Who are the most productive quarterbacks in NFL history? That’s the question at the heart of our NFL 100 for Quarterbacks project, which will be updated at the conclusion of each season.

Using data from 1950 through the present day, QB Math has come up with an objective methodology, weighing a player’s longevity, average level of play, and peak performance to build a numbers-based hierarchy of every quarterback who has recorded at least one qualified appearance (five or more total attempts).

The foundational cornerstone of the rankings is our Rolling Player Rating (RPR), which begins with our Total Yards Added metric that evaluates a player’s passing performance, rushing performance, fumble avoidance, and sack avoidance. Each data point is essentially an evaluation of how a quarterback performed over his last 10 appearances.

From there, the NFL 100 looks at four different evaluations of players’ career scores in RPR:

  • RPR Sum: Calculated by adding together all RPR scores in a player’s career to look at total value added and reward longevity.
  • RPR Average: Calculated by averaging together all RPR scores in a player’s career to look at value added in an average start and reward a higher baseline level of performance.
  • 16-Game Peak Average: Calculated by averaging together a player’s top 16 RPR scores throughout a career, even if they didn’t come in consecutive fashion. This rewards a player’s ability to reach a high level of play and either sustain it or achieve that level again and again.
  • True Peak: A player’s highest career score in RPR, which rewards the best 10-game stretch achieved by each player.

Those scores were calculated for every quarterback in NFL history (1950-present), including both regular-season and postseason performances, but the work wasn’t done there. Z-scores were then calculated in each category for each player so that the relative gap between quarterbacks mattered more than their pure ranks. From there, the four resulting Z-scores were summed to form the overall productivity rating used as the baseline for the historical hierarchy.

In essence, the idea is to reward different career paths by acknowledging that various trajectories can yield similar impacts. For example, consider the following two players, who wound up next to one another in the all-time standings while taking disparate routes:

161. Kordell Stewart: 1.538 productivity score

  • RPR Sum: -1036.764 (No. 740 all-time)
  • RPR Average: -12.491 (No. 559 all-time)
  • 16-Game Peak: 44.052 (No. 135 all-time)
  • True Peak: 77.381 (No. 95 all-time)

162. Don Strock: 1.521 productivity score

  • RPR Sum: 168.848 (No. 131 all-time)
  • RPR Average: 4.329 (No. 133 all-time)
  • 16-Game Peak: 25.268 (No. 177 all-time)
  • True Peak: 40.519 (No. 199 all-time)

Stewart put together a relatively long career (non-legend division), starting the majority of games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the late 1990s and early 2000s before finishing his career with the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens in nondescript fashion. He made one Pro Bowl and showed off enough mobility that he was able to remain productive at his peak and have top outputs that more than cancel out the overall negative score produced by a career with similarly low valleys.

Strock, though, was more mediocre throughout. His highs were lower, and his lows were higher. Only 22 of his 167 regular-season appearances (most of which came with the Miami Dolphins) were starts, and that prevented him from rising too high or falling too low.

Those trajectories are nothing alike, yet they’ve yielded similar scores here. And that’s the entire point as the methodology can reward astronomical peaks that were never sustainable, short-but-memorable careers, long-tenured above-averageness, and so much more.

However, the NFL 100 is, unfortunately, not built to give due credit to quarterbacks whose careers began — or took place entirely — before 1950, when we first have access to full game logs.

Take Otto Graham as an example. Spoiler alert: He checks in at No. 18 in the NFL 100 even though a significant chunk of his career doesn’t factor into the analysis.

  • Otto Graham pre-1950: 54 games (43 starts), 10,085 passing yards, 86 touchdowns, 41 interceptions, 200 yards, 11 touchdowns, 0 fumbles
  • Otto Graham post-1950: 72 games (71 starts), 13,499 passing yards, 88 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 682 rushing yards, 33 touchdowns, 35 fumbles

Graham would most assuredly rank even higher if the methodology were able to assess the totality of his career. How much higher? That part will remain up for interpretation, but it’s worth keeping that shortcoming in mind whenever you come across a player whose career didn’t begin until the middle of the 20th century.

Now, let’s run through the honorable mentions closest to making the top-100 cutoff, note the top active players who fell short of the NFL 100, and then dive into the actual rankings.

Honorable Mentions: Jake Delhomme (3.345), Jim Hart (3.386), Josh Allen (3.39), Eli Manning (3.425), Erik Kramer (3.445), Jim Plunkett (3.456), Dave Krieg (3.467), Matt Hasselbeck (3.468), Derek Carr (3.583), Tony Eason (3.597)

Top Active Threats: Jameis Winston (1.408), Baker Mayfield (1.479), Kyler Murray (2.51), Jimmy Garoppolo (2.571), Joe Burrow (2.636), Cam Newton (2.729), Justin Herbert (2.857), Ryan Tannehill (3.256), Josh Allen (3.39), Derek Carr (3.583)

100. Ed Brown: 3.631

  • Teams: Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts
  • Years: 1954-65
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 593.856 (No. 98)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 5.71 (No. 117)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 57.641 (No. 86)
  • True Peak: 72.62 (No. 112)

99. Ron Jaworski: 3.675

  • Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs
  • Years: 1974-89
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 746.944 (No. 90)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 4.947 (No. 126)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 55.761 (No. 96)
  • True Peak: 74.595 (No. 104)

98. Doug Williams: 3.702

  • Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders
  • Years: 1978-89
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 870.96 (No. 86)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 10.369 (No. 89)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 48.392 (No. 118)
  • True Peak: 72.274 (No. 113)

97. Vinny Testaverde: 3.727

  • Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers
  • Years: 1987-2007
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: -37.947 (No. 482)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: -0.172 (No. 459)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 70.639 (No. 50)
  • True Peak: 86.046 (No. 69)

96. Wade Wilson: 3.745

  • Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders
  • Years: 1981-98
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 172.368 (No. 130)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 1.833 (No. 151)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 61.763 (No. 73)
  • True Peak: 89.52 (No. 63)

95. Marc Bulger: 3.751

  • Teams: St. Louis Rams
  • Years: 2002-09
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 463.012 (No. 111)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 5.384 (No. 122)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 59.696 (No. 80)
  • True Peak: 78.75 (No. 89)

94. Jeff George: 3.756

  • Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders
  • Years: 1990-2001
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 594.693 (No. 98)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 4.915 (No. 129)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 59.74 (No. 79)
  • True Peak: 76.625 (No. 97)

93. Tom Flores: 3.785

  • Teams: Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs
  • Years: 1960-69
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 386.227 (No. 115)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 5.44 (No. 121)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 48.301 (No. 119)
  • True Peak: 96.822 (No. 43)

92. Greg Cook: 3.789

  • Teams: Cincinnati Bengals
  • Years: 1969-73
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 60.742 (No. 148)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 60.742 (No. 3)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 3.796 (No. 249)
  • True Peak: 60.742 (No. 145)

91. Bobby Thomason: 3.841

  • Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles
  • Years: 1949-1957
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 369.07 (No. 118)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 6.151 (No. 113)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 54.896 (No. 101)
  • True Peak: 89.59 (No. 62)

Note: The first six games (zero starts) of Bobby Thomason’s career predated the 1950 cutoff and are not included in these rankings.

90. Elvis Grbac: 3.887

  • Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens
  • Years: 1994-2001
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 601.975 (No. 97)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 7.921 (No. 104)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 57.236 (No. 89)
  • True Peak: 79.469 (No. 86)

89. Doug Flutie: 3.943

  • Teams: Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers
  • Years: 1986-2005
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,061.051 (No. 77)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 14.339 (No. 72)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 50.421 (No. 112)
  • True Peak: 67.578 (No. 123)

88. Lynn Dickey: 3.949

  • Teams: Houston Oilers, Green Bay Packers
  • Years: 1971-85
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 282.082 (No. 122)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 2.496 (No. 148)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 60.073 (No. 77)
  • True Peak: 96.27 (No. 44)

87. Bill Kenney: 3.962

  • Teams: Kansas City Chiefs
  • Years: 1980-88
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 766.915 (No. 89)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 10.226 (No. 90)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 55.527 (No. 97)
  • True Peak: 76.534 (No. 98)

86. Brian Griese: 3.977

  • Teams: Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears
  • Years: 1998-2008
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 37.665 (No. 155)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 0.483 (No. 162)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 56.326 (No. 93)
  • True Peak: 111.952 (No. 25)

85. James Harris: 3.988

  • Teams: Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers
  • Years: 1969-79
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 971.9 (No. 78)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 20.248 (No. 49)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 50.755 (No. 111)
  • True Peak: 60.309 (No. 148)

84. Charley Johnson: 4.07

  • Teams: St. Louis Rams, Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos
  • Years: 1961-75
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,175.397 (No. 72)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 9.112 (No. 97)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 51.082 (No. 109)
  • True Peak: 78.861 (No. 88)

83. Nick Foles: 4.144

  • Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears
  • Years: 2012-present
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 144.228 (No. 137)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 2.487 (No. 148)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 64.265 (No. 66)
  • True Peak: 102.248 (No. 36)

82. John Hadl: 4.145

  • Teams: San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Houston Oilers
  • Years: 1962-77
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,072.179 (No. 76)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 5.796 (No. 115)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 59.641 (No. 81)
  • True Peak: 79.483 (No. 86)

81. Brad Johnson: 4.147

  • Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys
  • Years: 1994-2008
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 909.873 (No. 82)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 6.74 (No. 110)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 60.136 (No. 76)
  • True Peak: 81.113 (No. 81)

80. Steve Grogan: 4.158

  • Teams: New England Patriots
  • Years: 1975-90
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,723.941 (No. 60)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 12.402 (No. 80)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 52.411 (No. 107)
  • True Peak: 61.231 (No. 144)

79. Billy Wade: 4.212

  • Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears
  • Years: 1954-66
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,218.523 (No. 71)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 11.495 (No. 85)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 54.554 (No. 102)
  • True Peak: 74.733 (No. 103)

78. Bob Berry: 4.229

  • Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons
  • Years: 1965-75
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,382.708 (No. 65)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 26.591 (No. 31)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 43.091 (No. 137)
  • True Peak: 58.433 (No. 153)

77. Joe Namath: 4.258

  • Teams: New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams
  • Years: 1965-77
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,251.631 (No. 69)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 9.411 (No. 96)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 60.424 (No. 75)
  • True Peak: 72.054 (No. 114)

76. Colin Kaepernick: 4.312

  • Teams: San Francisco 49ers
  • Years: 2011-16
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 620.41 (No. 96)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 10.884 (No. 87)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 56.917 (No. 90)
  • True Peak: 91.594 (No. 59)

75. Brian Sipe: 4.46

  • Teams: Cleveland Browns
  • Years: 1974-83
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 680.822 (No. 91)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 6.189 (No. 112)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 69.802 (No. 53)
  • True Peak: 88.164 (No. 64)

74. Chad Pennington: 4.565

  • Teams: New York Jets, Miami Dolphins
  • Years: 2000-10
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,279.787 (No. 68)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 15.236 (No. 68)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 56.692 (No. 91)
  • True Peak: 78.174 (No. 90)

73. Bill Nelsen: 4.581

  • Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns
  • Years: 1963-72
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,322.907 (No. 67)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 17.877 (No. 56)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 57.426 (No. 87)
  • True Peak: 71.897 (No. 115)

72. Bobby Layne: 4.585

  • Teams: Chicago Bears, New York Bulldogs, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Years: 1948-62
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,168.16 (No. 73)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 8.226 (No. 102)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 63.443 (No. 67)
  • True Peak: 85.901 (No. 70)

Note: The first 23 games (13 starts) of Bobby Layne’s career predated the 1950 cutoff and are not included in these rankings.

71. Jim Everett: 4.63

  • Teams: Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers
  • Years: 1986-97
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,638.731 (No. 61)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 10.641 (No. 88)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 62.068 (No. 71)
  • True Peak: 73.524 (No. 107)

70. Jared Goff: 4.655

  • Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions
  • Years: 2016-present
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 551.674 (No. 101)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 6.896 (No. 109)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 69.166 (No. 56)
  • True Peak: 98.898 (No. 42)

69. Ken Stabler: 4.683

  • Teams: Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints
  • Years: 1970-84
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 884.034 (No. 85)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 5.457 (No. 120)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 71.522 (No. 47)
  • True Peak: 91.474 (No. 60)

68. Andrew Luck: 4.74

  • Teams: Indianapolis Colts
  • Years: 2012-18
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,082.694 (No. 75)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 12.738 (No. 77)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 56.54 (No. 92)
  • True Peak: 95.024 (No. 49)

67. Ken O’Brien: 4.814

  • Teams: New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles
  • Years: 1984-93
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 359.824 (No. 120)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 3.129 (No. 140)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 81.768 (No. 34)
  • True Peak: 100.711 (No. 39)

66. Michael Vick: 4.98

  • Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Years: 2001-15
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,519.101 (No. 52)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 12.874 (No. 76)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 61.806 (No. 72)
  • True Peak: 87.177 (No. 66)

65. Frank Ryan: 4.982

  • Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders
  • Years: 1958-70
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,968.576 (No. 57)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 19.112 (No. 53)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 53.099 (No. 105)
  • True Peak: 76.043 (No. 101)

64. Jim McMahon: 5.009

  • Teams: Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers
  • Years: 1982-96
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,239.998 (No. 70)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 11.923 (No. 83)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 65.09 (No. 62)
  • True Peak: 92.678 (No. 57)

63. Earl Morrall: 5.126

  • Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins
  • Years: 1956-76
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,274.338 (No. 50)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 16.245 (No. 65)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 57.878 (No. 85)
  • True Peak: 73.546 (No. 106)

62. Mark Brunell: 5.146

  • Teams: Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets
  • Years: 1994-2011
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,283.311 (No. 49)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 14.451 (No. 71)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 58.949 (No. 83)
  • True Peak: 76.165 (No. 100)

61. Craig Morton: 5.151

  • Teams: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Denver Broncos
  • Years: 1965-82
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,011.197 (No. 55)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 11.971 (No. 82)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 64.639 (No. 64)
  • True Peak: 80.132 (No. 84)

60. Steve Beuerlein: 5.157

  • Teams: Los Angeles Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos
  • Years: 1988-2003
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 934.334 (No. 80)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 8.268 (No. 101)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 69.602 (No. 55)
  • True Peak: 107.165 (No. 31)

59. Bernie Kosar: 5.177

  • Teams: Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins
  • Years: 1985-96
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,420.716 (No. 64)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 12.462 (No. 79)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 64.325 (No. 65)
  • True Peak: 95.132 (No. 48)

58. Milt Plum: 5.271

  • Teams: Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants
  • Years: 1957-69
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 625.232 (No. 95)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 5.684 (No. 118)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 78.586 (No. 38)
  • True Peak: 112.505 (No. 23)

57. John Brodie: 5.435

  • Teams: San Francisco 49ers
  • Years: 1957-73
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,995.771 (No. 56)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 11.88 (No. 84)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 71.423 (No. 48)
  • True Peak: 83.601 (No. 75)

56. Neil Lomax: 5.51

  • Teams: St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals
  • Years: 1981-88
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,424.377 (No. 63)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 14.993 (No. 69)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 67.211 (No. 58)
  • True Peak: 100.421 (No. 41)

55. Lamar Jackson: 5.621

  • Teams: Baltimore Ravens
  • Years: 2018-present
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,152.883 (No. 74)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 25.62 (No. 33)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 59.93 (No. 78)
  • True Peak: 101.573 (No. 37)

54. Roman Gabriel: 5.802

  • Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles
  • Years: 1962-77
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,735.675 (No. 41)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 16.887 (No. 60)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 66.433 (No. 60)
  • True Peak: 77.934 (No. 92)

53. Carson Palmer: 5.813

  • Teams: Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals
  • Years: 2004-17
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,219.768 (No. 51)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 12.684 (No. 78)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 77.266 (No. 41)
  • True Peak: 84.671 (No. 73)

52. Matt Schaub: 5.853

  • Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens
  • Years: 2004-20
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,339.848 (No. 47)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 24.122 (No. 37)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 65.045 (No. 63)
  • True Peak: 78.162 (No. 90)

51. Deshaun Watson: 6.084

  • Teams: Houston Texans
  • Years: 2017-present
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,761.01 (No. 58)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 36.688 (No. 15)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 62.301 (No. 70)
  • True Peak: 82.223 (No. 79)

50. Bob Griese: 6.098

  • Teams: Miami Dolphins
  • Years: 1967-80
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,080.084 (No. 36)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 19.372 (No. 51)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 63.437 (No. 67)
  • True Peak: 81.028 (No. 82)

49. Greg Landry: 6.166

  • Teams: Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts, Chicago Bears
  • Years: 1968-84
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,184.6 (No. 52)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 21.418 (No. 45)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 68.317 (No. 57)
  • True Peak: 95.618 (No. 46)

48. Jeff Hostetler: 6.28

  • Teams: New York Giants, Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, Washington Commanders
  • Years: 1985-97
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,109.149 (No. 53)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 24.814 (No. 36)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 70.268 (No. 52)
  • True Peak: 93.4 (No. 55)

47. Joe Theismann: 6.491

  • Teams: Washington Commanders
  • Years: 1974-85
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,315.235 (No. 48)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 17.809 (No. 57)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 77.515 (No. 40)
  • True Peak: 100.608 (No. 40)

46. Terry Bradshaw: 6.556

  • Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Years: 1970-83
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,610.244 (No. 28)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 20.63 (No. 48)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 66.488 (No. 59)
  • True Peak: 80.696 (No. 83)

45. Matthew Stafford: 6.595

  • Teams: Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams
  • Years: 2009-present
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,955.345 (No. 38)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 16.51 (No. 63)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 70.348 (No. 51)
  • True Peak: 100.974 (No. 38)

44. Daryle Lamonica: 6.785

  • Teams: Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders
  • Years: 
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,874.204 (No. 39)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 23.754 (No. 40)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 74.896 (No. 43)
  • True Peak: 91.451 (No. 60)

43. Boomer Esiason: 6.824

  • Teams: Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals
  • Years: 1984-97
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,975.238 (No. 37)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 16.715 (No. 61)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 81.943 (No. 32)
  • True Peak: 94.414 (No. 53)

42. Kirk Cousins: 6.839

  • Teams: Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings
  • Years: 2012-present
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,158.959 (No. 34)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 26.546 (No. 32)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 71.376 (No. 49)
  • True Peak: 86.134 (No. 67)

41. Rich Gannon: 6.884

  • Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders
  • Years: 1987-2004
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,129.716 (No. 35)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 22.04 (No. 43)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 73.207 (No. 46)
  • True Peak: 94.65 (No. 51)

40. Troy Aikman: 7.059

  • Teams: Dallas Cowboys
  • Years: 1989-2000
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,705.948 (No. 42)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 16.012 (No. 67)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 82.901 (No. 30)
  • True Peak: 110.78 (No. 26)

39. Dak Prescott: 7.068

  • Teams: Dallas Cowboys
  • Years: 2016-present
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,621.414 (No. 44)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 32.768 (No. 21)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 74.05 (No. 45)
  • True Peak: 93.779 (No. 54)

38. John Elway: 7.176

  • Teams: Denver Broncos
  • Years: 1983-98
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 4,527.465 (No. 23)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 18.555 (No. 55)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 69.793 (No. 53)
  • True Peak: 83.388 (No. 77)

37. Randall Cunningham: 7.199

  • Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens
  • Years: 1985-2001
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,065.414 (No. 54)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 14.147 (No. 73)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 90.115 (No. 21)
  • True Peak: 126.364 (No. 13)

36. Mark Rypien: 7.199

  • Teams: Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts
  • Years: 1988-2001
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 1,739.291 (No. 59)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 18.905 (No. 54)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 88.97 (No. 23)
  • True Peak: 127.067 (No. 12)

35. Y.A. Tittle: 7.203

  • Teams: Baltimore Colts, San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants
  • Years: 1948-64
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,662.837 (No. 43)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 16.138 (No. 66)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 89.846 (No. 22)
  • True Peak: 108.52 (No. 28)

Note: The first 25 games (19 starts) of Y.A. Tittle’s career predated the 1950 cutoff and are not included in these rankings.

34. Steve McNair: 7.418

  • Teams: Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens
  • Years: 1995-2007
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,530.266 (No. 29)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 22.486 (No. 42)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 81.08 (No. 36)
  • True Peak: 95.878 (No. 45)

33. Donovan McNabb: 7.437

  • Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings
  • Years: 1999-2011
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,695.559 (No. 27)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 21.739 (No. 44)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 81.599 (No. 35)
  • True Peak: 93.294 (No. 56)

32. Daunte Culpepper: 7.494

  • Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions
  • Years: 1999-2009
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,600.149 (No. 45)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 26.806 (No. 30)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 87.539 (No. 25)
  • True Peak: 105.422 (No. 32)

31. Warren Moon: 7.594

  • Teams: Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs
  • Years: 1984-2000
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,387.183 (No. 31)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 16.523 (No. 62)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 85.345 (No. 28)
  • True Peak: 112.129 (No. 24)

30. Jim Kelly: 7.763

  • Teams: Buffalo Bills
  • Years: 1986-96
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,745.848 (No. 40)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 16.344 (No. 64)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 97.509 (No. 14)
  • True Peak: 119.324 (No. 17)

29. Norm Van Brocklin: 7.984

  • Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles
  • Years: 1949-60
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,510.403 (No. 30)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 28.774 (No. 29)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 84.307 (No. 29)
  • True Peak: 103.98 (No. 35)

Note: The first eight games (zero starts) of Norm Van Brocklin’s career predated the 1950 cutoff and are not included in these rankings.

28. Bert Jones: 8.157

  • Teams: Baltimore Colts, Los Angeles Rams
  • Years: 1973-82
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,261.52 (No. 33)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 34.697 (No. 17)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 85.851 (No. 27)
  • True Peak: 104.21 (No. 34)

27. Don Meredith: 8.178

  • Teams: Dallas Cowboys
  • Years: 1960-68
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 2,383.078 (No. 46)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 25.085 (No. 35)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 91.549 (No. 19)
  • True Peak: 137.048 (No. 8)

26. Ben Roethlisberger: 8.313

  • Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Years: 2004-21
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 5,629.466 (No. 16)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 21.405 (No. 46)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 74.587 (No. 44)
  • True Peak: 91.907 (No. 58)

25. Trent Green: 8.415

  • Teams: Washington Commanders, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins
  • Years: 1997-2008
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,721.261 (No. 26)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 33.83 (No. 18)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 81.78 (No. 33)
  • True Peak: 110.542 (No. 27)

24. Jeff Garcia: 8.734

  • Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Years: 1999-2009
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,726.466 (No. 25)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 32.125 (No. 23)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 91.985 (No. 18)
  • True Peak: 113.482 (No. 22)

23. Sonny Jurgensen: 8.752

  • Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders
  • Years: 1957-74
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 5,155.505 (No. 20)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 33.261 (No. 20)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 78.021 (No. 39)
  • True Peak: 95.31 (No. 47)

22. Russell Wilson: 8.81

  • Teams: Seattle Seahawks
  • Years: 2012-present
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 5,243.048 (No. 19)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 31.776 (No. 24)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 80.879 (No. 37)
  • True Peak: 94.611 (No. 52)

21. Bart Starr: 8.877

  • Teams: Green Bay Packers
  • Years: 1956-71
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 5,430.964 (No. 17)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 33.524 (No. 19)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 82.39 (No. 31)
  • True Peak: 87.572 (No. 65)

20. Tony Romo: 9.003

  • Teams: Dallas Cowboys
  • Years: 2004-16
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 5,080.405 (No. 21)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 40.971 (No. 13)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 76.68 (No. 42)
  • True Peak: 95.031 (No. 49)

19. Len Dawson: 9.067

  • Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Texans, Kansas City Chiefs
  • Years: 1957-75
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 4,814.593 (No. 22)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 29.358 (No. 28)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 90.55 (No. 20)
  • True Peak: 107.619 (No. 30)

18. Otto Graham: 9.691

  • Teams: Cleveland Browns
  • Years: 1946-55
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 3,366.467 (No. 32)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 48.092 (No. 7)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 92.663 (No. 17)
  • True Peak: 131.533 (No. 11)

Note: The first 54 games (43 starts) of Otto Graham’s career predated the 1950 cutoff and are not included in these rankings.

17. Matt Ryan: 9.798

  • Teams: Atlanta Falcons
  • Years: 2008-21
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 5,326.936 (No. 18)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 23.995 (No. 39)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 99.921 (No. 13)
  • True Peak: 122.976 (No. 15)

16. Brett Favre: 10.419

  • Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings
  • Years: 1991-2010
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 6,646.57 (No. 11)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 21.167 (No. 47)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 99.978 (No. 12)
  • True Peak: 121.534 (No. 16)

15. Roger Staubach: 10.607

  • Teams: Dallas Cowboys
  • Years: 1969-79
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 6,229.836 (No. 13)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 46.147 (No. 9)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 88.977 (No. 23)
  • True Peak: 107.712 (No. 29)

14. Philip Rivers: 10.818

  • Teams: San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts
  • Years: 2004-20
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 7,612.926 (No. 9)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 31.073 (No. 26)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 93.53 (No. 16)
  • True Peak: 104.421 (No. 33)

13. Dan Fouts: 10.864

  • Teams: San Diego Chargers
  • Years: 1973-87
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 6,653.155 (No. 10)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 37.588 (No. 14)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 94.272 (No. 15)
  • True Peak: 116.862 (No. 18)

12. Ken Anderson: 10.955

  • Teams: Cincinnati Bengals
  • Years: 1971-86
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 6,276.665 (No. 12)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 35.461 (No. 16)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 100.813 (No. 11)
  • True Peak: 125.253 (No. 14)

11. Fran Tarkenton: 11.12

  • Teams: Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants
  • Years: 1961-78
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 7,987.437 (No. 8)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 32.602 (No. 22)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 86.101 (No. 26)
  • True Peak: 114.599 (No. 20)

10. Patrick Mahomes: 11.285

  • Teams: Kansas City Chiefs
  • Years: 2017-present
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 4,453.148 (No. 24)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 68.51 (No. 1)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 105.816 (No. 10)
  • True Peak: 115.991 (No. 19)

9. Johnny Unitas: 11.306

  • Teams: Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers
  • Years: 1956-73
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 5,850.179 (No. 14)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 29.398 (No. 27)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 107.229 (No. 9)
  • True Peak: 153.094 (No. 3)

8. Kurt Warner: 11.694

  • Teams: St. Louis Rams, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals
  • Years: 1998-2009
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 5,734.223 (No. 15)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 45.874 (No. 10)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 111.28 (No. 8)
  • True Peak: 136.233 (No. 9)

7. Joe Montana: 14.351

  • Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs
  • Years: 1979-94
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 9,650.936 (No. 7)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 51.887 (No. 6)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 115.695 (No. 7)
  • True Peak: 133.305 (No. 10)

6. Dan Marino: 15.471

  • Teams: Miami Dolphins
  • Years: 1983-99
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 11,192.118 (No. 5)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 44.768 (No. 11)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 123.196 (No. 5)
  • True Peak: 145.282 (No. 5)

5. Steve Young: 16.115

  • Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers
  • Years: 1985-99
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 10,332.261 (No. 6)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 66.66 (No. 2)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 130.558 (No. 2)
  • True Peak: 142.965 (No. 6)

4. Aaron Rodgers: 16.612

  • Teams: Green Bay Packers
  • Years: 2005-present
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 12,290.927 (No. 4)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 56.38 (No. 5)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 125.664 (No. 4)
  • True Peak: 140.931 (No. 7)

3. Drew Brees: 17.245

  • Teams: San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints
  • Years: 2001-20
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 13,993.591 (No. 3)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 47.276 (No. 8)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 117.617 (No. 6)
  • True Peak: 152.696 (No. 4)

2. Tom Brady: 18.372

  • Teams: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Years: 2000-21
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 15,032.077 (No. 2)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 42.344 (No. 12)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 129.607 (No. 3)
  • True Peak: 167.421 (No. 1)

1. Peyton Manning: 20.192

  • Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
  • Years: 1998-2015
  • Rolling Player Rating Sum: 16,456.747 (No. 1)
  • Rolling Player Rating Average: 58.357 (No. 4)
  • 16-Game Peak Average: 138.432 (No. 1)
  • True Peak: 166.674 (No. 2)