With the new NFL season just around the corner, many players will be aiming to achieve feats that will put them alongside some of the greatest names to ever have played the game.
Can superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes continue building his legacy with a third successive Super Bowl crown (and fourth overall), or will he be dethroned by quarterback rival and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson?
Meanwhile, highly-rated wide receiver Tyreek Hill will look to add to his record-breaking statistics and single Super Bowl win that may eventually put him among the greats of his position.
With all that in mind, NetBet attempts to bring you who we think are the top 5 greatest NFL players in the league’s history, to further whet your appetite for the new season ahead. Remember, NetBet is here for the best NFL odds for your bet in 2024-25!
Peyton Manning
Position: Quarterback
Introducing himself to the NFL as the No1 pick in the 1998 Draft, Manning’s impact eventually took the struggling Indianapolis Colts to the top of the game, culminating in a 2006 Super Bowl win.
He later added to his ring collection in 2016, this time with the Denver Broncos, while also amassing five NFL MVP awards over his 17-year career. Praised for his in-game IQ and exceptional passing, he is regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
Joe Montana
Position: Quarterback
For a very substantial period, until another name on this list surpassed him, Montana was regarded as the NFL’s greatest quarterback of all time – and with good reason!
He did not rely on any outstanding physical attributes, instead honing technical skills that would lead him to four Super Bowl triumphs, three Super Bowl MVP awards and the nickname ‘Joe Cool’, for his amazing ability to handle high-pressure situations.
Jim Brown
Position: Running back
Often spoken about as the greatest running back to feature in the league, Brown had a profound impact on the formative years of the NFL. His legacy includes one NFL championship, three NFL MVP awards and the status of being the only player in history to average over 100 rushing yards per game.
He achieved all of this due to his unique blend of attributes, a lethal combination of size, speed and power which helped set him apart from the competition.
After being threatened with a fine for being late for the start of a Cleveland Browns training camp due to appearing in the 1966 film The Dirty Dozen, Brown retired from the sport aged just 29 – and instead went on to have a very successful film career.
Jerry Rice
Position: Wide receiver
Most NFL fans’ pick for greatest wide receiver ever, Rice’s career is littered with extraordinary triumphs. He was part of three Super Bowl wins, claimed a Super Bowl MVP and an NFL MVP.
Alongside these individual accolades, he also became the league’s all-time leader in receptions, touchdown receptions and receiving yards.
His speed, intricate route-running and longevity made him an unstoppable force for almost 20 years, setting almost every major receiving record in the NFL to date. It is safe to say Rice inspired a generation of athletes!
Tom Brady
Position: Quarterback
This list simply would not be complete without him, would it? Without doubt the greatest quarterback the game has ever seen and some might argue, the greatest player overall as well. It is crazy to think that Brady’s life in the NFL began as a sixth-round pick in the 2000 Draft.
The unmatched success of his glittering career includes highlights such as a record seven Super Bowl wins, five Super Bowl MVPs and three NFL MVPs, spanning a whopping 22 years.
As if that was not enough, in 2020 at the ripe old age of 43, he became the oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, collecting what would be his final ring, this time in his debut season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady’s durability, consistency and leadership all helped forge a legacy that is unlikely to be surpassed.
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