The 2025 season is quickly approaching, with the calendar soon to flip to July and players ramping up for training camp. This upcoming campaign marks a special milestone for the league as it’s the silver anniversary mark of the 21st century. Some elite players made their mark on the game during the past 25 seasons, including several offensive juggernauts. Defensively, significant Hall of Fame contributors were tasked with stopping those elite offensive weapons. We’re back with more of the legendary offensive players who left behind legacies for future generations to emulate. Which legends were selected for the prestigious honor of making the All-Quarter Century Second-Team offense?
Note: All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference
NFL All-Quarter Century Team: Big Men Star In Second Team Offense
Quarterback
Peyton Manning / Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos
The second-best quarterback of this generation. If not for some roster-building faux pas and the presence of Thomas Brady, Manning would have won more games. Manning was simply monstrous during his tenure in the league, which resulted in 14 Pro Bowls, 10 All-Pro teams, and two Super Bowl wins. He also received five MVP awards over a 17-year career. The middle progeny of Archie Manning not only surpassed his standards but blew them out of the water. Peyton helms a loaded second-team quarterback century offense, benefiting from his legendary stature within the game. He was named a Pro Bowl quarterback a whopping 12 consecutive times out of 13 healthy seasons.
Career Statistics: 6,125/9,380 (65%) for 71,940 yards, 539 touchdowns, and 251 interceptions
Running Back
Adrian Peterson / Minnesota, Washington, Detroit, Arizona, New Orleans, Tennessee, Seattle
Peterson started his career on fire, marching to six Pro Bowls, OROY, six All-Pro teams, one MVP, and one OPOY award in his first seven seasons. He boasts a 2,000-yard season on his extensive resume, which earned him the MVP award during 2012. If not for a torn ACL suffered in 2011, he would’ve started his career with seven consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The freak athlete returned from injury in less than nine months in time to play in 2012. However, his time in Minnesota was not without controversy; he endured off-field tragedy involving his child in 2013, and Peterson was suspended for almost the entirety of 2014 due to child abuse allegations. The Vikings elected to move on in 2017 after an injury-riddled 2016, and he signed with New Orleans before being traded to Arizona.
2018 and 2019 were his last hurrah seasons with the then-Redskins franchise, during which he rushed for over 1,900 yards and 12 touchdowns. Father Time comes for everyone, including Peterson, who staved it off for as long as possible. He petered out with just 702 yards and nine touchdowns in two seasons with three teams. He is eligible for enshrinement in Canton as soon as 2026 with the fourth-most yards and touchdowns.
Career Statistics: 3,230 attempts for 14,918 yards and 120 touchdowns; 305 receptions for 2,474 yards and six touchdowns
Wide Receivers
Larry Fitzgerald / Arizona Cardinals
The unassuming superstar receiver from Pittsburgh became old reliable during his time in Arizona. Fitzgerald played 17 seasons of excellent yet understated football, amassing a vast array of production. He is second all-time in receptions and yards behind the indomitable Jerry Rice. The Cardinals’ legend is a lock for Canton within the next several seasons after an incredible career full of highs and lows. He sailed through the decision-making process for the Quarter Century Second Team offense with flying colors.
Career Statistics: 1,432 receptions for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns
Julio Jones / Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dec 6, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch in front of New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams (26) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jones became the heir apparent to Megatron’s throne as the preeminent big, fast, physical receiver who can dominate defensive backs at will. The monstrous hellbeast became a nightmare to cover for opposing cornerbacks who were tasked with covering him. He served as an understudy to the underrated Roddy White for a couple of seasons before taking the WR1 title. Julio played the role of being Matt Ryan’s favorite target seriously, and the results back it up. He went to six consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014 to 2019, producing no less than 1,394 yards each season. It was during this run that he made his way to five straight All-Pro teams. 2020 was his last season as a Falcon before being traded to Tennessee to team up with AJ Brown. Injuries and ineffectiveness plagued his previous three seasons in the NFL, leading to his official retirement in 2025.
A short, dominant prime raises questions about his HOF candidacy, but he should eventually be enshrined in Canton. In an era of marvelous receiving machines, he stood out as one of the premier athletes, boasting impressive numbers.
Career Statistics: 914 receptions for 13,703 yards and 66 touchdowns
Terrell Owens/San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals
The mercurial receiver broke out as a second-year player with 900+ yards and 14 touchdowns as the 49ers wound down their reign as an NFL power. He started the 21st century with a bang, making five consecutive Pro Bowls en route to posting 6,465 yards and 65 touchdowns in that period. Owens played a notorious role in jeopardizing his Hall of Fame chances throughout his career due to his combative attitude. He owns a top-three placement on the all-time touchdowns and receiving yards list. The receiver played up to the diva receiver stereotype by making questionable comments about nearly everyone he’s perceived to have crossed him. Funny enough, he would make his last Pro Bowl while with the Cowboys in 2007. Owens was an extremely productive receiver who had just as many controversies as he seemingly had yards.
Despite his on- and off-field antics, his immense production and epic run through the 2000s merit a place on the Quarter Century Second Team Offense.
Career Statistics: 1,078 receptions for 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns
Tight End
Rob Gronkowski / New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gronk doesn’t have the numbers like Kelce, Gates, or Witten, but he was undoubtedly one of the most influential of the generation. He would have had the statistics to cement himself as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, but injuries derailed his career. The second-round selection more than outplayed his draft slot by posting over 9,200 yards and 92 touchdowns as Brady’s top weapon. Gronkowski could be described as the Sterling Sharpe of tight ends, in terms of their physical dominance and brevity of their careers. After winning four Super Bowls and earning five Pro Bowls, he called time on his career in 2022 for good. Newly elected Hall of Famer Antonio Gates made a significant push for Gronk’s spot on the second-team All-Quarter Century offense.
Career Statistics: 621 receptions for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns
Offensive Tackles
Walter Jones / Seattle Seahawks
Jones played a pivotal role in the resurgence of the Seattle franchise, which became one of the most prominent teams in the league. The Seahawks selected him in the legendary 1997 draft that featured the likes of Jason Taylor, Orlando Pace, Warrick Dunn, and Tony Gonzalez. Seattle’s star blocker retired in 2008 on an all-time heater, earning eight consecutive Pro Bowls and five All-Pro selections (three first-teams). The nine-time Pro Bowler was one of the best left tackles in the league, forming a formidable duo with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Hutchinson for several seasons. He earned enshrinement in Canton in 2014, becoming the first member of the 1997 draft class to be inducted. Seahawks legend Jason Peters merited consideration with an impressive resume.
Trent Williams / Washington and San Francisco 49ers
“Silverback” more than lives up to his nickname, as he has been one of the premier left tackles for 14 seasons. He’s one of two active players revealed on the all-quarter century teams so far. Williams played the first nine seasons of his career for the Washington franchise before receiving a trade to the 49ers in 2020. The tackle went on an incredible run of 11 straight Pro Bowls before missing a significant portion of 2024. He proved that age is just a number, having earned three consecutive first-team All-Pro honors before the 2024 season. Williams wasn’t the only active player considered for the position, as Eagles’ veteran Lane Johnson also had a voice in the matter. Former Bengals star tackle Willie Anderson earned a debate over his meritorious service.
Guards
Zack Martin / Dallas Cowboys
If there ever was an interior offensive lineman who defined the mid-2010s and beyond, it was Martin. America’s Team drafted him with the 14th overall selection in the 2014 draft. Martin was excellent from the start, earning an invitation to six consecutive Pro Bowls while nabbing four first-team All-Pros in that period. He started every game for which he was healthy, playing in 162 games during his career. The 34-year-old is the newest retiree on the team, having retired in February 2025. Canton will be knocking on his door in 2029 when he is first eligible. Hall of Fame guard Steve Hutchinson and Patriots star Logan Mankins were also considered for the honor.
Marshal Yanda / Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore secured a long-term standout offensive lineman in the third round of the 2007 draft. Yanda started his career at right tackle before bouncing inside, where he made his name. He took a bit to start on a Canton-bound career, but he hit his stride during his late 20s. The Ravens star embarked on eight Pro Bowls in nine seasons and seven All-Pro teams. Yanda retired after the 2019 season, having served for 13 years with excellent service. He played both guard positions and right tackle throughout his career. Baltimore has a rich tradition of star linemen, and Yanda won the spot over legends like Hall of Famer Will Shields and Jahri Evans. Shields and Yanda were an interesting debate given Shields’ dominant run of 12 consecutive Pro Bowls to close out his career.
Center
Maurkice Pouncey / Pittsburgh Steelers
Like their head coaches, the Steelers often land centers that last for generations. Pouncey picked up the mantle from Hall of Famer Dermontti Dawson. The former Florida standout played ten seasons for the black and gold, representing them in the Pro Bowl nine times. Pittsburgh selected him with the 18th overall selection in the 2010 draft and never looked back. Pouncey was one of the best centers in the league during the past 25 seasons. He will be bound for the Hall of Fame one day. The center position on the quarter-century second-team offense was a heated debate among Pouncey, Nick Mangold, and Kevin Mawae.
Main Photo: [Matt Detrich] – USA Today Sports