All 32 NFL franchises statistically ranked by greatness at the quarterback position in the Super Bowl Era
By Daniel
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
15. Cincinnati Bengals: 173.5 Points
Top Three QBs: Ken Anderson, Boomer Esiason, Carson Palmer
The Bengals are an incredibly respectable quarterback franchise, despite not having much postseason success. Anderson was a truly great quarterback that many people forget about, but shouldn’t. Anderson and Esiason were both named AP MVPs in their time in Cincy. Palmer put together the best statistics of the bunch but won the least games. They combined for nine total Pro Bowls. Although, current quarterback Andy Dalton is almost certainly a lock to make this ‘top three’ in the coming years, and may even top the best of the bunch one day. He’s a truly great player and the Bengals are going to be very strong at the position for years to come. Check back in ten years and watch the Bengals be in the top 10 of this list.
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14. Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams: 183 Points
Top Three QBs: Kurt Warner, Roman Gabriel, Jim Everett
In the Super Bowl Era the Rams’ franchise has only been in two cities (were in Cleveland until 1945) and overall they’ve been pretty blessed at quarterback. Warner put together one of the best three year stretches in NFL history at the position. He was invited to three Pro Bowls, won two AP MVPs, won a Super Bowl, and passed for over 40 touchdowns in a season. But their success at quarterback stretches back further than Warner. Gabriel put together an amazing career, winning an AP MVP and being named All-Pro once; he also was a great runner. Not to be forgotten is Everett who was named to one Pro Bowl squad and passed for 3,000 yards six times. In the 1950s the Rams had Norm Van Brocklin, one of the best all-time at the position. The Rams’ future at quarterback is murky as Sam Bradford unfortunately injured his leg again. Austin Davis has filled in and played pretty well, but who knows what direction they’ll go in the offseason. Tough luck for Bradford, I wish him well.
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13. New Orleans Saints: 187.5 Points
Top Three QBs: Drew Brees, Archie Manning, Aaron Brooks
New Orleans has been around for the entirety of the Super Bowl Era, sans the first season. Even though the franchise is long tenured it’s No. 14 ranking is almost completely thanks to Drew Brees. He’s won 82 games for the Saints, brought them their only Lombardi Trophy, is a seven time Pro Bowler, and passed for 5,000 yards an amazing four times. Archie Manning was invited to two Pro Bowls and was a better running quarterback than he’s given credit for. Brooks won the second most games with 38 and passed for 4,000 yards three times. Brees will play and play at a high level for another few years — he’s hoping for 10 more. I’m taking the under on that, but expect the Saints to pass the Eagles, Rams, and Raiders by the time he retires.
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12. Philadelphia Eagles: 190 Points
Top Three QBs: Donovan McNabb, Ron Jaworski, Randall Cunningham
The Eagles are a highly successful organization, despite never winning the Super Bowl. The same can be said about the quarterback position. All three of their top three signal callers are household names and they collectively saw great success out on the field. They went to a combined nine Pro Bowls together and amassed 14 total 3,000-yard passing seasons (six by McNabb). These three comprise the best collection of running quarterbacks quarterbacks that any franchise has had in the Super Bowl Era. They accounted for seven seasons of running for at least five touchdowns together, each of them doing it at least once. Cunningham put together four such seasons as well as six seasons of at least 500 yards on the ground. The Eagles have put the future of the position in the right arm of Nick Foles and he seems up to the task. Will he make their ‘top three’ at some point? I’m thinking he will.
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11. Oakland/Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders: 202 Points
Top Three QBs: Ken Stabler, Rich Gannon, Daryle Lamonica
The Raiders boast one of the most impressive quarterback histories in the NFL. This is because their success at the position is (impressively) spread out among four extremely notable quarterbacks. Two-time Super Bowl winner Jim Plunkett didn’t even crack their ‘top three’ quarterbacks in terms of total points amassed while wearing silver and black. Partially because he didn’t ever put together impressive seasons statistically and only won 38 games for the Raiders. But also because Gannon and Lamonica both won MVPs and put together multiple strong seasons. Raiders fans should be incredibly proud of their spot on this list. The quarterback of the future is Derek Carr and there will be a lot of growing pains along the way.