Some quarterbacks have short memories—they throw a pick and move on. Others? Not so much. These guys could recite every bad call, every slight from a coach, and every “disrespectful” analyst take like it happened five minutes ago.
Whether it was a grudge against the media, an opposing player, or even their team, these quarterbacks held onto things like their careers depended on it. Here are 15 quarterbacks who just could not let anything go.
15. Cam Newton
Cam never forgot who doubted him, and he reminded people every chance he got. Whether a fashion critique or playoff criticism, it stuck with him like a perfectly tailored hat.
14. Jay Cutler
Cutler always looked like he was still mad about something from three years ago. He had a long memory and a short temper, especially when coaches or teammates questioned him.
13. Carson Wentz
Wentz couldn’t let go of the fact that Nick Foles won the Super Bowl in Philly. That chip and the awkward locker room energy never left his shoulder.
12. Jeff George
George’s entire career felt like a grudge tour. He carried slights from coaches, teammates, and probably even traffic cops wherever he went.
11. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers never forgot a cold shoulder, a bad headline, or a missed draft pick. He plays like a guy fueled by 17 years of bookmarked Twitter slander.
10. Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football held tight to the idea that the world never gave him a fair shot. He got plenty of chances—he couldn’t release the blame from everyone else.
9. Jim McMahon
McMahon turned every perceived disrespect into a battle cry. He remembered every insult, even if he had to write it on his headband.
8. Deshaun Watson
Watson has been under public scrutiny like a permanent backpack. Every time he talks, he sounds like someone still trying to settle the score.
7. Baker Mayfield
Baker’s entire brand was built on keeping receipts. If you so much as looked at him sideways in college, there was a good chance he remembered your name and hometown.
6. Kerry Collins
Collins had a career that spanned decades, but he never forgot who gave up on him early. The man could hold a grudge across multiple franchises.
5. Jim Everett
Everett never forgot being called “Chris” by Jim Rome—and that moment lives on in sports TV history. You could see him physically tighten any time someone brought it up.
4. Jay Schroeder
Schroeder couldn’t let go of locker room battles or coaching decisions, and it followed him through every stop. His grudges became part of the scouting report.
3. Philip Rivers
Rivers never forgave a bad call or a sideline comment. He talked trash like someone who remembered every time someone skipped him in line at recess.
Read More: 15 Quarterbacks Who Took Losing Worse Than Anyone
2. Brett Favre
Favre loved a comeback almost as much as he loved holding onto drama. He never let anything end peacefully, whether it was the Packers, the Jets, or the Vikings.
Read More: The 10 Whiniest NFL Quarterbacks of All Time
1. Tom Brady
Brady treated every season like a revenge tour. Sixth-round pick, Deflategate, “he’s washed”—it all lived rent-free in his GOAT-sized brain, and he used it like fuel.
Read More: Ranking the 20 Pettiest Quarterbacks of All Time
