Since the inception of the NFL in 1920, American football has evolved into a nationally beloved sport that now appeals to the masses around the world. Throughout multiple decades and eras, thousands of players have shaped the game as we know it today through their contributions to the sport. Over the years, thousands of players have left an irremovable mark on the game, shaping its evolution through their remarkable contributions both on and off the field. From the early pioneers who laid the foundation to modern superstars who redefine excellence, the NFL’s rich history is a testament to their enduring impact.
GIVEMESPORT explores the 10 best NFL players of all time, past and present, across multiple positions. To meet our proposed criteria, we've based our rankings on the following:
Ranking Factors:
Longevity - a long career is imperative towards being considered one of the best of all time.
Loyalty - how many years they played for the same team makes a huge difference in terms of personal impact on the sport.
Super Bowl Titles - a lasting legacy on the sport is important in terms of being the best.
Individual Accolades - how fellow players, coaches and the wider NFL fanbase saw each respective player.
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10 Patrick Mahomes
2017-Present
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs QB
Ryan Kang/Getty Images
Years Active
Teams
Position
MVPs
Final MVPs
Super Bowl Titles
Patrick Mahomes is the only active player on our list, and he has the potential to climb even higher among the all-time greats. Mahomes was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 and revolutionised the franchise in a plethora of ways.
In the pre-Mahomes era, head coach Andy Reid rebuilt the franchise from the ground up after decades of underachievement. The Chiefs were a relatively successful team, but Mahomes' arrival as quarterback elevated a playoff losing side into a Super Bowl-winning dynasty.
Since becoming the starting quarterback in 2018, Mahomes has reached five Super Bowls, winning three championships and as many final MVP awards. To put it simply, he's either reached the AFC Championship Game or the Super Bowl, an incredible seven-year spell of reliability and exceptional ability.
9 Barry Sanders
1989-1998
Barry Sanders Detroit Lions RB 1995
Julian H. Gonzalez-USA TODAY NETWORK
Years Active
Teams
Position
MVPs
Offensive Player of the Year
Super Bowl Titles
Barry Sanders is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time. Despite retiring over a quarter of a century ago, Sanders still ranks fourth on the all-time rushing yards list with a total of 15,269 attributed over his near-decade-long career.
To the surprise of many, he retired at the age of 30, bowing out when he was still playing at an elite level. Drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1989, his unmatched consistency saw him record over 1,000 rushing yards in every single season of his career.
He earned the Offensive Player of the Year award in 1994 and 1997, as well as the MVP, further showing his attributes on the field. While Sanders is the only player on this list without a Super Bowl appearance or victory, his legendary status is unquestionable.
8 Peyton Manning
1998-2015
Peyton Manning Colts QB
Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY Sports
Years Active
Teams
Position
MVPs
Final MVPs
Super Bowl Titles
Peyton Manning stands alone in the record books for racking up the Most Valuable Player awards with five. After the Indianapolis Colts drafted him in 1998, he racked up four MVP awards and later secured his first Super Bowl in 2006.
His impact on the state of Indiana will never be forgotten by their fan base, thanks to a world-class performance to end a 36-year championship drought. For his services, his famous number 18 was retired soon after his departure in 2011.
In 2012, the Denver Broncos defeated the intense competition to obtain his signature. Manning continued to play at an exceptionally high standard despite sitting out the 2011 season due to injuries. He won his final MVP in 2013 and later won a second Super Bowl in his final year at the age of 39.
7 Reggie White
1984-2000
Reggie White Carolina Panthers
Allen Kee/Getty Images
Years Active
Teams
Position
Defensive Player of the Year
Super Bowl Titles
No ranking of the greatest NFL players would be complete without "the Minister of Defense" himself, Reggie White. At the time of his retirement, he was the NFL's all-time sack leader and stands alone as the only player to post at least 10 sacks over nine years.
White represented the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and briefly the Carolina Panthers. Regardless of the badge he represented, he was always the heartbeat of the defensive setup and a player you could depend on.
The only thing that weighs him down is his Super Bowl tally, winning just once in 1996. A player with his athleticism, skill, and defensive abilities enhances his legacy. However, he can be proud of his two-time NFL Sack Leader and Defensive Player of the Year awards, both of which ultimately earned him a well-deserved place in the Hall of Fame.
6 Joe Montana
1979-1995
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana (16) in action against the Washington Redskins at Candlestick Park
Credit: © RVR Photos-Imagn Images
Years Active
Teams
Position
MVPs
Final MVPs
Super Bowl Titles
Joe Montana was the first true quarterback to redefine the modern game. He joined the San Francisco 49ers as a third rounder in the 1979 draft, before earning the starting quarterback role in 1981. His impact led to him winning his first of four Super Bowls that year.
Under the guidance of legendary tactician and head coach Bill Walsh, he made impressive strides and numbers year after year. When he retired in 1995, he held a 4-0 record in Super Bowl appearances.
He racked up a second Super Bowl in 1984, but what made him a truly legendary figure in the Bay Area was his ability to overcome adversity. After suffering a serious back injury during week one of the 1986 season, his doctors suggested he should retire. Instead, he returned to the field six weeks later and went on to win two more Super Bowls in 1988 and 1989, winning the MVP twice in both seasons.
5 Walter Payton
1975-1987
Walter Payton
USA Today Network
Years Active
Teams
Position
MVPs
Offensive Player of the Year
Super Bowl Titles
Walter Payton stayed forever loyal to the beloved Chicago Bears from 1975 to 1987, and notably won his only MVP and Offensive Player of the year awards in the same year in 1977.
While that year was by far his best, it only scratches the surface of Payton's immense talent. To this day, he remains the second-highest all-time rushing leader with 16,726 rushing yards. To put this into perspective, the only active player close to his numbers is Derrick Henry, who is down in 19th with 11,423 rushing yards.
Payton's day of destiny finally arrived in 1985, when he won his first and only ring with the Bears. His place on a legendary roster saw back-to-back whitewashes against the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams, winning 21-0 and 24-0, respectively, before demolishing the New England Patriots 46-10 in the biggest game of them all.
4 Lawrence Taylor
1981-1993
Lawrence Taylor New York Giants LB
RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Years Active
Teams
Position
MVPs
Defensive Player of the Year
Super Bowl Titles
Although offensive players often dominate the stat sheet, that doesn't mean we should overlook defensive players. Lawerence Taylor was the second overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, where he quickly cemented himself as one of the greatest ever defensive players.
His impact on the New York Giants' roster was shown from day one, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award in each of his first two years. He later went on to lead the league in forced fumbles on four occasions and produced a remarkable total of 132.5 career sacks.
Taylor's 1986 season is one that's still discussed to this day, producing 20.5 sacks before winning the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year too. Oh, and let's not forget, he won his first and only Super Bowl that year too.
3 Jim Brown
1957-1965
Jim Brown Running The Ball In 1965
Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY Sports
Years Active
Teams
Position
MVPs
Offensive Player of the Year
Super Bowl Titles
Jim Brown's legacy will always be solidified for all the right reasons. He played as a full back, a position that isn't often utilised in multiple organisations, but his impact is what made him such an icon.
Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1957, he won the MVP twice in as many years and led the league every season bar for rushing yards. He was selected for the Pro Bowl and All-Pro in every season he participated in, before a shock retirement at 30.
Brown was incredibly instrumental to the team's success and fame, before finally winning the elusive Lombardi trophy that alluded him in 1964. 61 years later, this remains the Browns' most recent Super Bowl win to date.
2 Jerry Rice
1985-2005
Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers WR-1
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Years Active
Team
Position
Offensive Player of the Year
Super Bowl Titles
Final MVPs
Jerry Rice is the only wide receiver on this list, but let's be clear: this man's statistics are so extraordinary, it's as if two elite careers were combined into one. He holds nearly every receiving record, including receptions (1549), receiving yards (22,895), and touchdowns (208).
And the list of accolades doesn't stop there. Rice recorded 14 separate seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, and claimed the 1988 Super Bowl MVP, a rare honour that is predominantly awarded to quarterbacks.
Rice's success mainly arrived with the San Francisco 49ers, where he won three Super Bowls alongside Montana and Steve Young. His greatness will likely never be beaten, finishing as the receiving yards and touchdown leader six times. Simply put, Rice's greatness may never be eclipsed.
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1 Tom Brady
2000-2022
Tom Brady New England Patriots QB Super Bowl 38
MPS-USA TODAY Sports
Years Active
Teams
Position
Offensive Player of the Year
MVPs
Super Bowl Titles
Final MVPs
Concluding our list is Tom Brady, a player who defied his draft position to become the face of a franchise that dominated the sport for two decades. Brady was born in San Mateo, California, in the Bay Area, and grew up idolising Montana, whom we've previously discussed.
Selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Brady began originally as a backup before being given the chance and seizing the opportunity that he never looked back. Throughout his career, six Super Bowl wins occurred from 2001 to 2018, orchestrating incredible performances under Bill Belichick's regime.
Despite his dominance in New England, some questioned whether he could replicate his success elsewhere. Brady moved to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 and silenced all the doubters to win his seventh and final Super Bowl victory in 2021, and he became the greatest player in history by the number of titles at the age of 43.