Let me start by saying that this list is only for retired quarterbacks; I also want to clarify that every quarterback on this list was a great player. That still doesn't mean they can't be overrated; in most cases, the playoffs is what lessened these guys' careers. But I think the NFL playoffs are where you find true greatness.
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10 Donovan McNabb
McNabb was far from flawless. He would often miss open receivers, abandon proper footwork and rush his throws so much that they ended up in the dirt. In his attempt to beat the Patriots in Super Bowl he fell short and perhaps his worst offense of all was not knowing that regular-season games could end in a tie -- what an embarrassment!
9) Warren Moon
Moon deserves our admiration because he never shied away from letting the ball fly; his yardage totals are truly impressive...it's only where that ball lands that has proven challenging. Warren Moon earned nine Pro Bowl selections and was honored with being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, due to his underwhelming play, he wasn't deserving of first-ballot recognition during his induction speech at PFF. Warren won one more career game than lost, had a completion percentage of 56.4 and an overall QB rating of 80.9 in his entire career. Although his playoff results were dismal, Warren wasn't afraid to let people know that he is both great but flawed - something Moon failed to acknowledge during his initial five seasons playing CFL football - giving Moon another five years may have changed my opinion about him being great!
8) Peyton Manning
I'm not saying this because of his last few years, I'm saying this because his overall career has been nothing short of amazing in the regular season. Unfortunately, the opposite can be said of his postseason play. Postseason play is the reason he is on this list, he was still a legendary quarterback.
7) Bob Griese
The most TD passes he threw in a single season was 22, and he threw 172 interceptions in a total of 161 games. That’s one staggering stat. Also, his QB rating of 77.1 should tell you that it wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops during his pro-football career. If you say the Dolphins couldn't have succeeded without him, remember the perfect season of 1972, Earl Morrall played more games than Griese. Griese proved at the end of his career how good a passer he could be though leading the 79 Dolphins to the playoffs with a great passing season.
6) Dan Marino
Dan Marino's career playoff record when throwing fewer than two interceptions per game was 7-1. But when Marino threw two or more interceptions in a game, his record changed to 1-9. For whatever reason, Marino failed to take care of the ball properly when the second postseason began, leading him to be listed among overrated quarterbacks.
People will use the excuse that he didn’t have a running game, but he lost two AFC Championship games at home as a favorite.
5) Brett Favre
Brett Favre did some incredible things, especially with his consecutive starting streak, but he was overrated. Brett Favre constantly threw bad interceptions, and his poor decision-making continued into the later years of his career when he should have known better. If you watch the piece that was put together about the top 10 plays of his career, it says it all. Almost everyone was during a regular-season game. He owns the NFL's interception record and almost all other turnover records. He could have cemented his legend status in Super Bowl XXXII; he had the ball with over a minute left and a chance to tie the game and promptly went four and out.
4) Archie Manning
Archie Manning was never really considered a great quarterback. With two sons in the NFL and the rising of Drew Brees you always hear his name. Those who don't know any better would assume that he was a great quarterback. In fifteen seasons he had 23 911 yards, 125 touchdowns, and 173 interceptions. He had 48 more interceptions than touchdowns. Also, never reached the playoffs in his career. His record as a starting quarterback was 35-101-3, and Manning only completed 55.2% of his passes. Of course, you always hear the big IF brought up if he would have had a better team around him. Whatever! He was not a very good quarterback, end of discussion.
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3) Dan Fouts
San Diego doesn’t have the best history with quarterbacks, but when they get an above-average one, boy, do they praise him, and Dan Fouts is one of those guys. Don’t get me wrong, Fouts was one of the most prolific quarterbacks during the 70s and 80s, but he may just be… overrated. Dan Fouts spent his entire career with the San Diego Chargers after being drafted by the team in 1973. Dan is a six time Pro Bowler, 1982 NFL MVP, and a Hall of Fame inductee. Fouts has an overall QB rating of 80.2 and has completed less than 59 per cent of his passes throughout his career. Dan Fout's touchdown to interception ratio is almost at .500, with 254 touchdowns and 242 internships. He also didn’t do too well in the playoffs throwing only 12 touchdowns and a total of 16 interceptions, including the 1979 AFC divisional playoff where he lost to the Houston Oilers who were missing, Earl Campbell, Dan Pastorini and Ken Burroughs. That loss to me was the most damaging to Fouts reputation. The search for a championship continues for San Diego…
2) Joe Namath
Joe Namath's name outshines his achievements. Sure, he led an unlikely New York Jets victory against Baltimore Colts in 1969's Super Bowl victory game - but that victory belongs to their defense more than to Joe himself. Namath didn't throw one touchdown pass that day and may have won the NFL popularity contest as his number was retired and inducted into the Hall of Fame. He boasts a career win-loss record of 62-63, led the league in interceptions four times and completed only 50.1% of his passes. Yet somehow we could understand why he remains a legendary New York Jets quarterback; we certainly understand why without that knee injury at Alabama he may have become one of the top five all-time quarterbacks - though unfortunately we will never know!
1) Michael Vick
Vick is a poor team leader who easily becomes disgruntled when things don't go his way. Additionally, his poor on-field decisions and instinct to run away at any hint of pressure increase his risk for injury further. He's not one to help teams become stronger; rather he makes them weaker. Over his four-year run in Philadelphia-which had no shortage of talent-his record as a starter continued to get worse each year until finally in 2013 Nick Foles replaced him as Eagles starter. In 1987, Vick started only four of their 10-7 wins; though he may have been talented he made poor on-field decisions which resulted in subpar play and could only be described by talking heads at ESPN as miraculous performances.
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