When quarterbacks are debated on who had a better career, there are numerous things people will go off of. However, the most important attribute is normally their ability to win, especially in the postseason, and Super Bowl victories can be a separating factor.
That’s certainly what New York Giants great Eli Manning hangs his hat on. There were many quarterbacks who probably performed better than him throughout their careers, but he was able to win the big game — twice.
Eli Manning Makes Feelings Clear On Better QB Debate With Matt Ryan
A Falcons and fantasy football social media account recently posted a hot take, saying former Atlanta Falcons great Matt Ryan was a better quarterback than Manning, and asked whether people agreed.
“Hot take: Matt Ryan was a better QB than Eli Manning… people just worship rings,” the account wrote on X. “Agree or nah?”
Manning often appears on lists of great quarterbacks because he won two Super Bowls, but many don’t believe he was statistically or athletically one of the best players under center.
Across Manning’s 16-year NFL career, he was a four-time Pro Bowler but never made an All-Pro team. He managed just seven winning seasons, topped 4,000 passing yards seven times, and led the league in interceptions in three different years.
On the other hand, Ryan had a 15-year NFL career, and while he was also a four-time Pro Bowler, he did have an All-Pro season in 2016 and won the league MVP that year.
He also won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2008. Ryan also had only 7 winning seasons in his career, but 10 seasons with at least 4,000 yards passing. However, the Falcons legend had a 4-6 career playoff record and blew a 28-3 lead in his lone Super Bowl appearance.
Manning was 8-4 in the playoffs and won two Super Bowls, which were both against the New England Patriots (and Tom Brady), whom the Falcons blew their Super Bowl against.
And that’s exactly what Manning brought up when he responded to the hot take about him and Ryan. “I will ponder this while I play with my rings…,” he wrote on X.
While many will look at Manning’s overall career stats and the surrounding cast he had and discredit his two Super Bowls and Hall of Fame career, you can’t argue with his two rings.
It’s the same reason why people are hesitant to consider Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen the best quarterback in the NFL. Athletically, there’s little debate, but the Bills quarterback has yet to win a Super Bowl.
