NFL History: 50 greatest quarterback-wide receiver tandems in NFL history

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 27: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with teammate Calvin Johnson #81 after a first quarter touchdown the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Ford Field on October 27, 2013 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

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Jake Delhomme (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

The 28th greatest quarterback-wide receiver duo in NFL history: Jake Delhomme & Steve Smith

Steve Smith is widely considered to be the best wide receiver in franchise history for the Carolina Panthers. Because of that, quarterback Cam Newton is immediately thought of as his best quarterback. Although the former MVP is the best signal-caller in franchise history, he didn’t play with Smith for an incredibly long time. If he did, Newton would’ve taken this spot. But instead, we have to go with Jake Delhomme.

From 2003-2009, Delhomme had multiple seasons of over 3,000 passing yards. He wasn’t always the most consistent player in terms of winning, making only three playoff appearances in his time with Carolina. But when he was focused, they won big. In three of their seasons making the playoffs, Carolina won double-digit games and made the Super Bowl in 2003 before losing to the New England Patriots, like everyone normally does.

During those seven years, wide receiver Steve Smith showed up and showed out every year. He consistently cracked the thousand yard barrier and led the league in receiving yards in 2005 with 1,563. They probably aren’t the most ballyhooed but they oftentimes got the job done.

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