Von Miller has added his voice to the ongoing debate over the greatest quarterback of all time, choosing Peyton Manning over Tom Brady. The discussion, which often includes legends like John Elway, Joe Montana, and Johnny Unitas, tends to focus largely on Manning and Brady when considering the modern era of the past 25 years.
Miller, who played alongside Manning, shared his perspective on why Manning holds the edge in his eyes, despite Brady’s exceptional championship record. The intense rivalry between the two quarterbacks continues to captivate fans and analysts alike.
Comparing Achievements and Playing Styles
Tom Brady’s record includes an unparalleled seven Super Bowl victories in 10 appearances, the most by any quarterback in <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL history. Peyton Manning, meanwhile, won two Super Bowls from his four tries. Miller argued that Manning revolutionized the quarterback role through his ability to read defenses and change plays at the line of scrimmage, all while maintaining precision with his throws.
“There’s gonna be a debate between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, who’s the best, you know, for me, it’ll always be Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning, he changed the quarterback position from checking … He changed the play. Come on. Check the play. Change the play again. Go over the top. He wasn’t scrambling and doing that and stuff. He did it all with his arm, and it was beautiful, man”
—Von Miller, on Glory Daze with Johnny Manziel
“And Tom Brady obviously, seven Super Bowls over the years. I’ve gotten to know Tom Brady a little bit as well. And you know you root for Tom Brady too. Both of those guys are the greats, for sure.”
—Von Miller, on Glory Daze with Johnny Manziel
Manning’s Records Versus Brady’s Championships
Peyton Manning is already enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Tom Brady will join him following his retirement. By the time Manning retired, he held nearly every significant passer record, including 71,940 career passing yards and 539 touchdowns, ranking him third all-time in yards and among the top in touchdowns. Manning also set the single-season touchdown pass record with 55 in 2013.
In contrast, Brady holds the NFL record for career touchdown passes at 649, far ahead of Drew Brees, who is second with 571. Brady also tops career passing yards with 89,214. However, Brady’s greatest distinction remains his championship success, capturing seven Super Bowl titles, including one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 after six with the New England Patriots.
Head-to-Head and Championship Contexts
Although Brady’s Super Bowl dominance is unmatched, Peyton Manning holds a slight advantage over Brady in AFC Championship games with a 3-2 record. Their head-to-head matchups add another layer of complexity to the GOAT discussion, as both quarterbacks have impressive and distinct legacies.
Given the subjective nature of comparing two of the NFL’s greatest, any choice between Manning and Brady can be supported by compelling arguments. Von Miller stands firm in his support for Manning, citing the unique impact his former teammate made on the quarterback position.
Ongoing Debate Reflects the NFL’s Rich Quarterback History
The conversation around the greatest quarterback continues to ignite passionate debates among fans and experts, fueled by contrasting strengths: Manning’s prolific passing and game management versus Brady’s unprecedented playoff and Super Bowl success. With both players now Hall of Famers, their legacies remain central to NFL history.
Von Miller’s endorsement of Peyton Manning as the GOAT fuels this ongoing rivalry, demonstrating how personal experience and perspective influence these discussions. As football evolves, the debate will surely persist, reminding fans of the lasting impact these two quarterbacks have had on the game.