Can You Identify These NFL Legends From the Past Decade?

By: Gavin Thagard
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Identify These NFL Legends From the Past Decade?
Image: Keith Allison via WikiCommons

About This Quiz

The NFL has changed a lot in the 2010s. Rules have been put in place to make the game safer while also increasing offensive production to make the product more entertaining to watch. However, with these new rules, players have to be looked at in a different light. The run-heavy, defensive slugfests of the past are out, and statistics are up, especially on offense. That means it's not uncommon for a quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards or a wide receiver to rack up over 1,000 yards through the air.

So how do players establish a legacy in this modern NFL? Regular season stats are still an indicator, even if they are inflated by rule changes that benefit the offense. It hasn't slowed down defenses from racking up sacks and interceptions, after all. Of course, there's always one surefire way for a great player to define their career: win a championship. Obviously, there are plenty of legends over the last decade who didn't win a title, but the ones who did so have left an imprint on the game that can never be removed.

Are you prepared to identify the biggest stars of the past decade, from statistical juggernauts to championship winners? If so, dive into this quiz, and see if your knowledge of the NFL matches that of other fans.

Aaron Rodgers
Keith Allison via WikiCommons
Recognized as one of the greatest athletes ever at the quarterback position, who is this?
Aaron Rodgers
Drew Brees
Philip Rivers
Kurt Warner
Ben Roethlisberger
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Legacies are partially defined by championships, and this player has two of them. Can you identify him?
Matt Ryan
Russell Wilson
Philip Rivers
Ben Roethlisberger
Tony Gonzalez
Rhododendrites via WikiCommons
There are few tight ends in NFL history with the receiving skills of which legend, shown here?
Tony Gonzalez
Antonio Gates
Jason Witten
Jimmy Graham

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Marshawn Lynch
Keith Allison via WikiCommons
Identify this running back whose powerful running style defined his career?
Marshawn Lynch
Le'Veon Bell
Todd Gurley
Devonta Freeman
Eli Manning
Keith Allison via WikiCommons
Are you familiar with this quarterback who showed up in the biggest moments?
Matt Ryan
Alex Smith
Eli Manning
Joe Flacco
Rob Gronkowski
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Have you watched enough football in the past decade to identify this otherworldly tight end?
Greg Olsen
Jimmy Graham
Rob Gronkowski
Jason Witten

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Philip Rivers
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Despite numerous accomplishments, the only thing this legend hasn't won is a Super Bowl. Can you name him?
Matt Ryan
Alex Smith
Russell Wilson
Philip Rivers
Russel Wilson
Mike Morris via WikiCommons
How familiar are you with this quarterback who went from a game manager to an elite passer?
Russel Wilson
Lamar Jackson
Patrick Mahomes
Deshaun Watson
Richard Sherman
Keith Allison via WikiCommons
Known for both his leadership and play on the field, is this a cornerback you're familiar with?
Richard Sherman
Kam Chancellor
Earl Thomas
Patrick Peterson

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Tom Brady
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
No player has won more over the past decade than this elite quarterback. Who is he?
Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Drew Brees
Aaron Rodgers
Larry Fitzgerald
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
The ball seems to stick to this receiver's hands. Who is he?
Antonio Brown
Julio Jones
Larry Fitzgerald
Andre Johnson
Jason Witten
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Is this legend who spent his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys familiar to you?
Greg Olsen
Jimmy Graham
Kyle Rudolph
Jason Witten

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Troy Polamalu
NFL via YouTube
Are you familiar with this hard-hitting safety, known for crushing opposing receivers before they could catch the ball?
Ryan Clark
Brian Dawkins
Sean Taylor
Troy Polamalu
Ray Lewis
Maryland GovPics via WikiCommons
Will you be able to identify this Hall of Fame linebacker who finished his career in the last decade?
Ray Lewis
Derrick Brooks
Patrick Willis
Bobby Wagner
Antonio Brown
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Identify this receiver who's a proven legend despite his controversial nature?
Odell Beckham Jr.
Reggie Wayne
A.J. Green
Antonio Brown

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LeSean McCoy
Keith Allison via WikiCommons
Can you identify this shifty running back who is always a threat in the open field?
Warrick Dunn
Clinton Portis
LeSean McCoy
Steven Jackson
Terrell Suggs
Keith Allison via WikiCommons
Are you familiar with this linebacker who was a defining player on a tough Baltimore Ravens defense, until he joined the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs in 2019?
Ray Lewis
Patrick Willis
Terrell Suggs
Ed Reed
Ed Reed
Maryland National Guard via WikiCommons
Do you recognize this safety who could sniff out a play before it happened?
Ed Reed
Champ Bailey
Ty Law
Sean Taylor

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Drew Brees
Keith Allison via WikiCommons
If a quarterback can set multiple offensive records, they'll probably go down as a legend. That's exactly what which quarterback depicted here has been able to do?
Eli Manning
Tony Romo
Matt Ryan
Drew Brees
Adrian Peterson
Keith Allison via WikiCommons
Can you identify this star running back who has run both through and around defenders to establish himself as one of the best players over the past decade?
Frank Gore
LeSean McCoy
Marshawn Lynch
Adrian Peterson
Luke Kuechly
Tammy Anthony Baker, Photographer via WikiCommons
This linebacker has been chasing down running backs sideline to sideline since his rookie season. Who is he?
Bobby Wagner
Sean Lee
Luke Kuechly
Clay Matthews

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J.J. Watt
Eyton Z via WikiCommons
Do you recognize this defensive stud who terrorizes offenses through four straight quarters?
Aaron Donald
Jared Allen
Jason Pierre-Paul
J.J. Watt
Von Miller
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
A legend with a Super Bowl MVP on his resume, who is this?
Khalil Mack
Von Miller
Cameron Heyward
Akiem Hicks
Darrelle Revis
Jeff Kern via WikiCommons
This cornerback forced offenses to throw the ball to one side of the field because he was so talented. How well do you know him?
Richard Sherman
Darrelle Revis
Stephon Gilmore
Antonio Cromartie

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Joe Staley
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Who is this anchor for the offensive line in San Francisco?
Tyron Smith
Joe Staley
Quenton Nelson
David DeCastro
Devin Hester
Jauerback via WikiCommons
Do you recognize this legend whose impact was always felt on special teams?
Dante Hall
Devin Hester
Percy Harvin
Charles Tillman
Peyton Manning
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Few quarterbacks were as consistently great throughout their careers as which one shown here?
Eli Manning
Drew Brees
Peyton Manning
Aaron Rodgers

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Frank Gore
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
What's the name of this running back who continues to produce well into his 30s?
LaDainian Tomlinson
Arian Foster
Frank Gore
Chris Johnson
Wes Welker
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Consistency is key for any receiver to gain the trust of their quarterback, and this receiver was as consistent as anyone. Do you know him?
Wes Welker
Julian Edelman
Danny Amendola
Eric Decker
Calvin Johnson
Kevind810 via WikiCommons
What's the name of this elite receiver who smashed several NFL records in the past decade?
Julio Jones
Calvin Johnson
Odell Beckham Jr.
Antonio Brown

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Champ Bailey
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Name this legendary cornerback who finished his career with the Denver Broncos?
Ty Law
Patrick Peterson
Jalen Ramsey
Champ Bailey
Earl Thomas
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Which legend shown here can lay claim to being one of the fiercest defenders in NFL history?
Eric Berry
Earl Thomas
Tyran Mathieu
Jalen Ramsey
Julio Jones
Keith Allison via WikiCommons
One of the best deep threat receivers to ever take the field, is this a player you're familiar with?
A.J. Green
Antonio Brown
DeAndre Hopkins
Julio Jones

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Julius Peppers
Kyle Engman via WikiCommons
How well do you know this defensive end who could stuff the run or pressure the quarterback?
Bruce Smith
Julius Peppers
Michael Strahan
Reggie White
Dwight Freeney
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Do you recognize this legendary edge rusher who spent most of the last decade as a journeyman in the NFL?
Robert Mathis
Dwight Freeney
Reggie White
Richard Dent
Andre Johnson
AJ Guel via WikiCommons
Productivity made which receiver depicted here a legend on the gridiron?
Andre Johnson
Antonio Brown
Randy Moss
DeAndre Hopkins

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Vince Wilfork
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
Name this defensive tackle who was so dominant it took two or three players to block him?
Richard Seymour
Warren Sapp
Vince Wilfork
Albert Haynesworth
Aaron Donald
The 621st Contingency Response Wing via WikiCommons
Though still in his prime, this defensive tackle is already a legend. What's his name?
Khalil Mack
Aaron Donald
Ndamukong Suh
Fletcher Cox
Charles Woodson
Jeffrey Beall via WikiCommons
This defensive legend has a resume filled with accomplishments. Who is he?
Rod Woodson
Rodney Harrison
Charles Woodson
Ty Law

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Calais Campbell
Bigmanclay04 via WikiCommons
How well do you know this player who has been holding up the end of defensive lines since 2008?
Aaron Donald
Calais Campbell
Cameron Heyward
Akiem Hicks