Detroit Lions All Time Best: Top Five Quarterbacks (video)
By Tony Fischer
#1 Bobby Layne – 1948 to 1958
Layne has the distinction of being the only quarterback on this list to have won an NFL championship. In fact he won three of them during his 9 year career with the Detroit Lions, the last of which came in 1953. Layne was that he also served as the teams place making 18 of 26 attempts over two seasons.
Although Layne began the 1957 as the starter he broke his leg mid-way through the campaign. Back-up Tobin Rote would finish the season and lead the Lions to victory in the championship game. Layne would leave Detroit after that season, the result of a contract dispute with the team. On his way to Pittsburgh Layne famously cursed the franchise and they have not returned to the NFL Championship (now the Superbowl) again.
Layne was that he also served as the teams place making 18 of 26 attempts over two seasons.
It is more difficult to compare eras in football considering the proliferation of the passing game. But there is one criterion that can be consistently applied to all quarterbacks over all eras. That is championships and Layne has two of them. Even though Matthew Stafford tops most franchise passing lists he will not be number one until he gets Detroit to the Superbowl.