Ranking the top-4 NFC North quarterbacks since 1990
By Adam Patrick
Since the 1990 season, which quarterbacks should be regarded as the best to suit up for each of the four franchises that are part of the NFC North?
Every year, before their schedule for the upcoming season is even released, the Minnesota Vikings already know they are going to have a pair of matchups with each team from the NFC North, a division that currently includes the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears, in addition to the Vikings.
During the 21st century (since 2000), the Packers have been the team from the NFC North that has experienced the most success. Since the 2000 season, Green Bay has won the division 12 times, while the Vikings and Bears have both finished in first place in the NFC North five times each. As for the Lions, well, they haven't won a division title since 1993.
Much of the Packers' success in the NFC North during the last two decades has definitely been due to the fact they've had two of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL suit up for them during this time.
Minnesota, Chicago, and even Detroit also benefitted from high-level quarterback play during the last pair of decades. An elite signal-caller wasn't always essential to win the NFC North, but it certainly didn't hurt.
So if we look at each team from the division, which quarterbacks should be viewed as the best to play for each organization since 1990?
Before we start, it should be pointed out that this division didn't become known as the NFC North until 2002. Prior to that season, it was known as the NFC Central, and it also included the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But since the Bucs were only part of the division for 12 years between 1990 and 2022, we're not going to include them in this exercise.
So let's begin, and we'll start with the player who should be regarded as the best quarterback to play for the Vikings since 1990.