Being an NFL quarterback isn’t just about throwing touchdowns and calling plays—it also means being a leader who can rally the locker room. But for some quarterbacks, leadership wasn’t exactly their strong suit, and things behind the scenes got downright messy.
Whether it was clashing with coaches, calling out teammates, or just having a little too much ego for the room, these guys stirred the pot more than they settled it. From diva antics to full-on mutinies, here are 13 quarterbacks who brought pure chaos to their locker rooms.
13. Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler never seemed all that interested in winning over his teammates, and his “whatever” energy didn’t exactly inspire confidence. Known for his icy stare and detached vibe, he had more than a few locker room skeptics throughout his career.
12. Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football brought a party lifestyle to the NFL, and it didn’t mesh well with the whole “professional athlete” thing. His lack of preparation and off-field distractions made him a headache for coaches and teammates alike.
11. Carson Wentz
Wentz went from MVP candidate to locker room scapegoat in what felt like record time. His reported stubbornness and disconnect from teammates turned both the Philly and Indy locker rooms into tense environments.
10. Jameis Winston
Jameis was always good for a soundbite, but sometimes his antics crossed the line into pure distraction. Between questionable leadership moments and erratic play, he didn’t exactly bring stability to the huddle.
9. Cam Newton
When Cam was at his peak, he was electric—but not everyone loved the Superman act behind closed doors. His flamboyant style and strong personality occasionally rubbed teammates the wrong way, especially when things went south.
8. Rex Grossman
“Sexy Rexy” had the swagger of a Hall of Famer but the inconsistency of a backup, and that combo didn’t always sit well with his teammates. His confidence never wavered—even when his play said it probably should.
7. Vince Young
Vince Young’s early promise faded fast, and his relationship with coaches and teammates got rocky quickly. His emotional outbursts and clashes with authority made for some seriously awkward locker room moments.
6. Jeff George
Jeff George had a cannon for an arm and a personality that could split a team in two. His inability to take criticism and frequent spats with coaches made him one of the most infamous locker room agitators of his era.
5. Kyler Murray
Despite his talent, Kyler has developed a reputation for being aloof and difficult to coach. Reports of bad body language, poor communication, and locker room disconnect have followed him in Arizona.
4. Ryan Leaf
One of the biggest draft busts ever, Ryan Leaf flamed out in spectacular fashion—and torched a few locker rooms on his way down. He clashed with teammates, berated reporters, and melted under pressure.
3. Baker Mayfield
Baker brought energy and fire, but sometimes it boiled over into unnecessary drama. Whether he was calling out coaches or firing back at critics, he kept things spicy—and not always in a good way.
Read More: 14 NFL Coaches Who Lost the Locker Room Fast
2. Colin Kaepernick
Kaepernick divided not just a locker room, but the entire football world. His leadership style wasn’t for everyone, and the political spotlight added even more tension behind closed doors.
Read More: 16 Quarterbacks Who Lost the Locker Room
1. Brett Favre
Favre’s endless retirement sagas and diva tendencies kept his teams in a constant state of uncertainty. From skipping offseason programs to making everything about him, he stirred up chaos like only a true gunslinger could.
Read More: 20 NFL Quarterbacks Who Were All About the Locker Room
