By Chris Yingling | Echo
The 2021 NFL Hall of Fame first-ballot draft class will be incredible. Jared Allen, Calvin Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Justin Tuck, Marshawn Lynch and Matt Hasselbeck are all hanging up the cleats.
But perhaps the biggest retirement from this offseason comes from longtime Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. After 18 years under center, Manning announced on Monday that he's played his last snap.
After numerous fourth-quarter comebacks, five MVP awards, 14 Pro Bowl berths and nearly every Indianapolis Colts passing record, Manning leaves a legacy that few players have ever approached. He holds NFL records for most touchdowns in a season, most passing yards and touchdowns in a career and most quarterback wins of all time, along with two Super Bowl victories for two different teams.
So that begs the question: Is Peyton Manning the greatest NFL quarterback of all time?
My simple answer to that question is "no." Manning is not the greatest quarterback of all time. That honor, in my opinion, falls to 49ers all-time great Joe Montana. His four Super Bowl victories and stellar regular season quarterback play give him the uncontested title of "Greatest of all Time."
However, I think the issue that most Colts/Peyton Manning fans are interested in answering is whether Peyton Manning has transcended Tom Brady. After Brady's clutch win in Super Bowl XLIX for his fourth victory in the big game, it all but cemented his legacy above Manning. However, Manning's Broncos made an unforeseen run into the playoffs, and Manning won a Super Bowl that nobody really saw coming.
So the count is Manning's two rings to Brady's four. However, it's no secret that Manning has every regular season record that Brady doesn't, including five MVPs to Brady's two. Brady often has to be carried into the playoffs by stellar defense and a stalwart offensive line, while Manning has to make his own way into the playoffs. I will concede that Brady's postseason play is far and beyond Manning's, but Manning's regular season performances far exceed Brady's.
However, Manning did something that Brady has yet to accomplish and few quarterbacks have ever done: he's riding off into the sunset. No matter how many playoff games choked away or Super Bowls conceded, Manning ended his career the way every professional athlete wants to finish. He ended his illustrious NFL career by illustrating a Super Bowl winning touchdown drive. While there may still be a few years left in Brady's tank, there's no guarantee he'll also ride into the sunset.
As it stands, I'm giving Manning a small edge in the Manning/Brady debate. However, Brady still has time. And if I were a betting man, I'd bet Tom has one more Super Bowl victory in him.
