All-Time Giants QBs Ranked: Manning #1, Simms #2

Phil Simms

#11 · New York Giants
Retired 14 Years In The NFL
🏆 2× Super Bowl champion (XXI, XXV)
Phil's
HAIR
50.0
HeyTC AI Rating

Questions about Phil Simms or the Giants?

Phil Simms Legacy

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Phil Simms was the quarterback who made Giants fans believe in themselves again—a lanky, tough-minded competitor who arrived as the seventh overall pick in 1979 and spent 15 years proving the doubters wrong. He endured early injuries and coaching chaos, but under Bill Parcells, he became the franchise's north star, leading New York to back-to-back Super Bowl titles. That performance in Super Bowl XXI—22 of 25, 88 percent completion rate, still the gold standard—wasn't just a statistical masterclass; it was a coronation. Simms was the guy who showed up when it mattered most, a cerebral field general who understood the game's architecture before moving seamlessly into the broadcast booth, where his candid insight made him essential viewing for decades.

Phil Simms Rating Breakdown

Season
Good
Fantasy
Good
Playoffs
Great
Overall
Sigma
14 years with the Giants

Phil Simms Career Stats via Wikipedia

33,462 Pass Yards
199 Touchdowns
157 INTs
55.4% Comp %
50.0 HAIR

Phil Simms Career Timeline

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1999 1

Official Retirement

Phil Simms announced his retirement from the NFL after a 15-year career, primarily with the New York Giants.

1995 1

Brief Stints with Broncos and Titans

Simms played briefly for the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans across seven seasons as a backup before retiring.

1994 1

Signed with Buccaneers

Simms signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent and started 15 games in 1994 before injuries ended his playing career.

1993 1

Released by Giants

After 14 seasons with the Giants, Simms was released following a 1992 injury and the emergence of Dave Brown as starter.

1990 1

Giants Win Super Bowl XXV

Simms started and helped the Giants defeat the Buffalo Bills 20-19 in Super Bowl XXV, securing their second title in five years.

1986 2

Super Bowl MVP Award

Simms was named Super Bowl XXI MVP for his outstanding performance, setting a record for completion percentage that stood until recently.

Super Bowl XXI Champion

Simms led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XXI over the Denver Broncos, completing 22 of 25 passes for 268 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning Super Bowl MVP honors with a record 88% completion percentage.

1985 1

Named NFL Comeback Player of the Year

After recovering from injury, Simms led the Giants to a 10-5 record and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

1984 1

Injured in Preseason

Simms suffered a severe injury in the preseason opener, missing most of the 1984 season and requiring multiple surgeries.

1981 1

First Pro Bowl Selection

Simms earned his first Pro Bowl selection after a strong season as the Giants' starting quarterback.

1979 1

Drafted by Giants

Phil Simms was selected by the New York Giants as the 7th overall pick in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft.

14 years in the NFL

Frequently Asked Questions About Phil Simms

How does Jaxson Dart compare to Phil Simms?

Jaxson Dart's got miles to go before he's in Phil Simms territory—Simms owned the Giants' spotlight with 33,462 yards, 199 TDs and two Lombardi rings, including that surgical Super Bowl XXI MVP clinic on the Broncos. Dart's scrapping through a muddy 3-13 slog, but Simms himself just torched trade talk on his podcast, predicting the kid gets dynamic on his feet and sharper through the air next year. Patience, Big Blue—legends aren't microwaved.

Is Phil Simms in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Nah, Phil Simms ain't in Canton, and at this point, those bronze doors stay shut despite his two Super Bowl rings and that flawless 22-of-25 MVP masterpiece in '87. Voters nitpick his 49.96 career rating like it's a dealbreaker—kinda like snubbing a guy who dragged the Giants to glory but never flashed enough gaudy stats. Broadcasting immortality suits him better anyway.

What is Phil Simms doing now in 2026?

In 2026, Simms is back in the booth, calling Big Ten games on Peacock for NBC—kicking off with Illinois-Western Illinois on Aug. 29, then Rutgers-Miami (OH), like a family reunion since son Chris is already there. After 26 years at CBS (including Super Bowls), he's trading NFL sidelines for college grids, dishing why's of the game with Paul Burmeister. Vintage Simms, still owning the mic.

How would Phil Simms perform in today's NFL?

Simms would feast in today's pass-happy NFL—those modern rules shielding QBs from the hits he ate would let his cannon arm and pocket poise shine brighter. Think 33k yards and 199 TDs juiced by no-touch protections and spread offenses; he'd carve defenses like he did the Broncos in '87, probably padding stats into Eli territory. Grit doesn't age, and neither does that gunslinger zip.

How does Phil Simms compare to Eli Manning?

Eli edges Simms on the stat sheet—59.81 rating to Phil's 49.96, plus two more Super Bowl upsets over Brady—but Simms feels grittier, that '87 MVP drive through a busted leg screaming tougher nuts. Both Giants saviors with dueling rings, yet Eli's volume era pads the numbers while Phil's old-school brawls get slept on. Flip a coin in a time machine; I'd bet the house on Simms' fire winning a cage match.