The best running Quarterback is a bread that are becoming more and more common. The game of football, and so are it’s players. Now practically every new Quarterback in the NFL has some sort of rushing ability. This list honors the best of the best. The best Running Quarterbacks ever.
Best Running Quarterbacks Ever – Kyler Murray
#10 – Kyler Murray
When I make these all-time lists, I always try to lean away from recency bias. This is an exception. The running Quarterback isn’t a new phenomenon, but in this era it is reaching new heights. The traditional pocket Quarterback is a dying breed, and Kyler Murray is a perfect example of the new wave of dual threat Quarterbacks.
The term dual threat is very important when talking about Kyler. I believe Kyler Murray is the perfect blend of Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson. He is almost as effective as a runner as Lamar Jackson, but his passing ability makes up for it. He is almost as effective as a passer as Russell Wilson, but his running ability makes up for it. Taking the best of both worlds, Kyler Murray at 23 years old can very well become the best Quarterback in the NFL at some point in his career.
To me the most telling tale for this young Quarterback is his IQ. The interceptions need to come down, but his ability to avoid hits will be the difference between a long prosperous career or a fad. He consistently slides down or runs out of bounds instead of taking big hits, and with his size that is very important for extending his career. We have seen time and time again running Quarterbacks fall of a cliff in terms of production after injury and he needs to continue to make these high IQ plays to rise to the top. I would not be shocked at all to see him win an MVP in the next 5 seasons.
Best Running Quarterbacks Ever – Steve McNair
#9 – Steve McNair
“Air McNair” is a legend who was had his life taken away from him far too early. Rest in Peace Steve McNair – a man who can even win with Jeff Fisher as his Head Coach.
Through all the adversity he faced in his life, he went on to become an MVP winning Quarterback. Not only that, heĀ was literally inches away from winning a Super Bowl.
He doesn’t have the pure running ability of Kyler Murray who I just listed previously, but he was one of the best scramblers of his time. He frequently extended plays usually with his eyes down field for the big throw.
Best Running Quarterbacks Ever – Donovan McNabb
#8 – Donovan McNabb
People are quick to forget how great Donovan McNabb was as a running Quarterback. He wasn’t the type who would look to run as his 2nd or 3rd read, but instead always kept his eyes down field for the big play through the air. While he has the 3500 career rushing yards, it was that ability to extend plays outside of the pocket that earned him his reputation as one of the best in the NFL.
He is extremely underrated as a passer. Not only did he have the big play ability, but was a high IQ passer. My favorite McNabb memory is his 4th and 26 conversion against the Packers in the playoffs. He unleashed a missile down the middle of the field in between two Packer defenders for exactly 26 yards in one of the best throws in playoff history.
