In my opinion, it isn't even a question.

TB12 has almost never been the greatest quarterback in the NFL in a given season, like Joe Montana or Aaron Rogers or Brett Favre or Patrick Mahomes or... well name a name. But looking at totality of career, I do not think anyone can question that he has performed at an exceptional (not just good, not even just great, but exceptional) level for an amazing duration. He isn't the greatest of any time, but he is certainly the greatest of ALL time.

The biggest key for me, aside from the rings - he has more rings than any FRANCHISE - was a look at his receivers. Aside from Randy Moss and the VERY recent Antonio Brown experience every single "star" wideout TB12 has had either was a relative nobody cast off from another team, or a star who went to another team and became a relative nobody. Often both. (Wes Welker slightly breaks the mold - but only slightly. He had some success with the Broncos after leaving the Pats yes, but even then, he dropped from 113/1354 in his last season with the Pats to 73/778 in his first season with the Broncos. And he still came to the Pats after being used primarily on special teams and a third option wideout. He had talent, but was nowhere near a household name.)

There were a lot of folks who said Brady was a "system" quarterback and only succeeded because of Belichick. The fact that he won it all in his first season with Tampa Bay (TB + TB = victory!) belies that. And when you look at where Tampa Bay was - 7-9 just the year before even with Jameis Winston leading the league in passing yards and #2 in passing TDs - to where he took them - 11-5 and a SuperBowl victory, it just shows how much of a difference Brady makes.

And the opposite is true. Pats were 12-4 in 2019, and in 2020, bringing in one of the greatest rushing quarterbacks ever (and #3 in the league for rushing by QB in 2020), they dropped to 7-9.

He isn't flashy, quick, or mobile. He isn't the most accurate (although he is high on the list) and doesn't have the strongest arm (but strong enough). But he is one HELL of a student of the game. Brady just knows how to do more with less, and do it against good to great competition, year in and year out. There are exactly 2 years since Brady became a starter when his team was not in the playoffs - 2002, and 2008 and he missed most of the 2008 season.

20 years of excellence. More playoff seasons, playoff games, playoff wins than any other player - at any position. More rings than any other player, at any position. Most playoff TD passes. Most playoff yards. He has TWICE as may playoff wins (34) as the next closest QB - Joe Montana (16).

Career Passing TD leader. #2 for career yards and career completions, #2 in 4th quarter comebacks, #3 in Career QB Rating (5 or more years), #3 lowest career interception rate (5 or more years).

Joe may have been better in his best year than Tom was in his best year. Maybe even in the best 3-year span. But over a career? No one can touch him.

(And this isn't a case of the MLB "compilers" who play an extra 5 seasons just to be able to knock out those extra 50 HRs - he is still winning SuperBowls as a starter.)

Although I’m biased towards Peyton Manning (long time Colts fan) I would have to admit Brady. Many thought that Brady without Bill Belichick and vice a versa would struggle without the other. Brady pretty much put that to bed and proved them wrong with the Buccaneers. He did have a good supporting cast which helped also the Buc’s defense shined in the SB. But looking at today’s standards I would stay Brady for sure.