Top 10 Greatest Scrambling Quarterbacks of All Time

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980) is a former American football quarterback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Falcons as the first overall pick... read more

If he didn't have to go to jail, he could have been able to develop his pocket passing. But let's be honest, he did some things with his feet that would last on SportsCenter for weeks.

Randall Cunningham

Randall W. Cunningham is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League and is now a football coach and pastor. He played from 1985 to 2000, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles, earning four Pro Bowl selections. After retiring, Cunningham served as a coach at the high school... read more

He was better at it in his prime than anybody I've ever seen. There were just two problems:
1. His prime was short due to injury because of an inability to protect himself.
2. Either he, or the league at that time (or a combination of both), didn't focus on running quarterbacks at all, like they do today. So, he spent most of his time scrambling behind the line of scrimmage, trying to give his wide receivers time to get open rather than trying to run downfield to get yardage.
If it was possible to track "total yards run" (either behind or after the line of scrimmage), which it obviously is not, I have little to no doubt that he scrambled for more yards than Michael Vick ran for and was quite simply better at it - in my humble opinion.

Fran Tarkenton

Not big, not extremely fast, but elusive as quicksilver. He made the Vikings a fun team to watch.

Dude had eyes in the back of his horns.

Cam Newton

Cameron Jerrell Newton is an American football quarterback who most recently played for the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. He began his NFL career with the Panthers in 2011 and played with them until 2019, then joined the New England Patriots in 2020. In November 2021, Newton returned to the Panthers... read more

Cam Newton revolutionized the game. He's a great runner and thrower with unrivaled arm strength and throw power. No other running QB has had the power run capability of the 6'5", 245 lbs Cam Newton.

He's fast enough to beat linebackers, big enough to get through them, and strong and smart enough not to get hurt.

Cam Newton, by far, is the best QB on this list. So why is he #9? That is undermining his ability.

Steve Young

Jon Steven Young is a former professional American football quarterback. He played 15 seasons in the National Football League, most notably with the San Francisco 49ers. Young is remembered as one of the league's most efficient passers and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

Steve was one of the greatest QBs of all time. Period. He was money down the stretch and was an underrated runner. Don't forget that "The Catch II" would never have happened if Steve wasn't a scrambler.

Donavon McNabb

Russell Wilson

Russell Carrington Wilson (born November 29, 1988) is an American football quarterback. He played for the Seattle Seahawks before being traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022. After two seasons, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and then joined the New York Giants for the 2025 season.

He should be higher than Cam and Colin.

Steve McNair

McNair was Cam Newton before Cam Newton was old enough to understand play action. He wasn't as fast as, say, Cunningham or Vick, but he was a big ol' drink of water and got within one yard of almost single-handedly dragging what was pretty much an expansion team to a championship. Add on the fact that he was rarely hurt too bad to play, and we have a top ten scrambler.

Lamar Jackson

Lamar Demeatrice Jackson Jr. (born January 7, 1997) is an American football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2016. Jackson was selected by the Ravens with the final... read more

Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Charles Rodgers (born December 2, 1983) is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He signed a one‑year deal with Pittsburgh in March 2025 after being released by the New York Jets. Rodgers is a four‑time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XLV champion... read more

Don't get it twisted. The man can move. That Championship belt celebration came from rushing touchdowns! 18 rushing touchdowns!

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Justin Fields

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Deshaun Watson

Kordell Steward

Started out in Pitt as a converted WR to be a hell of a QB. Did big things until getting gypped and benched for a bum like Tommy Maddox.

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Rand Kaepernick (born November 3, 1987) is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at the University of Nevada, where he was named the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Offensive Player of the Year twice. After graduating, he was selected by the... read more

Kyler Murray

Kyler Cole Murray is an American football quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League. He was selected first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft after a standout college career at the University of Oklahoma. Murray is also notable for being drafted in the first round of both the NFL... read more

Tom Brady

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who last played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League. Brady is known for being the only quarterback in history to win seven Super Bowls and is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time... read more

Carson Wentz

Carson Wentz is an American football quarterback who was playing for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL. He played college football at North Dakota State University. In 2016, he was selected second overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Draft, becoming the highest-drafted player from an FCS school... read more

Marcus Mariota

Marcus Ardel Taulauniu Mariota is an American football quarterback currently serving as the backup quarterback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2014 while playing for the University of Oregon. Mariota has previously played for the Tennessee Titans... read more

John Elway

John Albert Elway Jr. is a former American football quarterback. He served as the executive vice president of football operations and general manager of the Denver Broncos in the National Football League. Elway led the Broncos to two Super Bowl victories as a player and played his entire career with... read more

Roger Staubach

Roger Thomas Staubach, nicknamed Captain America and Captain Comeback, is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He played his entire career (1969-1979) with the Dallas Cowboys, winning two Super Bowls and earning six Pro Bowl selections. Staubach was inducted into the... read more

If he wasn't a scrambling QB, then he wouldn't be nicknamed Roger the Dodger.

Otto Graham

Otto Everett Graham Jr. was an American football quarterback who played for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL). He led the Browns to ten championship games in ten seasons, winning seven of them. Graham is widely considered one of... read more

Drew Brees

Drew Christopher Brees is a former American professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League, primarily for the New Orleans Saints. He holds the NFL record for the most 5,000-yard passing seasons, achieving this milestone five times (2008, 2011-2013, 2016), including three... read more

Tyrod Taylor

Should be number one, way better than all the other QBs on this list. He's leading the Browns to a Super Bowl victory this year #facts.

Andrew Luck

Andrew Austen Luck is a former American football quarterback who played his entire career (2012-2018) with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was selected first overall in the 2012 NFL Draft and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. Luck retired at age 29 due to ongoing injury... read more

Ben Roethlisberger

Benjamin Todd Roethlisberger Sr., nicknamed Big Ben, is a former American professional football quarterback. He played his entire 18-season career for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League. Roethlisberger led the team to two Super Bowl victories and retired after the 2021 season.

Joe Montana

Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana Jr., nicknamed "Joe Cool" and "The Comeback Kid," is a retired American football quarterback. He is best known for his time with the San Francisco 49ers, where he led the team to four Super Bowl championships. Montana is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks... read more

Jay Cutler

Jay Christopher Cutler is a retired American football quarterback who played in the National Football League. He spent 11 seasons in the NFL from 2006 to 2016. After announcing his retirement in May 2017, Cutler joined Fox Sports as a color commentator.