Some quarterbacks have swagger. Others have grit. And then there’s a special class of QBs who radiate maximum cheese—whether it’s their overly rehearsed interviews, cringeworthy commercials, or just a general air of trying a little too hard to be cool.
This list is for the quarterbacks who leaned into the cornball energy. The ones who made you laugh, wince, or both, every time they took the podium—or popped up in a local car dealership ad.
30. Marcus Mariota
He’s got that overly polite energy that somehow makes every postgame interview sound like a motivational speech from a youth pastor. Nothing wrong with being nice, but the cheesiness level is off the charts.
29. Sam Ehlinger
He always talks like he’s the lead in a Disney Channel sports movie. All heart, all hustle, and all kinds of cheese.
28. Jake Fromm
Every time he spoke, it felt like he was reading off a script from a faith-based football film. He meant well, but the wholesome vibe was a bit too squeaky-clean.
27. Jimmy Clausen
The spiked hair, the headband, the overconfidence—it was like he modeled his whole brand after a 2008 energy drink commercial. And it somehow got cheesier with time.
26. Colt McCoy
He’s the guy who’d give you a corny thumbs-up after handing off a touchdown. You couldn’t dislike him, but it was all very Sunday school-meets-sideline hype.
25. Kenny Pickett
From the gloves to the overly scripted media moments, he always felt like a guy trying to sell himself a little too hard. It’s all very try-hard in a finger-guns-at-the-camera kind of way.
24. Brady Quinn
He had the classic Notre Dame-to-NFL golden boy arc—and leaned into the “aw shucks, I’m just here to work” act a little too hard. Add in the cologne ads, and it became full queso.
23. Taysom Hill
The Swiss Army knife turned quarterback who gave off major “motivational speaker at your high school assembly” energy. He’s the kind of guy who’d turn a 3-yard scramble into a sermon.
22. Bo Nix
Always sounded like he was auditioning to be the next face of a southern sweet tea brand. Down-home charm, but in an almost scripted way.
21. A.J. McCarron
He had the chest tattoos, the overly dramatic BCS title game moments, and the romanticized sideline shots with his girlfriend. It was all straight out of a Hallmark football movie.
20. Mitch Trubisky
Every press conference felt like a TED Talk for middle schoolers. He meant well, but the dad-joke energy was too real.
19. Tim Boyle
His NFL career has been a backup QB masterclass in confidence with a heavy dose of cheese. The “I can be the guy” optimism, despite the stats, is low-key inspiring and cheesy.
18. Chad Henne
There’s something about his calm-but-sorta-robotic delivery that always felt like your uncle trying to explain football after a beer. Earnest, cheesy, and weirdly comforting.
17. Matt Leinart
From the dancing in college to the post-NFL analyst career, Leinart’s always had a bit of that “cool dad at the BBQ” vibe. A little too aware of the camera at all times.
16. Carson Wentz
The wholesome outdoorsman-meets-awkward-influencer energy was unmistakable. He’s the kind of guy who’d post a photo of a tree stand with an inspirational Bible quote.
15. Josh McCown
Every team’s favorite clipboard-wielding dad. He somehow made mentoring young QBs feel like a role in a made-for-TV football drama.
14. Trevor Siemian
Nothing about him screams flashy, but that’s what makes the corniness pop. He’s got the “dad who still wears his high school letterman jacket” aura.
13. Blaine Gabbert
From the hair to the forced leadership tone, he had a vibe that felt like a local morning news anchor turned QB. There’s charm there, but it’s pure cheddar.
12. Christian Ponder
Every soundbite was laced with safe answers and sanitized optimism. Add in the ESPN marriage storyline, and it felt like a rom-com waiting to happen.
11. Nathan Peterman
You almost rooted for him just because he tried so hard despite the results. But there was a “Hallmark Christmas movie QB replacement” feel to everything he did.
10. Andy Dalton
The red rifle always had a squeaky-clean, youth pastor energy to it. Whether it was the hair, the smile, or the interviews, it was all classic cornball.
9. Zach Wilson
From the “I’m just a kid from BYU” speeches to the reality TV energy of his off-field drama, it was a weird combo of PG and cringe. He felt like a QB designed by Instagram filters.
8. Jake Locker
He gave off major “I’d rather be fishing” energy while still trying to lead a locker room. Earnest to a fault, and cheesy in that “I’m just here to work hard” kind of way.
7. Tim Tebow
An icon of faith, hustle, and scripted interviews that could’ve doubled as youth group devotionals. He meant every word—but man, it was Grade-A cheese.
6. Brady White
If you remember him, it’s probably for his ultra-rehearsed postgame quotes and “team-first, always” platitudes. He sounded like a football-themed greeting card.
5. Kevin Kolb
He had the look of a soap opera actor and the game of a substitute teacher with a whistle. His brief moment in the spotlight was as awkward as it was cheesy.
4. Matt Barkley
He always felt like the high school prom king who never stopped talking about “the glory days.” Even his NFL moments felt like sequels to a high school football movie.
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3. Johnny Manziel
He wanted to be flashy, edgy, and bold—but it often landed closer to cringeworthy and try-hard. The money sign, the interviews, the whole aura screamed over-the-top cheese.
Read More: 25 Athletes Who Treated Every Interview Like a TED Talk
2. Russell Wilson
From the “Let’s ride” catchphrase to his overly dramatic hype videos, it’s all very cinematic… in a Hallmark Channel kind of way. You almost expect him to break into a speech about teamwork and blessings after every snap.
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1. Tony Romo
He somehow turned the lovable dork persona into a career. Whether it was his goofy charisma as a player or his cartoonishly enthusiastic broadcasting style, Romo will always be the crown prince of quarterback cheese.
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