![Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12)] celebrates during the Green Bay Packers 24-16 win over the Carolina Panthers in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sunday, November 10, 2019. RICK WOOD/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL](https://thequickreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Untitled-design-5-1.png)
In the NFL, the quarterback is supposed to be the leader on the field, but that doesn’t mean they get to run the entire show. Some QBs, however, had difficulty remembering that their coach wasn’t just a supporting actor in their football drama.
Whether it was undermining play calls, going rogue in the huddle, or acting like the coach was lucky to be in their presence, these quarterbacks thought they were the main character—and treated their coach accordingly. Here are ten signal-callers who didn’t just play the game, they tried to direct it too.
10. Cam Newton
Cam had the swagger, the arm, and the spotlight—and sometimes that meant Ron Rivera got left in the shadows. When Cam was rolling, it felt like he was running his production, and everyone else was trying to keep up.
9. Jay Cutler
Cutler’s body language alone told you he wasn’t interested in being coached. He often looked like he was tolerating his coaches at best and ignoring them at worst.
8. Kyler Murray
Reports of Kyler tuning out coaching suggestions became a frequent subplot in Arizona. When your QB has his study clause in the contract, it’s a sign he’s not exactly embracing the team dynamic.
7. Ben Roethlisberger
Ben had no problem making it clear he ran the Steelers’ offense as he saw fit. Over the years, more than one coordinator probably felt like they were just there for moral support.
6. Jim McMahon
McMahon played like a quarterback and carried himself like a rock star. Mike Ditka may have been the head coach, but McMahon often acted like he was running the show, especially if cameras were around.
5. Deshaun Watson
Even before his off-field controversies, Watson was already challenging coaches behind the scenes. He clarified that he wanted more say in team decisions and less oversight from the sidelines.
4. Baker Mayfield
Baker didn’t just challenge coaches—he aired it in postgame pressers and interviews. If things weren’t going his way, someone on the headset was probably getting blamed.
3. Brett Favre
Favre had a reputation for freelancing and going off-script, much to the chagrin of his coaches. Sure, he made magic happen, but it usually looked like he was doing it with a shrug and a smirk, not a game plan.
Read More: Ranking the 20 Best Quarterbacks Playing Right Now
2. Aaron Rodgers
![Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12)] celebrates during the Green Bay Packers 24-16 win over the Carolina Panthers in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Sunday, November 10, 2019. RICK WOOD/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL](https://thequickreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Untitled-design-5-1-1024x658.png)
Rodgers might be the poster child for QB-coach tension in the modern NFL. From passive-aggressive comments to audible eye rolls, he clarified who he thought the smartest guy in the building was.
Read More: 15 Quarterbacks Who Thought the Franchise Revolved Around Them
1. Tom Brady (Tampa Edition)
In New England, Brady was all business with Belichick. But once he hit Tampa, it felt like Bruce Arians was more of a guest star on The Tom Brady Show—especially when Brady drew up plays on the sideline like a coordinator with six rings.
Read More: 10 Quarterbacks Who Thought They Were Smarter Than Their Coach
