When quarterbacks leave a team, it’s not always with a handshake and a farewell press conference. Sometimes, it’s with fireworks, finger-pointing, or a franchise left in emotional shambles.
Whether they stormed off, dragged things out, or left fans feeling utterly blindsided, these 15 quarterback exits packed more drama than a soap opera. Let’s count down the most chaotic, contentious, and unforgettable quarterback breakups in NFL history.
15. Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers
The Panthers basically ghosted Cam after nearly a decade of iconic moments. One awkward Instagram post later, and a former MVP was out the door with barely a thank-you.
14. Carson Palmer – Cincinnati Bengals
Palmer got so fed up with the Bengals that he retired just to escape. It took a trade to the Raiders to finally free him from Cincinnati purgatory.
13. Jimmy Garoppolo – San Francisco 49ers
The Niners never really gave Jimmy G the full vote of confidence, even after a Super Bowl appearance. His long, slow exit included injuries, rumors, and about five “final seasons.”
12. Eli Manning – New York Giants
Eli’s exit wasn’t fiery, but it was filled with passive-aggressive tension. Benching him for Geno Smith was the cherry on top of a truly strange sendoff.
11. Donovan McNabb – Philadelphia Eagles
McNabb got traded within the division after years of playoff success. That’s how you know things had soured beyond repair in Philly.
10. Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears
Cutler’s Bears career ended in true Cutler fashion—shoulder shrugs, smirks, and very little fanfare. But the media frenzy over whether he cared was a show in itself.
9. Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks
Russ started planting exit seeds years before he left. From cryptic interviews to mysterious injury drama, his split with Seattle was the slowest burn ever.
8. Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts
No one saw this coming—not the team, not the fans, not the league. Retiring mid-preseason was the most shocking mic-drop exit the NFL has seen in years.
7. Brett Favre – Green Bay Packers
Favre’s yearly “will he or won’t he” act had everyone exhausted by the end. Add in the switch to the rival Vikings, and this exit became full-on theater.
6. Deshaun Watson – Houston Texans
Watson wanted out, then the legal firestorm hit, and suddenly the Texans were trapped in a PR nightmare. It was ugly, complicated, and dragged out forever.
5. Tom Brady – New England Patriots
Twenty years. Six rings. And he broke up with a “see ya” on Instagram. Patriots Nation still hasn’t emotionally recovered.
4. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers
![Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12)] celebrates during the Green Bay Packers 24-16 win over the Carolina Panthers in Green Bay](https://thequickreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Untitled-design-5-1-1024x658.png)
Rodgers spent years hinting at a breakup before finally pulling the trigger. Passive-aggressive jabs, dark retreats, and trade drama made for elite content.
3. Colin Kaepernick – San Francisco 49ers
Kaepernick’s exit was far bigger than football. It sparked national debate, changed the league’s image, and remains one of the most polarizing stories in sports history.
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2. Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts
Manning’s neck injury forced the Colts into a brutal decision—draft Luck or stick with the legend. The emotional press conference still hits hard years later.
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1. Tom Brady – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Retirement 2.0)
He retired, then unretired, then retired again in a video filmed next to a beach towel. The second goodbye was somehow more bizarre than the first—and even harder to believe.
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