Playing quarterback in the NFL comes with fame, fortune, and no shortage of cameras. But for some guys under center, the allure of celebrity status seemed to shine just a little brighter than their on-field responsibilities.
Whether it was red carpet appearances, Hollywood aspirations, or nonstop tabloid attention, these quarterbacks sometimes looked more interested in building a personal brand than a football legacy. Here are 17 NFL QBs who leaned a little too hard into the spotlight and acted like celebrities before proving much on the field.
17. Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy G’s jawline has gotten almost as much attention as his arm. Between dating rumors and GQ vibes, it’s easy to forget he’s missed more games than he’s played some seasons.
16. Jay Cutler
Cutler had the quarterback talent, but he also leaned into the moody, too-cool-for-school attitude. Once he became a reality TV star, it was clear the spotlight didn’t bother him one bit.
15. Johnny Manziel
Johnny Football embraced the fame before he even threw an NFL pass. From courtside seats to Vegas weekends, his brand burned way hotter than his career.
14. Cam Newton
Cam’s game was electric at its peak, but so were the outfits. His press conferences often felt like fashion week came to the postgame podium.
13. Mark Sanchez
The “Sanchize” was more famous for his looks and GQ features than his actual passing stats. The Butt Fumble might’ve ended his NFL hype, but the media appearances lived on.
12. Josh Rosen
Rosen was billed as the “most NFL-ready” QB and carried himself like a star before he ever earned the gig. He never lived up to his 10th-overall pick status, but he had the self-confidence of an A-lister.
11. Matt Leinart
Leinart peaked as the king of LA—winning the Heisman, dating celebs, and showing up at Hollywood parties. His NFL career? Not quite as glamorous.
10. Trevor Siemian
Trevor Siemian might not have screamed “celebrity,” but he often gave off “I’m just happy to be here for the brand” energy. Backup QB by job title, sideline vibe guy by nature.
9. Baker Mayfield
Baker starred in more commercials than playoff games during his early years. He’s dialed it back a bit lately, but at one point, he was practically the face of a Saturday Night Live sketch.
8. Tony Romo
Before he became America’s favorite color commentator, Romo was making headlines for his off-field romances and golf game. At times, it felt like he was quarterbacking TMZ more than the Cowboys.
7. Geno Smith
Early Geno had a chip on his shoulder and a flair for the dramatic. The press conference quotes and off-field drama often outweighed anything he did on Sundays.
6. Sam Darnold
The hype around Darnold felt outsized from day one, and it didn’t help that he was constantly marketed as the next big star in New York. The city lights were bright, but the production was dim.
5. Tim Tebow
Tebowmania was part quarterback, part full-blown media spectacle. He was a bigger draw on talk shows and inspirational speaking tours than in NFL offensive schemes.
4. Russell Wilson
Mr. Unlimited has a brand that rivals most movie stars. Between his carefully curated social media presence and red carpet appearances, his vibe is more Hollywood than huddle these days.
3. Zach Wilson
Zach came into the league looking like a boy band member and quickly leaned into the glitz. The headlines about his dating life often outpaced his actual box scores.
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2. Joe Namath
Broadway Joe basically invented the celebrity quarterback persona. Fur coats, movie cameos, and swagger for days—he was a star first, quarterback second.
Read More: Ranking the 20 Silliest NFL Quarterbacks of All Time
1. Colin Kaepernick
Before everything turned political, Kaepernick was already embracing his role as a public figure. Fashion spreads, magazine covers, and a Nike deal all came before he even reached his final NFL snap.
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