Quarterbacks are supposed to be the face of the franchise, but some take that a little too literally. They walk into the facility like they own the building, act like their name is on the lease, and forget that football is a team sport.
No matter how many others were on the field, these guys gave off “this is my team” energy. From subtle power grabs to full-blown ego parades, here are 15 quarterbacks who thought the franchise revolved around them.
15. Carson Wentz
He went from MVP candidate to acting like the Eagles owed him eternal loyalty. Wentz’s vibe screamed “I’m the guy,” even after the team won a Super Bowl without him.
14. Cam Newton
Cam showed up to every press conference like it was his runway and every play like his one-man show. When things were good, he was the king—when they weren’t, he still acted like the kingdom was his.
13. Deshaun Watson
Before everything off the field unraveled, Watson was already giving “this team goes as I go” vibes in Houston. His talent was undeniable, but so was the sense that he thought he was bigger than the franchise.
12. Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler played like he was allergic to input from others. The body language alone said, “I’m the only one who matters here.”
11. Matt Stafford (Lions Era)
Stafford was the entire offense, defense, and front office rolled into one in Detroit. The Lions leaned so hard on him that he practically became the brand.
10. Tony Romo
Romo was beloved, marketable, and somehow always just a little too central to every Cowboys storyline. For a guy who didn’t win that much, he acted like the franchise lived and died with him.
9. Philip Rivers
He didn’t just run the Chargers’ offense—he was the Chargers. Rivers had that “coach on the field” energy with a side of “I’m the only reason we’re in this game.”
8. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers has long operated like a quarterback-slash-GM hybrid. Whether it was passive-aggressive pressers or personnel demands, he made it clear the Packers (and later Jets) were his stage.
7. Donovan McNabb
McNabb’s time in Philly was filled with talent and tension, and he often seemed to believe he was above it all. From feuds with teammates to sideline smirks, he gave off “this is my show” vibes from start to finish.
6. Eli Manning
He had two rings and the family name, and sometimes it felt like Eli thought that was enough to justify doing things his way. For a guy with a sleepy expression, he sure had a quiet sense of entitlement.
5. Joe Namath
Broadway Joe didn’t just play for the Jets—he was the Jets. His swagger, press presence, and fashion sense made it seem like everyone else was just a guest star.
4. Russell Wilson
Mr. Unlimited wanted to be the face of everything—from the Seahawks to Subway commercials. And when things started going south, it never really felt like he saw himself as part of the problem.
3. Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben had major “I run this place” energy for most of his career. The Steelers often felt like passengers on his ride, even when he held them back.
Read More: 30 NFL Stars Who Brought More Ego Than Skill
2. Peyton Manning
Peyton wasn’t just a quarterback—he was the offensive coordinator, film room director, and probably the guy calling the snack orders, too. He controlled everything, and he liked it that way.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Self-Important Quarterbacks of All Time
1. Tom Brady
Nobody played the “I am the franchise” card better than TB12. Even when he left the Patriots, he turned the Buccaneers into Brady Inc. overnight.
Read More: 15 Quarterbacks Who Thought the Franchise Revolved Around Them
