Key Takeaways
- Evolution of the Quarterback Role: From hand-off specialists to dual-threat leaders, quarterbacking has evolved to emphasize both passing and rushing abilities.
- Rise of the Dual-Threat Quarterback: Highlighted by Randall Cunningham’s achievement of 500 rushing yards in five consecutive seasons, signaling a shift towards more versatile quarterbacks.
- Top Rushing Quarterbacks Identified: Using a points system based on rushing yards, yards per carry, yards per game, and rushing touchdowns, the best rushing QBs in NFL history were ranked.
- 2000s Domination: Five of the top 10 rushing quarterbacks primarily played during the 2000s, showcasing the era’s shift towards mobile quarterbacks.
- Active Players Shining: An active quarterback is in a strong position to claim the top spot in the future, demonstrating the ongoing evolution and importance of mobility at the position.
- Notable Rankings: Michael Vick leads with the highest total rushing QB points (103/108), followed by Randall Cunningham and Steve Young, illustrating the significant impact of their rushing abilities on the game
The Best Rushing Quarterbacks in NFL [To Date]
The quarterback position has always represented the leader of the offense over the course of football history, but the duties entailed in the role have changed several times.
In the early days of the sport, when teams focused mainly on running the ball, quarterbacks mainly handed it off and rarely ran or threw it themselves. Over time, passing became more important, and the typical quarterback evolved into a pocket passer with little running responsibility.
In 1990, however, Randall Cunningham became the first quarterback to total 500 rushing yards in five straight seasons. Thus began the rise of the dual-threat quarterback, a weapon who could march his team downfield with his arms and/or legs.
To find the top rushing quarterbacks in NFL history, PointAfter looked at 27 players who have at least 2,000 rushing yards and 500 passing attempts. Each player was given between 1-27 points based on their rank in rushing yards, yards per carry, yards per game, and rushing touchdowns. Thus, the highest score possible is 108 points.
By this system, five of the top 10 rushing QBs primarily played during the 2000s — and one is an active gunslinger who’s in good shape to take over the top spot in the coming years.
Note: Ties were broken by giving advantage to active player. If neither quarterback is active, tie was given to player with more rushing yards.
#27. Mark Brunell
Total Rushing QB Points: 20/108
Career rushing yards: 2,421
Yards per carry: 4.7
Yards per game: 12.5
Touchdowns: 3
#26. Jeff Blake
Total Rushing QB Points: 21/108
Career rushing yards: 2,027
Yards per carry: 4.9
Yards per game: 16.9
Touchdowns: 2
#25. Bobby Layne
Total Rushing QB Points: 29/108
Career rushing yards: 2,451
Yards per carry: 4.0
Yards per game: 14.0
Touchdowns: 12
#24. Jeff Garcia
Total Rushing QB Points: 31/108
Career rushing yards: 2,140
Yards per carry: 4.6
Yards per game: 17.1
Touchdowns: 13
#23. Ken Anderson
Total Rushing QB Points: 33/108
Career rushing yards: 2,220
Yards per carry: 5.6
Yards per game: 11.6
Touchdowns: 6
#22. Rich Gannon
Total Rushing QB Points: 35/108
Career rushing yards: 2,449
Yards per carry: 4.7
Yards per game: 15.6
Touchdowns: 8
#21. Archie Manning
Total Rushing QB Points: 36/108
Career rushing yards: 2,197
Yards per carry: 5.7
Yards per game: 14.5
Touchdowns: 4
#20. Aaron Rodgers
Total Rushing QB Points: 38/108
Career rushing yards: 2,175
Yards per carry: 5.0
Yards per game: 17.3
Touchdowns: 8
#18. Terry Bradshaw
Total Rushing QB Points: 39/108
Career rushing yards: 2,257
Yards per carry: 5.1
Yards per game: 13.4
Touchdowns: 16
#19. Steve Grogan
Total Rushing QB Points: 40/108
Career rushing yards: 2,176
Yards per carry: 4.9
Yards per game: 14.6
Touchdowns: 20
#17. Jim Harbaugh
Total Rushing QB Points: 41/108
Career rushing yards: 2,787
Yards per carry: 5.0
Yards per game: 15.7
Touchdowns: 4
#16. Roger Staubach
Total Rushing QB Points: 47/108
Career rushing yards: 2,264
Yards per carry: 5.5
Yards per game: 17.3
Touchdowns: 6
#15. John Elway
Total Rushing QB Points: 48/108
Career rushing yards: 3,407
Yards per carry: 4.4
Yards per game: 14.6
Touchdowns: 18
#14. Russell Wilson
Total Rushing QB Points: 58/108
Career rushing yards: 2,430
Yards per carry: 5.9
Yards per game: 38.0
Touchdowns: 1
#13. Greg Landry
Total Rushing QB Points: 64/108
Career rushing yards: 2,655
Yards per carry: 6.2
Yards per game: 18.2
Touchdowns: 8
#12. Fran Tarkenton
Total Rushing QB Points: 65/108
Career rushing yards: 3,674
Yards per carry: 5.4
Yards per game: 14.9
Touchdowns: 16
#11. Bob Hoernschemeyer
Total Rushing QB Points: 66/108
Career rushing yards: 4,546
Yards per carry: 4.3
Yards per game: 40.2
Touchdowns: 14
#10. Daunte Culpepper
Total Rushing QB Points: 67/108
Career rushing yards: 2,652
Yards per carry: 5.2
Yards per game: 25.3
Touchdowns: 19
#9. Tobin Rote
Total Rushing QB Points: 68/108
Career rushing yards: 3,128
Yards per carry: 4.9
Yards per game: 21.0
Touchdowns: 23
#8. Donovan McNabb
Total Rushing QB Points: 72/108
Career rushing yards: 3,459
Yards per carry: 5.6
Yards per game: 20.7
Touchdowns: 15
#7. Bobby Douglass
Total Rushing QB Points: 73/108
Career rushing yards: 2,654
Yards per carry: 6.5
Yards per game: 29.2
Touchdowns: 11
#6. Kordell Stewart
Total Rushing QB Points: 74/108
Career rushing yards: 2,874
Yards per carry: 5.1
Yards per game: 23.0
Touchdowns: 24
#5. Steve McNair
Total Rushing QB Points: 80/108
Career rushing yards: 3,590
Yards per carry: 5.4
Yards per game: 22.3
Touchdowns: 23
#4. Cam Newton
Total Rushing QB Points: 87/108
Career rushing yards: 3,207
Yards per carry: 5.4
Yards per game: 41.1
Touchdowns: 25
#3. Steve Young
Total Rushing QB Points: 93/108
Career rushing yards: 4,239
Yards per carry: 5.9
Yards per game: 25.1
Touchdowns: 25
#2. Randall Cunningham
Total Rushing QB Points: 95/108
Career rushing yards: 4,928
Yards per carry: 6.4
Yards per game: 30.6
Touchdowns: 20
#1. Michael Vick
Total Rushing QB Points: 103/108
Career rushing yards: 6,109
Yards per carry: 7.0
Yards per game: 42.7
Touchdowns: 22