19 NFL Quarterbacks Who Thought They Were Celebs First, Athletes Second

Quarterbacks are the faces of the franchise—and some take that a little too literally. While some QBs grind in the film room, others seem more focused on their brand deals, red carpet appearances, and perfectly filtered Instagram posts.

There’s nothing wrong with a little off-field shine, but these guys often blurred the line between gridiron general and Hollywood hopeful. Whether it was dating pop stars, chasing movie cameos, or acting like influencers in shoulder pads, these quarterbacks gave off major “celebrity first, football second” energy.

19. Jimmy Garoppolo

NFL Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo
Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Jimmy G looked more like a fashion model than a football player most of the time. Between the jawline, the smirks, and the designer fits, it always felt like he was auditioning for GQ more than leading a huddle.

18. Zach Wilson

Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson (4) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High.
Ron Chenoy / Imagn Images

Zach Wilson leaned into his pretty-boy persona and viral gossip more than his reads and footwork. At one point, the memes were more famous than his actual play.

17. Cam Newton

Jan 3, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Cam was never one to blend in—especially with his postgame outfits stealing the spotlight. Sometimes it felt like he was more invested in his wardrobe than his playbook.

16. Tony Romo

Jan 1, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Tony had the tabloid resume of a pop star before becoming America’s favorite broadcaster. Between the Jessica Simpson days and the golf tournaments, he gave off serious celebrity vibes.

15. Baker Mayfield

Feb 1, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws the ball during NFC Practice for the Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Baker had the swagger and commercial spots of a superstar before fully proving himself on the field. He treated every mic like a camera and every moment like a spotlight.

14. Sam Darnold

Jun 11, 2025; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes the ball during mini-camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Sam Darnold got hyped like a Hollywood lead even when the performances didn’t match. The stardom always seemed to be chasing him—whether he asked for it or not.

13. Jay Cutler

Dec 24, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Jay had that uninterested smirk that somehow made him more famous than his actual stats. His reality TV turn post-retirement only cemented the “celebrity in disguise” energy.

12. Johnny Manziel

Feb 2, 2017; Katy, TX, USA; Sherry Collins, of Waco, Texas and former Texas A&M quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel have fun talking with each other as Manziel walked out for a portrait session inside Stadium Signatures inside the Katy Mills Mall. Collins was first in line and waited 3 hours to get a picture taken with Manziel and an autograph. Hundreds of Texas A&M fans and alumni paid $99 to have their picture taken with Manziel or the $99 allowed them to get one item autographed by Manziel who is still loved in the state of Texas for many. Mandatory Credit: Eric Seals-Imagn Images
Eric Seals-Imagn Images

Johnny Football was more interested in the nightlife than the night games. He acted like a rockstar quarterback before he ever became a reliable one.

11. Matt Leinart

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Leinart (11) prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium
Mitch Stringer / Imagn Images

Leinart rode the celebrity train hard after USC, with more headlines about who he was dating than what he was doing on Sundays. Hollywood Matt didn’t quite translate to NFL Matt.

10. Mark Sanchez

McCallum wide receiver Mark Sanchez catches a pass in the first half of the game against Connally at the Pfield, Sept. 8, 2023 in Pflugervile. The Connally Cougars won the game 56-42 against the McCallum Knights

The Sanchize was in every magazine and commercial for a hot minute. But eventually, the glitz outshined the game—and the Butt Fumble sealed it.

9. Josh Rosen

Aug 21, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh Rosen (19) throws a pass during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Rosen entered the league talking like a brand ambassador before he’d even played a snap. His vibe was always more boutique lifestyle blog than backup quarterback.

8. Colin Kaepernick

Jan 1, 2017; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) passes the football while being rushed by Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril (56) during the first quarter at Levis Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

Kap became a global icon for his activism, but even before that, his public persona was larger than life. Tattoos, endorsements, and headlines followed him everywhere.

7. Justin Fields

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields (1) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2021 CFP National Championship Game.
Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images

Fields seemed destined for stardom the moment he hit the league—with hype videos, marketing deals, and photo shoots galore. The brand blossomed before the wins.

6. Vince Young

Green Bay Packers quarterback Vince Young (13) looks to the sidelines during the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Denny Medley / Imagn Images

Vince showed flashes of greatness, but his off-field persona often stole the show. Whether it was entourages or flashy spending, he walked like a celebrity even when the game didn’t back it up.

5. Jameis Winston

East Rutherford, NJ -- June 5, 2025 -- Quarterbacks, Jameis Winston as the New York Giants players participate in their 2025 OTAÕs at the Quest Diagnostic Giants Training Center in East Rutherford.
Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jameis was always doing or saying something that went viral—on and off the field. He had the energy of a talk show guest trapped in a QB room.

4. Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field.
Ken Blaze / Imagn Images

Watson leaned into the fame early with sleek sponsorships and public appearances. Then everything turned—and the celebrity spotlight got way darker.

3. Joe Namath

New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath (12) on the sideline against the New York Giants during the 1969 pre-season at the Yale Bowl.
Malcolm Emmons / Imagn Images

Broadway Joe basically invented the “celebrity QB” blueprint. Fur coats, nightclubs, and bold guarantees made him as famous as any rockstar of his era.

Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Self-Important Quarterbacks of All Time

2. Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson, quarterback with the NY Giants, is shown during a practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center
Anne-Marie Caruso / Imagn Images

Russ has fully embraced the role of polished brand-builder, from sleek suits to social media sermons. Sometimes it feels like he’s running a PR campaign more than a two-minute drill.

Read More: The 13 Most Athletic Quarterbacks Ever

1. Aaron Rodgers

Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images
Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

Rodgers is a Super Bowl champ, sure—but lately he’s acted more like a podcaster-philosopher than a field general. With every headline-grabbing opinion, he inches further from quarterback and closer to cultural commentator.

Read More: 15 Heisman Hopefuls Who Believed Their Own Hype Way Too Soon

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