Some quarterbacks win fans over. Others? Well, they become the guy fans love to boo—even if they’re secretly a little jealous of the success.
Whether it was the cocky attitude, media drama, poor play, or just being in the wrong uniform, these quarterbacks found themselves on the receiving end of a lot of fan frustration. From polarizing personalities to overhyped prospects, here are 18 quarterbacks fans loved to hate.
18. Kerry Collins
He bounced around the league and had a few solid seasons, but Collins always seemed to have a permanent scowl and a knack for rubbing fans the wrong way. Add in some off-field baggage early in his career, and public opinion was rarely kind.
17. Blake Bortles
He somehow became a meme more than a quarterback. Even when he won games, fans questioned whether he played well, and that reputation stuck.
16. Jeff George
Big arm, bigger ego. Fans were never shy about their distaste for his attitude, and his knack for clashing with coaches didn’t exactly help his case.
15. Colin Kaepernick
Some hated him for football reasons, others for political ones, but he was never just another quarterback. He was polarizing from the moment he took over in San Francisco—and that only intensified as his career unfolded.
14. Chris Simms
The last name gave him a platform, but fans were never quite sold. Between injuries and underwhelming play, many thought he was handed opportunities he didn’t earn.
13. Mitchell Trubisky
Getting drafted ahead of Mahomes and Watson painted a giant target on his back. No matter what he did, fans seemed ready to pounce—and Bears fans especially.
12. Boomer Esiason
He had a solid career, but his on-air smugness after retirement only fueled old frustrations. Boomer was loud, confident, and very easy to root against if you weren’t a Bengals fan.
11. Cam Newton
From his flashy outfits to his dab celebrations, Cam made sure you noticed him. That confidence came off as arrogance to a lot of fans, especially when things weren’t going well.
10. Matt Leinart
He came into the NFL with Hollywood swagger and a Heisman glow. But fans quickly soured when the production didn’t match the hype—or the party-boy image.
9. Deshaun Watson
Once beloved for his talent, Watson’s off-field issues turned him into a lightning rod. Fans across the league made their feelings clear when he returned to the field.
8. Johnny Manziel
“Johnny Football” became “Johnny Fallout” in record time. His antics, both on and off the field, made him a magnet for criticism and eye-rolls.
7. Carson Wentz
The fall from MVP-caliber to “is he even good?” was steep. Fans are tired of the inconsistency, the injuries, and the ever-present look of confusion.
6. Jay Cutler
He had the arm, but never the attitude fans wanted. His sideline demeanor alone was enough to make people want to throw things at their TV.
5. Michael Vick
Before the scandal, he was already a divisive figure for his play style. After the scandal, he became a symbol of controversy, redemption, and endless debate.
4. Tony Romo
He was either a choker or a clutch machine—depending on which week you caught him. Romo’s every mistake was magnified, and he became the poster boy for Cowboys overhype.
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3. Eli Manning
Two Super Bowls couldn’t erase the years of confusion on his face after interceptions. Fans found him boring, inconsistent, and somehow still clutch, which only made the hate more intense.
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2. Baker Mayfield
From planting flags to firing off hot takes, Baker always had something to prove—and wasn’t subtle about it. Fans either loved the swagger or rooted hard for him to fail.
Read More: The 15 Best Trick-Play Quarterbacks Ever
1. Tom Brady
The GOAT won too much, smiled too perfectly, and crushed too many dreams. Whether it was Deflategate or just pure envy, nobody attracted more hate—and more rings—than Brady.
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