Nicknames in sports are supposed to be iconic, intimidating, or at the very least—memorable. But in the NFL, far too many quarterbacks are stuck with nicknames that either don’t fit, don’t stick, or simply don’t do justice to their game.
Some are lazy, some are dated, and some just feel like missed opportunities for greatness. Here are 15 quarterbacks who seriously deserve a nickname glow-up.
15. Kirk Cousins
“Captain Kirk” is fine if you’re a Star Trek fan, but it doesn’t exactly scream gridiron toughness. The man has been through more NFL drama than most and still keeps showing up—he deserves something with a little more bite.
14. Trevor Lawrence
“Sunshine” is more of a hair reference than a football moniker, and honestly, it undersells his poise and potential. He needs a nickname that reflects his status as the face of a franchise, not a shampoo commercial.
13. Geno Smith
“Geno” is already a pretty unique name, but that’s kind of the problem—it stopped people from giving him a real nickname. Now that he’s revitalized his career, it’s time for something that captures his comeback story.
12. Baker Mayfield
“Bake” or “Bakeshow” doesn’t quite match the energy of a quarterback who thrives in chaos and somehow keeps getting second (and third) chances. He needs something that screams scrappy survivor, not a Food Network host.
11. Jordan Love
Right now, his nickname is basically just… “Jordan Love.” Not bad, but he’s the new face of the Packers, and that calls for something more iconic than a plain nameplate.
10. Brock Purdy
“Mr. Irrelevant” was cute for about five minutes, but the guy led his team to the NFC Championship. It’s long past time we give him a nickname that reflects what he’s become, not how he was drafted.
9. Justin Herbert
Some call him “Herbie” or “The Socially Distant Quarterback,” which is more awkward than clever. With that cannon arm and stoic vibe, he deserves something cooler than a guy who skips small talk.
8. Jalen Hurts
“J-Hurts” feels like a placeholder nickname made by someone in a hurry. The guy is a powerhouse leader with a stoic edge—he needs something that actually sounds like a threat.
7. Mac Jones
“Mac and Cheese” is cute, but he plays in the NFL, not a preschool cafeteria. Whether he’s a starter or backup, he deserves a nickname that’s a little more… adult.
6. Derek Carr
People mostly just call him “Carr,” which feels more like a default setting than a nickname. The guy’s been through enough coaching changes and chaos to earn a moniker with some grit.
5. Sam Darnold
“Sammy D” feels like a throwaway nickname from a 2007 college message board. He’s bounced around the league and still somehow has believers—give him a name that reflects that weird staying power.
4. Tua Tagovailoa
“Tua” works fine because it’s unique, but the guy is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. Someone with his accuracy deserves a nickname that sounds like he throws lasers for a living.
3. Dak Prescott
“Dak” is his actual name, but it also doubles as his entire brand. That’s cool and all, but he’s been QB1 for a huge franchise for years—it’s time he got a nickname with some Dallas swagger.
2. Daniel Jones
“Danny Dimes” got old the second he stopped throwing actual dimes. If he’s going to bounce back, he needs a nickname that doesn’t feel like it was created during a hot streak in 2019.
1. Josh Allen
People throw around “JA17” or just stick with “Josh Allen,” but come on—this guy plays like a linebacker disguised as a quarterback. With that rocket arm and chaotic energy, he’s begging for a nickname that finally sticks.
