Why they rank here
Manning was the most cerebral quarterback of his era, a pre-snap tactician who ran his offense like a coordinator on the field, shifting protections and audibling into the perfect play. He won a record five MVP awards and set single-season records with 55 touchdown passes and 5,477 passing yards in 2013. He retired second all-time with 71,940 passing yards and 539 touchdowns, and won two Super Bowls with two different franchises, the Colts and the Broncos, the second after a neck surgery that nearly ended his career. Manning influence on how quarterbacks prepare and control the line of scrimmage reshaped the position, and his rivalry with Brady defined the 2000s. His only knock, an uneven postseason record, does little to dim a monumental résumé.
Career profile
Each bar shows how this athlete compares with the strongest in our all-time list for that metric.
Head-to-head
Compare career numbers side by side.