Over the years, NFL fans have found countless reasons to love, hate, or completely blame their quarterbacks. Whether it was for interceptions, bad attitudes, controversies, or just being too darn confident, these guys often took the heat, fair or not.
Some of these quarterbacks were lightning rods from day one, while others earned the scorn later in their careers. From media punchlines to locker room headaches, here are 17 quarterbacks who were relentlessly vilified by fans, critics, and sometimes even their own teams.
17. Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler’s body language alone was enough to drive fans crazy. He always looked like he just couldn’t be bothered, and that rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
16. Tony Romo
Despite some brilliant seasons, Romo was constantly blamed for every Cowboys collapse. One playoff fumble on a field goal snap haunted him for years.
15. Jeff George
Jeff George had all the arm talent in the world and none of the humility. He clashed with coaches and teammates everywhere he went, and fans got tired of the drama.
14. Deshaun Watson
Once beloved in Houston, Watson’s off-field issues completely changed public perception. Now, no matter how well he plays, the controversy overshadows everything.
13. Carson Wentz
Wentz went from MVP candidate to locker room scapegoat seemingly overnight. His inconsistency and reported ego issues didn’t help his reputation.
12. Jim McMahon
McMahon’s rebellious attitude made him a fan favorite in Chicago but a target elsewhere. He didn’t care what people thought—and that made people think even more.
11. Cam Newton
Cam Newton was polarizing from the start, whether it was his celebrations, his fashion, or his confidence. Winning the MVP didn’t stop the critics from tearing him down when things went wrong.
10. Jameis Winston
From turnovers to bizarre press conferences, Winston was an easy target. Even when he played well, fans were just waiting for the next “what was that?” moment.
9. Michael Vick
Vick was once the face of the league before a major off-field scandal changed everything. His comeback was impressive, but the controversy never fully disappeared.
8. Mark Sanchez
The “Butt Fumble” alone would’ve earned him a spot here, but it wasn’t just that. Sanchez became the punchline of countless jokes and never really escaped it.
7. Eli Manning
Despite winning two Super Bowls, people still questioned whether Eli was actually good. He was either overrated or underrated, depending on the day, and the haters never stayed quiet.
6. Colin Kaepernick
Kaepernick went from Super Bowl starter to cultural flashpoint. His protests made him one of the most talked-about—and vilified—players of the past decade.
5. Matt Leinart
Leinart was hyped beyond belief coming out of USC, and he never lived up to it. Fans and analysts didn’t hold back when he fizzled out in the pros.
4. Baker Mayfield
From planting flags to calling out critics, Baker embraced the villain role early on. But when the losses piled up, the noise got louder—and so did the criticism.
3. Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben won a lot, but allegations and his sometimes prickly demeanor made him a controversial figure. Even at the height of his success, he wasn’t exactly beloved outside Pittsburgh.
Read More: 10 Quarterbacks Who Treated Their Coach Like a Side Character
2. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers has always marched to the beat of his own drum, and not everyone likes the tune. From family drama to vaccine controversy, he’s been one of the NFL’s most scrutinized stars.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Overhyped Quarterbacks of All Time
1. Tom Brady
No one has been hated more for winning too much than Tom Brady. From “Tuck Rule” to “Deflategate” to just being too perfect, fans couldn’t wait to root against him, over and over again.
Read More: 14 Quarterbacks Who Were a PR Nightmare Waiting to Happen
