Confidence is a must for any NFL quarterback. But sometimes that confidence tips into full-blown cockiness—and that’s when things start getting messy.
These are the quarterbacks who thought they had it all figured out, whether or not the stat sheet agreed. They walked with a swagger, talked like legends, and sometimes played like they forgot football was a team sport. Let’s count down 10 NFL quarterbacks who were just a little too cocky for their good.
10. Jay Cutler
Cutler had a rocket arm and the body language of a guy who was too cool to care. He often looked like he’d rather be doing anything else—until he threw a pick and stared down the sideline like it wasn’t his fault.
9. Jeff George
George believed in his arm more than any coach believed in his game plan. His talent was real, but so was the trail of burned bridges and sideline shouting matches.
8. Baker Mayfield
Baker came into the league like he was already a franchise savior. His swagger was entertaining, but sometimes it felt like his confidence arrived before his consistency.
7. Vince Young
Young had all the tools and let everyone know about them early on. But when things didn’t go his way, the ego didn’t exactly help steady the ship.
6. Ryan Leaf
Leaf had sky-high expectations and the ego to match. Unfortunately, his confidence quickly turned into frustration once the NFL hit back harder than expected.
5. Johnny Manziel
Manziel entered the league like he was still in a frat house. He played recklessly and seemed convinced the NFL would adjust to him, not the other way around.
4. Jameis Winston
Jameis always believed every throw was the right throw—even when it very much wasn’t. His endless confidence made him thrilling and maddening at the same time.
3. Rex Grossman
Grossman once famously said he was confident throwing deep on every down. That gunslinger mentality didn’t always go over well when the ball landed in the wrong hands.
Read More: 15 Most Boastful NFL Quarterbacks of All Time
2. Cam Newton
Cam had MVP talent and MVP-level swagger to match. But when the winning stopped, the cockiness didn’t—and critics were quick to pounce.
Read More: Ranking the 10 Most Cynical NFL Quarterbacks of All Time
1. Brett Favre
Favre played like rules were optional and mistakes didn’t matter. His confidence won games—and lost plenty, too—but he never once seemed to doubt himself.
Read More: 10 NFL Quarterbacks Who Thought Every Defense Feared Him
