5 most underrated NFL QBs of all-time

Jim Plunkett in action against the New York Giants
Jim Plunkett in action against the New York Giants

Top 3 Underrated NFL QBs

#3 - Phil Simms

Phil Simms for SiriusXM At Super Bowl LIV
Phil Simms for SiriusXM At Super Bowl LIV

A two-time Super Bowl champion seems an odd choice as an underrated NFL QB, but a look at his overall career gives us reason to include him on this list. He was a mainstay of the New York Giants for 15 years at a time when they had one of the most vaunted defenses in history, known as the "Big Blue Wrecking Crew.".

The Giants defense featured the likes of Lawrence Taylor, the last defensive NFL MVP to date. As well as Carl Banks, Gary Reasons, Brad van Pelt, Brian Kelly, Pepper Johnson and Harry Carson.

They are widely credited for the New York Giants winning two Super Bowls, however this takes away from the fact that in Super Bowl XXI it was Phil Simms who was named MVP.

In 1986, he was also chosen as the NFL MVP by the NEA and made it to the Pro Bowl twice in his career. With a resume as strong as his coupled with the fact that he is not appreciated more makes him one of the most underrated NFL QBs of all time.

#2 - Ken Anderson

Jacksonville Jaguars 2005 Headshots
Jacksonville Jaguars 2005 Headshots

Never mind being an underrated NFL QB, he is perhaps unlucky not to be included in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Not only was Ken Anderson a great quarterback, he was arguably the first proponent of legendary coach Bill Walsh's "West Coast offense" during their time with the Cincinnati Bengals.

In 1981, he was named NFL MVP and was also selected for the Pro Bowl. This is in addition to the three other Pro Bowl nominations he received in 1974, 1975 and 1982.

In each of those four years he was named a Pro Bowler, he was also the league's passer rating leader. Additionally, in 1974 and 1975, he was the NFL's passing yards leader. While in 1974, 1982 and 1983, he also recorded the highest completion percentage in the league.

#1 - Jim Plunkett

Jim Plunkett
Jim Plunkett

Jim Plunkett is a two-time Super Bowl champion, which we now know does not bar someone from being an underrated NFL QB. In 1980 and 1983, he won the Super Bowl with the Raiders, in each case replacing the starter.

The reason Plunkett is largely ignored by many is because of his career outside his two championship seasons. He was selected first overall by the New England Patriots in 1971, yet failed to make an impression with them. In 1976, he joined the San Francisco 49ers but left after two unsuccessful seasons.

But his achievements at the Raiders make the case for him being the most underrated NFL QB of all time. Ignoring him is akin to ignoring Brett Favre for failing with the Atlanta Falcons. Jim Plunkett deserves much more recognition for his achievements on the football field.

Quick Links