The Indianapolis Colts might be stuck in a quarterback dilemma with the uncertainty surrounding the Anthony Richardson/Daniel Jones competition. However, this doesn’t mean the franchise lacks a history of exceptional quarterbacks.
Among the most notable are Hall of Famers Johnny Unitas and Peyton Manning, who reached the pinnacle of their craft. CBS Sports and Bryan DeArdo included these legends in their ranking of the top 25 players in NFL history.
They begin with Unitas, who was ranked 13th all-time.
“Johnny U” was considered the finest quarterback in the NFL during its first 50 years. He guided the Colts to NFL titles in 1958 and 1959, along with a Super Bowl victory in 1970. He was the winning quarterback in what many believe to be the greatest game in NFL history: the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Colts and Giants, notable for being the first overtime match in the league’s history. His record of 47 consecutive games with a touchdown pass lasted from 1960 until Drew Brees surpassed it in 2012.
Unitas spent 17 seasons with the Colts, amassing 39,768 passing yards, 287 touchdown passes, and a career record of 117-60-4 with Baltimore. In essence, Unitas exemplified the qualities teams coveted in a quarterback. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1979.
Following him is a name that requires no introduction, the man who elevated the Colts to prominence, Manning himself. This long-time leader of the Colts excelled at orchestrating offenses and dissecting defenses.
Manning secured 14 Pro Bowl appearances, seven First Team All-Pro selections, five MVP awards (the highest in history), four Super Bowl appearances, and two Super Bowl wins (with the Colts and Denver Broncos). He also achieved an impressive 131-61 record during his 13 years with the Colts, dominating the 2000s and capturing his first Super Bowl in 2006.
Manning is widely considered the greatest pure quarterback, earning a celebrated sixth-place position.
“If Brady is Jack Nicklaus, Manning is Arnold Palmer in this legendary QB rivalry. Brady has more championships, but Manning has his own distinct legacy, which includes a record five league MVPs and being the first starting quarterback to win Super Bowls with two different teams. Like Palmer’s impact on golf, Manning has been a major ambassador for the NFL, both during his playing days and in retirement.”
Manning concluded his career with video game-like statistics, accumulating 71,940 passing yards, 539 touchdown passes, 6,125 completions, and a 70.2 win percentage. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2021 on his first ballot.
The eras of exceptional Colts quarterbacks took a pause in 2019 when Andrew Luck retired. Since then, the Colts have faced numerous quarterback challenges. Now, with ongoing uncertainty at the QB position, Indianapolis hopes either Richardson or Jones can lift the team to a divisional title and playoff berth by 2025.