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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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Philadelphia Eagles, Randall Cunningham
Philadelphia Eagles, Randall Cunningham. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allspor /

24. Best NFL quarterbacks of all time: Randall Cunningham

During his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1985 through 1995, Randall Cunningham proved to be one of the most exciting players in the NFL to watch. Gifted with amazing speed, he began his career as a backup and was used as a third-and-long quarterback by coach Buddy Ryan. The thought here was that Cunningham’s ability to scramble could force defenses to worry and cause some confusion.

He was a full-time starter by 1987 and then made his first Pro Bowl the following year. That was significant as he was the first African-American named a starter for the Pro Bowl at the position.

In addition to his running and strong arm, Cunningham also could punt the ball, evidenced by the fact that he’s fourth all-time for the longest punt with a 91-yarder in 1989.

After leaving the Eagles, Cunningham retired but then returned to quarterback the Minnesota Vikings in 1997. His second season with the Vikings was one to remember as he led them to a 13-1 record while throwing a career-high 34 touchdowns. While Cunningham was amazing that season, it helped that he had a trio of amazing receivers in Cris Carter, Jake Reed and rookie Randy Moss.

Cunningham ended up finishing his career as a backup with the Dallas Cowboys for a season and the Baltimore Ravens for one year as well. He has 29,979 career passing yards with 207 touchdowns. In addition to that, he ran for 4,928 yards and 35 more scores — with most of that damage coming during his tenure with the Eagles.

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