Best Quarterbacks in NFL History

The position of quarterback is one of the most prestigious in all of sports and more often than not they are named the MVP in the NFL more than any other position. A lot of talk came in the past weeks of giving Peyton Manning the title of best quarterback ever if he won his second Lombardi Trophy over the Saints. Now, with Drew Brees taking it from his grasps, a lot of people are saying he is a choke artist and his career and legacy are hurt by his final interception. However, he still has years left to play and years left to win one or two more Super Bowls to get him near the top.

Here is a list of the top ten quarterbacks in NFL history:

10. Fran Tarkenton - The former Vikings and Giants quarterback was considered the quarterback that changed the position and has led to more running and mobile quarterbacks today. He brought the Vikings to three Super Bowls and when he retired was close to every conceivable record there was.

9. Dan Marino - Probably the best pure passer the game has ever seen until Peyton came into the league, but Marino once held every major statistical record imaginable. However, the fact that he appeared in one Super Bowl and lost it does not bode well for the fact that other quarterbacks have won multiple titles.

8. Brett Favre - Favre is often considered one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history and with his record breaking career as an Iron Man, no one can argue that he deserves a spot in the top 10. The fact that he only has one Super Bowl though will hurt his case in the future.

7. Peyton Manning - With only one super bowl ring he cracks the top ten and with a lot of his career left to play, he could be much higher on this list by the time he retires. He will probably retire with every major career record and surpass some of the greats of the game. Until his retirement though and before he breaks all those records, he needs to be a little lower on the list.

6. Tom Brady - Another name that will probably be higher on this list by the time he retries and may even add a few more rings to his collection by the time he's done playing. He owns the single season touchdown record and with a great core of players, look for him to move up in statistical categories before he retires.

5. John Elway - One of the best quarterbacks of his time, Elway was nicknamed the "Comeback Kid" because of his tendency to win in the latter stages of the game. He ended his career at the peak of his game, winning back to back Super Bowls and MVP honors in each big game. No better way to go out than on top.

4. Roger Staubach - The ultimate Cowboy quarterback prototype that has been copied by Troy Aikman and Tony Romo. Staubach led his Cowboys to four Super Bowls and two titles. He turned the Cowboys into America's team.

3. Johnny Unitas - For those that watched him, they would put Johnny U at the top of the crop no matter what. Although he played in a time before the Super Bowl was around, Unitas is and should forever be in the top 5 for all time.

2. Joe Montana - Step aside Broadway Joe, the best Joe ever has to be Montana. He was the quintessential quarterback and led the 49ers to a record 4 Super Bowl wins. He is the biggest game quarterback ever arguably, and is another name that will always be in the top 5. He also groomed Steve Young who went on to win a Super Bowl himself.

1. Terry Bradshaw - The Steel Curtain obviously had a lot to do with the four Super Bowl wins that Bradshaw quarterbacked, but either way Terry knew how to win. He does not match the statistical accomplishments of say Favre or Marino, but his big game ability puts him at the top of this list.