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The 30 best quarterbacks in NFL history

By Randy Gurzi

Joe Montana #16, Quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers prepares to throw a pass during the National Football Conference Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams on 14 January 1990 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, United States. The 49ers won the game 30 - 3. (Photo by Otto Gruele Jr/Allsport/Getty Images)
Joe Montana #16, Quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers prepares to throw a pass during the National Football Conference Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams on 14 January 1990 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California, United States. The 49ers won the game 30 - 3. (Photo by Otto Gruele Jr/Allsport/Getty Images) /
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Houston Oilers, Warren Moon
Houston Oilers, Warren Moon (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

18. Best NFL quarterbacks of all time: Warren Moon

After going undrafted in the NFL, Warren Moon joined the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL and played six seasons there. He was an absolute monster in that league as he won five Grey Cup championships and two MVPs in the title game. He was also the first professional quarterback to top 5,000 yards passing and had as much as 5,648 during his 1983 MVP season.

At the age of 28, the NFL finally gave Moon a shot — although this time teams were fighting over the right to sign him. He would end up choosing the Houston Oilers, where he spent the first 10 seasons of his NFL career. The Oilers struggled to consistently win as he was 70-69 as a starter, but they never had a problem moving the ball downfield.

Moon twice led the league in passing yards and once in touchdowns while with the Oilers. He finished his time there with a franchise-best 33,685 yards passing and 196 touchdowns. Moon was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in 1994 and despite being 38-years of age, he continued to hurl the ball as he had more than 4,200 yards in each of his first two seasons.

He was later released as Brad Johnson took the starting job, but Moon had more in the tank. At 41-years old, he threw for 3,678 yards with 25 touchdowns for the Seattle Seahawks. He made the Pro Bowl for the ninth time that season, earning the MVP in the game. He continued to play until the age of 44, although he was a backup with the Kansas City Chiefs the final two seasons.

Overall, Moon had a professional career that lasted from 1978 all the way through the year 2000. His longevity is only surpassed by his accuracy and arm strength which makes him one of the best to ever play the game.

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