Tom Brady to Julian Edelman, Drew Brees to Michael Thomas, Matt Ryan to Julio Jones. Those are some of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos right now and throughout NFL history there have been some special connections.

Let’s rank the five best quarterback-wide receiver duos of all time.

5. Norm Van Brocklin-Elroy Hirsch: Los Angeles Rams

Norm Van Brocklin, Elroy Hirsch, NFL, Rams
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When looking for the best of all time, you can’t just look at stats you also need to take a look at circumstances surrounding their play. Norm Van Brocklin and Elroy Hirsch played together from 1949-1957, an era that was known for running the ball and didn’t have a lot of passing.

During the 1951 season, Hirsch led the league with 1495 receiving yards. The closest player to Hirsch only had 800 yards.

During their time together Van Brocklin and Hirsch combined for 333 receptions, 7,200 yards, and 53 touchdowns. The Rams also won an NFL championship during the time. It’s hard to imagine what these two guys would have done together in today’s NFL with all the passing, but what they did during their era was no doubt special.

4. Steve Young-Jerry Rice: San Francisco 49ers

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Steve Young took over for Joe Montana at quarterback and this duo stepped up right where Montana and Rice had left off. In 1995 Young helped Rice break the receiving yards record as he brought in a mind-boggling 1,848 yards.

Statistically, they are one of the best duos to ever do it, and it makes sense because they are two of the greatest players in NFL history.

3. Peyton Manning-Marvin Harrison: Indianapolis Colts

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Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne are an honorable mention on this list, but it’s Manning and Marvin Harrison that come in second.

114 of Manning’s 539 touchdowns went to Harrison and for eight straight seasons, Harrison had more than 1,000 receiving yards. It’s even more impressive to think about what Harrison would have been able to do if Wayne wouldn’t have been on the team.

2. Troy Aikman-Michael Irvin: Dallas Cowboys

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There is a very good chance the Dallas Cowboys wouldn’t be considered ‘America’s Team’ if it wasn’t for the dynamic duo of Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin. Irvin was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 1988 draft and Aikman was drafted one year later with the first overall pick.

It didn’t take long for the two guys to hit it off and quickly become two of the best to ever do it. Aikman and Irvin hooked up 700 times for 11,000 yards and 60 touchdowns during their 11 years playing together.

The two also led the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles. They brought in a new era of Cowboys football, and the team would not be where they are today without Aikman and Irvin.

1. Joe Montana-Jerry Rice: San Francisco 49ers

Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, 49ers, NFL
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Is there really any question about who the greatest to ever do it was? Joe Montana and Jerry Rice were unstoppable and they are the clear cut number one because of team success.

During their time together the 49ers won five NFC West titles and won two Super Bowls. During their two Super Bowl victories, the two guys combined for 18 receptions for 363 yards and four touchdowns. It’s going to be hard for any duo to ever pass what these two did, especially in terms of Super Bowls.