Best Philadelphia Eagles Quarterbacks of All-Time starts with Donovan McNabb, the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Randall Cunningham ranks second because of his game-changing dual-threat peak, while Jalen Hurts, Ron Jaworski and Nick Foles round out a top five filled with Eagles history, playoff moments and franchise-defining seasons.
For the full team index, visit our Philadelphia Eagles all-time leaders and player rankings hub. This ranking is based on team-only impact with the Philadelphia Eagles franchise, not total NFL career value.
How We Ranked the Best Eagles Quarterbacks of All-Time
This ranking looks at each quarterback’s Eagles production, peak performance, playoff impact, championships, leadership, era context and overall importance to Philadelphia football history.
Only what the quarterback did with the Eagles counts here. That matters for players like Michael Vick, Norm Van Brocklin, Sonny Jurgensen and Norm Snead, who also had NFL production with other teams.
Why This Eagles Quarterback Ranking Is Different
This list is not just a passing yards table. Donovan McNabb leads because he owns the franchise passing records and delivered long-term winning stability. Randall Cunningham gets major credit for changing how people viewed athletic quarterbacks, while Jalen Hurts has already built one of the strongest modern Eagles quarterback cases.
Nick Foles ranks high because this is an Eagles legacy ranking, not just a regular-season volume ranking. His Super Bowl LII MVP run is one of the greatest chapters in franchise history, and Hurts’ Super Bowl LIX MVP performance has already added another championship quarterback layer to the debate.
Table of Contents
- How We Ranked the Best Eagles Quarterbacks of All-Time
- Why This Eagles Quarterback Ranking Is Different
- 1. Donovan McNabb
- 2. Randall Cunningham
- 3. Jalen Hurts
- 4. Ron Jaworski
- 5. Nick Foles
- 6. Carson Wentz
- 7. Michael Vick
- 8. Norm Van Brocklin
- 9. Sonny Jurgensen
- 10. Norm Snead
- Just Outside the Top 10
- Eagles Quarterback Legacy vs. Passing Stats
- Full Ranking Table
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- More Eagles and NFL Rankings
1. Donovan McNabb
Philadelphia Eagles Stats & Accolades: 1999–2009 with Philadelphia, franchise-record 32,873 passing yards, franchise-record 216 passing touchdowns, 3,249 rushing yards, 28 rushing touchdowns, 6 Pro Bowls and one Super Bowl appearance.
Donovan McNabb is the best Philadelphia Eagles quarterback of all-time. He owns the franchise passing yards and passing touchdowns records, and he gave Philadelphia its most consistent long-term quarterback era.
McNabb led the Eagles to five NFC Championship Games and helped make the team a regular contender under Andy Reid. His arm strength, mobility and ability to extend plays gave the Eagles a modern offensive identity before dual-threat quarterbacks became as common as they are now.
He never won a Super Bowl, but his total Eagles body of work still gives him the strongest No. 1 case in franchise history.
2. Randall Cunningham
Philadelphia Eagles Stats & Accolades: 1985–1995 with Philadelphia, 22,877 passing yards, 150 passing touchdowns, 4,482 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns and multiple Pro Bowl seasons.
Randall Cunningham ranks second among the best Eagles quarterbacks of all-time. At his peak, he was one of the most electric players in football.
Cunningham changed games with his arm and legs. His scrambling ability, deep passing and improvisation made him one of the most exciting quarterbacks of his era and one of the biggest reasons Eagles fans still talk about those teams with so much energy.
His Eagles teams did not reach the Super Bowl, but Cunningham’s talent, influence and era-changing athleticism make him one of the most important quarterbacks in franchise history.
3. Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles Stats & Accolades: 2020–present with Philadelphia, 17,891 passing yards, 110 passing touchdowns, 3,554 rushing yards, 63 rushing touchdowns, multiple Pro Bowls, two Super Bowl appearances, one Super Bowl championship and Super Bowl LIX MVP.
Jalen Hurts ranks third already, and his Eagles legacy is still growing. He has delivered MVP-caliber play, elite rushing production, multiple deep playoff runs and the franchise’s second Super Bowl-winning quarterback run.
Hurts’ ability to win as both a passer and runner makes him one of the most unique quarterbacks in Eagles history. His rushing touchdown total is already historic for any quarterback, not just by Eagles standards.
Because he is still active, this ranking can change quickly. If Hurts keeps stacking playoff success and franchise records, he can challenge the top two spots.
4. Ron Jaworski
Philadelphia Eagles Stats & Accolades: 1977–1986 with Philadelphia, 26,963 passing yards, 175 passing touchdowns, one Pro Bowl selection and one Super Bowl appearance.
Ron Jaworski ranks fourth in Eagles quarterback history. He gave Philadelphia one of its most important pre-modern quarterback eras and helped lead the team to Super Bowl XV.
Jaworski had a strong arm and toughness, fitting well with the physical identity of Dick Vermeil’s Eagles. His passing totals still sit near the top of the franchise record book.
He does not rank above McNabb, Cunningham or Hurts here, but his long-term Eagles résumé remains one of the strongest the franchise has ever had.
5. Nick Foles
Philadelphia Eagles Stats & Accolades: 2012–2014 and 2017–2018 with Philadelphia, 8,703 passing yards, 58 passing touchdowns, Super Bowl LII champion and Super Bowl LII MVP.
Nick Foles ranks fifth because his Eagles legacy is impossible to tell through regular-season volume alone. He delivered the greatest postseason run in franchise history.
Foles stepped in during the 2017 season and led Philadelphia to its first Super Bowl championship. His performance against the Patriots in Super Bowl LII remains one of the most iconic games by any Eagles quarterback.
He does not have the long-term production of Jaworski, McNabb or Cunningham, but the Super Bowl LII run gives him a permanent place near the top of Eagles quarterback history.
6. Carson Wentz
Philadelphia Eagles Stats & Accolades: 2016–2020 with Philadelphia, 16,811 passing yards, 113 passing touchdowns, Pro Bowl selection and a major role in the 2017 Super Bowl season.
Carson Wentz ranks sixth because his 2017 season was one of the best regular-season quarterback campaigns in Eagles history. Before his injury, he was playing at an MVP level.
Wentz helped put the Eagles in position for their Super Bowl LII run, and his early-career production still places him high on several franchise passing leaderboards.
His Eagles career ended poorly, which keeps him from ranking higher, but his peak and impact on the franchise’s championship season still matter.
7. Michael Vick
Philadelphia Eagles Stats & Accolades: 2009–2013 with Philadelphia, 9,984 passing yards, 57 passing touchdowns, 1,998 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns and one Pro Bowl selection.
Michael Vick ranks seventh on this Eagles-only list. His overall NFL legacy includes his Falcons years, but his Philadelphia comeback chapter was still memorable.
Vick’s 2010 season was one of the most exciting quarterback seasons in Eagles history. His arm strength and speed gave the offense a completely different feel.
He did not have the long-term Eagles production of the names above him, but his peak in Philadelphia was electric.
8. Norm Van Brocklin
Philadelphia Eagles Stats & Accolades: 1958–1960 with Philadelphia, 7,497 passing yards, 55 passing touchdowns, 1960 NFL MVP and 1960 NFL champion.
Norm Van Brocklin ranks eighth because his Eagles tenure was short but extremely important. He led Philadelphia to the 1960 NFL Championship, the franchise’s last title before the Super Bowl era.
Van Brocklin brought veteran leadership and big-game confidence to the Eagles. His 1960 season remains one of the most important quarterback seasons in team history.
His short stay keeps him from ranking higher, but his championship impact gives him a clear top-10 place.
9. Sonny Jurgensen
Philadelphia Eagles Stats & Accolades: 1957–1963 with Philadelphia, 9,639 passing yards, 76 passing touchdowns, Pro Bowl-level production and Pro Football Hall of Fame legacy.
Sonny Jurgensen ranks ninth on this Eagles-only list. His full NFL career became even more famous in Washington, but his Philadelphia years were still highly productive.
Jurgensen had one of the best arms of his era and gave the Eagles major passing production in the early 1960s.
Because this ranking only counts Eagles years, he does not rank as high as his total NFL reputation might suggest.
10. Norm Snead
Philadelphia Eagles Stats & Accolades: 1964–1970 with Philadelphia, 15,672 passing yards, 111 passing touchdowns and multiple Pro Bowl selections.
Norm Snead rounds out the top 10. His Eagles teams were not consistently successful, but his individual production remains high in franchise history.
Snead had strong passing volume for his era and still appears near the top of Eagles all-time passing lists.
He ranks behind several quarterbacks with more playoff or championship impact, but his statistical résumé deserves a top-10 spot.
Just Outside the Top 10
Tommy Thompson is the toughest historical omission because he quarterbacked the Eagles during their late-1940s championship era. If this ranking leaned more heavily on team titles and early-era legacy, he would have a real argument to crack the top 10.
Bobby Thomason also deserves mention after giving Philadelphia strong passing production in the 1950s. Pete Liske, Sam Bradford and Roman Gabriel all had individual stretches worth remembering, but they do not have the same all-around Eagles case as the quarterbacks in the top 10.
Eagles Quarterback Legacy vs. Passing Stats
The Eagles quarterback debate is tricky because the leaderboard does not tell the full story by itself. McNabb is the passing-record king, Jaworski has the long-term volume case, and Cunningham has the most influential dual-threat peak.
Foles and Van Brocklin are the reminders that playoff moments can matter more than raw volume. Foles brought Philadelphia its first Super Bowl win, while Van Brocklin delivered the 1960 NFL title.
Hurts is the wild card because he now combines volume, rushing production and championship impact. He is not No. 1 yet, but his Eagles résumé is already stronger than a simple passing-yards table would suggest.
Full Ranking Table: Best Philadelphia Eagles Quarterbacks of All-Time
Note: This ranking follows the order shown in the graphic and judges quarterbacks by team-only Eagles impact, production, longevity, playoff success, championships and era context.
| Rank | Quarterback | Team Years | Passing Yards | Passing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donovan McNabb | 1999–2009 | 32,873 | 216 |
| 2 | Randall Cunningham | 1985–1995 | 22,877 | 150 |
| 3 | Jalen Hurts | 2020–present | 17,891 | 110 |
| 4 | Ron Jaworski | 1977–1986 | 26,963 | 175 |
| 5 | Nick Foles | 2012–2014, 2017–2018 | 8,703 | 58 |
| 6 | Carson Wentz | 2016–2020 | 16,811 | 113 |
| 7 | Michael Vick | 2009–2013 | 9,984 | 57 |
| 8 | Norm Van Brocklin | 1958–1960 | 7,497 | 55 |
| 9 | Sonny Jurgensen | 1957–1963 | 9,639 | 76 |
| 10 | Norm Snead | 1964–1970 | 15,672 | 111 |
FAQ: Best Philadelphia Eagles Quarterbacks of All-Time
Who is the best Philadelphia Eagles quarterback of all-time?
Donovan McNabb ranks as the best Philadelphia Eagles quarterback of all-time because he owns the franchise passing records and led the team through its most consistent long-term contender era.
Who has the most passing yards in Eagles history?
Donovan McNabb has the most passing yards in Philadelphia Eagles history with 32,873 regular-season passing yards.
Who has the most passing touchdowns in Eagles history?
Donovan McNabb has the most passing touchdowns in Eagles history with 216 regular-season passing touchdowns.
Why is Jalen Hurts ranked third?
Jalen Hurts ranks third because of his modern Eagles impact, rushing value, multiple Super Bowl appearances and Super Bowl LIX MVP résumé. He is active, so his ranking can continue to rise.
Why is Nick Foles ranked above Carson Wentz?
Nick Foles ranks above Carson Wentz because of his Super Bowl LII MVP run and franchise-defining postseason legacy. Wentz has stronger regular-season volume, but Foles delivered the championship moment.
Is Sonny Jurgensen’s full NFL career counted here?
No. This ranking only counts Sonny Jurgensen’s Philadelphia Eagles career, not his later production with Washington.
Conclusion: Donovan McNabb Leads the Eagles Quarterback Ranking
Donovan McNabb ranks as the best Philadelphia Eagles quarterback of all-time because of his franchise records, long-term winning and sustained playoff success. Randall Cunningham is the most electric quarterback in team history, while Jalen Hurts is the active superstar with the best chance to keep climbing.
Ron Jaworski, Nick Foles, Carson Wentz and Michael Vick each represent very different Eagles eras. Norm Van Brocklin, Sonny Jurgensen and Norm Snead complete a top 10 that stretches from the pre-Super Bowl era to the modern NFL.
The active name to watch is Jalen Hurts. He already sits near the top of several Eagles quarterback conversations, and more strong seasons could eventually move him into the No. 1 debate.
More Eagles and NFL Rankings
For the full franchise picture, visit our Philadelphia Eagles all-time leaders and player rankings hub and our best Philadelphia Eagles players of all-time ranking.
You can also read our related Eagles pages for Philadelphia Eagles all-time passing yards leaders, Philadelphia Eagles all-time passing touchdown leaders, Philadelphia Eagles all-time rushing yards leaders, Philadelphia Eagles all-time rushing touchdown leaders and Philadelphia Eagles all-time receiving yards leaders.
For broader NFL history, check out our best NFL quarterbacks of all-time ranking, the NFL team all-time player rankings hub, our NFL page and follow SOG Football on Instagram for more NFL rankings, debates and football history graphics.
