The NFL Hall of Fame is an institution that honors the best players in football history. Quarterbacks are among the most celebrated positions in the game, and their success has led to some of the greatest players ever to take up the position.
The hall of fame qbs ranked is a ranking of the NFL’s greatest Hall of Fame Quarterbacks.
Peyton Manning, the great quarterback, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2021. That’s where he entered the ranks of the game’s all-time best quarterbacks. But it also made NFL fans ponder about who is the best of all time. There are 28 quarterbacks honored at Canton, all of them have accomplished numerous great achievements.
Let’s take a look at each of these signal-callers and rate them from best to worst. This is difficult since certain players, like as Dan Marino, have racked up great individual numbers while never winning a Super Bowl. Then there are players like Joe Namath, who steered a club to its pinnacle but only had a fleeting success. Sporting News has compiled a list of the NFL’s best Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
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USA TODAY Sports is required to be credited.Joe Namath (#28)
It’s time to enrage Gang Green supporters. While Namath has a special place in Jets fans’ hearts, he is realistically one of the worst quarterbacks in Hall of Fame history. We’re not implying that he wasn’t a legend or a terrific player. After all, he was the driving force behind the Jets’ finest day. But, in terms of technical ability, he pales in comparison to Dan Marino, who never won a ring.
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Namath had a very captivating personality, which contributed to his rock star aura. Broadway Joe’s most notable accomplishment was being the first quarterback to throw for more than 4,000 yards. While many of his numbers don’t stack up against those of other players, Namath earned his place in Canton thanks to several memorable performances.
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Sonny Jurgensen (no. 27)
Jurgensen went to Washington after seven seasons in Philadelphia. He played the last 11 seasons of his Hall of Fame career there. Jurgensen was a stunning pure ball passer who remained composed in the face of adversity. He refused to be pressed by opposing defenders and maintained his composure. His lone championship victory came as a backup, although he replaced Norm Van Brocklin as the starter.
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Jurgensen was a five-time Pro Bowler, and his last two seasons in Philadelphia were his most celebrated. However, he continued his strong play in Washington, leading the league in completed passes five times. He had accumulated nearly 30,000 throwing yards by the time he retired. His magnificent 99-yard touchdown throw to Jerry Allen in 1968 was maybe his most stunning achievement.
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George Blanda (age 26)
Blanda’s longevity is one of the reasons he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He played in the NFL for 26 years and was still a dominating force at the age of 43. He finally put up his cleats as the oldest athlete in history at the age of 48. Three-time AFC champion, the 1974 NFL Man of the Year. Most Raiders fans know him from his time with the team, but he also spent time with the Bears and the Oilers.
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Blanda is ranked lower on our list because he wasn’t as important statistically as other all-time great quarterbacks, but it doesn’t make him any less of a legend. In addition, he made 335 field goals, demonstrating his flexibility. Blanda was a one-of-a-kind character who commanded respect in the locker room.
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Bob Waterfield (#25)
The Rams previously had two of the greatest quarterbacks in the NFL on their roster at the same time. For many seasons, Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin battled for the starting position. Waterfield had the upper hand at the beginning. Before moving to Los Angeles, Waterfield helped the then-Cleveland Rams win their first NFL title after WWII.
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As a result, he became the first rookie in NFL history to earn the MVP award. Van Brocklin was the unquestioned starter for five seasons before moving to Los Angeles. On the field, Waterfield was a great general, leading the league in completed passes twice. Waterfield, on the other hand, projected serenity and accuracy on the field, while Van Brocklin was more theatrical.
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Dan Fouts (#24)
Fouts, one of the greatest quarterbacks of his age, demonstrated to the then-San Diego Chargers what it meant to have a future Hall of Famer on their team. Fouts was a six-time Pro Bowler and just the third player in history to surpass 40,000 throwing yards. With Fouts at the helm, the Chargers never won a Super Bowl, but they were no longer the NFL’s laughingstock.
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In three consecutive seasons, Fouts threw for over 4,000 yards. This made him the first quarterback in history to accomplish such a feat. Injuries hampered him in his latter years, but his impact on the Chargers was undeniable. In 1982, he was named Offensive Player of the Year after leading the team forward. He earned a fortune as a color commentator after retiring.
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Bobby Layne (age 23)
Layne is associated with the Detroit Lions’ greatest successful period. He was a member of the franchise’s finest incarnation and is also to blame for their fans’ yearly disappointment. On the field, Layne, a three-time NFL champion, was calm, cool, and collected. His leadership of their 80-yard drive to defeat the Browns in 1953 is an example.
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Layne also endeared himself to fans by having a reputation for being a party animal. While that wouldn’t fly in today’s world, it helped to humanize Layne and made him very popular in the Motor City. In 15 seasons, he threw for over 26,000 yards and 196 touchdowns. Meanwhile, his friendship with coach Raymond Parker was one of the most enduring in sports.
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Warren Moon (number 22)
Moon was the first African-American quarterback to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Football League. He was a genuine trailblazer, but make no mistake: he earned it. He accepted the risk of beginning his professional career with the Edmonton Huskies in Canada. After winning the Grey Cup, he went to the United States to play with the Houston Oilers for ten seasons, where he established his reputation.
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Moon was a fantastic passer. He did, in fact, come up just shy of 50,000 total yards before retiring in 2000. The early 1990s were the finest years of his career for the nine-time Pro Bowler. He was named MVP and Offensive Player of the Year at that time. For two years in a row, he topped the league in throwing yards. A really outstanding performer.
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Bob Griese is number twenty-one.
The Miami Dolphins have two Hall of Famers among their quarterbacks. If Dan Marino dominated the 1980s, Griese dominated the 1970s. He guided them to three straight Super Bowl appearances during their most successful period in club history. Two of those games were won by Miami, ensuring Griese’s place in Canton’s history.
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Griese was one of the league’s smoothest operators. His attack was brutal and clinical, and he was very efficient. The quarterback was a superb game manager who didn’t always go for deep throws. The numbers speak for themselves, but Griese’s passing numbers are impressive as well. Miami’s incredible flawless 1972 season was headed by the six-time Pro Bowler.
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Tittle, Y.A. 20.
Is there a Texan in New York who is more popular than Tittle? He played in the NFL for 17 years with three different teams. Before joining the Forty Niners, he spent three years with the Baltimore Colts. Tittle had a successful ten-year career in San Francisco, where he developed into an outstanding quarterback. However, he was unable to secure a championship, and he was sold to New York in 1961.
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At this time, everyone believed Tittle was over, but he proved everyone wrong. This is where he established his Hall of Fame credentials. His statistics skyrocketed, and he was named league MVP for his outstanding performance. In 1963, Tittle had a 60.2 completion percentage on 36 touchdown throws. During his football career, he threw for almost 30,000 yards in total.
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Jim Kelly is 19 years old.
Before Josh Allen eventually came out as a franchise quarterback, Kelly’s enormous shadow lingered over the Buffalo Bills for decades. He led the Bills to four Super Bowl appearances in a row, but none of them were victories. However, this does not characterize his career since he was one of the best quarterbacks in the league at this time. He decided to play in the USFL before signing with the Bills, which is incredible.
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After signing with Buffalo, he became a four-time Pro Bowler. Over the course of 12 seasons, he threw for over 35,000 yards and 237 touchdowns. It’s hard to believe he didn’t win a ring while in Buffalo, but he did lead the NFL in passing in 1991. Because he was so successful in the job, Kelly made it tough for his successors. In 2002, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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Norm Van Brocklin, age 18
Van Brocklin played with the Rams for the most of his career before spending three years in Philadelphia. After his outstanding achievements for Los Angeles, it was obvious that he deserved to be in the Hall of Fame. Before departing from the NFL, the Flying Dutchman won a championship with both of his teams. He was an excellent quarterback who eventually dethroned Bob Waterfield as the Rams’ starting quarterback.
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Because of his military obligations, the Rams were hesitant to sign Van Brocklin. However, it turned out to be a fantastic choice. Van Brocklin resigned from football after an incredible few years in California. But he changed his mind and returned to Philadelphia to enjoy an Indian summer. He earned his second title at that time, as well as the league MVP award.
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Sammy Baugh (#17)
The passing range of Baugh was legendary. He set a record by leading the NFL in completions eight times and outperformed all of his opponents. Before a short stint as a coach, the quarterback spent his entire playing career with the Redskins. Baugh turned pro after excelling for the TCU Horned Frogs and went on to revolutionize the sport. To say he was a genuine innovator is an understatement.
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The Redskins had rarely utilized the forward pass until Baugh shown how deadly it might be as an offensive weapon. It may appear strange today in comparison to modern football, but it was the reality at the time. Baugh, on the other hand, was very accurate. Everyone was doing it by the conclusion of his tenure in Washington. In addition to being a great quarterback, he was also a great punter.
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Kurt Warner (nineteen)
Warner’s meteoric ascent to the top of the NFL was the stuff of fairy tales. He played Arena Football after being undrafted before attempting to get into the NFL Europe. Finally, the St. Louis Rams signed him as a free agent, but he didn’t stand a chance until Trent Green went down with a major injury. Then Warner was promoted to quarterback number one, a position he did not relinquish.
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With Warner creating plays, the Rams became the Greatest Show on Earth. He was the driving force behind the franchise’s two Super Bowl appearances, as well as a two-time MVP. He was unstoppable in the years 1999 and 2000. Warner topped the league in most passing statistics at the time, demonstrating his Hall of Fame credentials. He entered the NFL late yet went on to become an all-time great.
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Troy Aikman (#15)
Aikman is a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys and one of the franchise’s all-time best quarterbacks. In 2006, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his outstanding career. Because he was so good in Texas, Aikman was a number one draft choice who lived up to his promise. With six choices, he averaged a Pro Bowl participation every other season.
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Dallas finished 1-15 in his first season, but went on to become one of the best teams in club history. Because he passed for almost 30,000 yards in 12 seasons, Aikman was a vital cog in their machine. In addition, he was the most successful starting quarterback of the 1990s. Injuries eventually took their toll on him, but he still holds the record for the longest stay of any Cowboys quarterback.
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Fran Tarkenton (#14)
Tarkenton didn’t get to the Vikings until the third round of the 1961 draft, yet he defied all odds. Tarkenton is without a doubt Minnesota’s greatest quarterback. Before retiring from the sport, he made certain that he owned every franchise passing record. Despite three Super Bowl appearances, Tarkenton was unable to win the game, but no one guy can accomplish it alone.
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This should not detract from his other achievements, since he was a great quarterback. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection who threw for over 47,000 yards in his career. Tarkenton’s 80.4 pass rate was likewise impressive at the time. He was a fantastic all-around athlete with over 3,700 running yards. It’s a shame the Vikings haven’t had another player like him since.
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Bart Starr (#13)
Throughout the years, the Green Bay Packers have had success with their quarterbacks. Starr was the team’s first really great signal-caller, and he went on to have an incredible Hall of Fame career. Starr aided the Packers win five championships, including two Super Bowls, during the Vince Lombardi era. He also has the distinction of having won three consecutive titles. Even Tom Brady can’t make that claim.
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Because he possesses the best passer rating in playoff history, the 1966 League MVP came to life in the playoffs. When it came to the business end of the football calendar, Starr was really in a different class at 104.8. Meanwhile, fans will remember him for the Ice Bowl’s “quarterback sneak” versus the Cowboys. Starr was a charming, astute, and tough-as-nails figure.
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Len Dawson (#12)
Patrick Mahomes will one day be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Dawson, on the other hand, has been the gold standard of Kansas City quarterbacks since his induction into Canton in 1987. Before Mahomes burst onto the scene in 2018, the former Purdue college star owned every Chiefs quarterback record in the book. When the team won its first Super Bowl in 1970, he was a major figure in one of the franchise’s most memorable moments.
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For his performance in New Orleans, he also received the MVP Award. However, it isn’t the only reason he’s on our list. Because he was so good, he still retains the club records for victories, passing yards, and touchdowns. While Mahomes is likely to pass him, it’s worth remembering that Dawson accomplished this before the NFL became what it is today.
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Terry Bradshaw (#11)
Only a few quarterbacks can boast an arm as strong as Bradshaw’s. He guided the Pittsburgh Steelers to some of their most memorable moments and always showed up when it mattered. Before a certain Tom Brady came along and shattered his records, Bradshaw was the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls.
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But don’t get me wrong: Bradshaw was a genius in his own way. Those four rings came over the course of a magnificent six-year span in which he also became a two-time Super Bowl MVP. Because he called his own plays and made decisive passes, he was the epitome of a great leader. Bradshaw’s winning touchdown throw in Super Bowl X was a case in point.
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Dan Marino is number ten.
Marino never won a Super Bowl in his lengthy NFL career, but that doesn’t matter. During his 17 seasons in the NFL, he amassed some of the most impressive passing numbers ever seen by fans. Marino was the first quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards in a single season, but he also established many other milestones. Marino was the first player to pass 50,000 yards in his career.
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Then he went even farther, increasing his yards to a whopping 60,000. Marino only appeared in one Super Bowl final, which he lost to the San Francisco 49ers. Because his statistics are better than the majority of quarterbacks on this list, it’s hard to hold it against him. Because he was such a force of nature, the Miami Dolphins were very fortunate that he remained with them throughout his Hall of Fame career.
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Sid Luckman (nine)
Bears fans have forgotten what it’s like to have an excellent quarterback thanks to players like Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles. Because of his magnificent 12 seasons with the club, Luckman stands out as the best in franchise history. The Bears won four NFL championships because to his skill and intellect, but they should have won another. Regardless, Luckman was a phenomenal athlete, as his induction into the Hall of Fame attests.
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The T-formation was invented by Luckman and his offensive. He was the first quarterback to master this strategy. His passing statistics may not seem impressive at first sight, but keep in mind that this was a different period. Before the sport evolved into what it is now, Luckman was still a highly adept ball handler and signal-caller.
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Roger Staubach, No. 8
For ‘America’s Team,’ ‘The Dodger’ defined what it meant to be a franchise quarterback. The Heisman Trophy winner’s career was cut short when the navy drafted him before he could become pro. Finally, the 27-year-old returned to Dallas after serving in Vietnam. Three years later, he was promoted to the starting lineup. With the Dallas Cowboys, Staubach won two Super Bowls and established himself as an outstanding quarterback.
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Because of his incredible throwing statistics, he deserves to be at the top of this list of Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Staubach was a deadly scrambler and topped the league in most categories on numerous occasions. He ran for 2,264 yards and 20 touchdowns in addition to throwing for almost 20,000 yards. The military may have had a beneficial impact on his discipline, which helped him win a place in the Hall of Fame.
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Steve Young is number seven.
Young had the difficult job of succeeding Joe Montana as the 49ers’ head coach, but he showed himself capable. He had a difficult time getting to the starting position after arriving in San Francisco from Tampa in 1987. Young, on the other hand, overcame injuries as well as the obstacles posed by Joe Montana and Steve Bono to become the franchise’s starting quarterback. Montana was forced to leave as a result of the decision, putting weight on Young’s shoulders.
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It didn’t bother him, however. With the Niners, he became a three-time Super Bowl champion. Meanwhile, he became into one of the most accurate quarterbacks in NFL history. Young set league records for completions and touchdown passes, as well as passer ratings. After a Hall of Fame career, he stood beside Montana as a franchise legend.
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Otto Graham, no. 6
Because he played in the 1940s and 1950s, most Cleveland fans will be unfamiliar with Graham. Old-timers, on the other hand, remember him fondly because he was an all-time great. After leading the Browns to ten consecutive championship games, his position in the Hall of Fame was never in doubt. Because of Cleveland’s recent history, this may seem to be a misprint, but it isn’t.
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Graham led the Browns from the AAFC to the NFL over the course of ten seasons. His impact on the club was enormous as a three-time NFL Champion and NFL MVP. Because he continued to inspire Cleveland late in his career, this was true throughout his whole career. In his last game against the Rams, he threw a pair of touchdown passes and added two running scores of his own.
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Brett Favre, No. 5
It’s easy to forget about life before Aaron Rodgers, but Brett Favre was just as good. Before retiring in 2010, he appeared in 302 games over the course of 20 seasons. Although it is arguable that Favre should have won more than one Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers, his personal accomplishments are absurd. He was the first quarterback to pass for 70,000 yards and 500 touchdowns in a single season.
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Favre was a one-of-a-kind athlete. He went 299 games without missing a game before eventually missing one. The three-time NFL MVP was the league’s all-time top passer when he retired. He was also the first quarterback in NFL history to beat every other team. Favre’s career ended in New York and Minnesota, but his prior accomplishments ensured his induction into the Hall of Fame.
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John Elway, No. 4
Without a doubt, after spending his entire 16-year NFL career with the Broncos, Elway is the king of Denver. Then he went inside the team’s front office to cement his affection for them. Elway’s career statistics are incredible, as he set many records. With back-to-back Super Bowl victories, he cemented his immortality, but he’s already been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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Elway passed for more than 50,000 yards and 300 touchdowns in his career. Fans adored him as a quarterback because he was a force to be reckoned with. In four Super Bowls, the Broncos quarterback scored running touchdowns. Thurman Thomas, an elite running back, was the only other player to accomplish this accomplishment. Because of his personal statistics and franchise accomplishments, Elway ranks high on this list.
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Peyton Manning, No. 3
Manning was finally inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021. Because he was the greatest quarterback of his generation, this was unavoidable. Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion, led the Colts to victory in 2006. Then, in 2013, the aging great did it again with the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, he is the only quarterback in NFL history to have led two different teams to two Super Bowl appearances.
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Manning’s track record speaks for itself statistically. In throwing yards, career passing touchdowns, and single-season passing touchdowns, the 14-time Pro Bowler set records. He also holds the record for the most MVP awards in NFL history. He established a lot of other goals, but we don’t have the room to list them all here. Manning was really a force to be reckoned with.
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Johnny Unitas, No. 2
Unitas is widely regarded as the first genuine modern quarterback. With his squad, the Baltimore Colts won four titles, including Super Bowl V. With 290 touchdown passes, Unitas has the most of any quarterback of his era. During his illustrious career, he was a 10-time Pro Bowler and passed for over 40,000 passing yards.
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People speak about Tom Brady’s late-round pick, but Unitas took it a step farther. He was drafted in the ninth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers before being released. After establishing a reputation for himself in the semi-pro ranks, Unitas made a joke of the Steelers. The Colts came in, and he made the most of his second opportunity.’ Mr. Clutch was also one of the first genuine superstars in the National Football League.
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Joe Montana is number one.
Montana, not Tom Brady, is considered by some to be the best NFL quarterback of all time. It’s tough to tell, but he’s probably the greatest player in the Hall of Fame. Before joining the Chiefs, ‘Joe Cool’ played 15 seasons in the NFL and won two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. His record for most Super Bowl throws without an interception is one of his most incredible accomplishments. But he had a lot more.
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Montana wasn’t simply a great number-cruncher; he was a game-changer. His game-winning touchdown throw against Dallas in 1981 is remembered warmly by fans. In addition, the famous quarterback had a 93.3 passer rating and put up statistics that were comparable to those of his best competitors. Because of his significant impact on the Niners’ most successful period, the three-time Super Bowl MVP stands at the top of our list.
The how many qbs are in the hall of fame is a question that has been asked by many people. This ranking will answer how many quarterbacks are currently enshrined in the NFL Hall Of Fame.
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