Active HOF QB's in the NFL

[THE Bruce Dickinson]

Watching the Saints game last night, I realized what a golden age of QB's we are witnessing right now in the NFL. Then I got to thinking about how many HOF QB's are active right now. Here is what I came up with:

Tom Brady
P. Manning
Drew Brees
Aaron Rodgers
Ben Roethlisberger
Andrew Luck (not for sure but making good strides)
E. Manning (maybe)

Have three ever been this many possible HOF QB's playing at the same time?

 

[WrapItDog]

1973
Bradshaw
Dawson
Fouts
Griese
Jurgensen
Namath
Staubach
Tarkenton
Unitas

 

[esplanade91]

Eli is a lock for HOF at this point, unfortunately. Guy has led the league in interceptions it seems like every year and if he had any other name other than his own I'd be saying maybe.

To add to the speculative list Flacco and Ryan. Ryan hasn't been in the league but only 5 seasons and change, and based on what he's done so far I'd say no but he's likely got 10 more seasons (about at the point where Brees came to NOLA and became an elite QB). Flacco is the least impressive QB to win a SB since Dilfer, but you can't ignore a guy's résumé. See Eli.

Might not be the most HOF QB's but Brady will go down as the best with Peyton right there behind him. Then you've got Brees who perfected the passing game in there too. Quality over quantity. League won't be nearly as fun to watch in 5 years.

 

[Philly Dawg]

Rothlisburger may be a little speculative as well.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

Phillip Rivers is right there with them. Then you got the group of going guys that we don't know about yet. Cam, RGIII, Luck, Wilson, Kapernick. I think we're all seeing the real RGIII now though. I always thought he seemed fake and not genuine. There's reports coming out that his team is startin to feel the same way.

 

[NewTweederEndzoneDance]

I think the following are sure bets to reach the HOF: Brady, Manning, Manning, Roethlisberger, Brees. Eli and Ben are in because they have 2 SBs, period (not because his name is Manning).

Then you have a few who are close: Rodgers (if he keeps the numbers going he will get there, and he's still relatively young) and Flacco (still young and another SB will get him there)

That's 7 in the discussion already, with a few more who have the potential to get there, including what appears to be a banner crop of young guys:

Matt Ryan - if he can get a SB and keep up the play, he has a good shot at it
Cam - still only 24 and appears to be getting better
Luck - the sky is the limit for this kid
RG3 - I think he has the talent for it, but needs to
Wilson - not sure he has the talent to get him there, but he could win a couple SBs managing the game the way he does in Seattle
Kaep - appears to have the tools, but can he put it together?

Philip Rivers doesn't enter this discussion barring some completely unforeseen events. Neither does Vick. I've heard musings that Tannehill has the tools to be an elite QB, but at this point its wait and see.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

Rivers? Is there a crybaby hall of fame?

 

[skb124]

I disagree that having two super bowls should get you in the hall of fame, but I actually think you are right about that. To me, if all those players retired right now, Brady, Manning, and Brees would be for sure in. Rodgers I think will get there, but I think he still has to do a little more. With Luck, it's too early to tell, but based on his hype and first two seasons he seems to be well on his way. I just don't view Eli and Roethlisberger as HOF quality players, and I'm a Steelers fan. I view Flacco in their same light as well. I could see Ryan in over Flacco, but Ryan probably will have to have some sort of playoff success. Of the others, Cam really has a legit shot. Wilson possibly, but I'd put him on the no side. And I don't see RG3 or Kaep in. Obviously alot can change in the young guys careers.

I have always hated the "number of championships defines the player" argument. Eli has 2 rings to Peyton's 1, but there is not a doubt who is the better QB. It's the same with the HOF for me. Just because a guy has 2 rings doesn't put them in the HOF in my mind, but like you said, they probably will.