Joe Montana names his top QBs to build a team, leaves out big stars

San Francisco 49ers legend Joe Montana knows better than most how crucial the right quarterback is to an NFL team’s success. Finding that leader under center isn’t an exact science, and plenty of franchises have squandered elite talent by failing to secure the right signal-caller.

On a recent episode of The Pat McAfee Show, Super Bowl–winning coach Bruce Arians, known for his ability to develop star quarterbacks, asked Montana which players he would choose to build a franchise from scratch, excluding current 49ers starter Brock Purdy.

Montana’s answer surprised many, especially because it didn’t include two-time MVP Lamar Jackson.

“I’d take Josh Allen and Joe Burrow”

“I’m thinking I’d take the guy in Buffalo, Josh (Allen). Obviously Joe Burrow is another guy I like a lot. And believe it or not, I like the guy with the Chargers, Justin Herbert. I think they’ve just kind of gone by the wayside there but... I just like the way those three guys are.

“I do also like the guy in Philly though (Jalen Hurts),” Montana said. “I’d pick Mahomes if he was a younger. He’s still a great player. Although they’re not getting hit as much today, so they’ll probably play forever, so I should’ve probably added Patrick in there.”

Montana leaves Mahomes and Jackson behind

Montana’s list has merit. Allen was last season’s MVP, while Burrow finished just under 5,000 passing yards in 2024. But Herbert’s inclusion over both Mahomes and Jackson raised eyebrows, especially given his struggles with injuries in Los Angeles.

The age factor doesn’t fully explain it either. Mahomes is 30, while Allen is 29. Burrow turns 29 later this year. The only younger names are Herbert and Hurts, both 27. That makes Jackson’s absence particularly surprising; he’s a two-time MVP at just 28.

A golden age of quarterbacks?

Arians, who once served as offensive coordinator for the Steelers and Colts, chimed in after Montana’s list. He pointed to the overall depth and talent in the quarteback position across the league today.

“I think for us it stated how well we are in the National Football League right now with quarterbacks,” Arians said. “We’ve got some really great young quarterbacks in the league right now, and I think the league is great shape.”

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