The decade known as the 2010’s is officially behind us, as we embark upon the 2020’s. Of course, that means it’s a good time to look back at the best of the best during the 2010s. Since there’s still no position in sports more important than the quarterback in football, it seems appropriate to reflect on that position and take a look at the five best NFL quarterbacks we watched during the 2010’s.
5. Matt Ryan
For what it’s worth, Ryan barely edged out Peyton Manning, who only played half the decade, and Cam Newton, who faded late in the 2010’s because of injuries. Despite his team’s ups and downs, Ryan has consistently been one of the best quarterbacks in football over the last 10 seasons. He went to four Pro Bowls, won MVP in 2016, and narrowly missed winning a Super Bowl. Ryan’s 9.3 yards per attempt during his MVP season set an NFL single-season record and helped cement his spot among the best of his generation.
4. Russell Wilson
Despite not starting his NFL career until 2012, Wilson did more than enough to rank among the best five quarterbacks of the past decade. He earned Rookie of the Year accolades and then proceeded to make the Pro Bowl in seven of his first eight seasons. Winning a Super Bowl in his second season and getting back to another the next year doesn’t hurt his case either. On top of that, Wilson was almost playing at an MVP level at the end of the decade.
3. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers began the 2010’s by leading the Packers to a Super Bowl title and winning Super Bowl MVP. He proceeded to win league MVP honors twice and go to seven Pro Bowls during the decade. Green Bay’s struggles in 2018 and Rodgers missing most of the 2013 and 2017 seasons hurt his case a little. But he made it clear over the past decade that he’s one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
2. Drew Brees
Needless to say, competition is fierce at the top and Brees has done just a little more than Rodgers over the last 10 seasons. Brees missed the Pro Bowl just once in the last decade. He also led the NFL in passing yards five times, completion percentage four times, and yards per game four times. Brees also set the single-season NFL record for completions in 2016 and completion percentage in 2018. It was literally a record-setting decade for Brees, who played at an elite level throughout the decade despite turning 40 in 2019.
1. Tom Brady
Whether you like him or hate him, you have to admit that Brady was the best quarterback of the 2010’s. We thought age would slow him down but it hasn’t. The guy won two more MVP awards during the 2010’s and went to the Pro Bowl every year until 2019. Perhaps more importantly, Brady kept winning games for the Patriots. Over the last 10 years, New England won 10 division titles, played in the AFC Championship Game eight times, played in five Super Bowls, and won three Super Bowls with Brady twice winning Super Bowl MVP. It’s an old and tired story, but Brady was undoubtedly the best quarterback of the 2010’s.