Eli Manning is one of the most impactful NFL quarterbacks of the 21st century, winning two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, but he’s not among the best in terms of cumulative QB grade according to Pro Football Network.
The NFL analysis site published a top-25 quarterback ranking since the start of the 21st century, but it was strictly determined by their “PFSN QB+ metrics” rather than opinion or collaborative discussion.
“QB+ is a formula that assigns a score and letter grade to each quarterback’s individual performance,” Pro Football Network explained during a brief introduction. “The metric blends stats like success rates when pressured, third-down conversion rate, and pocket production. The added wrinkle? Quantifying ‘clutch.’ We used timeliness-based stats to account for score and situation.”
Apparently, that added clutch factor didn’t help Eli Manning make the list, considering his name was notably absent despite his brother Peyton Manning taking home the No. 1 spot.
Three current and/or former Giants QBs were on it, however, and one was an absolute head-scratcher as Kurt Warner, Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston ranked 18th, 21st and 24th, respectively.
Giants Legend Eli Manning’s Career Grade Is Somehow Lower Than Jameis Winston’s
Wilson has certainly earned a place on this list after several elite years in Seattle, including two Super Bowl appearances and one NFL title.
Warner, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, also deserves this honor. Although it is somewhat ironic that his brief Giants career was immediately cut short by Manning’s rookie debut.
We could see something similar happen with Wilson and first-round selection Jaxson Dart in 2025, but I digress.
The absolute slap in the face is that Winston, a career backup and first-round bust, is on this list over Manning. And that’s not meant to disrespect Winston and what he’s become; it’s just a glaring formulaic error.
It’s not just Manning, by the way. Winston made this top 25 list over a long list of more accomplished quarterbacks, and that clear and obvious outlier should point out that there’s something wrong with the current grading system.
Giants QB Accolades & Rivals on Pro Football Network’s 21st Century Quarterback Ranking
PFSN detailed each quarterback’s placement on this list, including Winston, who they admitted “may be the most surprising inclusion.”
“Winston often starts hot (+0.25 EPA per dropback in first halves), but that drops off sharply after halftime (+0.08 EPA/DB),” the site noted after relaying his career statistics. “He’s also struggled under pressure (-0.43 EPA/DB), though he has a +0.25 EPA/DB from a clean pocket.”
For Warner, PFSN informed that “[his] career started before the QB+ era, but it includes some of the best years measured by the metric. In 2000, he led the NFL in completion percentage (67.7%), yards per completion (14.6), and net yards per pass attempt (9.03).”
“From an advanced standpoint, Warner’s numbers weren’t elite but were solid — +0.13 EPA per dropback and 7.5 net yards per attempt,” they added later. “Those numbers, combined with his playoff success, helped earn him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
Finally, the Giants’ current QB1, Wilson, was praised for his iron man status and his career passer rating of 101.8.
“Wilson’s advanced metrics show he hasn’t been quite as efficient as some of his peers, with a career +0.09 EPA per dropback. However, he’s raised his game in tight moments (+0.20 EPA/DB),” PFSN concluded. “His 38.3% third- and fourth-down conversion rate leaves room for improvement, but his +0.25 EPA per rush helps even things out.”
Along with the Giants’ ties on this list, there were a few bitter rivals. Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks Tony Romo and Dak Prescott graded out 8th and 13th, respectively, while Philadelphia Eagles current QB Jalen Hurts is 11th as of 2025.
Eli Manning’s Super Bowl rival, Tom Brady, surprisingly finished sixth despite all his success as the winningest quarterback of all time, and the man Eli was originally traded for, Philip Rivers, ranked 14th.
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