Quarterbacks are the face of every NFL franchise, but some guys take that a little too literally. They don’t just want to lead the team — they want to be the team, the owner, the general manager, and sometimes even the offensive coordinator.
From passive-aggressive press conferences to behind-the-scenes power moves, these quarterbacks treated their franchises like personal fiefdoms. Whether they had the résumé to back it up, they ensured everyone knew who the real boss was (or at least who they thought it was).
15. Jay Cutler
Cutler played like the offense was his to control — and his alone. He gave off the vibe that the team was lucky to have him, even when the results didn’t exactly scream elite.
14. Carson Wentz
Wentz walked into Philly like the savior and left with a statue of his backup outside the stadium. Then he tried to rerun the “I’m the guy” script in Indy and Washington, which flopped both times.
13. Cam Newton
Cam brought style, swagger, and MVP talent, but he also ensured everything ran through him — fashion choices included. He could light up a stadium, but he didn’t exactly fade into the background when things didn’t go his way.
12. Jeff George
Jeff George would be a first-ballot inductee if there were a Hall of Fame for arm talent and stubbornness. He had a cannon and believed he knew better than everyone else on the field and the sidelines.
11. Jameis Winston
Winston carried himself like a franchise quarterback long after the turnovers said otherwise. Confidence was never the issue — he fully believed the team went as he went, for better or (often) worse.
10. Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy G had the looks, the charisma, and the “I’m the guy” aura, even when the team kept drafting his replacements. He seemed more shocked than anyone every time someone else got the nod.
9. Deshaun Watson
Watson showed star potential in Houston, then made it clear he wanted a say in everything. From roster moves to ownership decisions, he wanted control — and the Texans eventually gave him an exit instead.
8. Robert Griffin III
RGIII’s rookie year was electric, but he quickly started acting like he was the offensive coordinator. He and Washington’s coaches were never on the same page, mostly because he thought he was writing the playbook.
7. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers made a habit of passive-aggressively reminding everyone who ran Green Bay. Whether it was cryptic interviews or offseason drama, he played the QB role like it came with a CEO title. And let’s not even start on his time with the Jets.
6. Eli Manning
Eli rarely raised his voice, but he didn’t need to — he made it clear the Manning legacy loomed large. Ask the Chargers how the 2004 draft went when they tried to steer the story.
5. Russell Wilson
Russ wanted to cook, and then he wanted to be GM, head coach, and possibly mayor of Denver. His time with the Broncos is over — as is his time with the Steelers — so we’ll have to see how he does in New York.
4. Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben acted like he owned the offense; it sometimes felt like he did. From throwing shade at teammates to lobbying for more power, he ran the Steelers on his terms.
3. Baker Mayfield
Baker brought bravado and commercials before the playoff wins. He was the heartbeat of the Browns — until the team decided to reboot the entire operation without him. Now with the Bucs, he’s doing his best to make them genuine playoff contenders.
2. Brett Favre
Favre treated retirement like a yearly power move to keep the Packers waiting on his decision. He acted like the team existed in his shadow — and then he made sure to stick it to them in purple.
1. Tom Brady
Even with six rings, Brady wasn’t just the quarterback — he was the system. When he left New England, he took the playbook, the culture, and a few handpicked teammates to Tampa Bay and won another Super Bowl to prove his point.
Read More: 10 Quarterbacks Who Thought They Were Smarter Than Their Coach
