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.
Read More: The 15 Best Third-Round NFL Draft Picks of All Time
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.
Read More: 10 NFL Teams Trapped in Cities That Don’t Deserve Football
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.
