14 Quarterbacks Who Were a PR Nightmare Waiting to Happen

There’s the quarterback you want leading your team, and then there’s the quarterback you dread seeing at the postgame mic. Some guys could throw a dime under pressure, but completely unravel when the cameras started rolling.

Whether outlandish comments or a complete lack of filter, these quarterbacks seemed to generate headlines for all the wrong reasons. Let’s count down the QBs who gave PR departments across the league cold sweats.

14. Cam Newton

Cam Newton could dazzle on the field and dominate the mic—sometimes too much. His larger-than-life personality often walked a fine line between confidence and controversy.

13. Jeff George

Jeff George was the prototype for talent without tact. Coaches, teammates, and the media found him difficult, and he rarely missed a chance to stir the pot.

12. Johnny Manziel

Johnny Football was a walking headline, but not in a good way. His off-field antics overshadowed his play, and teams were constantly stuck doing damage control.

11. Jameis Winston

Jameis Winston had moments of brilliance and plenty of bewilderment. From odd interviews to off-field red flags, he kept PR teams on their toes.

10. Deshaun Watson

Watson’s fall from grace was swift and messy. Once seen as the league’s next golden boy, he became the centerpiece of a media firestorm that’s still burning.

9. Baker Mayfield

Baker was always ready with a snarky quote and never shied away from clapping back. His confidence turned combative quickly, especially when things weren’t going well.

8. Brett Favre

Favre had the “aw shucks” charm—until he didn’t. He turned his final years into a PR rollercoaster from retirement flip-flops to off-field scandals.

7. Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers is brilliant and bizarre in equal measure. From conspiracy talk to feuding with the front office, he’s made headlines as much for interviews as for touchdowns.

6. Michael Vick

At one point, Vick was the face of the league’s most shocking scandal. His off-field issues sent shockwaves through the NFL and forced teams into full-blown PR crisis mode.

5. Colin Kaepernick

Kaepernick became one of the most polarizing figures in sports without saying much at all. Teams feared the media firestorm that followed him, regardless of where you stood.

4. Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler had a cannon for an arm and a face that said, “I’d rather be anywhere else.” His indifferent attitude became meme-worthy, making every press conference a hostage video.

3. Vince Young

Vince Young had sky-high expectations and a dramatic fall. His emotional pressures and off-field issues made for constant cleanup behind the scenes.

Read More: 10 Quarterbacks Who Thought They Were Smarter Than Their Coach

2. Joe Namath

Broadway Joe was as flashy off the field as he was on it. Whether it was fur coats, parties, or infamous sideline interviews, he made PR folks earn their paychecks.

Read More: 15 Quarterbacks Who Forgot It’s a Team Sport

1. Terrell Pryor

Pryor dabbled in quarterbacking and chaos simultaneously. His run-ins with controversy made him unpredictable and a constant headache for anyone tasked with managing optics.

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