Top 10 Most Clutch NFL Quarterbacks of All Time

The Top Ten

Tom Brady

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League. Brady is known for being the only quarterback in history to win seven Super Bowls and is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time... read more

I could say comeback kid, but he's the oldest player in the NFL. He has led 49 game-winning drives, five of them occurring in the Super Bowl. He led a game-winning drive in a Super Bowl in his first year as a starter, and followed that up two years later with another one. He also threw four touchdowns and led a ten-point fourth-quarter comeback against one of the greatest defenses of all time, then led a 25-point comeback to win a Super Bowl two years after that.
He would go on to win two more Super Bowls after that comeback, and it could go on. He is 44 years old and led a game-winning drive against the Cowboys. He always has laser focus and never gives up. His touchdown throw against the Saints with five seconds left back in 2013 sums it all up.
Joe Montana

Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana Jr., nicknamed "Joe Cool" and "The Comeback Kid," is a retired American football quarterback. He is best known for his time with the San Francisco 49ers, where he led the team to four Super Bowl championships. Montana is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks... read more

Joe Montana is the GOAT and COAT!
Montana was the best when the lights shined brightest!
Joe Montana had one of the greatest statistical passing seasons in NFL history in 1989. Montana set a then-NFL record with a passer rating of 112.4, a completion percentage of 70.2%, and a 26/8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. In the playoffs, Montana was even more dominant, with a 78.3% completion percentage, 800 yards, 11 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 146.4 rating. Cold Hard Football Facts calls Montana's 1989 season "the one by which we must measure all other passing seasons."
Joe Montana's Super Bowl stats: 83 completions, 122 pass attempts, 68% completion percentage, 1142 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing, no interceptions, and a 127.8 rating. UNMATCHED in NFL history.
Joe Montana did what he did playing real football, not the version they play today. Montana played in a league when the definition of a legal hit was very different from today's standards.
John Elway

John Albert Elway Jr. is a former American football quarterback. He served as the executive vice president of football operations and general manager of the Denver Broncos in the National Football League. Elway led the Broncos to two Super Bowl victories as a player and played his entire career with... read more

These guys are only good, not clutch. John is the only real clutch quarterback.
Peyton Manning

Peyton Williams Manning is a former American football quarterback considered one of the greatest in NFL history. He played 18 seasons in the league, 14 with the Indianapolis Colts (1998-2011) and four with the Denver Broncos (2012-2015). Manning retired after leading the Broncos to a victory in Super... read more

Very underrated. Did you see some of the comebacks he made in 2008?

He, Marvin Harrison, and Reggie Wayne dominated together.
Troy Aikman

Troy Kenneth Aikman is a former American football quarterback who played for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League. He was the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft and led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles. After retiring from football, Aikman became a sports broadcaster and analyst... read more

There are only three other QBs on this list who have three Super Bowls or more than Troy Aikman. He had a great running back, which took a lot of focus off the passing game. As a result, he could have had much better stats. He is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and deserves to be in the top ten.
Bernie Kosar on the list? What has he won in the NFL? Granted, he won some big games, but none bigger than conference championships or Super Bowls. What about Brett Favre? He was always clutch.
Bart Starr

Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr was a former professional American football quarterback and coach. He played for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and led the team to five NFL championships, including victories in the first two Super Bowls. Starr was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977... read more
Terry Bradshaw

Terry Paxton Bradshaw is a former American football quarterback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League from 1970 to 1983. He led the Steelers to four Super Bowl championships and was named Super Bowl MVP twice. After retiring, Bradshaw became a television sports analyst... read more

There have been many flawed quarterbacks who deliver when the game is on the line, and he was one of them. In the picture you see here, he was flawed in his final playoff game against the San Diego Chargers in the 1982 Super Bowl Tournament. But go back to Super Bowls 13 and 14. He was flawed, but with the game on the line, he delivered.
He connected with his targets John Stallworth and Lynn Swann for key touchdowns that earned him the Super Bowl MVP in both games and, in 1989, induction into the NFL Hall of Fame.
Its Joeysworld

Wasn't great all the time, but was great when he needed to be. That's what clutch means!
Johnny Unitas

John Constantine Unitas, nicknamed "Johnny U" or "The Golden Arm", was an American professional football quarterback. He played from the mid-1950s through the early 1970s, primarily with the Baltimore Colts. Unitas is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the National... read more

Johnny U was my boyhood idol. In the ankle-deep mud, blinding snow, and whiteouts, the Colts' passing and running games are legendary. Scratch a Raven, and you'll find the Baltimore soul of a Colt inside. You affirmed my faith in sports history from the days of black-and-white, blue-and-white-collar football in nature's elements. Johnny Unitas, my hero, the late and fantastically great in those high-tops. RIP.

He's the Jerry West of football and is very underrated. He should be number one.
Eli Manning

Elisha Nelson "Eli" Manning, born January 3, 1981, is a former American football quarterback. He played his entire 16-season career for the New York Giants in the National Football League. Manning is also known as the younger brother of former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning.

Eli Manning's Giants have often been underdogs in the postseason. They were projected to have a 4-7 record or perhaps 5-6 in Eli's 11 games. Instead, Eli Manning's Giants went 8-3, and two of those playoff victories were against arguably the greatest QB ever (in the postseason, in the Super Bowl).
Tom Brady even laughed at a prediction that the Giants would win and that the Patriots offense would ONLY score 17, and look what happened. Eli 17, Brady 14. Eli's play to David Tyree was the most important play in NFL history when three people were trying to sack Eli on 3rd down, and then he threw it to David Tyree for the helmet catch. That's what I call clutch, baby.
Brett Favre

Brett Lorenzo Favre is a former American football quarterback who spent the majority of his career with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He is a three-time NFL MVP and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016. Favre also played for the Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets... read more

The Newcomers

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Joe Flacco

Joseph Vincent Flacco (born January 16, 1985) is an American professional football quarterback. He played college football at the University of Delaware and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Flacco is best known for leading the Ravens to victory in Super Bowl... read more
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Nick Foles

Nicholas Edward Foles, born January 20, 1989, is a former American professional football quarterback. He played in the National Football League from 2012 to 2024. Foles is best known for leading the Philadelphia Eagles to victory in Super Bowl LII, where he was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

The Contenders

Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Charles Rodgers (born December 2, 1983) is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He signed a one‑year deal with Pittsburgh in March 2025 after being released by the New York Jets. Rodgers is a four‑time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XLV champion... read more

4th and 8, final chance in Week 17, delivers a deep touchdown to save the season. Hail Mary vs. Lions. Two straight Hail Marys vs. Cardinals in the divisional round in 2015. Throw to the sideline in the divisional round in 2017. Comeback after comeback. Most accurate and clutch quarterback of all time.

How many comeback wins did Aaron Rodgers have, not to mention the Hail Marys?
Kurt Warner

Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a former American football quarterback, a current part-time TV football analyst, and a philanthropist. He is best known for leading the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl XXXIV victory and for his inspirational journey from undrafted free agent to NFL MVP. Warner was inducted... read more

In his first-ever playoff game, Kurt Warner threw five touchdowns. On a 3rd and four, down 6-5, he threw a touchdown pass to Ricky Proehl. He also threw the iconic pass to Isaac Bruce in Super Bowl 34.
Two years later, in a 14-2 season, Kurt Warner and the Packers beat the Packers 45-17, then beat the Eagles 29-24. In Super Bowl 36, Warner led a drive capped off with a rushing touchdown by himself to reduce the Patriots' lead to just seven. With ninety seconds left, Warner delivered a throw to Ricky Proehl that went for twenty-six yards and a touchdown.
They wouldn't have gone to OT if it wasn't for Brady, but I have more evidence to say why I think Warner is the most clutch, even over Brady. After being injured in 2003, the Rams lost to the Panthers. Warner returned to the playoffs in 2008 as a full starter again, this time for the Cardinals.
Kurt Warner went 9-7 in the regular season and won 30-24 against the Falcons, 33-13 against the Panthers, and 32-25 against the Eagles. Down to the wire in the fourth quarter, trailing 24-25, they scored a touchdown to go up 32-25. This game is typically known as "Larry Fitzgerald's big day," but there is no question Warner had a significant role.
Down 20-7, the Cardinals came back in the fourth quarter, including a 64-yard catch and run by Larry Fitzgerald. Warner should have won three Super Bowls after that 11-touchdown postseason, but he retired with just one. In 2009, Warner had a perfect passer rating in the Wild Card game, which ended 51-45 in an improbable win.
Drew Brees

Drew Christopher Brees is a former American professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League, primarily for the New Orleans Saints. He holds the NFL record for the most 5,000-yard passing seasons, achieving this milestone five times (2008, 2011-2013, 2016), including three... read more
Steve Young

Jon Steven Young is a former professional American football quarterback. He played 15 seasons in the National Football League, most notably with the San Francisco 49ers. Young is remembered as one of the league's most efficient passers and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
Ben Roethlisberger

Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger Sr., nicknamed Big Ben, is a former American professional football quarterback. He played his entire 18-season career for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League. Roethlisberger led the team to two Super Bowl victories and retired after the 2021 season.
Roger Staubach

Roger Thomas Staubach, nicknamed Captain America and Captain Comeback, is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He played his entire career (1969-1979) with the Dallas Cowboys, winning two Super Bowls and earning six Pro Bowl selections. Staubach was inducted into the... read more
Otto Graham

Otto Everett Graham Jr. was an American football quarterback who played for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL). He led the Browns to ten championship games in ten seasons, winning seven of them. Graham is widely considered one of... read more

People are too funny. This guy invented clutch. Ten straight championship games, people - seven wins. He moved to the NFL where he was bound to fail, and he still dominated.
Tony Romo

Antonio Ramiro Romo is an American football television analyst and former quarterback who played 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. Since retiring, he has become a prominent NFL broadcaster for CBS Sports. During his playing career, Romo was known for his strong passing... read more
Ryan Fitzpatrick

Ryan Joseph Fitzpatrick (born November 24, 1982) is an American former professional football quarterback who played 17 seasons in the National Football League. He started for a record nine different teams, including the St. Louis Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans,... read more
Tim Tebow

Timothy Richard Tebow is an American former professional baseball outfielder and a former professional American football player in the National Football League. He played minor league baseball in the New York Mets organization from 2016 to 2021. Tebow is also known for winning the 2007 Heisman Trophy... read more
Matthew Stafford

John Matthew Stafford, born on February 7, 1988, is an American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League. He was selected as the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, where he played for over a decade before being traded to the Rams in 2021.... read more
Ken Stabler

Kenneth Michael "Ken" Stabler, nicknamed "Snake," was an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers, and New Orleans Saints. He led the Raiders to victory in Super Bowl XI and was named NFL MVP in 1974. Stabler was inducted into the Pro Football... read more

The Snake deserves to be in the top 5 easily. Look up these plays: The Sea of Hands, The Ghost to the Post, and The Holy Roller, and tell me that's not clutch! Let's not forget Super Bowl XI.

Please, people. Look at the numbers and consider the era. By the way, Roger was pretty good too.
Andrew Luck

Andrew Austen Luck is a former American football quarterback who played his entire NFL career, from 2012 to 2018, with the Indianapolis Colts. He was selected first overall in the 2012 NFL Draft and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. Luck retired at age 29 because of the physical toll caused by recurring... read more
Russell Wilson

Russell Carrington Wilson (born November 29, 1988) is an American football quarterback. He played for the Seattle Seahawks before being traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022. After two seasons, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and then joined the New York Giants for the 2025 season.

Russell is probably one of the greatest running quarterbacks of all time. Not only that, but he does it with the Seahawks, who have only won one Super Bowl.
Bernie Kosar