Settle the NFL GOAT quarterback debate once and for all.

nfelo's era-adjusted QB comparison tool uses QB Elo ratings and adjusts them for league-wide averages to remove the inflation to passing statistics throughout time.

This creates a fair comparison between quarterbacks who may have played in different eras of the NFL. Not only can you compare Brady and Manning or Brady and Mahomes, but you can also make fair comparisons to players of the past like Marino, Montana, or even Otto Graham.

Why Era Adjustments Matter: The NFL has fundamentally changed since the over time. Rule modifications like the Mel Blount Rule, illegal contact emphasis, and roughing the passer protections, combined with advances in player development and offensive strategy have created vastly different playing environments.

Thus, it is important to add adjustments when viewing quarterbacks from different time periods to ensure an apples to apples comparison.

NFL Quarterback Matchups to Explore

Brady vs Mahomes: Old vs New

The ultimate generational debate. Tom Brady's seven Super Bowl titles and 22-year career represent sustained excellence across multiple eras. Patrick Mahomes' early career trajectory combined with his early accumulation of Super Bowls himself has created a real debate. As you can see in the chart, Mahomes' per game performance is visibly higher than Brady's.

Brady vs Manning: Championships vs Production

While Brady has the Super Bowls, Peyton Manning actually accumulated meaningfully more production throughout his career. Despite playing fewer games, Peyton Manning has the highest total era adjusted Elo in history.

One interesting lens is to also compare the era adjusted points allowed by their defenses. While Brady's defenses consistently ranked higher than average, Manning received a fairly average level of support until his later years.

Montana vs Young: The West Coast System

While Joe Montana is perhaps the best remembered 49ers quarterback, Steve Young was more productive and more efficient, even when accounting for era. Had Young started earlier with the 49ers, he might be a serious contender in GOAT conversations.