Top 10 CFL Quarterbacks of All Time
Wed Aug 20 2025
The CFL has produced some of the wildest quarterbacks in football. The field is bigger, the motion is constant, and the passing game demands creativity and toughness. Over the decades, a handful of quarterbacks have separated themselves as legends. They didn't just put up numbers, they won games and shaped how offenses worked. Here are the ten quarterbacks who stand out the most, and why they deserve a spot on this list.
Doug Flutie

Flutie redefined what a CFL quarterback could be. From 1990 to 1997, he threw for over 41,000 yards and 270 touchdowns. He won six Most Outstanding Player awards and three Grey Cups. Defenses struggled to contain his mobility and accuracy. If you wanted a quarterback who could extend plays and win in clutch moments, Flutie was the guy.
Russ Jackson

Jackson is the best Canadian-born quarterback in CFL history. He played his entire career with Ottawa and won three Grey Cups. He was a three-time Most Outstanding Player and finished with over 24,000 passing yards. Jackson proved that a Canadian could excel at the most demanding position on the field and is still the standard for homegrown quarterbacks.
Anthony Calvillo

Calvillo is the CFL’s all-time leader in passing yards with more than 79,000. He also holds the record for touchdown passes with 455. His consistency with the Montreal Alouettes turned the team into a perennial contender. He led them to three Grey Cup titles and appeared in eight championship games. If you value longevity and steady production, Calvillo sets the bar.
Warren Moon

Moon only played six seasons in the CFL, but his impact was enormous. He led Edmonton to five straight Grey Cups from 1978 to 1982. His arm strength and precision made Edmonton’s offense unstoppable. Moon’s CFL dominance helped him land in the NFL, where he became a Hall of Famer. His time in Canada proved he was elite on any stage.
Damon Allen

Allen played 23 seasons and holds the record for most career passing yards until Calvillo broke it. He won four Grey Cups with three different teams and was known for his dual-threat ability long before it was popular. His longevity, versatility, and leadership kept him at the top level for decades.
Ron Lancaster

Lancaster was the leader of the Saskatchewan Roughriders for 16 seasons. He threw for over 50,000 yards and led them to two Grey Cup appearances, winning in 1966. Known as “The Little General,” Lancaster was a fierce competitor who became one of the most respected figures in CFL history.
Matt Dunigan

Dunigan was one of the toughest quarterbacks to ever play. He played through injuries, threw for over 43,000 yards, and won two Grey Cups. He could gunsling like you wouldn't believe. He once passed for 713 yards in a single game, which is still a pro football record. Dunigan’s toughness and production kept him in the conversation with the all-time greats.
Ricky Ray

Ray was the model of efficiency. He threw for over 60,000 yards with Edmonton and Toronto, winning four Grey Cups. He completed over 68 percent of his passes for his career, the highest in CFL history. Ray did not always have the flash, but he delivered wins and consistency for almost two decades.
Danny McManus

McManus was known for his strong arm and leadership. He threw for more than 53,000 yards and 259 touchdowns. He led Hamilton to a Grey Cup in 1999 and was always respected for his ability to rally teams. McManus might not have been the most accurate passer, but he made big plays when they mattered most.
Zach Collaros

Collaros is the only active quarterback on this list. He has already won multiple Grey Cups with Winnipeg and two Most Outstanding Player awards. His accuracy, decision-making, and ability to perform in big games put him on track to join the all-time greats. If he stays healthy and keeps producing, he will climb even higher in CFL history.
These ten quarterbacks did more than rack up stats. They changed games, lifted franchises, and gave fans moments they will never forget. If you want to understand the history of the CFL, you start with them.