 Written By Jason Voorhees. In 1963, Y.A. Title set a then NFL record by throwing 36 touchdown passes, all at the ripe old age of 37. This record would stand all the way until 1984. Much has changed since the days of Title, especially at the quarterback position. As the NFL has established rules that favor the passing game, prolific seasons for quarterbacks have become more and more frequent. Quarterback play that used to only be heard of in Madden video games are now the de facto norm. With that being said, there are some single season performances that just trump the competition. These are seasons that can be described as magical. When creating a definitive top all-time list in any realm, there is always room for debate. For purposes of this exercise, many factors are weighed when ranking the order. These factors take into account the fact that passing numbers have rapidly risen over the past decade. It's also important to note that a few of the quarterbacks showed dual stardom (passing/rushing) during these stellar seasons. The rankings consist of a mixture of statistical analysis that combines both passing and rushing. The eye test also comes in to play when evaluating truly special seasons, where players transcended the game in style and play. Playoff performances including the Super Bowl certainly make a difference on pushing a player up the list. So before we get to the top 15, let's take a look at a few quarterback seasons that just missed the cut... Daunte Culpepper (2004) MIN- 16 games, 4,717 Pass Yards, 39TD/11INT, 406 Rush Yards, 2 Rush TD, 110.9 QB Rating, 8.6 Y/A, 69.2 Comp. % 8-8 Record, Pro Bowl. Aaron Rodgers (2016) GNB- 16 games, 4,428 Pass Yards, 40TD/7INT, 369 Rush Yards, 4 Rush TD, 104.2 QB Rating, 7.3 Y/A, 65.7 Comp. % 10-6 Record, Pro Bowl. Russell Wilson (2015) SEA- 16 games, 4,024 Pass Yards, 34TD/8INT, 553 Rush Yards, 1 Rush TD, 110.1 QB Rating, 8.3 Y/A, 68.1 Comp. % 10-6 Record, Pro Bowl. Aaron Rodgers (2014) GNB- 16 games, 4,381 Pass Yards, 38TD/5INT, 269 Rush Yards, 2 rush TD, 112.2 QB Rating, 8.4 Y/A, 65.6 Comp. % 12-4 Record, MVP, Pro Bowl. Drew Brees (2018) NOR- 15 games, 3,992 Pass Yards, 32TD/5INT, 22 Rush Yards, 4Rush TD, 115.7 QB Rating, 8.2 Y/A, 74.4 Comp. % 13-2 Record, Pro Bowl. Ok...now that you have met the honorable mentions...it's time to see the quarterbacks that were able to make the list. Without further ado...here are the Top 15 Quarterback seasons (post 1980) all-time ranked! 15. Randall Cunningham (1990)  Stats- 16 games, 3,466 Pass Yards, 30TD/13INT, 942 Rush Yards, 5 Rush TD, 91.6 QB Rating, 10-6 Record, 1st Team All-Pro, 7.5 Y/A, 58.3 Comp % They didn't call him the "Ultimate Weapon" for nothing. What Randall Cunningham did in 1990 was nothing short of miraculous. While the passing numbers that he posted may not be all-worldly; when you add the 942 rushing yards and 5 scores on the ground to the mix, now you are talking special. The 1990 season saw Randall become one of the most exciting players in the game. He was an explosive playmaker that reeled off highlight reel play after highlight reel play; most of the time making it look easy. 14. Brett Favre (1996)  Stats- 16 games, 3,899 Pass Yards, 39TD/13INT, 136 Rush Yards, 2 Rush TD, 95.8 QB Rating, 13-3 Record, MVP, 1st Team All-Pro, 7.7 Y/A, 63.0 Comp % How do you follow up an MVP season and career year? Just ask Brett Favre, who replicated his 1995 performance and then some in 1996. Favre not only put up stellar statistics while garnering his second straight MVP award; but he also lead the Green Bay Packers to their first super bowl victory in over 28 years. After setting a Packer's record by throwing 39 TD's, Favre had a playoff run to remember to seal the deal. He threw for 613 yards, 5TD's and only 1 INT with three straight 100 % passer rating games. 13. Drew Brees (2011)  Stats- 16 games, 5,476 Pass Yards, 46TD/14INT, 86 Rush Yards, 1 Rush TD, 110.6 QB Rating, 13-3 Record, 8.3 Y/A, 71.2 Comp. % Drew Brees is one of the most prolific passers in NFL history; having compiled multiple monster seasons alike. However; no year that Brees has been an author of quite compares to 2011. During that season Brees set three NFL records (of course they have been broken) for pass completions (468), passing yards (5,467) and completion% (71.2%). Drew Brees led his team to the playoffs but they were unfortunately eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs. The only thing holding Brees back from his first MVP award was named Rodgers. Nonetheless, an epic year for the token Saint. 12. Matt Ryan (2016)  Stats- 16 games, 4,944 Pass Yards, 38TD/8INT, 117 Rush Yards, 0 Rush TD, 117.1 QB Rating, 11-5 Record, MVP, 9.3 Y/A, 69.9 Comp.% The 2016 Super Bowl could be described as being cold as ice to Atlanta Falcon's faithful. However; Matty Ice was hotter than burning coal that year. After shattering multiple passing records in 2016, Ryan raised the bar even higher during the playoffs. He threw for 1,014 yards with 9TD/0INT while compiling a 71.4 completion percentage. If not for an epic collapse of the Atlanta Falcon's defense in the Super Bowl, this performance would definitely be ranked higher. Regardless of the final game gaffe, the total package was as good as it gets for quarterbacks! 11. Cam Newton (2015)  Stats- 16 games, 3,837 Pass Yards, 35TD/10INT, 636 Rush Yards, 10 Rush TD, 99.4 QB Rating, 15-1 Record, MVP, 7.8 Y/A, 59.8 Comp % Cam Newton was superman in 2015. He did it all. Newton was a true dual threat that year having been responsible for 83 % of the Panther's total scoring. All in all, Cam put up 4,473 yards and 45 TD's. He lead the team to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl birth. The team ultimately lost to Manning and the Broncos, but that didn't dampen the overall greatness of Cam Newton. While the statistics alone make this season one of the greatest of all-time, it is the eye test that truly emphasizes just how special Cam was. It was magical watching Cam generate multiple comebacks all the while willing his team to wins. 10. Peyton Manning (2004)  Stats- 16 games, 4,557 Pass Yards, 49TD/10INT, 38 Rush Yards, 0 Rush TD, 121.1 QB Rating, 12-4 Record, MVP, 9.2 Y/A, 67.6 Comp. % Peyton Manning is the epitome of what a star quarterback stands for. In his prime, there were not to many players that could compete with the high standard he set. 2004 was a watershed moment as Manning broke Marino's passing TD record. However; the touchdown milestone was just the tip of the iceberg for Manning. Peyton set a then record for passer rating hitting 121.1%. Once again, its not just the numbers that made this season special for Manning. After winning his first MVP, he took the Colts to the playoffs where he ultimately stumbled against New England. 9. Kurt Warner (1999)  Stats- 16 games, 4,353 Pass Yards, 41TD/13INT, 92 Rush Yards, 1 Rush TD, 109.2 QB Rating, 13-3 Record, MVP, Super Bowl MVP, 8.7 Y/A, 65.1 Comp. % There may not be any greater story in NFL history than Kurt Warner. One week he was bagging groceries at a supermarket, and the next week he was the architect of the greatest show on turf. Warner put up massive statistics while leading the Saint Louis Rams to a Super Bowl championship after beating the upstart Titans. Warner set franchise records for just about every passing metric. However; Kurt saved his best performance for last. During the Super Bowl, Warner went 24/45 while throwing for 414 yards and 2 TD's enroute to his MVP award. 8. Aaron Rodgers (2011)  Stats- 15 games, 4,643 Pass Yards, 45TD/6INT, 257 Rush Yards, 3 Rush TD, 122.5 Pass Rating, 14-1 Record, MVP, 9.2 Y/A, 68.3 Comp. % Aaron Rodgers has quickly catapulted himself into all-time great status. AROD has done so by consistently putting up top tier seasons. In 2011, Aaron found himself in another stratosphere. After quarterbacking the Packers to a 15-1 record, Aaron shattered every franchise passing record there is to be had. More impressive than that though was his NFL record setting 122.5 QB rating. His 84.5 QBR is also the highest single season total in NFL history. This elite season would have been higher on the list if not for the early exit in playoffs. Just relax. 7. Joe Montana (1989)  Stats- 13 games, 3,521 Pass Yards, 26TD/8INT, 227 Rush Yards, 3 Rush TD, 112.4 Pass Rating, 11-2 Record, MVP, 9.1 Y/A, 70.2 Comp. % Joe Montana made his noise in the playoffs. Part of the reason he's always at the top of all-time quarterback lists is his four super bowl rings. However, to ignore the total greatness of the 89 season would be criminal. Many forget he only played in 13 games so a full season would have certainly surpassed 4,000 yards and 30TD's. Joe's 112.4 passer rating is good for 15th all-time, but at the time (before the juiced numbers) set a high for quarterbacks. Montana took passer rating to another level in the playoffs with a record 146.4 while throwing 5 TD's in the super bowl victory. 6. Lamar Jackson (2019)  Stats- 15 games, 3,127 Pass Yards, 36TD/6INT, 1,206 Rush Yards, 7 Rush TD, 113.3 Pass Rating, 13-2 Record, MVP, 7.8 Y/A, 66.1 Comp. % Watching Lamar Jackson is the definition of uncovering a human cheat code. Lamar took what Cunningham did in 1990 and injected it with steroids. If you add his passing/rushing numbers together it looks like 4,333 Yards and 43 TD's. He also broke Michael Vick's rushing yard record for quarterbacks. While everyone knew that Lamar was special on the ground; he totally flipped the script through the air torching defenses like a well oiled machine. These dual threat gems made him only the second unanimous MVP in NFL history. 5. Peyton Manning (2013)  Stats- 16 games, 5,477 Pass Yards, 55TD/10INT, 115.1 Pass Rating, -31 Rush Yards, 2 Rush TD, 13-3 Record, MVP, 8.3 Y/A, 68.3 Comp. % 2013 saw Manning set the all-time passing yardage (5,477) and passing TD (55) records. Many forget that this came after sitting out an entire year due to a career threatening neck injury. Nonetheless, Manning was able to elevate his play while carrying the Denver Broncos to the super bowl. No matter what way you spin it, passing era or not, these numbers simply rake. Manning was one quarterback that did take advantage of the pass happy style of offenses while padding his stats. Definitely worthy of top five prowess. 4. Pat Mahomes (2018)  Stats- 16 games, 5,097 Pass Yards, 50TD/12INT, 272 Rush Yards, 2 Rush TD, 113.8 Pass Rating, 12-4 Record, 8.8 Y/A, 66.0 Comp. % What Pat Mahomes did in only his second year is absolutely eye popping. Even though it was considered his second year, he was virtually a rookie. Manning's numbers may be better but Mahomes doing it at such a young age gives him the edge. Patrick makes some throws that even Peyton could never pull off. The sky is the limit for this young stud and the 2018 season put Mahomes in generational talent discussion already. However; if this ends up being an outlier; then what a stellar high water mark it was! Breathtaking and elite. 3. Tom Brady (2007)  Stats- 16 games, 4,806 Pass Yards, 50TD/8INT, 98 Rush Yards, 2 Rush TD, 117.2 Pass Rating, 16-0 Record, MVP, 8.3 Y/A, 68.9 Comp. % No stat is more important than wins and Tom Brady was perfect in 2007. Well at least during the regular season. Brady lead the Patriots to a 16-0 record while setting every franchise passing record in the process. The addition of Randy Moss took Brady from glorified game manager to the top of elite. A historic season every way you dice it, Brady found himself carrying the Patriots to yet another super bowl. Of course, you all know how that one ended. With that being said, these stellar numbers and the perfect regular season puts him at #3! 2. Dan Marino (1984)  Stats- 16 games, 5,084 Pass Yards, 48TD/17INT, -7 Rush Yards, 0 Rush TD, 108.9 Pass Rating, 14-2 Record, MVP, 9.0 Y/A, 64.2 Comp. % Marino's 1984 season is legendary. And to be quite honest, the greatness of what he accomplished is not talked about enough today. Rest aside the passing records that he shattered at the time (yards-5,084) and (TD's-48). The fact that Marino even approached these numbers in an era where this was unthinkable speaks volumes. Marino turned the two Marks (Clayton and Duper) into superstars. And what Marino did turning that Dolphins team around was unimaginable. He also may be the unluckiest QB on the list having to face Montana in his only super bowl and losing. 1. Steve Young (1994)  Stats- 16 games, 3,969 Pass Yards, 35TD/10INT, 293 Rush Yards, 7 Rush TD, 112.8 Pass Rating, MVP, 13-3 Record, 8.6 Y/A, 70.3 Comp. % No quarterback embodies the notion of patience more than Steve Young. After playing second fiddle to Joe Montana all those years, Young carved out his own legendary niche. 1994 is the cream of the crop in Young's resume. After accounting for 4,262 yards and 42 TD's in the regular season, he saved the best for last. During the 1994 playoff run, Young threw for 623 yards and 9 TD's including a record 6 in his super bowl championship win against the Chargers. When you witness the entire narrative regular season and super bowl; Young's 1994 year stands alone as the greatest ever by a quarterback.
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About Jason VoorheesJason resides in Norristown, PA and writes about all things sports and heavy metal music. Archives
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