Unitas' playcalling was light years ahead of his peers, all during a time QB's were bludgeoned. Favre's toughness (record for sacks taken) and gunslinger mentality (most INT ever thrown) were incredible. He had Sharpe and Driver at times, but he probably did more with marginal receivers than any QB mentioned here. He's been out of the league for ten or twelve years. What if the QB protection rules that helped Brady extend his career were in place for all of Favre or Staubach's careers? Montana's mastery over an elegant passing game, all of these guys stand out. Can't exclude Brees in the discussion, too, incredible accuracy, quick release, intelligent. Hard to pick one. Bradshaw had a complement of incredible receivers and a generational defense. In terms of players languishing on bad teams, I wonder what Stafford would have accomplished with a good team instead of being in Detroit all this time. Stafford at New England or Dallas would've been interesting.
RTR,
Tim