When it comes to quarterback talk, no one is more knowledgeable than Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
The two former on-field rivals are considered to be among the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Brady won seven Super Bowls during his time in the league, setting a multitude of NFL regular season and playoff records.
However, if there was one QB who could go head-to-head every time with Brady, it was Manning.
The two-time Super Bowl champion also owns several NFL career marks after his successful stint in the league. During his time with the Colts and Broncos, Manning and Brady met constantly in the postseason, creating a number of sensational duals.
With the 2024 NFL regular season quickly approaching, the two were asked to give their thoughts on the current quarterbacks in the league. There may not be as much debate about who owns the top spot — which should belong to three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes — but who else rounds out the top five?
Here is who Brady and Manning said are the current top-five quarterbacks in the league.
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Who are Tom Brady's top-5 QBs in the NFL for 2024?
Brady recently sat down with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith for a live taping of "The Stephen A. Smith Show" at Fanatics Fest.
The two discussed a multitude of topics, including Brady's thoughts on the current state of rookie quarterbacks in the league, as well as his time in the NFL.
The pair also got into a dialogue surrounding the best quarterbacks currently in the NFL. Brady gave his opinion on who the top currently in the league are. Smith declared that Mahomes was No. 1 and did not receive any pushback from the GOAT. But who went after the Chiefs star?
Here is Brady's top-five list:
- Patrick Mahomes
- Josh Allen
- Joe Burrow
- Lamar Jackson
- Aaron Rodgers
"I see Josh Allen as someone who always impresses me as a player," Brady said. "I see Lamar Jackson who always impresses me as a player. Joe Burrow is very impressive the way he throws the ball... Another guy who's got a great connection with his teammates."
Smith seemingly elected to decide Brady's No. 5 spot for himself, dubbing Aaron Rodgers as the fifth-best current QB. Brady did combat the answer, electing to round out his top-five with the Jets quarterback.
.@tombrady lists off his Top 5 QBs in the NFL. 🔥
— theScore (@theScore) August 20, 2024
(🎥: @SCN_Pod) pic.twitter.com/GrCZZFSd35
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Who are Peyton Manning's top-5 QBs in the NFL for 2024?
Manning was also inquired about his top-five QBs at Fanatics Fest. His list was quite similar to Brady's, with four of the same QBs making up a part of the list.
While the former Broncos and Colts star had Mahomes at No. 1 as well, the rest of the order differed from Brady, including the Hall of Fame QB excluding Rodgers for Justin Herbert.
Here is Manning's top-five list:
- Patrick Mahomes
- Joe Burrow
- Justin Herbert
- Lamar Jackson
- Josh Allen
"I'm a big fan of Joe Burrow," Manning said. "Glad to see him back healthy. I like the way he carries himself. I like his demeanor out there. He doesn't sweat. He doesn't flinch. He's just kind of calm and cool the whole time.
"This Justin Herbert is as talented as anybody. He can throw it a mile ... Lamar Jackson does things that just don't seem possible with the football in his hands. He makes throws, he runs and he protects himself too. I never could run, so I never had that problem.
"Josh Allen is a total stud. Tough. I saw him this summer. He is so motivated to bring a championship to Buffalo."
Peyton Manning listed his top-5 QBs currently in the NFL at @FanaticsFest:
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 18, 2024
- Patrick Mahomes
- Joe Burrow
- Justin Herbert
- Lamar Jackson
- Josh Allen
(🎥 @CSmittyNY)pic.twitter.com/y1DRQfJinp
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If you're any of the QBs listed by either Manning or Brady, you have to feel pretty good heading into the 2024 season, knowing you have some of the greatest players at the position supporting from afar.