Editor’s note: As part of NFL’s Greatest Quarterback, fans will decide the best quarterback in team, division, conference and league history. Y.A. Tittle was included with the New York Giants.
John Brodie: When Brodie finished his career, he was third in all-time passing yardage behind just Johnny Unitas and Fran Tarkenton. He was drafted by the 49ers with the No. 3 overall pick in 1957 out of Stanford. He spent his entire playing career in the Bay Area until 1973.
Brodie led the league in completion percentage three times, yards three times and touchdowns twice. His best seasons came in 1965 and 1970 when he named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team.
Brodie won the NFL MVP in 1970, when he threw for a league leading 2,941 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 59 percent of his passes. He led the 49ers to a 10-3-1 record. Brodie led San Francisco to the playoffs in 1970, 1971 and 1972.
Joe Montana: Montana is widely regarded as the best quarterback in NFL history. He led the 49ers to four Super Bowl victories in 1981, 1984, 1988 and 1989. The 49ers were 100-39 under Montana, as he led them to the playoffs nine times.
“Joe Cool” threw for 35,124 yards, 244 touchdowns and 123 interceptions with the 49ers. He’s an eight-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro and two-time MVP. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Steve Young: Young picked up right where Montana let off when he took over as the full-time starter in 1992. That season, the 49ers went 14-2 and Montana was traded to the Chiefs. San Francisco won Super Bowl XXIX under Young. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro and two-time league MVP.
The BYU product may be the greatest running quarterback in NFL history. He totaled 4,239 yards and 43 touchdowns on the ground while averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He’s also one of the most precise passers in league history, leading the league in completion percentage five times. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
Jeff Garcia: Garcia was a 29-year-old rookie when he first took the reins as 49ers quarterback in 1998. He didn’t take over as the full-time starter until 1999 when he made his first of four Pro Bowls.
Garcia did nearly as much damage on the ground as he did through the air. He ran for 2,140 yards and 26 touchdowns during his career. Through the air, Garcia had 16,408 yards and 113 touchdowns to just 56 interceptions with San Francisco. The San Jose State product went 35-36 as a 49ers starter.
