Let’s be honest—quarterbacks have a lot on their plates. They’re the face of the franchise, they take the heat when things go wrong, and they get hit more than they’d like. But some QBs, instead of taking it like a champ, tend to do a little more finger-pointing, ref-blaming, and sideline sulking than others.
From postgame pout sessions to mid-game tantrums, these quarterbacks didn’t exactly keep their complaints to themselves. Here are the 10 whiniest quarterbacks in NFL history—ranked from “mildly dramatic” to “throwing a fit on national TV.”
10. Baker Mayfield
Baker’s chip-on-his-shoulder attitude turned into a full-blown “everyone’s against me” energy real quick. He always had something to say—about critics, play-calling, or even the media asking questions.
9. Cam Newton
Cam was electric when things were going well, but when they weren’t, the towel over the head and cold stares told the story. His press conferences after losses were often moodier than a teenage breakup.
8. Jay Cutler
Cutler had that permanent “I’d rather be anywhere else” face, and his body language screamed “I’m over this.” Whether it was a bad call or a dropped pass, the sulking was strong with this one.
7. Jim Everett
Everett wasn’t afraid to complain—about hits, about the media, about pretty much everything. And of course, there’s that infamous moment where he lunged at Jim Rome for calling him “Chris.”
6. Philip Rivers
Rivers was the king of trash talk and ref-barking, all without ever swearing somehow. He complained about everything mid-play, post-play, and probably during warmups too.
5. Ben Roethlisberger
Big Ben had a knack for exaggerating injuries and tossing subtle blame when the Steelers struggled. His “me-against-the-world” vibe was often more drama than leadership.
4. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers is as talented as they come, but he’s also mastered the art of the passive-aggressive soundbite. Whether it’s cryptic quotes, eye-rolls, or calling out teammates through the media, the whine levels have been consistently high.
3. Tom Brady
Yes, he’s the GOAT, but Brady spent a fair amount of his career yelling at refs like they owed him money. He didn’t just play with passion—he brought plenty of dramatic sideline meltdowns and rulebook-level complaints.
Read More: The 15 Most Egotistical Players in NFL History
2. Eli Manning
Eli had one of the most expressive sad faces in NFL history, and he wasn’t afraid to use it. From receiver mix-ups to ref calls, his sideline reactions were a masterclass in quarterback poutiness.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Overdramatic Players in NFL
1. Carson Palmer
Palmer’s entire post-Cincinnati career was a series of not-so-subtle digs at the Bengals. From trade demands to “I need out” interviews, he might’ve been the poster boy for QB discontent.
Read More: The 10 Whiniest NFL Coaches of All Time
