Peyton Manning’s Legacy — And Where He Ranks All Time

By the time you read this article, Peyton Manning will have announced his retirement… two Super Bowl victories, five MVP trophies, and 200 wins later, “The Sheriff” — in similar fashion to other heralded Broncos quarterback John Elway — will ride off into the sunset after winning it all in his final game. The quarterback, a surefire first ballot Hall of Famer, leaves behind him a masterpiece of a legacy, painted with intense victories and dozens of records. His departure from the league exacted praise and respect from the highest stages; Peyton Manning is — or now was — one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

Congratulations Peyton, on an incredible career

As seen above, Peyton received the highest praise and respect from his greatest rival, Tom Brady. Brady said that Manning “changed the game forever.” Brady is right. Manning has defined pre-snap adjustments; he led the league’s transition from a balanced rushing attack to that of a pass first one; he broke so many records that young quarterbacks follow suit and attempt to replicate his actions, and football fans are all the better for it. He has come back time after time after being knocked down, tormented, and has risen above his doubters, finding ways to win like few others.

How will Peyton Manning be remembered?

But what do all those words mean? What is Peyton Manning’s legacy? After all, one’s legacy is the only thing to last beyond their being; it’s the remembrance and essence of their achievements. And just because you’re one of the greatest to ever play, you’re not guaranteed to be a household name — just ask Don Hutson, the man many say created the modern wide receiver; how many people remember his name today, cherish his legacy? Now, am I saying that Manning will be practically forgotten? No, of course not. But how will he be remembered? Is he a troubled college student desperate enough to sexually assault a Tennessee trainer turned man desperate enough to possibly take HGH to retain his top form? A man who could only beat Rex Grossman in a Super Bowl and have his defense drag him to another victory after throwing a game-losing pick six and being blown out in his two previous Super Bowl appearances? Or is he the greatest quarterback of all time, a Colt and Bronco with a record book all to himself, and the one who gave us the ever-so-famous “Ohama” pre-snap count? I tend to lean somewhere in between.

Peyton Manning rides off into the sunset after winning the Super Bowl in his final NFL game.

We are all football fans. While we love to say that we can admire greatness, our very existence boils down to arguments behind one question: Who is the best? I will preface the rest of the article with the not-so-bold statement that there is no clear greatest quarterback. There will always be debates, unwavering and unbreakable opinions, and newcomers entering the conversation; so is the fun of being a fan! However, the pride of a zealot stems from their beliefs, and so their beliefs will be heard. Peyton Manning is retiring after a dominant, illustrious career. But soon the attention will shift from just Peyton to the jumbled debate over the greatest quarterback to ever touch a football; we can never be satisfied.

Who is the greatest quarterback of all time?

No one man’s legacy will ever be enough to captivate and maintain the attention of football fans — not even such an esteemed one as Peyton Manning’s. So regardless of the comeback victories, the achievements, and all the triumphs Manning has given to football, football will fire back will tireless cogitation, demanding to know if he’s the best to ever play. Because the sad truth of it all is that if you’re not first, you might as well be last; I suppose that’s the main reason no one can agree on one quarterback to rule them all: No one wants to see a legend die. But enough talk — which cannon-armed decision maker trumps the rest? Let’s meet the candidates.

49ers and Chiefs legend Joe Montana

Joe Montana
Fair warning: I am only going to discuss the widely considered top three gunslingers. While it pains me to leave out some of the greats, like Dan Marino —who was a Super Bowl victory away from very possibly being in this discussion — Brett Favre — the one who probably stretched his career out a bit too long (good job Peyton Manning) — and John Elway — the previously mentioned Broncos great whose exit Manning replicated— most educated football fans agree that the following three players are the best of the best. Not even in the conversation of being in the conversation is four time Super Bowl champion Terry Bradshaw; yeah, there have been some great quarterbacks. Let’s get back to Montana; here are some stats:

1. In 187 games started (including playoffs), Montana went 133–54 with a .711 winning percentage, ranking sixth all time in total wins (and also ninth in regular season wins, with 117, and third in regular season win percentage, with .713).
2. He threw for 40,551 yards, ranking 16th all time.
3. He threw 273 touchdown passes, ranking 13th all time.
4. He won two NFL MVPs (1989, 1990).
5. With a playoff record of 16–7, Montana has won the second most playoff games all time, playing in the fourth most.

There are some good numbers here, sure, but what sets him apart from the rest? The age-old argument winner: rings. “Joe Cool” went 4–0 in the big game (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV), earning Super Bowl MVP honors in three of them (XVI, XIX, XXIV). Super Bowl victories (obviously) encapsulate winning in the NFL, so it is impossible to refute arguments of a quarterback leading his team to the promised land (even this year’s Peyton Manning).

Still, there are knocks on Montana. Not even discussing the comparisons between the other quarterbacks mentioned in this article, there are some facts one must consider when looking at Montana’s career:

1. He played in a non-capped era. While teams today are limited in free agency because of the lack of money they’re allowed to spend, then 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo was known for going all in to provide Montana and then Head Coach Bill Walsh with the sweetest pickings available.
2. Jerry Rice. Need I say more? Unlike that of the quarterbacks, there is little to no dispute over who the greatest wide receiver of all time is. Despite admitting to using stickum, he was still absolutely legendary, and more importantly, no other quarterback in the GOAT conversation had access to his abilities. Group Rice with the likes of John Taylor, Roger Craig, Brent Jones, and others, and no quarterback would have trouble getting an offense going.

Personally, I find it difficult to take away from a player’s achievements due to outside help — although this kind of help was unprecedented, and to a degree, it still is today. Montana is known for good numbers — not great ones — in a career headlined with success. While the argument over the value of being clutch — and who the most clutch quarterback ever is — draws mixed opinions, no one can deny Montana being the coolest guy out there.

Recently retired Colt and Bronco Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning: the king of records. If GOAT status was determined by individual performance, then the second half of this article would not be written. No one (as of right now) holds a candle to Manning’s personal successes and accomplishments. I could list some stats I see useful, but I will instead deliver some data via this ridiculous NFL Network graphic:

“Wow” is right. After seeing those statistics, some may be shocked that he has not already been dubbed the greatest to ever throw a football…. So why hasn’t he? First of all, numbers can be deceiving. While showing individual feats may be uplifting to his character, he has not only failed before, but there’s also this idea to consider: A stud performance of one cannot win games like the achievements of fifty-three men: a team. Second, many fans feel that he lacks what the other two quarterbacks in this discussion — Montana and Tom Brady (sorry for the spoiler) — have in all their glory: their always present level not only of being clutch, but being the most clutch. So to spoil his going away party (not really), I present to you the knocks on Peyton Manning:

1. Nine (9!) one and done exits from the playoffs. That doesn’t exactly promote a clutch image; in fact, it serves to show just the opposite: that Peyton Manning couldn’t succeed on the biggest stages. A 14–13 (.519 percentage) playoff record doesn’t exactly signify “best,” especially considering the prime of his (playoff) career was spent on the Colts, where he had a 9–10 postseason record.
2. He doesn’t receive much credit for his Super Bowl victories. Neither stat line in his two big game wins was particularly impressive (25–38 for 247–1–1 in XLI and 13–23 for 141–0–1 in 50). Of course, no one can take away from a Super Bowl run, but Bob Sanders for the ‘06-’07 Colts and Von Miller this year for the Broncos were definitely the postseason MVPs for Manning’s victorious squads. And let’s face the simple numbers: Two Super Bowl victories — coupled with two Super Bowl losses — won’t make anyone the greatest of all time to some fans and experts.
3. As previously mentioned, those stats can be somewhat misleading. Of the above stats, only MVPs, three touchdown games, and 4000 yard passing seasons seem particularly safe, with Tom Brady and/or Drew Brees threatening most of the rest of the records. Furthermore, those accomplishments are the statistical embodiment of individual performance: MVP, regardless of its full name, usually goes to the best single player of the year; three touchdown games and 4,000 yard seasons, while impressive, guarantee nothing but lots of passes. Peyton’s records are stunning, but they provide no assurance of the more important team success.

Despite the closer look at the numbers, Manning’s legacy should not be diminished by holding the records he does. However, his suspect ability to win on the biggest stages does put his potential GOAT status into major question. Regardless, Peyton could dissect a defense like nobody’s business, and he was certainly one of the best to ever play the game.

New England Patriot and future hall of famer Tom Brady

Tom Brady
Tom Brady has quickly become the most polarizing player in the NFL. Need some proof of that? Check out this graphic:

Tom Brady has quickly become the most polarizing player in the NFL.

When you are both the most liked and most hated quarterback in the league, chances are you’re doing something right. In addition to being an eternal focal point, Brady has taken on the villain role of the NFL (though some might accuse Roger Goodell of playing that part), leading the “bad guy” Patriots to incredible victories despite the league’s best efforts to stop them. Brady has fully embraced this role; however, it is important to consider that no one would ever be designated a villain if not strong enough to defeat the so-called “good guys.” So, what makes Tom Brady worthy of villain status? Let’s take a look at our final batch of stats:

1. In 254 games started (including playoffs), Brady has gone 194–60 with a .763 winning percentage, ranking third all time in total wins (and also third in regular season wins, with 172, and first in win percentage, with .771).
2. He has thrown for 58,028 passing yards, ranking 5th all time.
3. He has thrown 428 touchdown passes, ranking 3rd all time.
4. He has won two NFL MVPs (2007, 2010).
5. He has the led the Patriots to the division title a record 13 times.
6. With a playoff record of 22–9, Brady has both played in and won the most playoff games all time.
7. He is 4–2 in Super Bowls (winning in XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, and XLIX) and has won three Super Bowl MVPs (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX).
8. Brady has led the Patriots on a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter of each of the record-tying six Super Bowls he has played in.
9. He has more playoff wins (22) than twenty-three current NFL franchises.
10. He went 11–6 vs. fellow GOAT competitor Peyton Manning.

The stats are most striking. Before elaborating, though, I must deliver probably the scariest Brady fact that faces NFL teams today:

11. He is still going strong.

Brady’s 38 year old body is at a stark contrast to that of the 39 year old Manning. He still leads offenses with precision and picks apart defenses with ease. After another fantastic — and historic — season, Brady is still ready, willing, and able to do whatever it takes to remain at the top.

Back to the stats; here is some simple analysis: Tom Brady has better or equal numbers in every stat mentioned compared to Joe Montana. He will most likely become the winningest quarterback in NFL history this year. Brady could very well eventually pass Peyton Manning’s yards record. Brady could very well eventually pass Peyton Manning’s touchdown record. Brady, along with Montana, Manning, and others, could be the greatest quarterback of all time — but you already knew that. What’s holding Brady back from that title? Here is the final list of knocks:

1. Scandals. The part he played in SpyGate and DeflateGate is still up in the air, and the effect that it had on his play is perhaps even more controversial. Despite the wide range of arguments, critics will always circle back to these aspersions, searching for a reason to put an asterisk after his name.
2. Randy Moss and Rob Gronkowski. Moss, widely considered at least a top three receiver all time, and Gronkowski, who already is competing with Tony Gonzalez to be called the greatest tight end, serve to illustrate the point of an outstanding supporting cast, similar to that of the Joe Montana-Jerry Rice argument: It’s easier to win with such greatness around you.
3. Furthermore, Brady is known for having top notch defenses. The quote “defense wins championships” was in full effect this year, as the lackluster Manning — or should I say the incredible Broncos defense — led Denver to a Super Bowl victory. The likes of Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, and Ty Law helped Brady win his first three rings, while recent studs like Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, and Devin McCourty — and of course Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler — aided Brady in his quest for four.
4. Super Bowl losses. While six Super Bowl appearances is not only impressive (and a record), those two losses stick out like a sore thumb. Some critics even say that they would rather have Montana’s 4–0 record than Brady’s two extra appearances and losses. Despite outstanding play, Brady will be remembered as the quarterback who could not complete a perfect 2007 season and the one who succumbed to Eli Manning and the Giants again in the 2011 season. Those two big games are the difference between being a clear #1 and having two very large blemishes on an otherwise spectacular playoff resumé.
5. The worst play call in Super Bowl history. After engineering a stunning drive capped off with a touchdown pass to Julian Edelman with only 2:02 left in the fourth quarter, Tom Brady was primed to win his fourth Super Bowl. However, one miracle catch later (this time by Jermaine Kearse (see David Tyree, Mario Manningham)), those championship hopes seemed destined to once again fall into the arms of Brady’s opponent. Not so fast — instead of running the football from the one yard line, Seattle OC Darrell Bevell elected to throw the ball — Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw an interception, and the rest is history. Without that interception, would Brady have won that evasive fourth title? No one can say for sure. Critics do say, however, that he was bailed out — is that a good enough reason to tarnish his legacy?
6. Bill Belichick and Matt Cassel. Belichick is unquestionably one of the greatest head coaches of all time; some consider him the best. Though Montana had Bill Walsh and Manning had Tony Dungy, to many, Belichick is simply incomparable. A mastermind in its truest form, Belichick has crafted extraordinary game plans and implemented incredible mid-game adjustments, garnering praise and wins like no other. So when nobody quarterback Matt Cassel took over for the injured Brady in 2008, leading the Patriots to an 11–5 record (the Patriots did miss the playoffs, however), people were quick to attribute Brady’s success to Belichick; some critics even labeled him a “system quarterback.” No one knows how Brady would’ve done without Belichick — and vice versa — but there’s no doubt that Belichick had a tremendous positive impact on Brady’s career.

Drafted 199th in the 2000 NFL Draft, very few people believed in Tom Brady, and even fewer of those people thought he would accomplish what he has. Brady has the wins, the records, and the consistency, but is he the best ever? Loved or hated, “Tom Terrific” has proven doubters wrong time and time again, building his ever-so-illustrious career.

Brady, Montana, and Manning will be forever idolized as some of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play.

This article was originally about Peyton Manning. It was conceived to celebrate his greatness and understand his legacy, because the fact of the matter is that us football fans lost an all time great. When rummaging for these stats, it was odd not seeing Manning’s name highlighted amongst the active players. We have seen his last snap, his last dropback, and his last pass. So, Peyton Manning: For all the memories, I say “thank you!” Thank you for the moments of shock and joy, the nuggets of elation and sorrow. You have given football fans the best thing they could ever ask for: greatness.

As for Manning’s legacy: There’s been lots of discussion, hasn’t there? There’s been much good and some bad; overachievement and failure. So, I will ask again the question that I posed earlier in the column: How will Peyton Manning be remembered? Despite allegations of wrongdoing and underwhelming postseason play, to me, Peyton’s legacy will live on as one of the brightest ever. He retires a legend.

Still reading, huh? That’s the restless, undying football fan in you. You need to identify the best. So, who is the greatest quarterback of all time?

I’ll leave that answer up to you.

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