Bill Belichick (Former Head Coach of the New England Patriots): “There’s no quarterback I’d rather have than Tom Brady. He’s the best. He’s been an incredible leader for our team, the heart and soul of our program.”
Tony Dungy (Former Head Coach of the Indianapolis Colts): “Peyton is the best leader I’ve ever been around. He leads not just with words but with example, effort, and preparation.”
Throughout much of their careers, fans and analysts alike debated who was the better quarterback: Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Now, these two legendary quarterbacks, one a Hall of Famer and the other soon to be, have taken on the role of pundits themselves, offering their insights on the current crop of NFL quarterbacks.
Tom Brady and Peyton Manning release their Top 5 QBs in the NFL. #NFL #NFL2024 pic.twitter.com/whWCjZfIcn
— Dan Mitchell (@realdanmitchell) August 20, 2024
Over the weekend, both Brady and Manning appeared on “The Stephen A. Smith Show” during a fan event in New York, where they were asked to rank the top quarterbacks in the league today.
When asked for his top pick, Brady made the obvious choice, praising Kansas City Chiefs’ star Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl champion, as the best quarterback in the game right now. Smith then pushed Brady to name his top five.
Brady quickly followed up by naming Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson as the next on his list.
“I think, consistently, the guys that always impress me are Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson,” Brady said, highlighting their on-field abilities.
Brady then took a moment to consider his next pick, eventually naming Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow as his fourth choice. “Joe Burrow is very impressive with how he throws the ball and leads the team,” Brady added, noting Burrow’s strong connection with his teammates.
However, Brady decided to stop at four names, even as Smith tried to suggest a fifth pick. Smith proposed adding Aaron Rodgers to the list, but Brady hesitated, saying he was curious to see how Rodgers would perform after recovering from an Achilles tendon tear in 2023 with the New York Jets.
Peyton Manning listed his Top-5 QBs in the NFL. Do you agree with this list? 🤔
1. Patrick Mahomes
2. Joe Burrow
3. Justin Herbert
4. Lamar Jackson
5. Josh Allenpic.twitter.com/mJ4UpaShBU— Brad Henson Productions (@BradHensonPro) August 19, 2024
Tom Brady’s Top 4 Quarterbacks:
- Patrick Mahomes
- Josh Allen
- Lamar Jackson
- Joe Burrow
In a separate segment, Manning was posed the same question. Like Brady, Manning also placed Patrick Mahomes at the top of his list, pointing out the strong coaching Mahomes receives from Andy Reid, which he believes benefits both Mahomes and the Chiefs.
“Patrick Mahomes is No. 1,” Manning said confidently, acknowledging Mahomes’ consistent excellence.
While initially reluctant to create a full top five, Manning eventually followed through, listing Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow as his second choice, praising Burrow’s calm and composed demeanor on the field.
Manning’s third pick diverged from Brady’s list, as he selected Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, highlighting Herbert’s exceptional arm strength and talent despite his lack of playoff success.
Rounding out Manning’s list were Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, both of whom also appeared on Brady’s list. Manning noted Jackson’s unique playstyle and ability to protect himself, and praised Allen’s toughness and determination to bring a championship to Buffalo.
Peyton Manning’s Top 5 Quarterbacks:
- Patrick Mahomes
- Joe Burrow
- Justin Herbert
- Lamar Jackson
- Josh Allen
As former rivals on the field, Brady and Manning are now stepping into a new arena—sports analysis. Manning has spent several years honing his skills in this role since retiring in 2015, finding his niche in the media world. Brady, on the other hand, is just beginning his journey, having retired from the NFL in 2022 and preparing for his first year as a game analyst for Fox.
Tom Brady names his top 5 quarterbacks who are currently in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/OlsDf7mRGp
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) August 17, 2024
Fans can expect more lively discussions and rankings from these two iconic quarterbacks as they continue to share their insights on the game they once dominated.
Quotes
- Joe Montana (NFL Hall of Famer): “I think Tom’s the best all-around quarterback I’ve ever seen. The way he handles the game, the way he plays the game, it’s unbelievable.”
- Peyton Manning (NFL Quarterback): “Tom has always had a laser-like focus. He can put things behind him and keep his eye on the prize.”
- Tom Brady (NFL Quarterback): “He was such a great player for such a long time. He’s one of the all-time greats, and I was lucky to have played against him.”
- John Elway (NFL Hall of Famer): “Peyton Manning is the best I’ve ever seen. I don’t think you could find anyone better to run an offense than Peyton.”
Major Points:
- Tom Brady and Peyton Manning ranked their top NFL quarterbacks during a fan event on “The Stephen A. Smith Show.”
- Both Brady and Manning agreed on Patrick Mahomes as the best quarterback in the NFL today.
- Brady named Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow as his top quarterbacks but stopped short of naming a fifth.
- Manning included Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen in his top five, with Herbert being a notable difference from Brady’s list.
- Brady and Manning, once rivals on the field, are now transitioning into sports analysis, with Brady set to begin his first year as a game analyst for Fox.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News