The NFL is gearing up for its 2025 season, marking 25 years into the modern era of football. Over this quarter-century, Yahoo Sports senior NFL writer Frank Schwab reviews the history of the league. In the first NFL draft of these 25 years, Courtney Brown was the top pick, while Tom Brady was selected much later, at 199th overall in the sixth round, a decision that would eventually reshape NFL history.
Unsurprisingly, Brady is honored as the quarterback and leader of the NFL Quarter Century team, joined by several of his teammates. This all-time team features many legendary stars, making competition for starting spots incredibly intense. The NFL All-Quarter Century team recognizes only the players active from 2000 to 2024.
Offense
- Quarterback: Tom Brady tops the list despite strong competition from Peyton Manning (five MVPs), Aaron Rodgers (four MVPs), and Patrick Mahomes—yet Brady’s achievements are unmatched.
- Running Backs: LaDainian Tomlinson, known for his versatility and record-setting 31 touchdowns in 2006, joins Adrian Peterson, whose prime years secured him the last non-quarterback MVP honor.
- Wide Receivers: Randy Moss (highlighting his 2007 season), Calvin Johnson (aka "Megatron"), and Terrell Owens make the team. Others like Larry Fitzgerald and Julio Jones narrowly missed out.
- Tight End: Rob Gronkowski wins over Travis Kelce due to his rare dominance in both catching and blocking.
- Offensive Tackles: Trent Williams and Walter Jones take the spots with strong cases over contenders like Joe Thomas.
- Guards: Zach Martin and Alan Faneca earn their places through consistent elite performances.
- Center: Jason Kelce stands out with six first-team All-Pro selections.
Defense
- Defensive Linemen: Aaron Donald leads the pack alongside J.J. Watt and Warren Sapp.
- Edge Rushers: Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt are chosen, despite Julius Peppers having the highest sack total.
- Linebackers: Ray Lewis and Luke Kuechly secure their positions for their defensive prowess and awards.
- Cornerbacks: Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey, and Charles Woodson are acknowledged for their shutdown defense.
- Safeties: Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu represent the safety corps with their game-changing plays.
Special Teams
- Kicker: Justin Tucker, the most accurate and reliable kicker of the era, is unmatched despite tough competition from Adam Vinatieri.
- Punter: Shane Lechler’s dominant punting career earns him the nod.
- Kick Returner: Devin Hester is the undisputed greatest returner of the last 25 years.
Fan Take: This all-quarter-century team is a crucial retrospective that celebrates the game’s greatest stars and shifts fan conversation about the evolution of football talent. For NFL fans, it underscores the enduring legacies of iconic players and offers perspective on how past legends shape the future of the sport.
