5. Fran Tarkenton
A powerful case could be made that Fran Tarkenton is the most polarizing quarterback in NFL history. He’s as individually proficient as any player who has ever stepped on a football field, but he’s also a player who experienced minimal postseason success.
The New York Giants never made a postseason appearance during Tarkenton’s tenure in New York, but he earned his Top 5 ranking on the field.
Over the course of his five years with the Giants, Tarkenton threw for 13,905 yards and 103 touchdowns to 72 interceptions. Despite playing just five seasons in New York, he ranks No. 4 in franchise history in passing touchdowns and No. 5 in passing yards.
Tarkenton achieved those rankings when NFL seasons were just 14 games, which means he played as many as 10 fewer games than a quarterback who would be active today.
Some may knock his lack of team success, as Tarkenton amassed a record of 33-36 with the Giants. He was an individually dominant force, however, even if he was unable to get the Giants to the postseason during his five-year run.
Tarkenton could be higher or lower than this, but he ranks amongst the best quarterbacks in NFL history, and his Giants tenure contributed to that status.