One NFL legend every team wishes they could bring back in 2021

By Randy Gurzi | Jun 21, 2021

Minnesota Viking Randy Moss (R) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Daunte Culpepper before Buccaneer Ronde Barber (L) in the second quarter 29 October 2000 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. AFP PHOTO/Peter MUHLY (Photo by PETER MUHLY / AFP) (Photo by PETER MUHLY/AFP via Getty Images) /

28 of 32

PALO ALTO, CA – JANUARY 20: Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins during Super Bowl XIX on January 20, 1985 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 38-16. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

San Francisco 49ers: Joe Montana, Quarterback

For years, it seemed as there was no debate about who the best quarterback in the NFL was. Joe Montana was a former third-round pick from Notre Dame who traded in his golden Fighting Irish helmet for a gold San Francisco 49ers one in 1979.

He then spent 13 seasons in San Francisco where he was one of the winningest quarterbacks in league history. He took over as the full-time starter in 1981 and kept that job through 1994. He won 100 games with only 39 losses and then went 16-7 in the playoffs.

Montana was undefeated in the Super Bowl as well, going 4-0 for the Niners. He eventually lost his job to Steve Young as the 49ers transitioned from one Hall of Fame quarterback to the next — which is a rare thing. He played two more seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and was 17-8 and went 2-2 in the playoffs, even making the AFC Championship Game in 1993.

The current 49ers team is still looking for their next elite quarterback and after deciding Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t the answer, they drafted Trey Lance. The North Dakota State product could be the next big thing and if he were, then it would make sense to grab Jerry Rice here. But since we don’t know just what Lance offers yet, the answer is to bring Montana back.

Pairing him with a strong defense and a great play-caller such as Kyle Shanahan would almost be unfair.

Home/NFL