There are zero secrets when talking about the greatest New England Patriots quarterback of all-time, let alone the GOAT of the sport. We all know who takes that spot.
But, the Patriots have had some other impressive passers along the way during their rich history; a history littered with first-round quarterbacks, actually.
Other than the obvious number one name, what other quarterbacks make our all-time list? Let's start out by counting down the top five quarterbacks in New England History, beginning with a native of Blythe, California.
5. Tony Eason
We start out with the Patriots' fifth all-time leading passer, Tony Eason, who is one of a few former first-round picks on this list. Eason was originally drafted back in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft at no. 15 overall, by the Patriots. Coming out of Illinois, Eason would start just two games as a rookie.
However, he would go on to become the team's full-time starter over the next three years. Eason's best season as a Patriot came in 1984 when he threw for 3,228 yards, 23 touchdowns and just eight picks. That year, he could hang his hat on the fact that he had the league's lowest interception percentage at just 1.9.
During his six and a half years with New England, Eason never made an All Pro Team or received Pro Bowl recognition, but he did finish with a record of 28-21 as the team's starter.
Eason amassed 10,732 passing yards, 60 touchdowns and 48 picks over his Patriots career.
4. Babe Parilli
Let's take a trip back to the 1960's, when the Patriots were still labeled out of Boston. In 1961, Babe Parilli was traded from the Oakland Raiders to New England, where he would go on to play up until 1967.
Originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers back in the first round of the 1952 NFL Draft (no. 4 overall), Parilli would play two separate stints with the green and gold, one year with the Cleveland Browns, and then a season for Oakland before joining the Patriots.
Parili sits fourth all-time on the Patriots' passing list, having thrown for 16,747 yards, 132 touchdowns and 138 interceptions. He held a record of 44-32-7 while with New England.
Parilli's best season as a Patriot came back in 1964 when he went for 3,465 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. It is quite funny that, looking back at this era, there were many times where a quarterback who led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns (like Parilli did that season), also led the league in picks, which he did during that year as well.
3. Steve Grogan
Back in the fifth round of the 1975 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Steve Grogan out of Kansas State. Grogan would go on to start seven games during his rookie campaign, going just 1-6 in that span. But, the next year, things would turn around drastically for the sophomore.
In Grogan's second season, he went 11-3 as a starter and threw for 1,903 yards, 18 touchdowns and 20 picks. Those numbers aren't all-world by any means, but Grogan and the Patriots were able to consider that season a massive success.
His best year, overall, came in 1979 when Grogan threw for 3,286 yards, 28 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He was never one who took excellent care of the football, but Grogan was a winner when it was all said and done. He was also a gunslinger. His 14.3 yards per completion, for his career, ranks higher than both the top two on this list, which is not to be taken lightly.
Grogan finished his Patriots career with a record of 75-60 over 16 years in New England, throwing for 26,886 yards, 182 touchdowns and 208 interceptions. His sits third all-time on the Patriots' career passing list.
2. Drew Bledsoe
A Patriots legend and beloved quarterback, Drew Bledsoe was drafted with the first overall pick back in the 1993 NFL Draft. The former Washington State standout would go on to be every bit of what you'd hope a first overall pick will be in the NFL, and Bledsoe sits second all-time in Patriots passing yards with 29,657 to go with 166 touchdowns and 138 interceptions.
Bledsoe's best overall season came in just his second year, back in 1994, when he threw for a career-high 4,555 yards to go with 25 touchdowns. Now, he did toss 27 interceptions that season. But, he also led the league in completions, attempts and passing yards.
During his stint with New England, Bledsoe made three Pro Bowls. He threw for over 4,000 yards on two occasions, he tossed more than 20 touchdowns in four seasons, and he led the league in attempts during three straight seasons from 1994-1996.
Bledsoe finished his career with a record of 63-60 in New England before infamously giving way to the next man on our list, thanks to a hit he took in Week 2 of the 2001 that allowed Tom Brady to take over. And, as they say, the rest is history.
1. Tom Brady
This slide could literally just be a picture of Tom Brady, a goat and that's about it. There isn't much else to say, here, other than he is quite actually the greatest quarterback of all-time, and not just in the history of the Patriots.
What Brady was able to accomplish in New England, and in the NFL in general, is unprecedented. Not only does Brady rank first all-time in Patriots passing leaders, but first all-time in the NFL. He holds a multitude of records, obviously, and was able to extend his incredibly impressive career all the way until age 45.
Brady has thrown for more passing touchdowns than anyone else in NFL history. He's made 15 Pro Bowls, won three MVP awards and of course, he has won seven out of the 10 Super Bowls he has played in.
While there "isn't much to say" about Brady taking the top spot, at the same time, there is plenty to say. We're talking about, historically, one of the greatest athletes to ever walk the planet, regardless of sport.
When people talk about the greatest athletes of all-time, they'll mention the likes of Michael Jordan and Tom Brady in the same breath, without fail.
During his Patriots career, Brady threw for 74,571 yards, 541 touchdowns and 179 interceptions.