Full Breakdown
Chris Simms’ All-Time Quarterback Ranking Puts Tom Brady at No. 9, Ignites Fan Backlash
7/15/2026, 1:01:26 PM
The Ranking and Immediate Fallout
NBC analyst Chris Simms released a list of the ten greatest quarterbacks “at their absolute peak.” He placed Peyton Manning at No. 1 and Tom Brady at No. 9, behind active players Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, John Elway, Brett Favre, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Dan Marino. The ranking, posted on “Chris Simms Unbuttoned” and shared on X, prompted a torrent of comments from NFL fans who questioned the criteria and expressed disappointment at Brady’s low placement.
Background of the All-Time Quarterback Debate
The rivalry between Brady and Manning has been a focal point of NFL discussion for more than two decades. Simms’ list added newer names—Mahomes, Allen, Jackson—while also including Hall of Famers such as Roger Staubach at No. 10, further widening the debate over era-adjusted performance versus physical talent.
Simms’ Rationale
Simms argued that his ranking emphasizes a quarterback’s ability to create plays without external structure. He said Brady “benefited from the structure around him during the early years of the Patriots’ dynasty” and that Brady was “not going to extend plays,” suggesting his success was tied to a system that protected the pocket. Simms contrasted this with “one-man shows that overcame unreal obstacles,” referring to quarterbacks who could rescue broken plays with athleticism. The analyst, a former NFL player who spent eight seasons on the field and one season as a Patriots coaching assistant after playing college football at Texas, framed the list as a “prime-performance” assessment rather than a career-total evaluation.
Fan Criticism and Controversy
Fans reacted strongly. One X user wrote, “Bro, Brady threw for 5,000 yards and 50 TD’s and went 16-0 in his prime… his prime lasted a decade and a half and was better than anyone’s peak.” Others questioned the exclusion of Joe Montana, called the inclusion of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson “stupid,” and demanded clarity on criteria such as longevity versus peak. A supporter of Simms countered, “Peyton Manning is the best quarterback of all-time… Brady is the best player of all-time… but Manning was the better QB.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Bro, Brady threw for 5,000 yards and 50 TD’s and went 16-0 in his prime and 14 years later he threw for 5,300 yards and 43 touchdowns. His prime lasted a decade and a half and was better than anyone’s peak,” — X user
- “What did Tom Brady do to make Chris Simms hate him,” — X user
- “Peyton Manning is the best quarterback of all-time and I’m tired of people acting like he’s not. Brady wanted to be as good as Manning for the first four years of his career. Brady has said so himself. Manning was absolutely unbelievable with the Colts. Brady is the best player of all-time. His achievements are clearly second to none, but Manning was the better QB,” — X user
- “Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson over Dan Marino and Tom Brady is so stupid,” — X user
- “not going to extend plays” — Chris Simms, NBC analyst
- “one-man shows that overcame unreal obstacles.” — Chris Simms, NBC analyst
