Mahomes has had an incredible 50.

He was a five-time league MVP and first voted into the Hall of Fame. The only flaw is the lack of overwhelming playoff success. Manning won two Super Bowls and went on to a third, but had just barely better than a .500 postseason record (14-13). Playing in the same era as Brady didn’t work out.