There’s nothing quite like being the starting quarterback in the NFL. The money, the endorsements, the magazine covers, the Super Bowl commercials—it’s a position built for spotlight chasers.
But sometimes, that spotlight starts to burn a little too bright. These 17 quarterbacks got a little too comfortable with the fame, the flash, and the fantasy of being a football star, and their play (or public image) suffered because of it.
17. Matt Leinart
Leinart was a college football icon before he ever took an NFL snap, and he carried himself like the star of a Hollywood movie. Unfortunately, the only thing he seemed to master in the pros was bottle service.
16. Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler always looked like he’d rather be somewhere else, unless he were lighting up a postgame press conference with a classic eye roll. He leaned into the anti-hero vibe a little too hard and became more meme than man.
15. Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football had charisma, swagger, and a national brand before even being drafted. Once he made it to the league, it seemed like the party never stopped—and neither did the headlines.
14. Baker Mayfield
From planting flags to starring in commercials before winning a playoff game, Baker’s confidence often outpaced his resume. He loved the limelight, but it didn’t always love him back.
13. Robert Griffin III
RGIII burst onto the scene like a superhero, complete with signature socks and trademark phrases. But as the fame rose, so did the drama, and his career fizzled just as fast as it started.
12. Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy G had the looks, the charm, and the movie star comparisons from the moment he hit the field. But his play rarely matched the PR glow-up, and the hype eventually outshone the results.
11. Vince Young
Young had an electric rookie year and quickly became a national sensation. But his focus seemed to drift off the field, and the pressure of stardom derailed what could’ve been a much longer career.
10. Cam Newton
Cam brought a whole lot of style to the quarterback position, both in the huddle and on the runway. But at times, the attention on his outfits outpaced the attention on his accuracy.
9. Ryan Leaf
Leaf was supposed to be the next big thing, and he acted like it—even before earning a starting job. His arrogance and off-field antics became legendary for all the wrong reasons.
8. Zach Wilson
Wilson was handed the keys to New York with a top pick and movie-star looks. But the tabloid stories and confidence never quite matched the production on the field.
7. Sam Darnold
Darnold arrived in the Big Apple with franchise-savior energy, but the pressure and fame seemed to short-circuit his development. The spotlight was hot, and he never quite figured out how to stay cool under it.
6. Joe Namath
Broadway Joe was the original quarterback celebrity, rocking fur coats and guaranteeing wins on national TV. He walked the walk in his prime, but the fame never left—even when the wins did.
5. Colin Kaepernick
Kaepernick became a household name for both his electrifying play and his outspoken activism. At a certain point, the off-field attention overwhelmed everything else, for better or worse.
4. Deshaun Watson
Watson went from rising superstar to tabloid fixture in record time. The fame turned to infamy, and the headlines became bigger than his play.
3. Russell Wilson
Mr. Unlimited went from lovable underdog to walking brand in the blink of an eye. Somewhere along the way, the carefully curated image began to feel like a distraction.
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2. Brett Favre
Favre was a larger-than-life personality who kept coming back for more, long after he should’ve ridden off into the sunset. The constant attention seemed to become part of the addiction.
Read More: 20 NFL Stars Who Never Shied Away from the Spotlight
1. Tom Brady
Yes, he’s the GOAT—but he also fully embraced the celebrity lifestyle in his later years. From reality shows to high fashion to an endless retirement tour, Brady sometimes felt more Hollywood than in the huddle.
Read More: 20 NFL Stars Who Never Shied Away from the Spotlight
