Tom Brady rewrote the rules of quarterback longevity, winning his first Super Bowl at 24 and his last at 43. For two decades, he outlasted rivals, adapted to new eras, and watched young phenoms like Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes rise while legends like Peyton Manning and Drew Brees retired. Even now, as Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams enter the league, no one has matched Brady’s sustained dominance. But from his era, a few survivors remain – Aaron Rodgers , Matthew Stafford , Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins – all clinging to the NFL’s throne as a new wave of dynamic, mobile quarterbacks takes over.
Lamar Jackson , Jalen Hurts , and now Daniels represent a seismic shift. Speed, creativity, and relentless athleticism are redefining the position. Me