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In football, the man on the field who calls the shots is the quarterback. The ability to see the entire field, decide what play to run, how far to throw the ball, or even how many yards are needed to score all comes down to the responsibility of the team’s QB.
While quarterbacks are just one of eleven players on the field during offensive possession, they are crucial for making decisions that win games and even championships. In this article, we’ll highlight the top five most winningest QBs in NFL history by tallying their overall wins and win rate.
To start the list is Ben Roethlisberger, one of the most well-known and winningest QBs in NFL history. While Roethlisberger played in High School as a wide receiver, he adapted well to a more suitable new role where he could make vital plays.
With a win rate of 67%, the Pittsburgh Steelers hardly suffered any defeats throughout his 2004 to 2021 QB career. The 2004 Rookie of the Year QB made moves, eventually winning Super Bowls in 2006 and 2009. He would lead the NFL in overall passing yards in 2014 and 2018, as well as the Pro Bowl a whopping six times, first in 2007, then in 2011, ending with consecutive quadruple championship trophies from 2014 to 2017.
Born from the San Diego Chargers from 2001-2005 but finishing his career at the New Orleans Saints in 2020, there’s no doubt that Drew Brees makes the list of most winningest QBs in NFL history. The Saints’ legend boasts a winning percentage of 60.1%, a feat not many others would reach.
While only winning one Super Bowl trophy for New Orleans in 2010, Drew Brees would lock down the championship and the Super Bowl MVP title. Where some might argue silverware makes for a better legacy, Brees’ stats do not lie.
Before becoming a two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2011, Brees would not only make first-team-all-pro in 2006, he would win 13 Pro Bowls from 2004, 2006, 2008 to 2014 and 2016 to 2019. In addition, he would lead the NFL in passing yards seven times, passing touchdowns four times, highest passer ratings two times, and highest pass completion percentage six times. No one would argue his place on the list of most winningest quarterbacks in NFL history.
Much like Peyton Manning, with exactly 186 career wins, Brett Farve would go on to play quarterback for four separate teams. First, the Atlanta Falcons in 1991, then the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 2007, then the New York Jets in 2008, finishing his career with the Minnesota Vikings until 2010. Although slightly lower than Manning’s win percentage, a 62.4% win rate is nothing to be sad about.
As the 1997 Super Bowl Champion, Favre would win the NFL MVP award three times straight from 1995 to 1997, as well as Offensive Player of the Year in 1995. With 11 Pro Bowl trophies, four-time NFL passing touchdown leader, two-time NFL passing yards leader, and the highest pass completion during the 1998 season, it’s clear why Brett Favre and his favorite arm were inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
Tied for second place with Brett Favre is the long-time Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning. Manning played quarterback for the Colts from 1998 to 2011 and joined the Broncos to finish his career from 2012 to 2015. With an extremely high win rate of 70.2%, there’s no doubt Manning is one of the most winningest QBs in NFL history.
Winning Super Bowl XLI, where he earned his first Super Bowl MVP award and Super Bowl 50 soon after, he was the NFL’s MVP for 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2013. With 14 pro bowls, seven first-team-all-pros, three times NFL passing yards leader, four times NFL passing touchdowns leader and two times NFL pass completion rating leader, the legendary quarterback has plenty of other accolades that prove he belongs in the list of top 5 most winningest QBs in the NFL.
No one comes close to the legendary quarterback known as Tom Brady. Snatching 65 more wins than Manning and Favre, Tom Brady would solidify his position as the best QB to throw a football in NFL history. With a terrorizing 75.4% win rate (that’s an incredible stat in any sport), he’d play for the New England Patriots for 19 years starting in 2000 before seeing out his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers until 2022.
The god among men on the football field captured seven Super Bowl rings, five Super Bowl MVPs, three NFL MVPS, two NFL Offensive Player of the Year, three first-team-all-pros and 15 Pro Bowl championships. He led the NFL in passing touchdowns five times, had the most NFL passing yards four times, the highest passer ratings twice and the highest NFL passing completion percentage once to go along with his NFL 2000, NFL 2010’s All-Decade Team, NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, and many many more.
With so many scary accolades under his belt, Brady will sit on his New England Patriots Hall of Fame throne for ages to come.
Liam has been a major sports fan and soccer player for over a decade, with a particular focus on major top-level soccer leagues, including the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and MLS. He has written numerous promotional articles for various top sportsbooks and continues to publish historical and factual sports articles covering the NFL, MLS, NHL, MLB, EPL and more.