do i care?

I tried to hate Young when he took over. However, I soon realized that he was actaully BETTER than Joe! He had it ALL. He perfected every weapon available to a QB. Its insane to try to list everything. Plus, he always played against ex '49er coaches & systems (if you think Joe's opponents knew the WC offense you are fooling yourself). Young had a markebly talented defense only one season. Also, he was a long ball great. Often compared against "quanitity" QB's who slung a zillion passes around, racking up attempts, yards and interceptions. Young was the smartest and made the most of each play. He deceived defenses into thinking he wasn't reading them at the snap. Had tons of heart and maintained the highest performance QUALITY over a career than anyone ever.

This guy always worried me because you knew he was capable of making huge plays at any moment. I personally hated him because of who he played for, but I have to admit he was always fun to watch. It's hard to argue with his career QB rating too.

This guy still can't read a defense.

Not even a top 10 QB; he had a lot of great numbers in a run and shoot era but he's not one of the greatest QB's; not by a long shot.

This might be the most overrated Quarterback in the history of the NFL. He had so much talent around him, he should have won about 6 super bowls. I would consider him an average quarterback with horrible acne.

oustanding athlete, best and most complete QB i have watched

He's awesome, best quarterback I've ever seen

best quarterback of the 90's very well rounded

ludacris to say he isnt in the top five! personally he is #1 to me, the passer rating says it all. for all you fools who say he just dumped off 3 yard passes to the backs to boost his completion %, look up who has the highest yard average in the history of the nfl, then talk to me, oh yeah did i mention that he could run too.

Steve Young was 17 years pro with 37,226 passing yards Dan marino had those passing yards at what at least 8 years pro? Steve Young wasn't good might i add on he played on a team with i think 2 great recievers and still only managed 37,226 passing yards.......

he is a very good QB but we all now dan mareno is the best QB there ever was in the nfl

The question is not what Young could do but rather what Young couldn't do. Well, folks, what couldn't he do? Young is the most perfect quarterback the NFL has ever seen. He's the only QB in history who was consistently accurate from five yards to fifty. No one ran better. No QB in NFL history ran for more touchdowns. His 2.17 touchdown to interception ratio is the best in NFL history. When Montana came up, the Niners were the only team running the West Coast offense; teams were not adept at defending it yet. But by the time Young was starting, every team in the league was geared to stop the West Coast offense. Yet Young has the highest pass completion percentage in NFL history. Some will point out that Young only won one Super Bowl as a starter which hardly compares to guys like Bradshaw and Montana (who won four apiece). That is NOT a legitimate point. It is grossly unfair to heap the failures and success of a team onto one player. Simply put, championships should not be a consideration when ranking great players in team sports. It's absurd. Steve Young is the greatest quarterback I've ever seen. I didn't see Bradshaw and Tarkenton and Unitas in their heyday but in the twenty years I've followed the NFL, Young is clearly the best QB I've seen. Elway, Favre, Marino and, yes, Montana not withstanding.

Great numbers don't necessarily equal great. Was beneficiary of highly successful system; never would have taken Tampa Bay to such heights.

he got to step up and be the quarterback for the 49ers but it was shortlived due to injuries that caused him to have to retire

One of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

Steve Young was so talented. While he was sitting on the bench, he could have started on any team in the NFL. Steve didn't have the same team Montana had...i think Steve could have been just as great if he had the defense Montana had.

He was the QB that had everything. He could run and pass. Steve Young was a thinker as well...man was he smart!

Freagin greatest Qb of all time next to Joe. Everyone that thinks he was over-rated...just go watch that 1998 playoff game against the Packers...watch how stevie put that ball in T.O's grasp in that last play...then tell me he's over-rated.

Mormon magic but no faith

most diverse qb ever with his precision passing and running ability..very tough and in the top 5 all time in my opinion.

ran like a halfback and had the highest qb rating ever... probably the smartest to ever play the position... nuff said

Steve Young HAS to rank up there with the greats. He did have a solid supporting cast around him and he utilized them all well. Steve was a competitor and most importantly a WINNER. He made a difference on the field. Can't say that about A LOT of other QBs. Also he was a helluva politician dealing with personalities like: Rice, Montana, Walsh, Waters, Seifert, and not to mention the media.

talented, but played in a chronically weak division, and was blessed with a strong running game, solid coaching, and a great defense.

A truly great quarterback. It is only that he played in the shadow of, and then in succession of, possibly the best ever (Montana) that has diminished him.

Overrated. Took an established franchise to their FIFTH Super Bowl. Montana took over a loser and brought them four championships. I'm a Bucs fan. I watched him in Tampa. Steve really sucks.

This guy's good but way overrated, the reason his stats are so good is because he would dump little 3 yard passes and let the receivers do all the work. He was a great running QB though, but he is ranked WAY to high on the all-time greatest players list.

He is a fantastic quarterback next too Joe, Only because he learned from the best! He too will be deeply missed!

Amazing. You wouldn't have a Mike Vick if it wasn't for Good Ol' Young.

Though many would disagree, in my opinion Steve Young is the best OVERALL (best combination of passing accuracy, running abilities, and intelligence) quarterback in the history of the NFL. Not the best in any one of those facets, but the best overall. He was a great leader and exciting to watch.

He was probably better suited physically to be a running back or a safety, only to become the All-time leader in pass effinciency. I wonder if he'd be on this list if he stayed in Tampa?

Revolutionized the quarterback position with his never before seen running abilities. Became the best rushing quarterback ever and the highest rated passer in NFL history which enabled him to become the most exciting quarterback in NFL history. Toughness, leadership, and heart were all a major part of his game. Never had the supporting cast (especially a good pass blocking offensive line) of Montana but should have won at least one more Superbowl. Took a beating his last couple of years but was still the best QB in the game until his retirement. Only recent player I know of where defenses admitted they were afraid of playing him PRIOR to a game. Cleary, the second best QB ever. Have to give the nod and props to Montana due to his clutch playoff performances. However, the NFL is not the same without him.

Steve Young is the greatest player of all time, no doubt. He carried the 49'ers to their last, most recent Superbowl. He is the greatest improviser, yet he is one of the greatest atheletes. He is a 5 in my book, although, I'm a Marion fan, by heart. Young is better than Montana; however, point blank.

ONE OF MY FAVS STEVE YOUNG WAS AN UNBEELEVABLE PLAYER NOT QUITE AS GOOD AS MONTANA BUT HE IS GOING TO THE HALL OF FAME HE HAD QUITE AN ARM HE IS SIMPLY ONE OF THE BEST OF ALL TIME

Steve is by far the best. The first game I ever watched was the 1994 Superbowl and it had a huge effect on me. From that day forward I was hooked. It made me excited to watch him play, great QB, great scrambler, He was definitely the bomb. I was devistated when he retired but I'm happy for the years I did watch him play.

Don't know what Bill Walsh was thinking when he let this guy sit behind Montana. I guess you can't disagree with the results, BUT I think this Young is "the greatest of all time."

A fierce competitor and one helluva QB

Not quite Johnny U., but better than Montana

Took over a team that was already good anyway, and besides that, you don't have to be that good of a passer to be successful in that sysstem. Had the refs been paying attention during the NFC championship in 94, he still wouldn't have a ring.

Nobody ran as good or passed more accuratley. Winning Superbowls doesn't mean you are the best at your position that year. If it was, superbowl winners would be the pro bowl team. Talent and winning are not mutually exclusive. Football is not that kind of sport (i.e. Barry Sanders). On paper Young is the best, watching him he is the best, but did not win the most.

A great innovator and an incredibly gutsy player. He always made a game interesting and fun to watch.

He broke all of Montana's old records. Lacked popularity, but could never replace Joe Montana. He will surely be a Hall of Famer.

He was always a shadow under Joe Montana, but when he got his chance he showed why the 49ers kept him. Steve took over the 49ers and led them to the Super Bowl and got the monkey off his back. Still a great leader to his community, and a great guy.

Not quite as good as Joe Montana, but Steve was a great QB. He too will be in the Hall of Fame. The Niners season ended last year when he got hurt. I think he stayed around a little too long with all of the concussions.

Not quite Joe, but the Niners still maintained their "winning with class" trademark under the leadership of Young. Last year was disappointing with the concussion, career ending injury that he suffered in his second week against the Arizona Cardinals. You have to give it up to Steve to lead the 49ers to their fifth Super Bowl victory since the era of Montana. Eluding Montana's shadow, and having the highest all time quarteback rating for the NFL are also pluses.

He was the best NFL player that I have ever seen, even though I didn't know about football previously. He is quick, fast and very accurate. He is the first player to make me love football and I believe and am sure that you will.

After taking over for Joe Montana, Steve Young came in and pulled, and kept the same winning tradition. Steve won one Super Bowl and won MVP honors with the game, also setting a Super Bowl Record five touchdown passes. He will be in the hall of fame.

Steve Young was a good football player before he suffered those hard hits that led to him quitting. But before that he captured NFL football records such as throwing and yards.

I hate the 49ers, but I do say I give Steve Young respect. He is one of the best QBs to live. He could run and put the ball on the money. He was an ideal QB. Sometimes I think he could have been put with the weakest team, and still lead them to the Super Bowl.

Steve Young got rock!!! He was sacked by an Arizona lineman and got busted in the head. He was pretty good when he had an offensive line. He is going to the Hall of Fame someday.

Arguably one of the best quarterbacks of all time. His ability to scramble out of the pocket is unmatched. He suffered too many concussions and was forced to retire. To prove how good he was, the 49ers were a Super Bowl team, but when he left the team went to last place.

Steve Young was a great football player. He was one of the best quarterbacks to run the West Coast offense. He proved his greatness in 1994 when he won his first Super Bowl title. He also set many records during that Super Bowl, and is the highest rated passer in league history.

He was a great quarterback. The way he came out from the shadows of Joe Montana and led that team to the Super Bowl and the playoffs every season except for the last. He led that team either by passing, rushing or presence.

Steve Young has to be ranked among the all-time great QBs. Not only was he the best running QB ever, but he had a great touch and was incredibly tough. His reluctance to retire demonstrates how difficult it is for football players and all athletes to hang them up. After all, Young is an attorney who had won everything there is to win in the NFL and he was still hesitant. Imagine how it must be for those players who don't have such great things waiting for them at the ends of their careers.

Long line of BYU quarterbacks that threw for a ton of yards and Young is one of the best to play college ball.