Skip Bayless is back in the headlines, and this time it's not for a surprise return to ESPN. The polarizing sports commentator dropped his personal list of the top 12 quarterbacks in NFL history, and the internet is having a field day—mostly in anger.
Bayless, never one to shy away from hot takes, placed Tom Brady at number one. That much was expected. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has long been Bayless's guy. But the real fireworks started when fans saw the rest of the list.
Peyton Manning, a two-time Super Bowl winner and five-time MVP, landed outside the top five. Bayless slotted him at number six, behind names like John Elway, Roger Staubach, and Terry Bradshaw. For many analysts and fans, that's a tough pill to swallow.
The Full Top 12
Here's how Bayless ranked them:
- Tom Brady
- Joe Montana
- John Elway
- Roger Staubach
- Terry Bradshaw
- Peyton Manning
- Brett Favre
- Patrick Mahomes
- Troy Aikman
- Bart Starr
- Kurt Warner
- Aaron Rodgers
Notable omissions include Drew Brees and Dan Marino, two quarterbacks many consider top-tier. Bayless reportedly also considered Johnny Unitas, Ben Roethlisberger, and Steve Young but left them off the final cut.
Fan Reactions Are Scathing
Social media erupted almost instantly. One user called it the “worst list ever.” Another declared, “Troy Aikman is the most overrated QB of all time.” Others argued that Matthew Stafford deserves more respect than Kurt Warner, and that any list without Brees lacks credibility.
“No Dan Marino?? This is a joke, right?” wrote one fan. Another pointed out a contradiction: “John Elway at 3 goes against literally everything Skip has preached for 2 decades.”
Bayless's rankings also come amid other controversies, like debates over Arch Manning's potential and ongoing discussions about modern quarterbacks. The timing only adds fuel to the fire.
What Does This Mean for the GOAT Debate?
Bayless has never been one to follow the crowd, and this list is no exception. But by snubbing Manning from the top five and excluding Brees and Marino entirely, he's reignited the eternal argument over what makes a quarterback great. Is it rings? Stats? Longevity? Bayless seems to value championships above all, but even then, his choices raise eyebrows.
As the NFL offseason drags on, these rankings give fans something to argue about—and Bayless, as always, is right in the middle of it.
