Now! It is the time to rank the best American football players of all time. The NFL is the most exciting sport in the world to follow up.
We have witnessed some of the greatest athletes of all time reveal the wildness of football on the grid. Every single player has a different style of play over several eras. Today, the passing game dominates the NFL, but in the earlier period, it was very much a defensive and run-first offense that led to championships.
With all of the changeable skills, differences in play style, and levels of athleticism, skill, and coaching, it’s inflexible to find out who is the best player of all time, especially considering the vast range of positions in the game. So now, without wasting any further time, let’s check out the best NFL players of all time.
1. Jerry rice
“I don’t think I’m such a natural, I think what I’m doing is very hard work. I work hard to keep in shape, I work hard on the practice field, I work hard in a game. Cornerbacks are the best athletes on the team; they wouldn’t be out there if they weren’t. Those are the guys I have to beat. It isn’t easy.”
Jerry Rice’s case makes him exclusive because of his endurance and extended excellence. Wide receivers are usually the lightest players in the NFL due to their careers. But it is not suited for Jerry. Until our number one-ranked player came along, he was the league’s iron man.
Position: WR (Wide Receiver)
Lifespan: 1985 – 2004
Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders.
Noteworthy honors:
- 1-times Super Bowl MVP(Most Valuable Player) Award
- 1-times MVP
- 13-times Pro Bowler
- 10-times First-Team All-Pro
- 2-times NFL OPOY (Offensive Player of the Year) (1987, 1993)
- 3-times Super Bowl Champion (1989, 1990, 1995)
- Pro Football HOF All-80s Team
- Pro Football HOF All-90s Team
- Hall of Fame (2010)
- NFL 100 All-Time Team
- NFL Career Leader in Receptions (1,549)
- NFL Career Leader in Receiving Yards (22,895)
- NFL Career Leader in Receiving Touchdowns (197)
2. Peyton Manning (The Sheriff)
“Pressure is something you feel when you don’t know what the hell you’re doing.” -Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning is possibly the most talented quarterback in NFL history. During his 18-year career, Manning was recognized for his audibles and vast knowledge of the offenses he ran. He was easily the most important player on every team he played for, verified by his five Most Valuable Player awards in NFL history.
Position: QB (Quarterback)
Lifespan: 1998-2015
Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
Noteworthy honors:
- 14-times Pro Bowler
- 7-times First-Team All-Pro
- 2-times OPOY (2004, 2013)
- 5-times NFL MVP (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013)
- 2-times Super Bowl Champion (2006, 2016)
- 2006 Super Bowl MVP
- 2005 Walter Payton Man of the Year
- Pro Football HOF All-2000’s Team
- Hall of Fame (2021)
- NFL 100 All-Time Team
- Single-Season Passing Touchdown Leader (55)
- #3 NFL Career Passing Yards (71,940)
- #3 NFL Career Passing Touchdowns (539)
- #1 NFL Career Game-Winning Drives (54)
- #1 NFL Career Comebacks (43)
3. Walter Payton (Sweetness)
“Tomorrow is promised to no one.”
The reason behind Payton is known as “Sweetness,” one being the sweet way he ran the ball and the other being his higher-pitched voice and sweet conduct. Payton was not just an intangible runner, as his nickname may suggest, but an extremely powerful runner. According to the great Jim Brown, Payton was a “warrior” and never ran out of bounds to avoid a hit. Despite his power running, Payton was incredibly durable. He went on to play in 186 consecutive games after an injury in his rookie year.
Position: RB (Running back)
Lifespan: 1975-1987
Teams: Chicago Bears
Noteworthy honors:
- 9-times Pro Bowler
- 5-times First-Team All-Pro
- 1977 NFL OPOY
- 1977 NFL MVP
- 1977 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
- Pro Football HOF All-1970’s Team
- Pro Football HOF All-1980’s Team
- Hall of Fame (1993)
- NFL 100 All-Time Team
- #2 NFL Career Rushing Yards (16,726)
- #5 NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns (110)
- #3 NFL Career All-Purpose Yards (21,803)
4. Tom Brady
“You wanna know which ring is my favorite? The next one.” -Tom Brady
Tom Brady is one of the weirdest competitors ever to play the match. He’s consistently played at a top-five level year in and year out, even into his mid-40s. Brady would go on to play over 20 seasons, maintaining multiple all-time records and winning more Super Bowls than any other franchise had in their history.
Position: QB
Lifespan: 2000 – Present
Teams: New England Patriots; Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Noteworthy honors:
- 15-times Pro Bowler
- 3-times First-Team All-Pro
- 2-times NFL OPOY (2007, 2010)
- 2009 NFL Comeback POY
- 3-times NFL MVP (2007, 2010, 2017)
- 7-times Super Bowl Champion (2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021)
- 5-times Super Bowl MVP (2002, 2003, 2015, 2017, 2021)
- Pro Football HOF All-2000’s Team
- Pro Football HOF All-2010’s Team
- NFL 100 All-Time Team
- Most Super Bowl Appearances in NFL History (10)
- Most Super Bowl Victories in NFL History (7)
- NFL Career Leader Regular Season Wins (230)
- NFL Career Leader Postseason Wins (35)
- NFL Career Leader Passing Touchdowns (624)
- NFL Career Leader Passing Yards (84,520)
- #2 NFL Career Comebacks (42)
- #2 NFL Career Game-Winning Drives (53)
5. Reggie White (The Minister of Defense)
“The thing that I know, and everyone else knows, is that no one can ever take my accomplishments away. My goal as a football player was to be the best to ever play my position. I believe I’ve reached my goal.” -Reggie White
Reggie White (RIP, Minister of Defense) is the peak edge attacker of all time. Imagine playing for nearly two decades at such a violent position and only missing two All-Pro, and Pro Bowl nods for your entire career. White played in 121 games with the Eagles and registered 124 sacks. When he went to Green Bay, he added 68.5 sacks in his 6 years with the team.
Position: DE (Defensive End)
Lifespan: 1985-2000
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers
Noteworthy honors:
- 13-times Pro Bowl selection
- 8-times First-Team All-Pro selection
- 2-times NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1987, 1998)
- #2 All-Time Career Sack Leader (198)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame All-80s Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame All-90s Team
- 1st Ballot NFL Hall of Famer (2006)
- NFL 100 All-Time Team
6. Jim Brown
“If you truly believe something, and it’s incorrect, that doesn’t mean you don’t have integrity.”
As the most to ever play arguably the second-most important role on an NFL team, Brown ranks at the bottom of this particular Mt. Rushmore. Jim is the only player in NFL history with career averages of over 100 yards per game and over 5 yards per carrying. In Brown’s 9-year career, he led the NFL in rushing 8 times and the league in touchdowns 5 times.
Position: RB
Lifespan: 1957-1965
Teams: Cleveland Browns
Noteworthy honors:
- 1957 NFL OROY (Offensive Rookie of the Year)
- 9-times Pro Bowler
- 8-times First-Team All-Pro
- 3-times NFL MVP (1957, 1958, 1965)
- NFL Champion (1964)
- Pro Football HOF All-1960’s Team
- NFL 100 All-Time Team
- #30 NFL Career Rushing Attempts (2,359)
- #11 NFL Career Rushing Yards (12,312)
- #6 NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns (106)
- NFL Career Leader in Rushing Yards Per Game (104.3)
7. Lawrence Taylor (L.T)
“You try to stay within the rules for the sake of the game, but you can always turn up the intensity.” -Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor is popularly regarded as the greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL. As the saying goes, ‘defense wins championships.’ A 12-year NFL career as the hardest hitter in football is no joke. However, he has accolades to back up that claim.
Position: LB (Linebacker)
Lifespan: 1981-1993
Teams: New York Giants
Noteworthy honors:
- 1981 NFL DROY
- 10-times Pro Bowler
- 8-times First-Team All-Pro
- 3-times NFL DPOY (1981, 1982, 1986)
- 1986 NFL MVP
- Pro Football HOF All-80s Team
- Hall of Fame (1999)
- NFL 100 All-Time Team
- #14 NFL Career Sacks (132.5)
8. John Elway
“It’s all about putting the best team together – not just in the front office but the players on the field.”
Elway’s accolades don’t seem to hold up a high rank. His five championship starts the most of any quarterback not named Tom Brady, and as the greatest player in Broncos history, Elway’s place in NFL lore is secure, as is his imagery.
Position: QB
Lifespan: 1983-1998
Teams: Denver Broncos
Noteworthy honors:
- Hall of Fame (2004 Class)
- 2-times Super Bowl Champion (1998, ’99)
- 1-times MVP(Most Valuable Player) (1989)
- 1-times Super Bowl MVP
- 2-times AFC OPoY
- 1-times First-Team All-Pro
- 2-times Second Team All-Pro
- 1992 Walter Payton Man of the Year
- 9-times Pro Bowl.
9. Joe Montana
“Always be prepared to start.”
The original “Joe Cool,” Joe Montana presently radiates Hollywood-style quarterback energy. The same with the peak of the San Francisco 49ers, Montana was the undisputed GOAT quarterback before a certain Patriot/Buccaneer leveled up in the 2010s. From his name to his looks, his stats, to nearly everything else about him, Montana has been the modern prototype for every hopeful signal caller in the NFL.
Position: QB
Lifespan: 1979-1994
Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs
Noteworthy honors:
- Hall of Fame (2000)
- 4-times Super Bowl Champion
- 3-times Super Bowl MVP
- 2- NFL times MVP
- 2-times Second Team All-Pro (1981, 1984)
- 3-times First Team All-Pro (1987, 1989, 1990)
- 8-times Pro Bowl.
10. Johnny Unitas
“Anything I do, I always have a reason for.”
Unitas’ place here is not simply nostalgic. His NFL record of 47 straight games with a touchdown pass went unbroken until 2012, not by Brady or Manning, but by Drew Brees. You don’t get a nickname like the Golden Arm for nothing.
Position: QB
Lifespan: 1955-1973
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers
Noteworthy honors:
- Hall of Fame (1972)
- 2-times NFL Champion
- 9-times First Team All-Pro;
- 1-times Second-Team All-Pro
- 3rd longest TD streak in NFL history (47 games)
- 11-times Pro Bowl.
11. Dick Butkus (The Monster of the Midway)
“I wanna just let ’em know that they’ve been hit. And when they get up they don’t have to look to see who hit ’em. It shouldn’t be any puzzle when they come through they gotta say ‘Well it must have been Butkus who got me.'” –Dick Butkus
During his time in the NFL, Butkus was one of the league’s most ferocious and hard-hitting defensive players! He earned the nickname “The Monster of the Midway” and struck fear into his opponents.
Dick Butkus’ accolades don’t necessarily measure up with his generation. This makes him high on the top 20, but that’s fine, considering his short career. His reputation was built on the eye test, and his tackles were famous for being hard enough to generate regular turnovers.
Position: LB
Lifespan: 1965-1973
Teams: Chicago Bears
Noteworthy honors:
- 8-times Pro Bowl selection
- 5-times All-Pro selection
- 2-times DPoY (Defensive Player of the Year)(1970)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame All-60s Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame All-70s Team
- 1st Ballot NFL Hall of Famer (1979)
- NFL 100 All-Time Team
- The award for the best linebacker in the nation is named after Butkus.
12. Jack Lambert
“Take pride in yourself. Be your own person”.
Jack Lambert made his reputation as the more mobile half of Pittsburgh’s iconic ‘Steel Curtain’ defenses during the ’70s. Some athletes in this ranking are celebrated for their winning, career length, or tributes. Lambert is the rare case that checks off all three boxes. His less iconic name put him off from being higher on this list, but he has an argument to make the top 20.
Position: LB
Lifespan: 1974-1984
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers
Noteworthy honors:
- Hall of Fame (1990)
- 4-times Super Bowl Champion
- 2-times DPoY (1976, 1983)
- 9-times First-Team All-Pro
- 2-times Second Team All-Pro(1975, 1978)
- 9-times Pro Bowl
- NFL DRoY (Defensive Rookie of the Year) (1974)
13. Sammy Baugh
“He knocks the hell out of people, but in a Christian way.”
Perhaps the first immense Washington player, Baugh’s championships came before the Super Bowl era, referring him to the prehistory of modern football. Though, his talent and numbers cannot be denied — Baugh led the NFL in completion percentage eight times, with four passing yards titles and three titles in passer rating to boot. He also played heavy minutes as a punter and DB, probably due to the relative size of the league back then.
Position: QB
Lifespan: 1937-1952
Teams: Washington Redskins
Noteworthy honors:
- Hall of Fame (1963)
- 2-times NFL Champion
- 2-times NFL PoY (Player of the Year)
- 4-times First-Team All-Pro
- 4-times Second Team All-Pro
- 6-times Pro Bowl
14. Emmitt Smith
“I’ve given everything I can possible to the game, on and off the field.”
There might be more iconic names to non-fans or casual fans that have already been listed, but Emmitt Smith is by far the greatest of the Cowboys offensive trio that made Dallas the juggernaut brand it is today. Initially, running back for the most successful era of America’s squad, Smith argues to be the greatest NFL running back of all time, and the stats back it up. His records are very much untouched, and his production remained.
Position: RB
Lifespan: 1990-2004
Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals
Noteworthy honors:
- Hall of Fame (2010)
- 1-times MVP
- 1-times Super Bowl MVP;
- ORoY (Offensive Rookie of the Year)
- 4-times First Team All-Pro (1937, ’40, ’42, ’43)
- 2-times Second Team All-Pro
- 8-times Pro Bowl
- Multiple records (rushing yards, touchdowns, attempts)
15. Drew Brees
“The truth is, you don’t learn much from winning, but losing can make you a lot stronger.”
Drew Brees is the most remarkable New Orleans Saint of all time and deserves his place for what he has done and meant to his team and city. Certainly, his stats and records are nothing to sneeze at either: aside from a Super Bowl win and several deep playoff runs, he possesses the record for season passing yards crowns (7) and passing touchdowns (4).
Position: QB
Lifespan: 2001-2020
Teams: San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints
Noteworthy honors:
- 1-times Super Bowl Champion
- 1-times Super Bowl MVP
- 2-times OPoY (2008, 2011)
- 1 First Team All-Pro
- 4-times Second Team All-Pro
- 13-times Pro Bowls
- MoY (Man of the Year Award)
- CpoY (Comeback Player of the Year) Award
16. Ed Reed
“Everyone has their own greatness. Whether you reach your own greatness depends on your environment, your structure, the company you keep and your attitude”.
Reed’s 64 regular season interceptions ranked him 6th on the NFL’s all-time leader list at the time when he retired. Reed is well thought-out to be one of the record safeties in NFL history and was often referred to as a “ball hawk” during his prime.
Position: S (Safety)
Lifespan: 2002-2013
Teams: Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Houston Texans
Noteworthy honors:
- Hall of Fame (2019)
- 1-times Super Bowl Champion
- 1-times DPoY (2004)
- 5-times First-Team All-Pro
- 3-times Second Team All-Pro (2003, 2009, 2011)
- 9-times Pro Bowl
- Tied for Most Career Playoff Interceptions (9)
- Longest Interception Return in NFL History (107 yards)
- Most Career Interception Return Yards (1,590)
- First player in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt, and fumble for a TD
- Holds the record for most multi-interception games in a career (12)
- Tied for most career blocked punts returned for TD (3)