Main Story: Tom Brady says Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford have the NFL’s prettiest passes, praising their accuracy, smooth deliveries and natural throwing ability. Their careers offer plenty of highlights to back up his view, from Rodgers’ long-distance playoff throws to Stafford’s no-look passes and Super Bowl heroics.

By the Numbers
  • Rodgers has won 4 MVP awards.
  • Rodgers: 1,487 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions this season; Pittsburgh is 4-2.
  • Stafford: 1,794 passing yards this season, the most in the league entering Week 7.
  • Brady had more touchdowns and a higher passer rating on 20-plus-yard throws outside the numbers than on those between the numbers in 10 of his final 16 seasons.
Yes, But

“Prettiest” is a matter of taste, and the praise is about throwing style—not a statistical ranking. Brady also said deep post routes were harder to throw than go routes, in part because they require judging a receiver crossing the field and navigating multiple defenders.

Bottom Line

Brady sees Rodgers and Stafford as instinctive passers whose technique and arm talent have held up over time—and their signature throws help explain why.