I was born in 1996, so naturally I really started loving football during the 2000’s. Looking back, the 2000’s was a great time to be a football fan. Yes, the Patriots are dominant and yes, officials and Goodell are killing the game, but the decade still did not lack talent and excitement. I think I will be able to show that with this very top 10 list of in my opinion the best quarterbacks of the decade. Remember anyone who played as a QB in the 2000’s is eligible, regardless of when they started and we are only looking at what players did in the 2000-2010 decade. So if they did it in 2011 or 1999 its not being factored into the list here.
10. Mike Vick
I think many of us wonder what Mike Vick’s career would’ve been if he never went to prison for two years back in 2007 but nevertheless he still carved out and iconic career for himself. Vick may not have the greatest passing numbers compared to others on his list but his legs, deep ball arm and playmaking ability made him a force in his career. For a man to also miss two years of football and come back and look like a stronger passer like he did with the Eagles deserves to be applauded. Vick made 4 Pro Bowls and currently holds the career record for rushing yards from a QB and was able to take the Falcons and Eagles a combined three times to the playoffs in the 2000’s.
9. Phillip Rivers
If there is any man I feel bad for in football, it’s Phillip Rivers. The man is a hall of famer but has not been able to be seen in the same light of the likes of a Brady or Manning due to not having the postseason success they have had. But in the five seasons Rivers had the starting gig in the 2000’s he threw for over 4000 yards three times, including being the leader in passing yards during the 2010 season. While he also had the dynamic help of LaDainian Tomlinson, Rivers led his team to the playoffs four times throughout the 2000’s.
8. Eli Manning
This is a scenario where you have to remember were only counting what people did in the decade of the 2000-2010. So Eli here only has one ring by my rules, but with that being said I think this is the perfect spot for him. While Eli’s passing numbers are pretty good, going over 3,000 and 4000 yards every season except his rookie season, where Eli faltered was simply in consistency. Eli threw for double digit interceptions every year in the 2000’s except for his rookie year and twice led the league in interceptions. Although Eli did make the playoffs four times in the 2000’s he only got past his first game once, that of course being the Super Bowl winning year against the Patriots. However for his ability to show up and play well during big game moments and winning a Super Bowl ring, he deserves to be on this list.
7. Donovan McNabb
From inconsistency to a model of effectiveness and consistency. Donovan for almost a decade for the Eagles was a great quarterback in the 2000’s. McNabb led the Eagles to five NFC championship appearances but only made one Super Bowl appearance, which included a loss to the Patriots. While McNabb never passed for over 4000 yards in a season, he was a dynamic player capable of using his legs if he had to and making tough plays and throws many others simply could not to do. Nobody could ever forget plays he made like the 4th and 26 conversion he made in the playoffs against the Packers.
6. Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner was just inducted into the Hall of Fame this year and it was well deserved. To being a guy who was bagging groceries and was a star in the Arena League to being an NFL star. Warner won a Super Bowl and was an MVP with “The Greatest Show On Turf” in the 2000’s. If that wasn’t enough Kurt eventually fell off in the NFL losing his job as QB1 in St. Louis and was thrown to the wolves with a below average team after that with the Giants. But Warner would rise again afterwards playing with the Arizona Cardinals and leading them to a Super Bowl appearance.
5. Brett Favre
One could argue Brett Favre was the top QB of the 90’s. The 2000’s was a little more up and down for the Gunslinger as team success dipped for him as the Packers only made it to a conference championship once with him in the 2000’s. Favre also had an inconsistent year with the Jets in 2008 but had a resurgence year with the Vikings in 2009 before burning out with injuries the next year and retiring. Despite being interception heavy, Favre gets high praise on this list for his resiliency and ability throughout the 2000’s.
4. Drew Brees
Even though Phillip Rivers will be in the Hall of Fame some must wonder what would have happened if the Chargers kept Drew Brees with them. Brees is a surefire hall of famer for several reasons. Completing an amazing comeback from a rotator cuff injury, getting the snake bitten New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl victory, and breaking record upon record. Records including All-time leader in completion percentage, most consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass and most seasons with 5,000 passing yards.
3. Ben Roethlisberger
While Big Ben may not have as many records, he has the winning edge in the 2,000’s. Only two QB’s on this list won multiple Super Bowl’s in the 2000’s and Big Ben is one of them. Big Ben also gets credit for his durability being a QB who started and played well under several different injuries.
2. Peyton Manning
The smartest QB known to mankind, Peyton Manning is an obvious inclusion on this list and im sure several of you will argue he should be number one. Manning became the only four time NFL MVP in league history in the 2000’s. It was well deserved as Peyton threw for over 4000’s yards in every season in the 2000’s except for one. Peyton unfortunately does get hurt by lack of winning success in the post season but in the end still got a ring in the 2000’s with another appearance.
1.Tom Brady
You had to see this coming. Brady was able to come from being a 6th round draft pick to beating out a very good, Pro Bowl QB in Drew Bledsoe. From there on Brady would dominate the 2000’s winning three Super Bowls from 2001-2004. Twice Brady would win MVP in the 2000’s including his 2007 year where he threw for 50 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions. During the 2000’s Brady also became the quickest QB to ever eclipse 100 wins in a career. We all know that Brady has gone onto an amazing career long after the 2000’s but the 2000’s alone were enough to make him a legend. His consistent success and ability to make any team around him better makes him the best QB of the 2000’s.
