When it comes to the NFL, confidence is part of the job description. But some players cross the line from swagger into straight-up delusion—and then fail to back it up on the field.
These are the guys who called their shots, hyped themselves up, and then didn’t exactly deliver. Whether it was empty trash talk, self-given nicknames, or declarations of greatness, these 16 players were all bark and no bite.
16. Vince Young
He once dubbed the Eagles the “Dream Team” before the season even started. Spoiler alert: that dream quickly turned into a nightmare.
15. Rex Grossman
He talked like he was Brady, but played more like a backup’s backup. “Sexy Rexy” had confidence for days, and the stat line of a guy you forgot was still in the league.
14. Freddie Mitchell
Known more for thanking his hands than making plays with them, Mitchell hyped himself into punchline territory. His career peaked with one big catch and a whole lot of interviews.
13. Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football was electric in college and obnoxiously self-assured in the pros. Too bad he flamed out before the ink dried on his rookie contract.
12. Matt Leinart
Leinart came into the NFL with Hollywood hair and Heisman hype. But after a few mediocre starts and even more parties, he was relegated to clipboard duty.
11. Jalen Reagor
He chirped about proving doubters wrong after being drafted over Justin Jefferson. That aged poorly—very poorly.
10. Cortland Finnegan
Finnegan talked smack like he was a shutdown corner, but his coverage skills didn’t always match his mouth. He got beaten often and then beaten up by Andre Johnson.
9. Blake Bortles
Bortles had occasional flashes but always seemed far more confident than his game deserved. He talked big in interviews but rarely delivered anything beyond mediocrity.
8. Mike Williams (USC)
He sued the NFL to enter the draft early, then talked himself up as the next big thing. It turns out, his NFL stint was a whole lot of nothing.
7. Jimmy Clausen
Clausen said teams would regret passing on him. The only regret was from the team that didn’t.
6. Kellen Winslow Jr.
He once screamed “I’m a soldier!” in an infamous post-game rant. Then he spent most of his career getting injured, suspended, or benched.
5. Kevin Kolb
The Eagles handed him the keys like he was the next Montana. But Kolb never even looked like the next Ty Detmer.
4. DeShone Kizer
Kizer once said he could be the greatest quarterback ever. Then he played like a guy who couldn’t even hold a backup job.
Read More: 19 NFL Players Who Lost Their Cool on National TV
3. Tony Mandarich
He called himself the “best offensive line prospect ever.” That was before he got manhandled in the NFL and flamed out as one of the league’s biggest busts.
Read More: 20 Athletes Who Were More Ego Than Execution
2. JaMarcus Russell
Russell had a cannon arm, sky-high confidence, and no work ethic to back it up. His tape reviews became legendary for all the wrong reasons.
Read More: 10 NFL QBs Who Deserved a Second Chance They Never Got
1. Eli Apple
Apple never missed a chance to talk trash, especially in the playoffs. But his play consistently failed to match his mouth—and fans around the league took notice.
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