Not every quarterback turns out to be the franchise savior they were hyped up to be. Some brought drama, turnovers, and chaos instead of wins, leaving fans wondering if the headache was even remotely worth the arm talent.
Whether it was constant media drama, locker room issues, or a knack for melting down in big moments, these quarterbacks proved to be more of a liability than an asset. Here are 12 QBs who brought more trouble than triumph.
12. Carson Wentz
He looked like an MVP for about ten minutes, and then everything unraveled fast. Injuries, locker room tension, and baffling decisions made him more of a burden than a blessing.
11. Baker Mayfield
He had the swagger, the commercials, and the soundbites, but consistent production never followed. When things didn’t go his way, the finger-pointing usually started.
10. Jay Cutler
He had the arm strength of a cannon and the body language of someone who’d rather be anywhere else. Coaches and teammates never quite knew what version of Cutler they were getting each Sunday.
9. Vince Young
He burst onto the scene with raw talent and sky-high expectations, but maturity issues derailed it all. The off-field drama often drowned out whatever upside he still had left.
8. Deshaun Watson
Even before the off-field controversies took over the headlines, his situation in Houston was becoming unmanageable. Now, he’s more associated with distractions than success.
7. Robert Griffin III
The hype was unreal after his rookie year, but so was the ego that followed. Injuries and friction with coaches sent his promising career into a fast downward spiral.
6. Zach Wilson
Instead of being the Jets’ long-awaited savior, he turned into a weekly talking point for all the wrong reasons. Between the poor reads and bizarre interviews, it was one long headache in New York.
5. Cam Newton
At his best, he was unstoppable—but when things went south, so did the attitude. The Superman act wore thin when the wins disappeared and the fashion show kept rolling.
4. Jeff George
If there were a Hall of Fame for talent wasted by attitude, he’d be a first-ballot entry. No matter the team, George seemed to leave a trail of broken relationships behind.
3. Jameis Winston
You never knew if he was going to throw for 400 yards or five interceptions—and sometimes it was both. The unpredictability became exhausting, even if it was occasionally entertaining.
2. Johnny Manziel
The nickname was Johnny Football, but it quickly turned into Johnny Distraction. Off-field antics and a lack of commitment made him a walking red flag from day one.
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1. Russell Wilson
What started as a feel-good story turned into a full-blown soap opera. From the cringeworthy catchphrases to the behind-the-scenes drama, his recent chapters have been far more trouble than triumph.
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