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Analyzing 13 talented NFL quarterbacks who deserved better. QBs held back by bad teams, poor coaching, or freakish injuries. Talented NFL QB underachievers.
13 Talented NFL QBs Who Deserved So Much Better
Whether it was due to bad teams, coaching issues, or ill-timed injuries, these talented 13 NFL quarterbacks deserved better in their careers.
David Carr - Houston Texans (2002-2006)
Career Stats: 65 TDs, 71 INTs, 74.9 Passer Rating
Derek’s older brother was selected with the first overall pick by the then-expansion Houston Texans. Unfortunately, Carr was surrounded by a supporting cast comprised of NFL castoffs. His offensive line was abysmal, as he took an NFL-record 76 sacks as a rookie. Carr spent the rest of his career shell shocked and never regained his confidence.
Archie Manning - New Orleans Saints (1971-1982)
Career Stats: 125 TDs, 173 INTs, 67.1 Passer Rating
The patriarch of the Manning QB dynasty, Archie was an entertaining and talented quarterback stuck on one of the worst-run teams in NFL history. During Manning’s tenure with the Saints, the team rarely had a winning season or competent coaching.
Jeff George - Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins (1990-2001)
Career Stats: 154 TDs, 113 INTs, 80.4 Passer Rating
We’re not naive enough to contend that Jeff George wasn’t the biggest cause of some of his own problems in the NFL. However, the big-armed was inarguably a very talented player. Known for clashing with coaches, George was never able to experience an extended period of stability with one team, despite his electric arm talent.
Vince Young - Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles (2006-2011)
Career Stats: 46 TDs, 51 INTs, 74.4 Passer Rating
One of the most dynamic dual-threat college QBs of all time, Young’s NFL career simply came at the wrong time. A fun thought experiment is envisioning what Young could do in a modern-day NFL offensive scheme. Instead, his career floundered in Tennessee following a promising rookie campaign, as his relationship with the Titans staff – and on-field performance – steadily deteriorated.
Sam Darnold - New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks (2018-present)
Career Stats: 98 TDs, 68 INTs, 83.9 Passer Rating
Despite putting for a career-best season in 2024 with Minnesota, Darnold is once again on the move and will spend 2025 under center for the Seahawks. Darnold was drafted into a chaotic situation with the Jets, and the offensive ineptitude within that organization undoubtedly stunted his growth early in his career.
Tyrod Taylor - Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, LA Chargers, Houston Texans, NY Giants, NY Jets (2011-present)
Career Stats: 63 TDs, 30 INTs, 88.2 Passer Rating
Reliable and mobile QB who rarely got the full trust of a team to be their long-term starting QB. Taylor made a Pro Bowl and ended a 17-year playoff drought during his time with the Buffalo Bills, but has since been stuck in the role of a “bridge” QB or a back-up.
Tim Couch - Cleveland Browns (1999-2003)
Career Stats: 64 TDs, 67 INTs, 75.1 Passer Rating
A statistical machine in Kentucky’s high-octane offense during his collegiate career, Couch entered the NFL in a horrendous situation with the then-expansion Cleveland Browns. With no offensive line and little talent surrounding him, Couch consistently took beatings (160 sacks across his 5-year career) which led to injury issues and a brief pro career.
Jason Campbell - Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals (2005-14)
Career Stats: 87 TDs, 60 INTs, 81.7 Passer Rating
After leading Auburn to a 13-0 record in his senior season, Campbell entered the NFL with a strong arm, classic size, and good mobility. The problem? He landed with a Washington organization that was in constant turmoil. In his first seven pro seasons, Campbell had seven different offensive coordinators.
Despite that instability, he posted a career-high 20 TDs in his final season in Washington, before moving on to the Raiders, where he dealt with a broken collarbone and was cast aside when the organization acquired Carson Palmer.
Marcus Mariota - Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders (2015-present)
Career Stats: 92 TDs, 54 INTs, 89.3 Passer Rating
The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner entered the NFL being known for his elite athleticism and dual-threat skill set. Selected by the Titans with the 2nd overall pick of the draft, Mariota was forced into multiple conservative, pro-style schemes while dealing with three head coaches and five offensive coordinators during his five seasons in Tennessee. Had he landed in a more stable or creative situation out of Oregon, Mariota’s career trajectory could have gone much differently.
Tim Tebow - Denver Broncos, New York Jets (2010-2012)
Career Stats: 17 TDs, 9 INTs, 75.3 Passer Rating
A two-time national champion and Heisman Trophy winner, Tebow was one of the most iconic college QBs in history. He was undoubtedly an unconventional fit at the pro level, and remains one of the most polarizing NFL players in history, though it seems reasonable to wonder if Tebow ever really got a fair shake in the NFL.
He took over a floundering Broncos squad midseason in 2011 and finished 8-6 as the team’s starter while leading them to an AFC West title and a playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite those accomplishments, Tebow was replaced by Peyton Manning in 2012, traded to the Jets, and never received another real chance to play QB in the NFL.
Jay Cutler - Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins (2006-17)
Career Stats: 227 TDs, 160 INTs, 85.3 Passer Rating
Cutler is undoubtedly the most “successful” QB on this list, and put together an excellent NFL career. That said, it’s fair to wonder if it should’ve been better. The Vandy product possessed enough skills – elite arm talent, toughness, and mobility – to roundly be considered one of the most naturally-gifted QBs of his era.
However, Cutler isn’t viewed as an all-time great in part due to dealing with a revolving door of offensive coordinators and schematic changes, as well as frequently being stuck behind poor offensive lines throughout his career.
Kyle Orton - Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills (2005-14)
Career Stats: 101 TDs, 69 INTs, 81.2 Passer Rating
A classic good-but-not great quarterback, Orton often found himself being replaced by a younger or flashier QB despite consistently putting forth competent-to-good performances. Orton never had his late-career Kirk Cousins-type run, but the talent was their for him to have a stretch as an above-average starter.
Zach Wilson - New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins (2021-present)
Career Stats: 23 TDs, 25 INTs, 73.2 Passer Rating
Another physically talented QB whose career went to New York to die. Wilson was thrown into the fire as a rookie with the Jets, taking 44 sacks in his first 22 NFL games behind a porous offensive line. His growing pains happened under the harsh media spotlight of New York, as he floundered under a defensive-minded head coach who never helped the offense establish an identity. Still just 25, there’s still time for Wilson to have a Baker Mayfield/Sam Darnold type of career renaissance.
