The NFL has seen thousands of players grace the field since its inception in 1920, with each player having left their own unique mark on the game. Amongst the many great NFL players, there are a few who stand taller than others both in terms of statistical greatness and lasting impact.
Determining the greatest NFL players of all time is an inherently subjective task. However, certain names consistently rise above the rest when having such discussions. From Tom Brady's unparalleled championship credentials to Jerry Rice's record shattering production and Lawrence Taylor's defensive chaos, each of these players changed the game in their own way, setting new standards for their competitors to emulate.
With the start of the new NFL season upon us, we thought it would be a good time to reflect and put together our own list of what we consider to be the top 5 best NFL players of all time. These are competitors who didn't just play the game, they went on to define it; helping to form modern opinions of what real greatness truly looks like.
1. Tom Brady
If we are going purely based on statistics, then we can comfortably say that Tom Brady is the greatest NFL player of all time. He holds numerous records, including winning 7 Super Bowl titles, 5 Super Bowl MVP Awards and 3 NFL MVP Awards. He also holds the record for the most career passing touchdowns (649) and the most career passing yards (89,214). Brady has achieved more in the sport than any franchise, let alone an individual player.
He made his debut in 2000 for the New England Patriots after a less than sparkling college career. This resulted in him being selected 199th overall in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, with six other quarterbacks having been drafted before him. However, he went on to defy all expectations, with many now claiming that he was potentially the greatest NFL draft pick of all time.
What really underpinned Brady's success is his work ethic, always arriving exceptionally well prepared for the game. He also had a remarkable ability to read defences and make ultra quick decisions when under extreme pressure. Brady also went on to prove himself to be a natural born leader, inspiring his team-mates with his determination and demanding their unquestioned respect.
Another aspect which makes Brady the clear number one best NFL player of all time is his longevity. This is no doubt linked to his determination and love of the sport, with Brady going on to remain amongst the elite well into his 40s, culminating in his Super Bowl win for the Buccaneers at the age of 43 in 2021 after over 20 years at the top level. Even among greats, Brady stands apart as the ultimate symbol of NFL excellence.
2. Jerry Rice
Unlike Brady, Rice had an incredible college career, arriving in the sport after a record breaking season at Mississippi Valley State. This led to offers from both the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys for 1985. The 49ers had won two of the previous four Super Bowls prior to his draft, perhaps making his decision a little easier.
When discussing dominance at a position, no player eclipses the gap between themselves and second place like Jerry Rice. He was the gold standard of wide receiver play, combining route-running mastery, work ethic, and unmatched production.
Rice's career stats read like video game numbers, many of which still stand unthreatened decades after his retirement. His partnership with Joe Montana and Steve Young helped create a 49ers dynasty, and his influence stretched well beyond the field-he became the blueprint for aspiring receivers across generations.
Come the end of his career in 2004, Rice had achieved 3 Super Bowl titles and once been named the Super Bowl MVP in 1989. He still retains numerous records in the game, including having achieved 197 career touchdown receptions, 41 scores more than second place Randy Moss, and 208 total touchdowns, 33 scores more than Emmitt Smith in 2nd.
3. Jim Brown
Jim Brown's career longevity was fairly modest compared to the two aforementioned players, retiring after just nine seasons. However, his dominance over this period was so profound that he is still widely considered to have been one of the greatest NFL Players of all time.
Weighing in at 230 pounds and with a height of 6'2", Brown was decades ahead of his time athletically, showcasing incredible speed and vision. He led the league in rushing in all but one of his nine seasons, retiring from the NFL as its leading rusher in 1965. At this point he was just 30 years old, effectively retiring at his very peak in order to pursue a far less successful acting career. This has created a bit of a mystique around him, with many of the sports fans questioning what ultimately could have been had he opted to continue.
Playing for the Cleveland Browns throughout his career, Brown never won a Super Bowl title but he was named the NFL MVP three times. He also carried the ball 2,359 times for 12,312 rushing yards and 106 touchdowns, all of which were records at the time of his retirement.
4. Lawrence Taylor - Linebacker
Like many of the greatest NFL players of all time, Lawrence Taylor made a significant impact on the sport, completely revolutionising the linebacker position and redefined what defensive dominance looked like in the NFL. His speed, ferocity, and instinct made him a nightmare for quarterbacks and offensive coordinators alike.
More than just a sack artist, Taylor was a complete game-changer. He forced offenses to create entirely new blocking schemes just to try and contain him. His 1986 MVP season, where he recorded 20.5 sacks, remains one of the most dominant individual campaigns by a defensive player in NFL history. Taylor didn't just play defence, he completely changed it and is still regarded as being the greatest defensive player in NFL history.
He played for the New York Giants for 13 seasons between 1981 and 1993, winning 2 Super Bowls in the process and being named the NFL MVP in 1986, making him the only defensive player to take the award in the modern era. He also became the first player to make the Pro Bowl squad in all of his first ten seasons in the sport.
However, his career went into decline in the early 1990s after the New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells retired. He also started to be plagued by issues with drugs, finally testing positive for cocaine in 1987 after years of using samples from his team-mates to pass urine tests. It was a sad end to the career of a player who had such a monumental impact.
5. Peyton Manning - Quarterback
While Tom Brady may have had the better postseason record, Peyton Manning was the most cerebral and statistically prolific quarterback of his era. Known for his pre-snap audibles and ability to read defences, Manning turned the quarterback position into something of an art form
He retired holding many of the major passing records, and his five MVP awards remain the most ever won by a player in the NFL. His leadership lifted both the Colts and the Broncos to Super Bowl success, making him the only quarterback with multiple Super Bowl starts for different franchises. Manning's presence helped to redefine modern passing offenses in the sport, with his career offering the perfect balance of brilliance, consistency and legacy.
Manning ended his career in 2015 and he retired at the very top of his game having become the oldest quarterback ever to win the Super Bowl in that same year. He still holds the record for the most NFL MVP awards (5) of any player in the history of the NFL.
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