The success of any NFL team tends to rest on the efforts of the man in charge of the football and a team’s fortunes can take a sharp turn for the better if they can find the right man to lead the offense – a franchise quarterback to coin a phrase.
5 Greatest NFL Franchise Quarterbacks of the 2000s
Some NFL quarterbacks do not just play for the franchise, they become the franchise and we’ve listed five of the best signal callers since the start of this century.
NFL Franchise Quarterbacks: Drew Brees
Drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2001, Drew Brees had an uneventful few seasons in California before he was signed by New Orleans Saints in 2006, taking over at quarterback and teaming up with first-year coach Sean Payton.
Known as an accurate pocket passer, Brees’ finest achievement came when he led the Saints to Super Bowl glory with a win over the Indianapolis Colts in 2009. He also boasts a number of franchise and NFL records, including the record for most NFL 5,000 yard seasons, something he achieved five times.
NFL Franchise Quarterbacks: Patrick Mahomes
With three Super Bowl rings to his name before the age of 30, Patrick Mahomes is the man with the most scope to move up this list before he calls time on what is destined to be a Hall of Fame career with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Each of his three Super Bowl wins – in 2020, 2023 and 2024 – resulted in Mahomes being named the MVP, while he is also a two-time regular-season MVP, winning that in 2018 and 2022. He holds the record for being the fastest man to 100, 200 and 300 career touchdown passes.
NFL Franchise Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers
When previous franchise QB Brett Favre stepped aside in 2008, the Green Bay Packers handed the keys to their offense to Aaron Rodgers, who quickly set about demonstrating himself to be one of the best passers in the NFL.
A four-time regular-season MVP and 10-time Pro Bowler, Rodgers’ finest hour came in Super Bowl XLV when he led the Packers to a 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now with the New York Jets, he holds the record for the highest career passer rating (102.6), as well as the highest single-season passer rating (122.5).
NFL Franchise Quarterbacks: Peyton Manning
Only two men have won the Super Bowl with two teams and the first man to achieve that rare feat was Peyton Manning, who claimed his first ring with the Colts in 2007, before, remarkably, claiming a second with the Denver Broncos in 2016.
A seven-time first-team All-Pro and five-time MVP, Manning played for the Colts from 1998 to 2011, then finished his career with four years at Mile High. No quarterback can match his 2013 exploits, when he threw 55 passing touchdowns and 5,477 yards – both NFL records.
NFL Franchise Quarterbacks: Tom Brady
There could only be one man to top this list. Tom Brady was not picked until the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft but he established himself as a starter for the New England Patriots the following year and never looked back, teaming up with head coach Bill Belichick to create an NFL dynasty which is so far unrivalled.
Brady won six Super Bowls with the Pats, setting just about every record a quarterback can set with a franchise, then he moved on to Tampa Bay, where he led the Bucs to their second Super Bowl title at the age of 43.
By Adrian Mills
Please note that the information provided in this NFL Franchise Quarterbacks article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
Supercharge your bets with kwiff.
