Quarterbacks are supposed to be cool, calm, and collected—the steady hand guiding the offense. But sometimes, even the guy wearing the headset loses his cool under pressure, and it makes for some unforgettable sideline meltdowns and on-field blowups.
Whether it’s screaming at a coach, chewing out teammates, or just flat-out throwing tantrums mid-game, these quarterbacks had tempers that flared just as quickly as their arms fired footballs. From legendary competitors to unpredictable hotheads, here are 20 quarterbacks who never exactly mastered the art of keeping their composure.
20. Philip Rivers
He never cursed, but somehow still managed to get into everyone’s face. Rivers had a fiery demeanor and wasn’t afraid to jaw at defenders or yell across the field.
19. Jay Cutler
The body language alone could tell you he wasn’t thrilled. Cutler’s sideline sulking and icy staredowns were legendary in Chicago.
18. Jameis Winston
Winston’s emotions could shift in a heartbeat, and he often let the moment get the better of him. Whether it was fiery speeches or sideline spats, he wore every feeling on his sleeve.
17. Kerry Collins
Collins had a reputation for blowing up when things didn’t go his way. He could unravel quickly, and teammates didn’t always appreciate the heat.
16. Jeff George
Few quarterbacks burned more bridges with their temper than Jeff George. Coaches, teammates, and fans all got a front-row seat to his outbursts.
15. Jim Everett
Just ask Jim Rome how short his fuse really was. Everett didn’t take kindly to being mocked and proved it with a swift table flip and shove.
14. Cam Newton
When things went south, Cam didn’t hide his frustration. Whether it was a quick exit from a press conference or a heated moment on the bench, he let you know how he felt.
13. Ryan Leaf
Leaf was infamous for his meltdown with a reporter, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. His short temper ended up being part of what derailed his NFL career.
12. Tommy Kramer
“Two-Minute Tommy” didn’t always handle pressure gracefully. He had a history of animated reactions and confrontations when things got tense.
11. Baker Mayfield
Baker brings plenty of swagger, but it can quickly turn into frustration. He hasn’t been shy about clapping back at critics or snapping during games.
10. Ken O’Brien
O’Brien could run hot, especially behind a porous offensive line. The frustration boiled over more than once in New York.
9. Dan Marino
Marino’s fiery competitiveness sometimes exploded on the sidelines. He wasn’t afraid to chew out teammates if things weren’t clicking.
8. Bobby Hebert
The “Cajun Cannon” had a quick temper to match his cannon of an arm. He didn’t shy away from expressing his dissatisfaction loudly and clearly.
7. Matt Ryan
Ryan may seem mild-mannered, but when things unravel, his fiery side comes out. He’s had plenty of emotional sideline moments over the years.
6. Fran Tarkenton
Tarkenton was known for yelling at his linemen and coaches alike. His temper flared as fast as he scrambled out of the pocket.
5. Brett Favre
Favre played with emotion—and that sometimes meant throwing a fit along with the football. His passion was great for highlight reels and less great for helmets being slammed.
4. Jim McMahon
McMahon didn’t care who he offended—coaches, refs, media, or opponents. His short fuse was part of his charm and chaos.
3. Donovan McNabb
When things went wrong, McNabb didn’t hold back. He showed frustration on the field and didn’t always hide his issues with teammates.
Read More: 15 Most Even-Tempered NFL Stars of All Time
2. Tom Brady
Even the GOAT wasn’t immune to a fiery meltdown. Brady was known for screaming on the sidelines and smashing tablets like they were bad play calls.
Read More: Ranking the 20 Most Childish Meltdowns in NFL History
1. Peyton Manning
He looked calm on the outside, but Manning had a legendary temper when things fell apart. He’d rip into receivers, linemen, and even offensive coordinators like it was part of the game plan.
Read More: 15 NFL QBs Who Threw More Tantrums Than Dimes
