All-Time Patriots QB Rankings

Rank Name Team Years Season Fantasy Playoffs Rating Overall
1 Tom Brady Patriots 20 Elite Elite Elite 133.70 Aura
2 Steve Grogan Patriots 16 Good Subpar Subpar 35.89 Chill
3 Drew Bledsoe Patriots 9 Average Average Average 35.21 Chill
4 Tony Eason Patriots 7 Good Average Average 33.78 Chill
5 Mac Jones Patriots 3 Subpar Average Subpar 24.65 Delulu
6 Matt Cassel Patriots 4 Good Good Non-Factor 20.44 Delulu
7 Scott Zolak Patriots 7 Subpar Average Subpar 20.43 Delulu
8 Drake Maye Patriots 2 Average Good Non-Factor 19.73 Delulu
9 Baily Zappe Patriots 2 Good Good Non-Factor 19.71 Delulu
10 Doug Flutie Patriots 4 Good Subpar Non-Factor 17.88 NPC
11 Jim Plunkett Patriots 2 Average Average Non-Factor 17.78 NPC
12 Tom Owen Patriots 6 Average Average Non-Factor 17.61 NPC
13 Neil Graff Patriots 1 Average Subpar Non-Factor 16.30 NPC
14 Cam Newton Patriots 1 Subpar Subpar Non-Factor 15.27 NPC
15 Hugh Millen Patriots 2 Subpar Subpar Non-Factor 15.12 NPC
16 Jacoby Brissett Patriots 2 Subpar Subpar Non-Factor 15.10 NPC
17 Jimmy Garoppolo Patriots 3 Good Good Non-Factor 13.46 NPC
18 Bob Bleier Patriots 1 Average Average Non-Factor 11.02 NPC
19 Brian Hoyer Patriots 8 Subpar Average Non-Factor 9.92 NPC
20 Tom Ramsey Patriots 3 Average Subpar Non-Factor 9.22 NPC
21 Jeff Carlson Patriots 1 Subpar Subpar Non-Factor 8.65 Cooked
22 Marc Wilson Patriots 2 Subpar Subpar Non-Factor 8.33 Cooked
23 Matt Cavanaugh Patriots 4 Subpar Subpar Non-Factor 8.27 Cooked
24 Scott Secules Patriots 1 Subpar Subpar Non-Factor 7.99 Cooked
25 Joshua Dobbs Patriots 1 Subpar Non-Factor Non-Factor 7.86 Cooked
26 Tommy Hodson Patriots 3 Subpar Subpar Non-Factor 7.80 Cooked

FAQ

Who is the greatest New England Patriots quarterback of all time?

Tom Brady holds the top spot with a rating of 133.7, driven by his “Elite” regular-season performance, “Elite” fantasy impact, and “Elite” playoff showings across 20 seasons, earning them “Aura” status as the franchise’s iconic figure.

How does Tom Brady compare to the greatest quarterback of all time?

Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL. His highest rating is with the New England Patriots—a fitting 133.7—and overall is even higher because of his Super Bowl win with Tampa Bay. Tom Brady’s 133.7 with the Patriots, while leading the team to six Super Bowl victories and 37 playoff wins over 20 seasons, cements his legacy—his overall rating with both Tampa and New England totals 148.5.

For a full comparison, check out the All-Time QB Rankings here.

What is the difference between HeyTC’s QB Rating and ESPN’s QBR?

QBR is an outdated model that doesn’t take into account whether the quarterback won the game—its first flaw. Winning is everything; who cares if Quarterback X has the highest QBR but doesn’t win games? Its second flaw is that it doesn’t factor in playoff and Super Bowl success.

By contrast, the HeyTC QB Rating is a composite score evaluating a quarterback’s tenure with his team, factoring in regular-season performance, fantasy football value, playoff success, and overall franchise legacy.

Is Drake Maye one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL?

While Drake Maye is good, he’s not Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, who is still the best quarterback in the NFL. For the complete NFL daily quarterback rankings, check out our list that include some surprises.

What do the “Season,” “Fantasy,” and “Playoffs” columns mean?

These columns use qualitative tiers to assess regular-season excellence (e.g., Good for standout play), fantasy (e.g., “Elite” for top scorers), and postseason performance (e.g., “Great” for significant playoff runs)—forming the foundation of the overall ranking.

How do New England Patriots quarterbacks compare to other teams?

To see how New England Patriots’s all-time QB lineup stacks up league-wide—and get our bold prediction on when this team will win its next Super Bowl—check out the All-Time Team QB Rankings here.

What do the slang terms in the “Overall” column mean (like “Aura,” “Sigma,” or “NPC”)?

These terms, inspired by our “Dad Glossary,” add a playful, informal spin to describe quarterback impact:

  • Aura/Elite: Legendary, game-changing dominance.
  • Sigma/Great: Consistently elite performers.
  • Slaps/Good: Solid, reliable contributors.
  • Chill/Average: Dependable but unremarkable.
  • Delulu/Mediocre: Overhyped with underwhelming results.
  • NPC/Subpar: Forgettable and inconsistent.
  • Cooked/Non-Factor: Complete busts.

How often is this list updated?

The list is updated throughout the year, with major revisions during the NFL postseason and after the Super Bowl to reflect evolving careers of quarterbacks.