The 11 Strongest Arms in NFL History Include Some All-Time Legends

The strongest arms in NFL history include some absolute gunslingers at the quarterback position.

Videos by FanBuzz

While arm strength doesn't always correlate to on-field success, it's no surprise that some of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history have had cannons for arms. Two of the most well-known quarterbacks in the current era of the NFL have thrived off of arm talent, and even some of the other more recent quarterbacks have found success by firing the ball into tight windows.

While most of the strong-armed quarterbacks that come to mind are modern-era players, they're not the only ones who were able to zip it. Let's take a look at the 11 strongest arms in NFL history, along with some deserving honorable mentions.

11. Michael Vick

Let me set the stage: Michael Vick's Philadelphia Eagles are taking on the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. On the first play of the game, Vick hits a streaking DeSean Jackson for an 88-yard touchdown. It's one of the prettiest balls I've ever seen.

November 15, 2010: On the 1st offensive play of MNF against Washington, Philadelphia #Eagles QB Michael Vick unloaded an 88-yd bomb TD to Desean Jackson that set the tone for a post-1940 franchise-record 59 PTS
pic.twitter.com/uuna3meFsk

— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) November 16, 2021

Vick flicked his passes and the ball would somehow jump out of his hand. He was lauded for his running abilities, but his arm was as strong as anyone's.

10. Jim Hart

Jim Hart's passes allegedly left a "vapor trail." If that isn't an indication of his pure arm strength, the St. Louis Cardinals legend was also rumored to have completed a 98-yard pass in the air.

Hart was one of the first registered cannons the NFL ever saw.

9. Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford's arm played a big part in the Detroit Lions selecting him first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. Watching him throw bombs to Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson was a treat. Unfortunately, those didn't lead to many wins because they played for the depressing Lions.

Now that the NFL quarterback's career has been given a breath of fresh air on the Los Angeles Rams, he's dropping deep dimes to Cooper Kupp at an insane rate.

 8.  Doug Williams

Williams is famous for leading the Washington Redskins to a 42-10 trouncing of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. A big part of his 340-yard, four-touchdown performance, which earned him Super Bowl MVP honors, was his rocket arm.

Williams could also allegedly throw the ball from end zone to end zone in the air.

7. John Elway

John Elway is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL History. A big reason why is because he could make every throw. The Denver Broncos icon had the coveted ability to throw deep balls with incredible accuracy.

"I'll say this: With John, they used to set the Jugs machine at 70-80 mph for us receivers to simulate John's throws," said Rod Smith, a former NFL wide receiver who didn't start catching Elway's passes in practice until 1994.

6. Brett Favre

Brett Favre was nothing but a fastball pitcher. There are stories of his receivers breaking their fingers and getting bruises because he couldn't take any mustard off short throws.

"Hey man, you know Brett breaks his receivers' fingers, right?" Greg Jennings recalled teammates telling him when he was drafted to the Packers.

One of the most exciting aspects of watching "The Gunslinger" play was not knowing who would catch his heaters. His 336 career interceptions are the most in NFL history by a wide margin of 59.

5. Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert may only be two years into his NFL career, but he's already established himself as one of the league's brightest stars.

JUSTIN HERBERT IS INSANE 🚀

Jalen Guyton +210 caught a 70-yd BOMB

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/4WlrZ1bg3G

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) December 12, 2021

Herbert had arguably the best throw of the 2021 season when he hit Jalen Guyton for a 59-yard touchdown milliseconds before getting hit. I could watch him sling it for days.

4. Aaron Rodgers

Out of all the quarterbacks on this list, Aaron Rodgers makes throwing a football look the easiest. I don't know how he continues to light defenses up at 39 years old for the Packers. It's ridiculous.

Rodgers is the last guy defenses want to see in Hail Mary range. He has a knack for completing desperation deep throws in clutch situations. In fact, he's thrown three that give Lions, Cardinals and Giants fans nightmares.

3. Dan Marino

Dan Marino's cannon has been referred to as a "golden arm." The Miami Dolphins legend rewrote record books by retiring as the NFL's all-time leader in touchdown passes, passing yards, completions and pass attempts. He's undoubtedly one of the best passers the game has ever seen.

To top it off, Marino had a lightning quick release, which made his arm strength all the more impressive.

2. Patrick Mahomes

RELATED: Patrick Mahomes Throwing a 90-Yard Bomb Doesn't Look Real

What is there to say about Patrick Mahomes' arm talent that hasn't been said already? Let me give it a shot: it's definitely not leg talent. Anyway, Mahomes has set the NFL on fire since he became the starter for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018.

He can throw left-handed. He can throw at absurd angles. He can throw it without looking at his target. He can throw it out of Arrowhead Stadium, and he can throw it 90 yards in the air. That's a throw Bingo.

1. Josh Allen

According to Madden 23, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has the best arm in the NFL. Allen sports a throw power rating of 99 while Mahomes is second with a 97. Embrace debate.

On Chris Long's "Green Light" podcast, Bills running back Zack Moss claimed Allen can sling it over 100 yards. It's not entirely out of the question seeing how effortlessly Allen dishes it down field. Mahomes can absolutely launch it, but the ball pops out of Allen's hand unlike anyone else in NFL history. Isn't it great we get to watch some of these cannon-armed players sling it at the same time?

Honorable Mentions

• Tom Brady
• Russell Wilson
• Jay Cutler
• Jamarcus Russell
• Jeff George
• Johnny Unitas
• Terry Bradshaw
• Jim Kelly

MORE: The 15 Worst Quarterbacks in NFL History Were Painful to Watch