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Top-10 QBs of the 1990s

The best of the 90s
Publish Date: 07/16/2023
Fact checked by: Simon Briffa

The Top 10 Quarterbacks of the 1990s

So far, we have covered the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s (see below), so today, I will take a run at picking the top ten quarterbacks of the 1990s.

10) Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs

He only played the first few years of the decade but had an excellent 1990 season for the 49ers and then led the Chiefs to the playoffs, including an AFC Championship game.

Video: Every Joe Montana Touchdown (Chiefs) | Joe Montana Highlights

Every Joe Montana Touchdown (Chiefs) | Joe Montana Highlights

9) Drew Bledsoe, New England Patriots

He will go down in history as the man who got hurt and was replaced by Tom Brady, but Bledsoe was an excellent QB who, from 1994-96, carried the Patriots on his back and brought them to Super Bowl XXXI.

Video: Best of Drew Bledsoe | Career Highlights

Best of Drew Bledsoe | Career Highlights

8) Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins

After his magnificent 1984 season, Marino never won more than one playoff game in a season. The ’90s saw a significant drop-off from his production in the 1980s. His best shot at changing the perception of his career was in 1992 when the Dolphins had the home-field advantage in a Championship game against the Bills. Marino played poorly and was blown out at home.

Video: The Fake Spike: Dan Marino (1994)

The Fake Spike: Dan Marino (1994)

7) Randall Cunningham, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings

Cunningham was an incredible talent who became an excellent pocket passer at the end of his career. If he had played today in the more modern spread offense, Cunningham would have probably been a Hall of Famer.

Video: Randall Cunningham 1998 Vikings Highlights

Randall Cunningham 1998 Vikings Highlights

6) Warren Moon, Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings

Moon-like Marino was a fantastic regular season Quarterback who never played as well in the post-season as he did in the regular season. The big question on Moon’s career is what he could have accomplished if his first five years of Professional Football had been played in the NFL instead of the CFL

Video: Warren Moon Vikings Highlights

Warren Moon Vikings Highlights

5) Jim Kelly, Buffalo Bills

Kelly is still the only quarterback in history to lead his team to four straight Super Bowl appearances. He never won a Super Bowl and played poorly in three of the four, but making four consecutive Super Bowls is still a great accomplishment and put him ahead of the rest of these guys below him on this list.

Video: Jim Kelly Highlights

Jim Kelly Highlights

4) Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers

This list seems filled with guys that couldn’t get the job done in the playoffs; Favre does fit in that category if you look at his whole career. In the ’90s, though, he did lead the Packers to Super Bowls XXXI and XXXII, winning XXXI.

Video: Brett Favre Top 50 Most Incredible Plays of All-Time | NFL Highlights

Brett Favre Top 50 Most Incredible Plays of All-Time | NFL Highlights

3) Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers

Steve Young only won one Super Bowl in his career, but that playoff run was one of the greatest any QB has ever had. Young was a threat with his arm and legs and will go down as one of the greatest Quarterbacks to ever play the game.

Video: Steve Young Highlights

Steve Young Highlights

2) Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys

Aikman, to me, is maybe the most underrated quarterback in NFL history; he won three Super Bowls on one of the greatest teams in NFL history. I think his biggest problem and why he is not rated very high by most was that his teams were so dominant that he never had too many chances to lead his teams from behind. Technically one of the greatest Quarterbacks to ever play the game.

Video: Troy Aikman Highlights

Troy Aikman Highlights

1) John Elway, Denver Broncos

Elway led the Broncos to three Super Bowls in the 1980s. The teams he led had little to no running game, no elite receivers, and Elway lost all three of those Super Bowl games. In the ’90s, From 1993 until his retirement in 1998, Elway averaged 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions per season and had a passer rating of 88.9 with five Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl championships.

Video: John Elway Highlights (Final Version)

John Elway Highlights (Final Version)

For more NFL news click here!

Top Quarterbacks of the 1950s

Top Quarterbacks of the 1960s

Top Quarterbacks of the 1970s

Top Quarterbacks of the 1980s

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