The 2000s were a golden era for the best NFL quarterbacks, featuring some of the most talented and accomplished signal-callers in league history. This decade saw the emergence of future Hall of Famers, record-breaking performances, and the beginning of dynasties. Let’s explore the best NFL quarterbacks of the 2000s and their contributions to the sport.
Peyton Manning
The 2000s quarterbacks can’t begin without mentioning Peyton Manning. The Indianapolis Colts star was the epitome of consistency and excellence throughout the decade. Manning’s ability to read defenses, make pre-snap adjustments, and deliver pinpoint passes revolutionized the quarterback position.
During the 2000s, Manning won an impressive four NFL MVP awards (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009), showcasing his dominance. He led the Colts to a Super Bowl victory in 2006, finally securing the championship that had eluded him early in his career. Manning’s statistical output was staggering, including five 4,000-yard passing seasons and two 49-touchdown campaigns (2004, 2006).
What set Manning apart was his football IQ and his ability to elevate the play of those around him. He turned unheralded receivers into stars and made the Colts’ offense one of the most feared in the league. Manning’s impact on the game extended beyond his own team, as his style of play influenced offensive strategies across the NFL.
Tom Brady
While Tom Brady’s career extended well beyond the 2000s, this decade saw him emerge as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Brady began the decade as an unheralded sixth-round draft pick and ended it as a three-time Super Bowl champion and the leader of a budding dynasty.
Brady’s clutch performances in big games became legendary. He led the New England Patriots to Super Bowl victories in 2001, 2003, and 2004, earning Super Bowl MVP honors twice. His ability to perform under pressure and make crucial plays when it mattered most set him apart from his peers.
In 2007, Brady had one of the greatest statistical seasons in NFL history, throwing for 4,806 yards and a then-record 50 touchdowns. This performance earned him his first NFL MVP award and solidified his status as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league.
Brett Favre
Brett Favre, who began his career in the 1990s, continued to be one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks well into the 2000s. Known for his gunslinger mentality and iron man streak of consecutive starts, Favre remained a force to be reckoned with throughout the decade.
Favre led the Green Bay Packers to consistent success, including a memorable 2007 season where he guided the team to the NFC Championship game at the age of 38. He finished his Packers career with a brief stint with the New York Jets before having a renaissance season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2009, throwing for 4,202 yards and 33 touchdowns at the age of 40.
Favre’s durability, passion for the game, and ability to make plays under duress made him one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch during this era. Sadly, the Packers Legend revealed a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Drew Brees
Drew Brees emerged as one of the decade’s best NFL quarterbacks after joining the New Orleans Saints in 2006. Brees’s accuracy and leadership transformed the Saints from perennial underachievers to one of the most potent offenses in the league.
In 2008, Brees came close to breaking Dan Marino’s single-season passing record, throwing for 5,069 yards. He consistently led the league in passing categories and was selected to four Pro Bowls during the decade. Brees’s crowning achievement came just after the decade’s end when he led the Saints to victory in Super Bowl XLIV in February 2010.
Brees’s quick release, decision-making, and ability to spread the ball around to multiple receivers made him one of the most efficient quarterbacks of the era.
Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner’s career was one of the most unique in NFL history. After a storybook rise to stardom in the late 1990s, Warner continued to perform at an elite level in the 2000s, albeit with some ups and downs.
Warner led the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl appearance in 2001, showcasing his ability to command the “Greatest Show on Turf” offense. After some challenging years and a change of teams, Warner experienced a career resurgence with the Arizona Cardinals. He led the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl appearance in 2008, nearly pulling off an upset against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Warner’s accuracy, quick release, and ability to read defenses made him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks when he was at his best. His career renaissance in Arizona proved that he remained one of the best NFL quarterbacks in the league even in the latter part of the decade.
Donovan McNabb
Donovan McNabb was the face of the Philadelphia Eagles throughout the 2000s, leading the team to consistent success. McNabb’s combination of arm strength and mobility made him a dual-threat quarterbac before the term became commonplace.
McNabb led the Eagles to five NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl appearance in 2004. While he never won the big game, his consistent high-level play kept the Eagles in contention throughout the decade. McNabb was selected to six Pro Bowls during his career, with five of those selections coming in the 2000s. He is often underappreciated, but deserves to be on our list of best NFL quarterbacks of the decade.
Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger burst onto the scene in 2004, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 15-1 record in his rookie season. Known for his ability to extend plays and make throws under pressure, Roethlisberger quickly established himself as one of the league’s top young quarterbacks.
Roethlisberger led the Steelers to two Super Bowl victories during the decade (2005, 2008), becoming the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl in his second season. His physical style of play and clutch performances in big games made him a perfect fit for the Steelers’ tough, gritty identity.
The 2000s were truly a golden age for NFL quarterbacks. These players not only put up impressive statistics but also changed the way the game was played. Their diverse skill sets forced defenses to adapt and created new offensive strategies that are still influencing the game today.
From the cerebral approach of Peyton Manning to the clutch performances of Tom Brady, from the gunslinger mentality of Brett Favre to the precision of Drew Brees, these quarterbacks left an indelible mark on the NFL. They inspired a generation of young players and provided fans with countless memorable moments.
As the NFL has evolved into even more of a passing league in recent years, it’s worth looking back and appreciating the best NFL quarterbacks had on the game. Their performances set records that stood for years, and their legacy continues to influence the way the quarterback position is played and valued in the modern NFL.
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