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Bill Barnwell of Grantland goes through the the last 50+ years and ranks them heavyweight boxing style, chronologically listing which player held The Quarterback Championship Belt.
Bill Barnwell names the best QBs throughout NFL history - Grantland
It's a nice trip down memory lane, but I feel that Barnwell places far too much credence into MVP voting rather than relying on original thought. For example, he lists Bob Griese as the best QB from 1971-73 rather than Roger Staubach, based on Griese's finishing ahead of Staubach for All-Pro and MVP voting during that time. Regardless of the voting - which was weighted heavily because Miami made it to the Super Bowl each of those years, winning twice - the reality in my opinion is that Staubach was the league's best QB in 71 and 73, and Daryl Lamonica was better than either of them in 72.
Bill Barnwell names the best QBs throughout NFL history - Grantland
"The best season by a quarterback in NFL history, bar none."
It's a nice trip down memory lane, but I feel that Barnwell places far too much credence into MVP voting rather than relying on original thought. For example, he lists Bob Griese as the best QB from 1971-73 rather than Roger Staubach, based on Griese's finishing ahead of Staubach for All-Pro and MVP voting during that time. Regardless of the voting - which was weighted heavily because Miami made it to the Super Bowl each of those years, winning twice - the reality in my opinion is that Staubach was the league's best QB in 71 and 73, and Daryl Lamonica was better than either of them in 72.
Barnwell is usually a very good writer, but his flawed (or perhaps simply lazy) logic continues throughout the piece: he only names Brady as his best QB in one single year, 2007; guess who he names as the league's best QB in every other season from 2003 to 2009? Then from 2010 to 2012 it's Aaron Rodgers over Manning, with Brady barely garnering even any consideration at all, and Drew Brees getting no mention whatsoever.