NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Just because the NFL regular season doesn’t begin until September doesn’t mean passionate fans have taken a break from debating controversial rosters.
NBC football analyst Chris Simms is currently in the crosshairs of these fans after the 45-year-old was ranked among the greatest quarterbacks of all time based solely on their career bests.
Much to the surprise of many fans, Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time, was not at the top of the list. Simms ranked Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning first.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Tom Brady is seen at the opening of CardVault by Tom Brady in Kansas City, Missouri on June 20, 2026. (Michael Simon/Getty Images for CardVault by Tom Brady)
But Brady wasn’t the No. 2 or No. 3 ranked quarterback either. The New England Patriots legend was ranked by Simms as the No. 9 quarterback he would pick of all time in his prime.
Here’s Simms’ full list.
- Manning
- Patrick Mahomes
- Aaron Rodgers
- John Elway
- Brett Favre
- Josh Allen
- Lamar Jackson
- Dan Marino
- Brady
- Roger Staubach
Simms was eviscerated in the comments section for his decision to leave Brady so low.
“Brother, Brady threw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns and went 16-0 in his prime and 14 years later he threw for 5,300 yards and 43 touchdowns. His peak lasted a decade and a half and was better than anyone,” one user wrote.
GREG HAWTHORNE, SUPER BOWL CHAMPION, DEAD AT 69
Tom Brady and Peyton Manning stand outside Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
The user referenced Brady’s 2007 season, when he helped lead the Patriots to an undefeated regular season. Brady led the NFL in completion percentage (68.9%), yards (4,806) and touchdowns (50) this season.
The other season the user referenced was Brady’s penultimate season, his age-44 season, when he led the NFL in yards (5,316) and touchdowns (43).
Another user wondered if Simms had any personal bias towards Brady.
“What did Tom Brady do to make Chris Simms hate him,” the user posted with a laughing and crying emoji.
Another user called the list a “joke,” while others used emojis to laugh at the absurdity of Brady’s placement.
Another fan questioned the criteria for the controversial list.
“I support anyone who realizes Brady is overrated. That said, what is the criteria for this? Longevity, peak? Eye test? Need more clarity. No idea how tall Elway is,” the user wrote.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Tom Brady and Joe Montana watch before Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
An X user criticized the list, not because of Brady’s ranking, but because of the exclusion of another member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“Any all-time list without the great Joe Montana is just rubbish and should not be taken seriously,” the user wrote.
Simms had a commentator who agreed with his ranking of Manning over Brady.
“Peyton Manning is the best quarterback of all time and I’m sick of people acting like he isn’t. Brady wanted to be as good as Manning for the first four years of his career. Brady said so himself. Manning was absolutely incredible with the Colts. Brady is the best player of all time. His accomplishments are clearly second to none, but Manning was the better QB,” the user wrote.
Other fans took issue with Allen and Jackson’s inclusion on the list.
“Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson vs. Dan Marino and Tom Brady is so stupid,” one user wrote.
“OMG what a joke, Lamar and Josh don’t even belong on this list…” another user posted.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Sunday Football Night in America host Chris Simms hosts the pregame show before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
Another user questioned Staubach’s presence on the list.
“Brady is 1, Montana 2. Jackson and Allen don’t belong in this group. Elway should be much lower. Not sure Staubach belongs here either,” the user wrote.
Simms played in the NFL for eight seasons and spent one season as an assistant coach for the Patriots. He played his college football at Texas.
