Quarterbacks are supposed to be leaders, but sometimes they’re a little too focused on themselves to lift the team. Whether it was constant drama, contract demands, or always needing the spotlight, these QBs made everything feel like it had to run through them.
From locker room clashes to throwing teammates under the bus, these quarterbacks made sure their narratives stayed front and center. Let’s take a look at the 15 most selfish signal-callers the league has ever seen.
15. Jay Cutler
Cutler had a rocket arm and a permanent scowl, but his “me-first” attitude wore thin in every locker room he entered. He always seemed more interested in surviving than thriving with his teammates.
14. Carson Palmer
Palmer’s messy exit from Cincinnati screamed “I’m over it,” even if it left his team hanging. Walking away mid-contract because things weren’t going his way rubbed a lot of folks the wrong way.
13. Kyler Murray
The film study clause in his contract said a lot without saying anything. Murray’s vibe often feels like he wants all the glory without the grind.
12. Brett Favre
Favre’s annual “will he or won’t he” retirement dance held teams hostage year after year. The attention seemed to matter just as much as the football.
11. Jeff George
George had the tools to be great, but his ego always seemed to be in the way. His refusal to buy into team culture led to short stays and long-term frustration.
10. Cam Newton
Cam could command a huddle like few others, but when things went south, the blame rarely landed on him. His “me against the world” mentality sometimes isolated him from his teammates.
9. Deshaun Watson
Off-field issues aside, Watson’s exit from Houston was a textbook case of player power gone sideways. He wanted out on his terms and didn’t really care how messy it got.
8. Jameis Winston
Winston always believed in himself—maybe a little too much. His high-risk style and inability to adapt felt more like proving a point than helping the team win.
7. Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben wasn’t shy about pointing fingers when things got tough. He often acted like the offense was his kingdom, whether his teammates agreed or not.
6. Eli Manning
Eli pulled the power play of all power plays when he refused to play for the Chargers. It worked out for him, sure, but it wasn’t exactly a team-first move.
5. Matt Stafford
Stafford racked up stats in Detroit but didn’t always elevate those around him. When things got tough, he didn’t hesitate to make his exit a priority.
4. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers made every offseason feel like a one-man show. Whether it was cryptic messages or contract posturing, the drama usually centered around him.
3. Michael Vick
Vick had generational talent, but he rarely showed a willingness to adapt or grow early in his career. His off-field decisions nearly cost everything—and showed a shocking lack of regard for anyone but himself.
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2. Russell Wilson
Mr. Unlimited turned into Mr. Unbearable pretty quickly. The brand, the entourage, the special treatment—it all screamed “me” way more than “we.”
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1. Terrell Pryor
Pryor may not have had a long QB career, but when he was under center, it was all about him. He never truly embraced the team concept, even when switching positions.
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