Brendan Casey

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Here's my top 5 Eagles Quarterbacks of all-time

Who are the top five quarterbacks in the Eagles history and even though he was here for a short amount of time I think Michael Vick is in the top five.

#1 Donovan McNabb

I have Donovan McNabb rated number one overall because, statistically, he is the greatest quarterback in Eagles history. Love him or hate him, that's just a fact. Those early to mid-2000 runs were some of the greatest times in Eagles history. Even though they all ended with heartache and ultimately no Super Bowls, you can't deny the greatness that was Donovan McNabb. If only he could've had Jalen Hurts' heart and Michael Vick's determination to win, they could've been a dynasty. Despite his passive-aggressive nature and tendency to smile when things went bad, in my opinion, he's the reason Terrell Owens left the team because he couldn't share the spotlight. Surrounded by a bunch of "what if's" and "what could have beens," that number 5 is in the rafters for a reason. From the moment he was drafted and got BOOED, McNabb always felt slighted by the city of Philadelphia and carried that chip on his shoulder. Unfortunately, he was too soft to prove us otherwise.

#2 Randall Cunningham

Randall Cunningham was the first Eagles quarterback that I remember watching as a kid. He was a transcendent player that the likes of the NFL had never seen before. Cunningham was light years ahead of his time in today’s NFL. He would flourish compared to the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Deshaun Watson. However, Cunningham was ultimately hindered by the beloved former Philadelphia Eagles head coach, Buddy Ryan. Ryan never thought to put a strong offensive line in front of Randall or provide him with many great offensive weapons. This is no disrespect to Mike Quick, Chris Carter, or any Eagles receivers in the late 80s and early 90s. When Buddy Ryan left the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears defense and came to Philadelphia with a defensive mindset, he never fully utilized Randall to his potential. As a result, Cunningham became one of the most sacked quarterbacks of all time. The number 12 has not been worn since Randall Cunningham left the Eagles. It is unofficially retired, but in my opinion, it should have been retired when Randall Cunningham left and went to the Minnesota Vikings, where he had a stable offensive line and numerous offensive weapons. He had an MVP season and could have possibly gone to the Super Bowl and won with the Minnesota Vikings. Despite being considered a traitor in the end for playing for the most hated Dallas Cowboys, I will forever love Randall and everything he did not only as a Philadelphia Eagle but also for changing the entire quarterback game for all future NFL stars.

#3 Norm Van Brocklin

Norm Van Brocklin is undoubtedly ahead of our time. Many argue that it's difficult to include players from such a long time ago in a top-five list, but in my opinion, this guy was a nine-time Pro Bowler. He joined the Eagles in 1958, played here for three seasons, and was a Pro Bowler in all three seasons. Moreover, he was the quarterback of the 1960 NFL championship Philadelphia Eagles team, the only team in history to ever defeat Vince Lombardi in a championship match. That, in my opinion, deserves recognition. My father, at the age of 13, witnessed the 1960 NFL championship and saw Norm Van Brocklin, Chuck Bednarik, and other all-time greats win that game. Despite Philadelphia not reaching another championship appearance for 20 years, Van Brocklin's history and association with a winning franchise cannot be denied.

#4 Ron "Jaws" Jaworski

Ron "Jaws" Jaworski is a Philadelphia Eagles legend. The Eagles acquired Jaworski in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams in 1977, during the tenure of head coach Dick Vermeil. This was a transformative time for the Eagles, who had been in a prolonged slump. Vermeil, a Hall of Fame coach, implemented controversial strategies such as open tryouts, which famously led to the discovery of Vince Papale. Jaworski played a pivotal role in the team's success. In 1980, he led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl appearance in two decades and was named NFL Player of the Year. He formed a remarkable connection with the towering Harold Carmichael, throwing numerous touchdowns to the Hall of Famer. Jaworski's impact extended beyond his on-field performance. He remained connected to the team and the community, and his presence helped put Veteran Stadium on the map. His contributions brought pride back to the Philadelphia Eagles franchise.

#5a Michael Vick

Michael Vick's entire career, at least the early part, was surrounded by controversy. We all know the story about the dog fighting, the jail time, and his ultimate fall from grace as an MVP quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. After serving his time and turning his life around, Michael Vick was acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles and Andy Reid in 2009, initially as the third-string quarterback behind Donovan McNabb and "The Future" Kevin Kolb. Vick humbly and gratefully accepted his new third-string role, compared to his former starting MVP quarterback position. In the 2009 season, when McNabb was traded to Washington, Kevin Kolb became the starter for the first game of the 2010 season. However, after Kolb suffered a concussion, Michael Vick reappeared out of nowhere and led the team to an NFC East division championship. Some could argue that he was the comeback player of the year and a candidate for MVP. Some of Vick's most memorable plays include the miracle at the Meadowlands against the Giants, the Monday night massacre against Washington, and his overall body of work going from an MVP and first overall pick with the world in the palm of his hand to making some of the worst life decisions, experiencing a complete fall from grace, serving jail time, and then completely turning his life around to come back to the NFL and have more unbelievable seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. I just have to take my hat off to him. There aren't many people in this world, athlete or not, who would or could be able to do what he did.

#5b Nick Foles

Nick Foles was drafted by Andy Reid. Everybody kind of went for Russell Wilson, but Foles came in. He had some great ups and downs. He looked like a graceful giraffe when he ran, but the guy had seven touchdowns against the Raiders. His overall body of work doesn't compare to some of the other quarterbacks on this list, but he stepped in when the MVP quarterback went down and ultimately won the Philadelphia Eagles their first Super Bowl, going toe-to-toe with the greatest of all time, Tom Brady, and winning. Just for that fact alone, I have to put him in the top five, tied with Michael Vick. Big Dick Nick will live in infamy in Philadelphia forever. He'll never have to pay for a beer.

Honorable Mentions

I want to give an honorable mention shout-out to the guys who stepped in at tough times: Jeff Garcia, Ty Detmer, Koy Detmer, Rodney Peete, and Jim McMahon. While some of these guys may have never been 'the guy' or were past their primes when their number was called, they stepped in and got the job done to the best of their ability. Hats off to you!

I guess I gotta give respect to Carson Wentz as well. Without him in 2017, the Eagles don't get the number one overall seed, and they don't win that Super Bowl. That's just a fact. In his first few years here, we thought we had a guy for the next decade. However, many circumstances like getting hurt, being rushed back too early, and ultimately becoming a head case and a locker room issue changed that perception. None of us can put him in the top five, but we can't deny what he did here before his performance declined. After that, it was all downhill. So, I'll tip my cap to him and thank him for what he did when he was here, but not for the way it ended.

Mike Parks

Twitter

My top 5 Eagles QB's would go like this:

#1 McNabb

Donovan McNabb holds the esteemed rank of #1 on our list of Eagles quarterbacks, and he has certainly earned this position with his remarkable body of work as an Eagle. Memories of the Andy Reid-McNabb era are still vivid, and it was during this era that the bond of the QBFS crew was forged.

#2 Randall Cunningham

Growing up, I had the privilege of watching Randall Cunningham dominate the field as part of the legendary Buddy Ryan gang green era. As a child, this was my introduction to the world of gritty Eagles football, and it left a lasting impression. Cunningham, known as "the ultimate weapon," was a marvel to watch with his unparalleled athleticism, arm strength, and elusiveness. Whether it was launching deep bombs or escaping defenders with his breathtaking runs, he brought a level of excitement and innovation to the game that captivated fans like myself. Cunningham's impact on the Eagles and his role in shaping the franchise's identity cannot be overstated.

#3 Ron Jaworski

Ranked at #3, just before my time, is Ron Jaworski, a local legend who remains a revered figure in Philly to this day. My father always spoke of him as his favorite quarterback and even passed down his white throwback #7 jersey to me. Unfortunately, it's a bit snug for me, but the jersey itself is in pristine condition. I'm planning to frame it in a shadow box soon. On a related note, my dad loves to brag about the times he crossed paths with Jaws and Mike Quick. One instance was at a restaurant called "Eagles Nest" in South Jersey, which happened to be owned by the Eagles legend himself. Jaws even sat down at their table for a conversation over a meal, casually joined by the town's mayor. Another memorable encounter occurred when my dad met Mike Quick just a block away from our house during a snowstorm. Quick was searching for Washington Township High School, where his daughter, who attended Cherry Hill High School, had a playoff basketball game. My dad immediately recognized him and graciously guided Mr. Quick to the school. When they arrived, they exchanged quick words of appreciation and shared a resounding thumbs-up gesture. It's truly unforgettable.

#4 Nick Foles

While his overall body of work may not be as impressive as the top 3 quarterbacks on this list, his many moments of excellence shine brighter than anything else! One of my most memorable experiences was attending the NFC Championship game against the Vikings in 2018. To provide some context, more than a decade prior to this game, my fellow QBFS member, Dann Wetzell, and I made a pact that we would buy tickets no matter the cost the next time the Eagles hosted the NFC Championship. It took some time, but we finally fulfilled our promise, and boy, what a game it was to witness firsthand!

#5 Norm Van Brocklin

Norm Van Brocklin, though before my time, is widely recognized as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Eagles history. While his tenure with the team lasted only three seasons, he remains highly regarded on almost every list. It's true that the game was different back then, and he threw almost as many interceptions as touchdowns. However, his time with the Eagles was marked by a formidable roster that included legends like Bednarik, McDonald, and Retzlaff. Together, they formed one of the toughest teams in NFL history. Notably, they handed Vince Lombardi his only postseason loss, securing the championship. Although I can only imagine how exhilarating that time must have been, I must admit, I'm just a young whipper snapper in comparison.

Honorable Mentions

Here are some honorable mentions of legendary Eagles quarterbacks who didn't quite make the top 5:

• Wentz: He had the potential and talent, and if it wasn't for the magical 2017 season, he would be considered barely an afterthought.
• Vick: During his time as an Eagle, he provided some of the most electrifying and unforgettable moments. However, he narrowly missed out on my top 5.
• Tommy Thompson: Thompson is a quarterback from the past whom we can only read about. If it weren't for the 1960 championship, he'd be on the list instead of Van Brocklin.
• Hurts: With a promising and successful career ahead, we hope to see Hurts climb up this list and become a notable Eagles quarterback of legend.

Shawn Palumbo

My top 5

Disclaimer…. If Jalen Hurts can replicate his performance last season statistically and lead the eagles on another deep playoff run, he will easily jump into the top 3.

1. Nick Foles- I know that his body of work as a whole fails in comparison to guys like Randall, McNabb, and Jaws but he did the most important part in spectacular fashion. Not only is he the only Eagles signal caller to win the Lombardi he was also arguably the best (and most well endowed) player on the field for the two most important games in Philadelphia Eagles history. Add in his 27-2 season and being one Alshon drop shy of another NFC title appearance and he’s gotta be the top dog.

2. McNabb- Donovan is one of the most polarizing figures in Philadelphia sports history. His numbers firmly put him at the top of the Philly QB pecking order but his playoff performances leave so much to be desired. In the six NFC Title and Super Bowl games he’s participated in he has posted a stat line of:

   • 129/225 (57%)
   • 1,426 passing (237.5 YPG)
   • 116 rushing (19.3 YPG)
   • 9 Passing TDs to 9 INTs
   • 1 Rushing TD to 4 Fumbles

   You can’t come up that small when it matters most and sit above the man who delivered this city what it craved. #5 will always love Philly, and Philly will always love #5….. as long as it’s not in January or February.

3. Jaws- Jaws got this town to it’s first ever Super Bowl. That alone is worthy of a spot on this list. Cap it off with some prolific passing seasons donning the kelly green in Dick Vermeils offense and it’s a recipe to slot him at #3 on my list. Even though it was far before my time the stats and amount of #7 Jaworski jerseys you see to this day tell me everything I need to know.

4. Randall- Randall was ahead of his time, misunderstood and had his career derailed by injuries and overshadowed by all time great defenses. He was Josh Allen 30 years before Josh Allen entered the league. He had the size, arm strength, mobility and swagger to thrive in the modern game; but unfortunately he was born too soon and the league didn’t quite know what to do with him until he lost most of the legs and arm strength that made him so dynamic. Even though he never won a playoff game in Philadelphia his talent is too much to deny and I couldn’t leave him off this list.

5. Carson Wentz- This spot could’ve easily went to Mike Vick, Jalen Hurts or Norm Van Brocklin. I’m sure Brendan will have something to say about my selection but I’ve been getting shit from him for 31 years, I’m used to it. My selection of Wentz hinges on 3 things.

   First, the guys first four seasons in the league were nothing short of spectacular from a historical standpoint. He was putting up TD:INT ratios and yardage totals that rivaled some of the all time greats.

   Second, his Herculean effort to get the birds to the playoffs in 2019 despite his best WR being Greg Ward was improbable.

   Third, and most importantly, without his spectacular MVP caliber performance in 2017; the Eagles probably don’t secure home field advantage in the playoffs and who knows how that could’ve changed the post season.
   Yeah we all have a bitter taste in our mouths now looking at the shell of a man that was once a meal ticket to perennial contention …. But the lightning in the bottle sure was fun and gave us something this city doesn’t experience often.. hope.

Dann Wetzell Jr.

1. McNabb: Despite not winning the ultimate prize, McNabb's decade in the 2000s wearing the midnight green jersey set the foundation for a winning culture. His performances during that time were instrumental in shaping my passion for football.
2. BDN, Nicky Foles: Foles captured the hearts of Eagles fans worldwide with his victory in the big game. His journey started in Philadelphia, where glimpses of his talent were seen early on. The memorable 2013 season showcased his potential, and for me, Foles' triumph brought an indescribable joy.
3. Randall Cunningham: Although I was barely old enough to watch or remember Cunningham's career, I recognize the immense talent this quarterback possessed. Cunningham had all the qualities of a great QB and left fans wondering what the end result of the 1991 season could have been if he hadn't been injured.
4. Ronlad "Jaws" Jaworski: Jaworski falls just short of the top rankings. I perceived him as a winner and someone deeply passionate about the game. His contributions to the team left a lasting impression, even if he didn't reach the pinnacle of success.
5. Van Brocklin: My list is influenced by my own football-watching tenure and the dedication demonstrated by the players. Although Van Brocklin had a relatively short stint with the Eagles, it was the impact he made during that time that earned him a spot on the list.

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