Whereas there have been a number of traditionally good NFL teams over the many years, maybe none is healthier than our recently-compiled roster comprised of the best gamers from the final quarter-century.
It is a fictional workforce, so calling it the best roster ever assembled is clearly hyperbole. However simply think about for a second if such a workforce might exist. Would they ever lose a recreation, a lot much less yield a single level? Whereas we’ll by no means know for positive, it is arduous to fathom some other workforce from some other period defeating a roster crammed with the NFL’s greatest gamers from 2000-25 and quarterbacked by Tom Brady, who is basically thought of to be the best of all-time.
What actually makes this roster stand out is when you think about the numerous greats that weren’t capable of make the lower. That record of gamers was so nice that an Honorable Point out was created in order that these gamers might obtain some degree of recognition.
When creating the record, it got here all the way down to choosing the gamers who made essentially the most affect over the previous quarter century. Solely the most effective of the most effective made the lower.
** Denotes gamers at the moment within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame
Offense
Honorable mentions
Quarterbacks (3)
Starter
Reserves
The inclusions of Brady and Manning on this record have been clearly no-brainers. Brady, the 199th general choose within the first draft carried out within the twenty first century, loved an unparalleled profession that included seven Super Bowl wins, 5 Super Bowl MVP awards and three league MVPs. Brady can be first all-time in profession passing yards and landing passes. A part of his legend is his longevity; he received three Tremendous Bowls in his twenties, two in his thirties and his remaining two after turning 40.
Brady is basically thought of the “GOAT,” however Manning additionally belongs in any dialog discussing the Mount Rushmore of quarterbacks. Nobody has received extra league MVPs than Manning’s 5. He’s additionally the primary beginning quarterback to win Tremendous Bowls with a number of groups. He was on the peak of his powers when the Colts received Super Bowl XL. 9 years later, regardless of his apparent bodily decline, Manning nonetheless had sufficient left within the tank to assist lead the Broncos to a title. Each of these titles got here on the expense of Brady, who was simply 1-3 in opposition to Manning-led groups in convention championship video games.
The third quarterback spot got here all the way down to Mahomes and Rodgers. Actually, it got here all the way down to Mahomes’ having three Super Bowl wins to Rodgers’ one, together with the truth that Mahomes has performed in 4 extra Tremendous Bowls than Rodgers. Each quarterbacks are generational skills who additionally belong in any Mount Rushmore dialog.
Working backs (3)
Starter
Reserves
So far as operating backs are involved, it would not get significantly better than this trio, beginning with Tomlinson, the godfather of fantasy football. Tomlinson, whose profession began across the time fantasy football began to take off, piled up yards and touchdowns at a frenzied tempo. Throughout his prime, Tomlinson averaged 1,827 complete yards and 18 touchdowns. He was the second operating again to catch at the very least 100 passes in a season. His 31 complete touchdowns in 2006 is an NFL document. His 145 profession dashing touchdowns is No. 2 all-time.
Whereas not as versatile as Tomlinson, Peterson was simply as dominant throughout his prime. He received three dashing titles throughout his profession and in 2012 received league MVP (the final RB to win the award) after dashing for two,097 yards, the second-highest single season complete in NFL historical past. Peterson is fifth on the NFL’s all-time profession dashing record.
Whereas operating has taken a backseat in as we speak’s NFL, the league nonetheless had some elite backs over the previous 25 years. Frank Gore — who’s No. 3 on the profession dashing record — did not make the lower, together with former Seahawks bulldozer Marshawn Lynch and former Eagles playmaker LeSean McCoy.
It was powerful excluding Gore, however Henry is greater than deserving of his spot on the record. The present Baltimore Raven is the primary participant with three seasons of at the very least 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. He ran for over 2,000 yards in 2020, and his 1,921 yards final 12 months is essentially the most ever for a participant over the age of 30. Henry’s future spot in Canton, Ohio is already safe.
Fullback (1)
Juszczyk has stored the fullback place alive whereas showcasing the explanation why it may nonetheless add worth to an offense. A Professional Bowler every of the previous 9 years, Juszczyk has been a invaluable contributor on two NFC champion groups in San Francisco. Together with being a superb blocker, Juszczyk can just about play any ability place.
USATSI
Receivers (6)
Starters
Reserves
It was arduous to make this record as a operating again, however even more durable to make it as a receiver. Moss and Calvin Johnson have been first-ballot Corridor of Famers, whereas Harrison inexplicably wasn’t regardless of being one of the crucial productive gamers the sport has ever seen. Owens was a first-ballot expertise, however his lower than stellar relationship with the media led to him ready a number of years earlier than he rightfully acquired his gold jacket and bronze bust.
The best offensive participant in Texans historical past, Andre Johnson was lately chosen for the Corridor of Fame forward of a number of of his deserving contemporaries that features Torry Holt, Hines Ward, Steve Smith Sr. and Reggie Wayne. Many really feel that Moss is the one receiver that comes near difficult Rice as the best to ever play the place. Moss was an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses however a dream for quarterbacks who had the privilege of taking part in with him.
Like Moss, Calvin Johnson (appropriately nicknamed “Megatron”) possessed otherworldly expertise that led to him breaking Rice’s NFL document for receiving yards in a single season in 2012 and ultimately turning into the second-youngest participant ever inducted into the Corridor of Fame. Fitzgerald, the longtime Arizona Cardinals nice who almost willed the franchise to their first title again in 2008, will be part of the guy receivers on this record within the Corridor of Fame as quickly as he’s eligible in 2026.
Offensive line (9)
Starters
Reserves
- Kevin Mawae (C)**
- Jonathan Ogden (T)**
- Steve Hutchinson (G)**
- Trent Williams (T)
Typically essentially the most missed gamers on the sector, these offensive linemen get their simply due on this record. Of the 9 linemen chosen, 5 have already got gold jackets, and the opposite 4 undoubtedly will each time they’re eligible.
Within the beginning lineup, you’ve got arguably the best left deal with in historical past in Thomas, who performed in a document 10,363 consecutive snaps throughout his 11-year profession with the Browns. Johnson, the opposite deal with, was named to his sixth Professional Bowl final 12 months after serving to Saquon Barkley break Terrell Davis’ document for essentially the most complete dashing yards (common and postseason) in a single season.
The beginning heart place is manned by Kelce, a first-team All-Professional in 4 of his remaining 5 seasons with the Eagles. Talking of All-Pros, Martin’s seven All-Professional nods is essentially the most by any offensive participant in Cowboys historical past. Faneca, the opposite beginning guard, was a six-time All-Professional whose crushing block in Super Bowl XL helped spring Willie Parker for a 75-yard landing run, the longest run in Super Bowl historical past.
Our record of reserve linemen are fairly formidable, too. The one non-Corridor of Famer of the bunch is Williams, who will undoubtedly get inducted in some unspecified time in the future after his profession is over. The soon-to-be 37-year-old Williams seemingly will get higher with age; he is tabbed as a first-team All-Professional every of the final three years.
USATSI
Tight ends (3)
Starter
Reserves
Gonzalez helped break the tie between Kelce and Gronkowski, whose careers are almost similar by way of success, manufacturing and the affect each had on their groups. The Kelce-Gronkowski debate is compelling, however it’s protected to say that each take a backseat to Gonzalez, the all-time chief on the place by way of Professional Bowls (14), All-Execs (11), receptions (1,327), yards (15,127) and is second in landing receptions (111).
A Super Bowl win was the one factor lacking from Gonzalez’s glittering profession. That wasn’t been the case for the opposite two tight ends on our record. Kelce has received three Tremendous Bowls whereas being a key cog in Kansas Metropolis’s dynasty. Gronkowski received 4 Tremendous Bowls; three with the Patriots and a fourth after reuniting with Brady in Tampa Bay. Gronkowski was additionally thought of a greater blocker than the opposite two gamers on this record.
NFL All-Quarter Century Offensive Team: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning headline list; Aaron Rodgers misses cut
Bryan DeArdo
Protection
Honorable mentions
Line of defense (8)
Starters
Reserves
Our beginning lineup consists of two of the one three gamers in NFL historical past to win Defensive Participant of the Yr 3 times in Watt and Donald. A five-time All-Professional, the menacing Watt led the NFL in sacks twice and tackles for loss on three events. Donald took the baton from fellow former DPOY winner Sapp as the best defensive deal with within the recreation. The über athletic Taylor received DPOY honors in 2006 after filling the stat sheet with 13.5 sacks, 9 pressured fumbles and two interception returns for scores. His six profession fumble returns for scores is an NFL document.
Our formidable record of reserves consists of Seymour, whose strain of Kurt Warner arrange Ty Regulation’s large pick-six within the Patriots’ historic upset of the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. Ngata, a key member of the Ravens‘ second Tremendous Bowl-winning workforce, largely made the lower primarily based on his versatility and talent to play nostril deal with. Strahan made the lower largely due to his historic 2001 season that noticed him document a league single season document 21.5 sacks. Garrett (the 2023 DPOY winner) made it due to his cross dashing prowess alongside together with his capacity to maneuver across the line of scrimmage.
Linebackers (9)
Starters
Reserves
Does it get significantly better than this? For our starters, we have got two all-time sack machines at OLB in Watt (who tied Strahan’s single-game sack document throughout his DPOY season in 2021) and Ware, who starred for the Cowboys for over a decade earlier than partnering up with Miller to assist the Broncos seize Super Bowl 50. At inside linebacker, we have got two gamers who have been the cornerstones to 2 iconic defenses. Lewis received Super Bowl MVP following the Ravens blowout win over the Giants. Brooks capped off the Buccaneers‘ Super Bowl win over the Raiders two years later together with his 44-yard pick-six.
Miller (the MVP of Super Bowl 50) is a part of an achieved group of gamers who made the lower as reserves. At 34, Mack remains to be going sturdy after he was chosen to his ninth Professional Bowl final 12 months. Urlacher was the face of a formidable Bears protection that performed in a Super Bowl. Kuechly carved out a Corridor of Fame worthy profession (he received DROY and DPOY) regardless of taking part in solely eight years.
By far, the hardest determination through the making of this roster was choosing Wagner over Willis, a Corridor of Famer who made 5 All-Execs and 7 Professional Bowls throughout his eight-year profession. Finally, Wagner’s longevity and affect on the Tremendous Bowl-winning Seahawks’ protection gave him the nod.
Cornerbacks (4)
Starters
- Charles Woodson**
- Darrelle Revis**
Reserves
- Champ Bailey**
- Ronde Barber**
This will likely have been the toughest place to make when you think about that one Corridor of Famer (Regulation) and two attainable future Corridor of Famers (Peterson and Sherman) needed to accept honorable point out. Pretty much as good as these gamers have been, they weren’t capable of prime the careers of the 4 corners who in the end did make the lower.
Woodson, the 2009 DPOY, is tied for fifth on the profession record with 65 interceptions. Revis was so good that he had an island named after him. Surprisingly, Revis by no means received DPOY regardless of being thought of the most effective cornerback within the recreation for a very good portion of his profession.
Bailey, a 12-time Professional Bowler, broke up an NFL document 203 passes along with choosing off 52 passes. Barber led the NFL in picks in 2001, however his most memorable interception came about a 12 months later when he had a 92-yard pick-six that clinched Tampa Bay’s win over Philadelphia within the NFC Championship recreation.
NFL’s All-Quarter Century Defensive Team: Legendary Buccaneers unit dominates list
Bryan DeArdo
Security (4)
Starters
- Ed Reed (FS)**
- Troy Polamalu (SS)**
Reserves
- Brian Dawkins (FS)**
- John Lynch (FS/SS)**
So far as dynamic duos are involved, it would not get higher than what now we have at beginning security with Reed and Polamalu. Reed, the 2004 DPOY, is broadly thought of the best free security in NFL historical past (simply ask Peyton Manning and Invoice Belichick). Polamalu, the 2010 DPOY, was a Tasmanian satan who made the unbelievable look routine, like his pick-six that lifted the Steelers previous Reed’s Ravens within the 2008 AFC Championship recreation.
The hard-hitting Dawkins loved an extremely lengthy profession that he capped off with a ninth Professional Bowl choice on the age of 38. Lynch, the fourth member of the Buccaneers’ early 2000s protection to make the lower, shined at each security positions throughout his Corridor of Fame profession.
Particular Groups
Vinatieri has booted two-game successful kicks in Tremendous Bowls, however his greatest kicks occurred through the Patriots’ win over the Raiders within the 2001 divisional spherical. Regardless of taking part in in a blizzard, Vinatieri kicked the game-tying and game-winning area objectives whereas serving to the Patriots get their first playoff win of the Tom Brady/Invoice Belichick period. Vinatieri received three Tremendous Bowls with New England and a fourth Super Bowl with the Colts in 2006.
How good was Lechler? He is really the highest-rated punter in NFL historical past in keeping with Pro Football Reference’s Hall of Fame monitor. The second-ranked participant on the record, Ray Man, is the one punter at the moment enshrined within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
Cox, 39, is heading into his sixteenth NFL season. A five-time Professional Bowler and an All-Professional in 2020, Cox was a member of the Ravens’ 2012 Super Bowl workforce.