When people talk about big arms in NFL history, it’s usually the same names—Elway, Mahomes, Favre. But there are plenty of guys who could sling it just as well, they just never got the same love or spotlight.
Whether it was due to bad timing, poor team selection, or simply not enough hype, these quarterbacks had cannons that deserved more respect. From deep ball artists to guys with ridiculous zip, here are 17 of the most underrated arm talents the NFL has ever seen.
17. Steve Beuerlein
Beuerlein had a hose and wasn’t afraid to let it rip when given the green light. Unfortunately, he bounced around too much to ever truly shine as a franchise QB.
16. Chris Miller
Miller had a sneaky strong arm and could launch it with the best of them during his days in Atlanta. Injuries and inconsistency prevented him from reaching the upper tiers.
15. Jay Cutler
Yes, the body language was terrible—but the arm? Absolute rocket launcher, capable of making throws most guys wouldn’t even dream of.
14. Jeff George
If pure arm strength were the only requirement, Jeff George would’ve been a Hall of Famer. He could launch missiles off his back foot like it was nothing.
13. Tony Banks
Banks never became a star, but his arm talent was elite. He could effortlessly throw deep outs and lasers across the field.
12. Dave Krieg
Krieg had an odd release but made up for it with a surprising amount of zip. He wasn’t flashy, but he could deliver the ball into tight windows with serious pace.
11. Billy Volek
Volek only started a handful of games, but when he did, he let it fly. The arm was legit—he just never got the long-term shot to prove it.
10. Jeff Blake
Blake’s deep ball was one of the prettiest of the ‘90s, especially when he was dropping dimes in Cincinnati. The man had a cannon and a flair for the dramatic.
9. Rodney Peete
Rodney Peete had a powerful arm and a quick release, but he was always seen as more of a game manager. His deep ball never got the credit it deserved.
8. Josh Freeman
Freeman had the size and the bazooka to match, but things unraveled fast. Still, that arm was undeniable when he was locked in.
7. Jake Plummer
People remember Plummer for his mobility and maverick style, but he had a whip for an arm. He made a lot of throws on the move that few others could.
6. Marc Bulger
Bulger was known for accuracy, but he also had surprising juice behind his throws. He could rifle it down the field when needed, even if he didn’t look the part.
5. Erik Kramer
Kramer had a no-nonsense approach and a seriously underrated arm. When he got hot, he could light up a defense with well-placed bullets.
4. Vinny Testaverde
Testaverde had one of the smoothest deep balls in league history and could throw with power well into his 40s. His arm never really got the full respect it deserved because of the teams he was stuck on.
3. Kyle Boller
Boller’s career didn’t pan out, but scouts fell in love with his arm for a reason. He once threw a ball 60 yards… from his knees.
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2. Kerry Collins
Collins had a rifle and was never afraid to use it, especially during his early years with Carolina and New York. His arm strength stayed intact well into his journeyman phase.
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1. Randall Cunningham
Everyone remembers the legs, but Cunningham had a thunderbolt attached to his shoulder. His deep balls were absolute bombs, and he made it all look way too easy.
