There are quarterbacks everyone agrees are legends, and then there are the ones who seem to exist solely to divide group chats and sports bars. These guys have had great games, awful games, flashes of brilliance, and moments that made fans want to throw their remotes.
Whether it’s their stats, their playoff performances, or just their vibes, these quarterbacks are magnets for debate. Some fans swear they’re underrated gems; others think they’ve been riding hype trains for years — and honestly, both sides might have a point.
15. Daniel Jones
Some think he’s a tough, athletic QB who needs the right pieces around him. Others think he’s been given more chances than he’s earned.
14. Ryan Tannehill
There was a stretch where he appeared to be the most efficient quarterback in football. And yet, many still see him as a glorified game manager who rode Derrick Henry’s coattails.
13. Derek Carr
Carr’s defenders pointed to his stats and leadership. His critics say he was allergic to winning time and folded when the lights got bright.
12. Tua Tagovailoa
Tua puts up pretty numbers in a fast-paced offense, but is it the system or the quarterback doing the work? The health questions and deep-ball concerns keep the argument alive.
11. Justin Fields
Some see a raw athlete with superstar potential. Others think he holds the ball too long and hasn’t developed as a passer.
10. Tony Romo
He put up big numbers and had clutch moments, but the playoff shortcomings always seem to define him. Depending on who you ask, he was either criminally underrated or a yearly letdown.
9. Dak Prescott
Dak has had incredible regular seasons, but playoff results have been underwhelming. Some say he’s a top-tier QB; others say he’s just good enough to break your heart.
8. Cam Newton
At his peak, Cam was an MVP and nearly unstoppable. However, the inconsistency and post-injury drop-off provided plenty of ammunition to the skeptics.
7. Carson Wentz
He was almost the MVP in 2017, then watched his backup win the Super Bowl. Every step since has made people wonder whether that one season was a fluke.
6. Jimmy Garoppolo
He won a lot of games for San Francisco and looked good doing it — until he didn’t. People can’t decide if he’s clutch or was just carried by stacked rosters.
5. Jay Cutler
Big arm, zero emotion, and tons of turnovers. Some saw the talent, others couldn’t get past the interceptions and the permanent scowl.
4. Kirk Cousins
Statistically solid, occasionally spectacular, but often forgettable when it matters most. He’s either the most underappreciated QB of his era or exactly as good as his record says.
3. Matt Ryan
He won an MVP and made a Super Bowl, but we all know how that turned out. Some think he’s a Hall of Famer; others believe he was just along for the ride in a perfect system.
Read More: Ranking the 30 Best Quarterbacks of All Time
2. Eli Manning
Two rings speak for themselves — or do they? He was wildly inconsistent in the regular season but legendary in the postseason, making him the ultimate “good or not?” question.
Read More: 10 Quarterbacks Who Need to Prove They’re Still “That Guy” This Year
1. Joe Flacco
Is he elite? That question launched a thousand debates. He got hot at the right time and won a Super Bowl, but most of his career was a rollercoaster of mediocrity and magic.
Read More: 10 NFL Quarterbacks Who Aren’t as Elite as People Think
