The NFL is changing. More teams are wanting to pursue a more college offense and/or a quarterback that is more mobile than statue. Mobile quarterbacks seem to be the way of the future. I have compiled my list of mobile quarterbacks who I feel entered the league or peaked just before this trend took over.
Colin Kaepernick
Put aside your political position for a moment. Look at his natural football ability, it is there. You can see a huge contrast in his performance under Harbaugh and compare that to his years under Tomsula and Chip Kelly. Under Harbaugh, Kaepernick went 25-15. Having his clearly better years. Passing for over 3100 yards in both of his seasons as a full time starter, with a 60% completion rate for those 2 years. Add on his 400+ rushing yards each season and you can see why the 49ers had such success with Colin at QB. Colin’s last 2 seasons with the 49ers, he went 3-16. Injured in 2015 forced him to miss the start of the 2016. He was then tasked to take over the 31st ranked offense with a coach who as clearly failed at the NFL level.
Coming out of college, Kaepernick went 3 straight years passing for over 2000 yards (3000 in 2010) while also rushing over 1100 each season. I believe he would flourish in 2019.
Michael Vick
*Disclaimer: I am referring to Atlanta Vick*
While Michael Vick may be one of the most dynamic mobile quarterbacks in NFL history, he was a horrible passer. He never passed for over 3000 yards and never had a higher completion percentage over 56%. In his first 4 full seasons, Vick threw 65 touchdowns with 46 interceptions. That’s absurd. However, a guy with Vicks skill set just wasn’t truly set up for success in the early 2000s. He is the only quarterback in NFL modern history with over 1000 rushing yards. Almost accomplished this twice (902 yards in 2004). Furthermore, even with his poor passing stats, I feel 2004 Vick would make the 2019 Baltimore Ravens instant super bowl favorites based on his legs alone.
Tarvaris Jackson
Going back to 2007, Jackson was one of my favorite quarterbacks to watch. While he isn’t one of the flashiest mobile quarterbacks or more efficient passer on this list, I still believe his utilization in 2019 would make him far better than what his career says. He passed for nearly 2000 yards with almost 60% completion percentage in 2007 and he went almost silent until 2011 in Seattle where he passed for over 3000 yards and over 60% completion percentage.
Tyrod Taylor
Although Taylor is rather young, I still feel he missed his mark in the NFL. Drafted by Baltimore in 2011, he only threw the ball 35 times over 4 years. Buffalo is where he really took off. Passing for over 3000 yards in both 2015 and 2016 while adding almost 600 rushing yards in each of those seasons. In addition he had over 61% completion all 3 of his years in Buffalo. With how dynamic his run game is, I would love to see his younger self play for the Bears of today.
Vince Young
Heisman runner up in 2005. Passed for over 3000 yards, while also rushing for over 1000. He was destined to succeed. His career in Tennessee started off decent. He did boast a winning record in his first 2 seasons. However, in both seasons, he threw more interceptions than touchdowns. In 2007 alone, he almost doubled his interception (17) total to his touchdown total (9). Young also never got off to a hot start with his legs. Although rushing for over 500 yards in 2006, he continued to go down year after year.
Brett Favre
Although Brett Favre was not a vertical runner, his ability to move behind the line of scrimmage and extend plays can be comparable to our modern day Mahomes. The irony in that, Brett Favre and Andy Reid (current Kansas City HC) both have history in Green Bay. Andy was Favre’s quarterback coach in 1997 where the Packers lost to the Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII. Years prior (Super Bowl XXXI Champs) Reid served other needs on the offensive side. Maybe in a way Brett Favre helped create the offense we see today in Kansas City, but boy I do wish he could play in it.
It still enrages me today that Brett Favre threw away another super bowl appearance instead of running the ball to set up and chip shot FG in 2010. The Vikings eventually lose to the Saints in OT…
Randall Cunningham
Widely hailed as the greatest mobile quarterback in NFL history, it’s honestly a real shame we can’t see him play in his prime in 2019. Even if he still played on the Eagles, they would be NFC favorites for the super bowl. Cunningham‘s best 3 seasons came at the end of the 80s. 3 consecutive years of passing for over 3000 yards while also rushing over 600 yards (942 yards in 1990) each season. This man is so good, he would make Cleveland an instant favorite.
Kordell Stewart
Stewart had an abysmal NFL career. Over his 11 year career, he only started 3 full seasons. Also, 2 of those 3 seasons were his only full winning seasons. After coming into the league in 1995, he never had a completion percentage higher than 60% until 2001. However, what he lacked in passing skills, he sure made up for it with his legs. In all 3 seasons Stewart started in full, he rushed for over 400 yards in each. Also, he started 11 games in 2000 and managed to rush for over 400.
Steve McNair
The legend himself. Air Mcnair. Out of all the quarterbacks on this list, McNair is the perfect blend of passing and running. 8 straight consecutive seasons with 61% completion or higher, 9 total. He also ended his NFL career with nearly 3600 rushing yards and a staggering 37 touchdowns. Neither Vick or Cunninghame have that many (although Vick missed 2 seasons for his role in his dog fighting ring). Between the years of 1997 and 2002, McNair rushed for over 400 yards 5 times (337 in 1999 where he only played in 11 games). Outside of the unfortunate circumstances that took place in 2009, it is such a shame that we cannot see this man dive over defenders in 2019.
Leave a comment with a mobile quarterback you feel that I left out.
For more NFL news and stories, BellyUp has you covered. Follow us on Twitter.
