QBs for the ages: How does Tom Brady compare to Peyton Manning
Yes, Tom Brady is the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards. And touchdowns. And almost every other passing statistic. But what is remarkable — what sets him apart from most athletes in most sports — is that he is still playing at age 45 and still performing at an elite level.
To put that in perspective, we’ve come up with a list of history’s greatest quarterbacks as a comparison. Each week, we’ll look at the final three seasons of a different quarterback versus what Brady has done with the Bucs in, presumably, his final three seasons.
It’s not a perfect apples-to-apples comparison, because there are differences in eras and most quarterbacks are retired long before 45. But it does give you an idea of how rare it is to see a player still dominating while holding off middle age.
Brady vs. Manning
The set-up: They are Tiger-Phil. Ali-Frazier. Magic-Bird. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady arrived in the NFL a couple of years apart and spent nearly two decades helping to rewrite passing standards. Manning was the more accomplished passer with seven All-Pro seasons and five MVP awards, but Brady was the clear winner on the scoreboard with seven Super Bowl victories. They met five times in the postseason with Manning coming out on top in three games.
The end: Before Brady left New England for Tampa Bay, Manning left Indianapolis for Denver. And just like Brady, Manning won a Super Bowl in his new home. The difference is Brady did it his first year in Tampa, while Manning won it all in his third season. And then promptly retired. Manning won the MVP his first season in Denver at age 37 but was more of a game manager by the time he won his second Super Bowl at 39 in 2015.
Manning
Years: 2013-15
Ages: 37-39
Completed 1,043 of 1,587 passes with 103 touchdowns and 42 interceptions for 12,453 yards and a 100.2 passer rating. Was 32-9 as a starter.
Brady
Brady in Week 16: Is this evidence of magic, or just the final dwindling days of a legend? Brady struggled for more than three quarters against the Cardinals on Sunday night, particularly with his accuracy on mid-range throws. But, as he did against the Saints and Rams earlier this year, Brady was at his best with the game on the line. Brady was 6-of-6 passing for 69 yards in overtime in the 19-16 victory. That gives him an NFL record 45 fourth-quarter comebacks.
Years: 2020-22
Ages: 43-45
Has completed 1,329 of 2,000 with 104 touchdowns and 33 interceptions for 14,127 and a 97.3 passer rating. Is 31-17 as a starter.
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