NFL quarterbacks are the golden boys of football—until they’re not. One minute they’re America’s sweetheart, the next they’re getting booed off the field, traded, or memed into oblivion. Whether it was a sudden fall from grace or just too many interceptions at the worst possible time, these QBs went from beloved to benched in a flash.
This list isn’t about who was the most talented or who won the most rings. It’s about the guys we were all in on—jerseys bought, fantasy teams drafted—only to be let down when it mattered most. Here are 20 NFL quarterbacks you couldn’t get enough of until you definitely had enough.
20. Tony Romo
He was the lovable undrafted underdog with the big arm and even bigger heart. Then came the playoff meltdowns and endless fourth-quarter heartbreaks, and suddenly everyone was over the Romo rollercoaster.
19. Colin Kaepernick
He burst onto the scene with electric legs and a cannon arm, leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl. But once defenses caught up and the controversy began, the honeymoon was over in a hurry.
18. Matt Cassel
He stepped in for Brady and looked like a hidden gem, earning a big payday. Then he became the face of dashed hopes in Kansas City and beyond.
17. Jeff Garcia
Scrappy and exciting, Garcia was easy to root for during his early 49ers run. But his act wore thin quickly, and teams kept trying him out before quickly moving on.
16. Carson Wentz
He was an MVP candidate in 2017 and the future of the Eagles. Then injuries and erratic play turned the fanbase from believers into full-on skeptics.
15. Blake Bortles
Everyone wanted him to be good, especially during that wild 2017 Jags run. But he never shook the “is he actually good?” question—and eventually, the answer became obvious.
14. Jay Cutler
That arm! That potential! That permanent look of indifference that made fans give up on him about five seasons too late.
13. Baker Mayfield
He had swagger, commercials, and a playoff win in Cleveland. But inconsistent play and nonstop drama quickly turned Baker Mania into Baker fatigue.
12. Robert Griffin III
RGIII took the league by storm and looked like the future of the quarterback position. But one brutal injury and some behind-the-scenes tension later, he never recaptured the magic.
11. Daunte Culpepper
He was unstoppable with Randy Moss and had fans dreaming of a dynasty. But when Moss left and injuries hit, so did the reality check.
10. Matt Schaub
For a while, he was quietly one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. Then the pick-sixes started piling up, and Texans fans couldn’t move on fast enough.
9. Josh Freeman
He looked like the next big thing in Tampa Bay with a strong arm and a breakout season in 2010. But poor decision-making and a dramatic drop-off turned promise into disappointment fast.
8. Michael Vick
Vick was a video game come to life and had fans obsessed. Then came the dogfighting scandal, and everything changed overnight.
7. Russell Wilson
Mr. Unlimited used to be beloved for his poise, playmaking, and corny charm. But the awkward personality and Broncos disaster made fans flip fast.
6. Tony Eason
He led the Patriots to a Super Bowl and looked like the next big thing. Then he melted down on the big stage, and the fall was swift and brutal.
5. Cam Newton
His MVP season was electric and his charisma undeniable. But the post-Super Bowl pressers and on-field regression cooled a lot of that love.
4. Drew Bledsoe
He was a franchise QB and a New England icon—until Tom Brady happened. After that, he became the guy who got Wally Pipp’d in real time.
3. Vince Young
A college legend who had some early NFL magic. But locker room concerns and inconsistent play quickly wore out the welcome.
Read More: MLB Suspends Cubs Pitching Prospect for PED Violation
2. Mark Sanchez
The Sanchize had New York buzzing after back-to-back AFC title games. But then came the Butt Fumble, and it was game over in the court of public opinion.
Read More: The 20 Most Uninspiring Quarterbacks Ever
1. Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football was must-watch from the moment he hit the league. But the hype far outpaced the results, and the off-field chaos sealed his fall from grace.
Read More: Michael Penix Jr. Seeks Guidance from Falcons Legend Matt Ryan as He Prepares for QB1 Role
