Tom Brady is widely considered the undisputed GOAT of NFL quarterbacks, with seven Super Bowl rings and a resume that screams 'greatest ever.' But one former NFL signal-caller has thrown a wrench into that narrative, ranking Brady a shocking ninth on his all-time list. Yes, you read that right—ninth.
Chris Simms, who played for the Buccaneers and 49ers, stirred the pot by evaluating quarterbacks solely on how they looked at their absolute best. Forget career longevity, playoff wins, or even the rings. For Simms, it's all about that peak performance window.
So where does that leave the man who threw for 50 touchdowns and led the Patriots to an undefeated regular season in 2007? According to Simms, Brady slots in at No. 9, behind names like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. That ranking has fans—and plenty of analysts—scratching their heads.
Simms' top 10 includes Peyton Manning at No. 1, followed by Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, John Elway, Brett Favre, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Dan Marino, Tom Brady, and Roger Staubach. The list has already ignited a firestorm on social media, with many calling it absurd to place Brady outside the top five, let alone the top three.
It's worth noting that Simms isn't dismissing Brady's career—he's just judging him in a different light. But when you consider Brady's 2007 season, where he completed nearly 70% of his passes for 4,806 yards and 50 touchdowns, it's hard to argue that anyone was better in their prime. Even Manning, as brilliant as he was, had his best statistical seasons with the Colts, but Brady's 2007 campaign remains one of the most dominant single seasons ever.
The debate gets even spicier when you consider that Simms ranked Allen and Jackson ahead of Brady. Both are dynamic playmakers, but neither has come close to matching Brady's consistency or his ability to win when it matters most. Allen has yet to reach a Super Bowl, and Jackson's playoff record is spotty at best. Yet Simms insists that at their peaks, they were superior to the seven-time champion.
This isn't the first time Brady has been slighted in rankings, but it's certainly one of the most controversial. The ranking also raises questions about how we define greatness—is it the body of work or the brightest flash? Simms has made his choice, and it's clear he values the latter.
Meanwhile, Brady's legacy continues to grow off the field. He recently sparked controversy with a fine rant that won't sit well with NFL brass, and he's also been accused of aiding the Seahawks in a Super Bowl win over the Patriots. For a guy who's supposed to be the GOAT, he sure keeps finding himself in the middle of debates.
What do you think? Is Simms' list a hot take that's gone too far, or does he have a point about judging quarterbacks by their prime? Let us know in the comments.
