Some quarterbacks light up the field and win over fans with every throw. Others? Not so much. Whether it’s their attitude, off-field drama, or just something about how they carry themselves, a few signal-callers have made it tough for even their fan bases to get behind them fully.
This list isn’t necessarily about talent or lack thereof. It’s about vibes, headlines, and those unexplainable moments that make you say, “I just can’t root for this guy.”
20. Desmond Ridder
He never inspired much confidence under center, and the constant turnovers didn’t help his case. Fans were more relieved than heartbroken when the Falcons moved on.
19. Blake Bortles
He somehow stuck around forever without really proving he belonged. The memes were better than the football.
18. Jay Cutler
The arm talent was there, but the body language was not. He looked permanently bored, even when throwing a touchdown.
17. Sam Bradford
He was the king of getting paid and doing very little. Injuries and bland play made him impossible to get excited about.
16. Baker Mayfield
His underdog story had promise, but the cockiness and constant commercials wore thin quickly. He talks like a franchise guy but hasn’t consistently played like one.
15. Jeff George
Elite arm, elite attitude problems. Coaches and teammates never seemed thrilled to share a huddle with him.
14. Cam Newton
Some loved the swagger, others found it exhausting. He danced and dabbed, but when the losses piled up, the confidence came off as cocky.
13. Carson Wentz
He looked like a quarterback built in a lab until things went sideways. Between the injuries and locker room questions, the trust disappeared fast.
12. Ryan Leaf
It was one of the biggest busts in NFL history, and he wasn’t exactly humble about it during his playing days. Fans quickly tired of the excuses and meltdowns.
11. Kyler Murray
He’s electrifying when locked in, but the attitude questions and “does he even like football?” rumors have made it tough for some fans to connect. The video game clause in his contract didn’t help.
10. Mitch Trubisky
It wasn’t his fault he was drafted over Mahomes and Watson, but he never played like a guy worth defending. Bears fans were left constantly shrugging.
9. Mark Sanchez
The “Butt Fumble” will live in infamy, but his play was tough to root for even before that. He never looked comfortable as a starter.
8. Colin Kaepernick
Whether you saw him as a hero or a headache, there was no in-between. By the end of his run, he became more of a symbol than a quarterback.
7. Josh Rosen
He entered the league like he had something to prove—and then proved very little. His arrogance didn’t match his production, and fans moved on fast.
6. Ben Roethlisberger
Even with the rings and talent, his off-field accusations and general aloofness rubbed many fans the wrong way. He never gave off the approachable franchise guy energy.
5. Johnny Manziel
He was made for the spotlight and then quickly burned out under it. It was hard to root for the chaos caused by the partying and poor decisions.
4. Aaron Rodgers
He’s among the most talented QBs ever, but the aloof interviews and constant drama have soured many fans. He’s always sounded like the smartest guy in the room—even when he wasn’t.
3. Jameis Winston
You wanted to root for the talent, but then he’d throw four picks and eat a W. The inconsistency and off-field issues made him a complicated fan experience.
2. Zach Wilson
The confidence never seemed earned, and the performance rarely matched the hype. Even Jets fans had a hard time pretending they believed.
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1. Deshaun Watson
No quarterback has had a dramatic fall from fan favorite to football pariah. Legal issues, suspensions, and injuries have made him incredibly difficult to cheer for.
Read More: Ranking the 10 Most Frustrating NFL Teams to Root For
