The Best Player In Every NFL Franchises History
Every NFL Franchise has a GOAT. Some franchises are lucky enough to have multiple guys who could be the best players in franchise history. All of these guys are either in the Hall of Fame or almost guaranteed to have a seat there one day soon.
Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald
The Cardinals haven’t found much success recently, but Larry Fitzgerald gave it everything he had for them during his 17-year career. The long touchdown he scored in the Super Bowl against the Steelers was an iconic moment that got washed away by the work of Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes. He came just centimeters from bringing a Super Bowl home to the Cardinals, but he is still their GOAT. He leads them in every receiving statistic.
Fitzgerald led the NFL in receptions in 2005 and 2017. At 35 years old, he led the NFL in receiving yards per game in 2018. He also led the league in receiving touchdowns twice, in 2008 and 2009. During the 2008 playoff run to the Super Bowl, he caught 30 passes for 546 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 18.2 yards per reception and 136.5 yards per game. Over his career, he amassed 1,432 catches for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns.
Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones
Another receiver who wasn't able to capture a Super Bowl for his franchise, Julio Jones is one of the many great Falcons of all time. Jones spent ten seasons in Atlanta, appearing in seven Pro Bowls and getting selected to the All-Pro First Team twice. In his ten seasons in Atlanta, Jones caught 848 passes for 12,896 yards and 60 touchdowns. He averaged 95.5 yards per game and 15.2 yards per reception.
Jones was a huge part of the Falcons Super Bowl run in 2016, catching 19 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 111.3 yards per game and 17.6 yards per reception. Unfortunately, the Falcons had the most embarrassing meltdown in NFL history in the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots, but that doesn't change the fact that Jones is the Falcons GOAT. He’s the Falcons franchise leader in receiving yards and second in touchdowns.
Baltimore Ravens: Ray Lewis
Spending all 17 years of his career in Baltimore, Ray Lewis is the most iconic player in franchise history. He was the anchor to the daunting Ravens defense that led them to two Super Bowl wins. Lewis was also able to get two Defensive Player of the Year awards to sit next to his Super Bowl MVP.
He led the NFL in total tackles and solo tackles in 1998,1999, and 2001. His final stats included 31 interceptions, three pick-sixes, 19 forced fumbles, 41.5 sacks, 1,568 solo tackles, and 99 tackles for loss. A legendary career for the face of the Baltimore Ravens.
Buffalo Bills: Bruce Smith
Some people might say that Jim Kelly is the best Buffalo Bills player of all time and while he’s certainly top three, Bruce Smith is the Bills GOAT. He spent 15 seasons in Buffalo and was a permanent fixture of the Defensive Player of the Year voting, capturing the award twice in his career.
Smith is still the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks with 200, edging out some great defensive players for that top spot. He led the NFL in forced fumbles in 1994 and 1996, Smith hit like a truck. His total stats with the Bills include 171 sacks, 1,054 total tackles, 33 forced fumbles, 14 fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. His seat in Canton is well deserved.
Carolina Panthers: Steve Smith
A guy who should make the Hall of Fame soon, Steve Smith might be small, but he was mighty. Smith spent 13 seasons in Carolina and appeared in five Pro Bowls and two First-Team All-Pro teams. In 2005 he led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Then in 2008, he led the league in receiving yards per game with 101.5 yards and finished sixth in the Offensive Player of the Year vote.
As a Panther, Smith grabbed 836 passes for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns. He’s the Panthers franchise leader in all three categories. The 2005 Comeback Player of the Year currently sits as the Panthers’ best player ever.
Chicago Bears: Walter Payton
This one doesn’t need a big explanation, but Walter Payton has to be the Bears’ best player of all time up to this point. Caleb Williams will do his best to dethrone him. For now, it’s Walter Payton, who sits second on the NFL’s all-time rushing yard leaders list. The Hall of Famer was able to rush for 16,726 yards and 76 rushing touchdowns, all in a Bears jersey.
Payton won the NFL’s MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 1977 and appeared in nine Pro Bowl appearances to go with his eight First-Team All-Pro selections. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of running backs, not only to the average person but among many players who have played the position. There isn’t a ton of history for the Bears, but Payton is involved in all the good stuff. He was a crucial part of winning a Super Bowl in Chicago.
Cincinnati Bengals: Anthony Munoz
Another franchise with a relatively young life in the NFL in terms of history, left tackle Anthony Munoz gets the nod as the Bengals GOAT. In his 13 seasons as a Bengal, Munoz appeared in 11 consecutive Pro Bowls and got nine First-Team All-Pro selections. He finished eighth in the 1984 Offensive Player of the Year vote as a left tackle. He also scored four touchdowns over his career, odd for a lineman.
Cleveland Browns: Jim Brown
Jim Brown played just nine seasons in the NFL but they might’ve been the most action-packed nine seasons ever by a player. Brown made the Pro Bowl every single season of his career and was named to the All-Pro First Team in eight of them. He was a three-time MVP and led the Browns to an NFL Championship.
In 118 games in the NFL, Brown was able to rush for 12,312 yards and 106 touchdowns, averaging 104.3 rush yards per game. He sits 11th on the all-time rushing yards list. Brown also caught 262 passes for 2,499 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.
Dallas Cowboys: Emmitt Smith
The NFL’s all-time rushing yards leader, Emmitt Smith would still be the NFL’s all-time rushing yards leader if you just counted his tenure in Dallas. He was that good. Smith was an eight-time Pro Bowler and made an appearance on the All-Pro First Team three times in his career.
He led the NFL in rushing yards in 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1995. Smith was able to capture the NFL MVP in 1993 and he was the Super Bowl 28 MVP. Over his 13 seasons in Dallas, Smith rushed for 17,162 yards and 153 touchdowns. He also caught 486 passes for 3,012 receiving yards on his way to being the greatest Cowboy of all time and cementing himself in the Hall of Fame.
Denver Broncos: John Elway
John Elway is one of the most legendary quarterbacks in NFL history. He spent his 16-year career with the Broncos and is comfortably their GOAT. Elway had a record of 148-82-1 while he was under center for Denver. He won the NFL MVP in 1987 and led the Broncos to two Super Bowl championships. Elway won the Super Bowl 33 MVP. Over 234 games as a Bronco, he passed for 51,475 yards and 300 passing touchdowns.
Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford
Although he’s still active, the 13 seasons that Matthew Stafford spent as a Detroit Lion were Hall of Fame worthy on their own. The Lions didn’t find much team success then, but Stafford did his thing. The gunslinger passed for 45,109 yards and 282 touchdowns as a Lion, averaging 273.4 yards per game. His connection with Calvin Johnson was lethal. As of right now, he is the Lions franchise leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers
Another active player, Aaron Rodgers is with the Jets now but his 18 seasons in Green Bay will live on forever. The four-time NFL MVP brought a Super Bowl home to the Packers where he won Super Bowl MVP. Rodgers had just three seasons where he threw double-digit interceptions. As a Packer, he played 230 games and led them to a 147-75 record. The successor to Brett Favre threw for 59,055 yards and 475 touchdowns in green and yellow.
Houston Texans: JJ Watt
In the Texans’ young existence as a franchise, JJ Watt has easily been the best player they’ve ever had. He spent ten seasons in Houston, racking up 531 total tackles and 409 solo tackles. He also made 172 tackles for loss, 25 forced fumbles, 16 fumble recoveries, two pick-sixes, and 101 sacks. Watt led the NFL in tackles for loss in 2012, 2014, and 2015. He led the NFL in sacks in 2012 and 2015.
Although very little team success, Watt captured three Defensive Player of the Year awards, five Pro Bowl, and First Team All-Pro appearances. He sits second on the all-time list for tackles for loss behind Terrell Suggs. Watt was so good, he even finished second in the MVP race in 2014.
Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning
Despite a rocky rookie season, Peyton Manning ended up being the best thing that ever happened to the Colts. The gunslinger from Tennessee spent 13 seasons in Indianapolis, winning one Super Bowl, three MVP awards, 11 Pro Bowls, and five First-Team All-Pro nods.
Manning led the NFL in passing yards twice and passing touchdowns three times and is the Colts’ all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. He finished his Colts career with 54,828 passing yards and 399 touchdowns, averaging 263.6 yards per game.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Fred Taylor
Much like the Texans, the Jaguars are a relatively young franchise in the NFL. Running back Fred Taylor gets the nod here as their best player of all time. He spends his time these days as part of the Pivot Podcast, but his time with the Jaguars will go down as his crowning achievement.
In Taylor’s 11 seasons as a Jaguar, he rushed for 11,271 yards and 62 touchdowns while also catching 286 passes for 2,361 receiving yards and eight more touchdowns. He’s currently the Jaguars’ all-time leader in rushing yards and sits second on the rushing touchdowns list behind the also legendary Maurice Jones-Drew.
Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes
It might be a bit early to crown Patrick Mahomes here, but at the pace he’s on, it’s inevitable. In six seasons as the Chiefs starter, he’s done unthinkable stuff. Three Super Bowls wins that he won MVP in, two regular season MVPs, the 2018 Offensive Player of the Year award, six pro bowls, and two First-Team All-Pro selections. At this rate, he’s set to pass up Tom Brady once it’s all said and done.
Las Vegas Raiders: Ken Stabler
Known as the Snake, Ken Stabler spent ten seasons with the Raiders and ended up in the Hall of Fame because of it. He led the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory, made four Pro Bowls, and won the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 1974. That season, he led the Raiders to an 11-2 record while throwing 26 touchdowns.
Over his 10 seasons in a Raiders uniform, Stabler put up 19,076 passing yards, 150 touchdowns, and a 69-26 record. Just win baby! Words from the late, great Al Davis that Stabler brought to life.
Los Angeles Chargers: Ladanian Tomlinson
Ladanian Tomlinson was one of the most exciting ball carriers in NFL history during his time with the Chargers. The Hall of Famer spent nine seasons with the Chargers and was able to grab the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 2006. That season saw him rush for 1,815 yards and 28 touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and 113.4 yards per game.
In his nine seasons with the Chargers, Tomlinson went over 1,000 rushing yards in eight of them. In his legendary time there, he was able to rush for 12,490 yards, 138 touchdowns, 4.3 yards per attempt, and 88.6 yards per game. He was also able to grab 15 receiving touchdowns.
Los Angeles Rams: Aaron Donald
Freshly retired, Aaron Donald went from a relatively unknown prospect out of Pittsburgh to one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. Donald spent his entire ten-year career with the Rams and was able to win three Defensive Player of the Year awards and eight First-Team All-Pro selections. He’s guaranteed a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Donald was one of the most dominant forces in NFL history. In his career, Donald made 540 total tackles, 340 solo tackles, 24 forced fumbles, 111 sacks, and 176 tackles for loss. He is third in NFL history in tackles for loss and could have more than three Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Miami Dolphins: Dan Marino
Another kid from Pittsburgh, Dan Marino wasn’t able to bring a Lombardi Trophy back to the Dolphins, but he was one of the most talented quarterbacks ever. He’s the Allen Iverson of the NFL. Marino was able to win MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in his second NFL season. He led the NFL in passing yards five times and led in passing touchdowns three times.
In his 242 games, Marino led the Dolphins to a 147-93 record. He passed for 61,361 yards, 420 touchdowns, and averaged 253.6 yards per game. He’s eighth in NFL history in passing yards and seventh in passing touchdowns. The kid from Pitt could spin it.
Minnesota Vikings: Randy Moss
He only spent eight seasons in Minnesota, but it’s where the electric factory that is Randy Moss began. In his rookie season in 1998, he finished second in the MVP vote. As a member of the Vikings, Moss went to five Pro Bowls and made three First-Team All-Pro appearances. They called him the Freak and it makes sense.
In seven out of his eight seasons in Minnesota, Moss went over 1,000 receiving yards and hit double-digit touchdowns. He led the NFL in receiving touchdowns three times in the purple and yellow. In 113 games up North, he grabbed 587 passes for 9,316 yards and 92 touchdowns. He’s second on the Vikings’ all-time receiving yards list to Cris Carter, but Moss caught 500 fewer passes. The Freak is the perfect nickname for the Vikings GOAT.
New England Patriots: Tom Brady
What is understood doesn’t need to be said. Tom Brady is the NFL’s greatest player of all time. The skinny kid who was the 199th overall pick ended up being the most dominant force that sports have ever seen.
In his 20 seasons in New England, Brady won six Super Bowls, four Super Bowl MVPs, and three regular season MVP awards. He also won the Offensive Player of the Year award twice, got selected to 14 Pro Bowls, and was voted to the All-Pro First Team three times. He led the Patriots to a 30-11 postseason record. He’s the greatest football player to ever live.
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees
Although Drew Brees didn’t start his career with the Saints, he punched his ticket to the Hall of Fame there. In his 15 seasons in New Orleans, Brees went to 12 Pro Bowls and won two Offensive Player of the Year awards. He also brought a Super Bowl home to New Orleans and it meant everything to the city. Brees won MVP in the game. He also led the NFL in passing yards seven times and led in passing touchdowns four times.
In his 228 games in New Orleans, Brees passed for 68,010 yards and 491 touchdowns, averaging 298.3 yards per game. He’s second on the NFL all-time list for passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passing yards per game. He’s not there yet, but he’s guaranteed a spot in the Hall of Fame when he’s eligible.
New York Giants: Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor is the guy who can go toe to toe with Donald for the most dominant force in NFL history. Although Taylor might’ve been fueled by different substances, the guy was a different breed. He spent his entire 13-year career with the Giants, winning two Super Bowls, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and the 1986 NFL MVP. In his MVP season, Taylor posted a league-leading 20.5 sacks.
In his legendary career, Taylor grabbed 142 sacks, nine interceptions, and 11 fumble recoveries. Playing under Bill Belichick was huge for Taylor on top of his freakish frame. Go watch the film. LT was different.
New York Jets: Joe Namath
Promise big, deliver even bigger—that is what Joe Namath did when he cemented himself as a legend in the Big Apple. The Hall of Famer led the Jets to victory in Super Bowl three where he won the MVP award. Namath led the NFL in passing yards and yards per game three times. In his 126 games, he put up 21,057 passing yards and 170 touchdowns.
Philadelphia Eagles: Reggie White
Hall of Famer Reggie White spent eight great seasons with the Eagles. He made seven Pro Bowls and won the 1987 Defensive Player of the Year award. Over his 121 games with the Eagles, White was able to force 18 fumbles and recover 11 of them. He made 124 sacks and got 794 solo tackles. Over his career, he had 198 sacks, good for second in NFL history.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Joe Greene
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the teams in the NFL that have a plethora of guys that could be the best players in franchise history. Joe Greene was the heart and soul of the dynasty. He won four Super Bowls with the Steelers and was able to capture two Defensive Player of the Year awards along the way.
They called him Mean Joe Greene even though he was a nice guy, that all changed when he got between those white lines. Not the same way the white lines changed Lawrence Taylor, but that’s a story for another day. Greene played 181 games in black and yellow, gathering 77.5 sacks, ten fumble recoveries, and one interception. He was a huge part of the Steelers dynasty.
San Francisco 49ers: Joe Montana
Joe Montana held the GOAT title before the kid who idolized him, Tom Brady came along. Montana was the driving force of the 49ers dynasty and is on the Mt. Rushmore of NFL quarterbacks. The Hall of Famer won four Super Bowls, three Super Bowl MVP awards, two regular season MVP awards, and the 1989 Offensive Player of the Year honors.
He played 167 games for the 49ers, throwing for 35,124 yards and 244 touchdowns. The gunslinger averaged 210.3 yards per game. The postseason was where he thrived. In his 19 career playoff games, Montana boasts a record of 14-5.
Seattle Seahawks: Bobby Wagner
Caught in the middle of the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom defense, Bobby Wagner takes the crown for the Seahawks. He’s still active, but whenever he decides to hang it up, the Hall of Fame will be calling. Wagner spent 11 seasons with the Seahawks over two stints in Seattle. In those 11 seasons, he was able to get 915 solo tackles, 79 tackles for loss, and 10 fumble recoveries. Wagner is currently 16th in NFL history in solo tackles and still climbing.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tom Brady
Tom Brady was so good, he is the greatest player for two NFL franchises. Although he only spent three years in Tampa Bay, he brought them a Super Bowl in their home stadium, a first in the NFL. Brady won the MVP in that Super Bowl too, putting him up to five Super Bowl MVP trophies. That season, he finished second in the MVP vote and third in the Offensive Player of the Year voting at 44 years old. He truly defied Father Time.
Tennessee Titans: Eddie George
Eddie George is considered to be one of the most underrated running backs of all time. He spent eight years in Tennessee, where he won the 1996 Offensive Player of the Year award and went to four Pro Bowls. George gathered 10,009 rushing yards and 64 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 259 passes for 2,144 yards and ten more touchdowns.
Washington Commanders: Joe Theismann
In a weird line of Washington quarterbacks, Joe Theismann stands above and beyond the rest. He spent 12 seasons in Washington and brought a Super Bowl back to the nation’s capital. Theismann led an astounding 22-game winning drive in his career. His career was unfortunately cut slightly short by the horrific leg injury, but that didn’t erase his dominance.
He won the 1983 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards in a season that saw him throw 29 touchdown passes. Over his career, he passed for 25,206 yards and 234 touchdowns. The legend is Washington’s all-time leader in passing yards, but Jayden Daniels might change that.
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