Top 10 Dual-Threat Quarterbacks in NFL History (Ranked)

The quarterback position has evolved so much throughout recent decades that now having dual-threat abilities is becoming more of the norm.

Leaders under center are now running way over 500 yards every year, leaving defenses completely perplexed at how to stop them.

There is a very strong chance that the likes of Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, Arch Manning, or even Bo Nix find themselves on a list like this soon.

Now is the time to appreciate these trend-setters and give them credit for reinventing the most important position in sports.

Since we are still in a results-based business, we will be evaluating these players based on both their individual and team accolades, rather than their impact on popularizing the dual-threat approach.

In addition, to qualify for this list, we have made all quarterbacks who have rushed more than 500 yards in the season eligible for selection, even if they just did it one year. With this in mind, here’s GIVEMESPORT’s ten greatest dual-threat quarterbacks of all time.

10

Michael Vick

On impact, Michael Vick is an obvious choice for this list, but he barely made it over some other options based on career accomplishments.

Everyone’s favorite Madden 06 player still had a very successful career, which included him being the first quarterback ever to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.

After six electric years with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick unfortunately missed a chunk of his prime because of his own doing.

He was able to turn his career around with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010, winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year, but regressed shortly after that. Despite his flaws on and off the field, Vick is still a legend of the dual-threat quarterback approach.

9

Jalen Hurts

Here’s the first player on this list who has the chance to shoot up in the rankings. Leadership-wise, Jalen Hurts is everything a franchise wants in a starting quarterback.

The Houston, Texas native has continuously improved throughout his career, reshaping the glass ceiling evaluators previously put on, even in his Alabama days.

Hurts has now led the Philadelphia Eagles to two Super Bowl appearances, winning the most recent one with an MVP performance. When it comes to running, the 27-year-old will likely always be remembered for the notorious “Tush Push” play.

There’s a reason why Hurts is so elite at executing this short-yardage call: he’s probably the only quarterback who squats around 600 pounds.

8

Cam Newton

It’s crazy that Cam Newton hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, but the larger-than-life personality was a force during his time with the Carolina Panthers.

The Auburn legend ran differently from a lot of the quarterbacks on this list, in that he embraced contact. It might not have helped with his longevity, but at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, Newton gave some linebackers and safeties nightmares with his fearless runs up the middle.

While Cam had several productive years in his career, it all came together in 2015, when he became the only Panthers player ever to win NFL MVP and led the franchise to its second-ever Super Bowl appearance.

That season may not have ended the way Carolina fans wanted it to, but that is the best team this franchise has put forth in its history so far and deserves its respect. The same goes for Newton, who should have his No. 1 retired by the Panthers in the near future.

7

Steve McNair

Steve McNair was one of the best quarterbacks of the early 2000s and led the Tennessee Titans to within one yard of their first-ever Super Bowl title.

The Mount Olive, Mississippi, was a legendary quarterback at Alcorn State before he was selected with the third overall pick in the 1995 draft.

It took more than a few years for McNair to find his form at the next level, and he was less of a dual-threat quarterback when he reached his peak, but two years of over 500 yards on the ground qualify him for this list!

“Air McNair” ended up becoming the second-greatest quarterback in franchise history behind Warren Moon, and brought the Titans to heights they had never seen before.

6

Randall Cunningham

A legendary quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, Randall Cunningham started his first few years as a backup to veteran Ron Jaworski. When the former UNLV standout took over the starting spot, it marked an era that many Eagles fans look back on fondly.

The Santa Barbara native electrified the City of Brotherly Love throughout the 1990s, making three Pro Bowls, two All-Pro teams, and leading the league in passer rating once.

Cunningham’s ability as a rusher was transcendent at the time, and his 942 total on the ground in 1990 was the second-most all-time for a quarterback.

Randall eventually continued his career with the Minnesota Vikings, where he had perhaps his best year yet in 1998. By that time, the then-35-year-old was more of a pocket passer, but he more than qualifies for the sixth spot on this list.

5

Donovan McNabb

To be fair, Donovan McNabb wasn’t a dual-threat quarterback in the eyes of many. But the former 13-year pro rushed for 629 yards in 2000, which makes him eligible for our list!

McNabb is the most accomplished quarterback in Philadelphia Eagles history, making six Pro Bowls and leading the franchise to five NFC Championship games.

When No. 5 was traded to Washington, he led the franchise in numerous categories, such as career passing yards, completions, and passing touchdowns.

He may be the least dual-threat quarterback of the candidates on this list, but the greatest Eagles quarterback of all time is still a welcome addition.

4

Josh Allen

Like Cam Newton, Josh Allen runs with reckless abandon, and like Jalen Hurts, he has the chance to and probably will shoot up this top 10. The reigning MVP is as dynamic as they come at the quarterback position.

Allen has rejuvenated a Buffalo Bills franchise that recently went on a 17-year playoff drought. Now the three things in life seem to be certain: death, taxes, and the Bills winning the AFC East.

Allen has led Buffalo to five straight divisional titles and two AFC championship appearances. All the while, he has continuously been one of this team’s strengths, throwing for around 4,000 yards and rushing for around 500 yards yearly.

The two-time All-Pro is trying to cement himself as the best quarterback in the game this season and lead the Bills to their first-ever Super Bowl title.

If he does so, Allen will have likely already cemented himself as a future Hall of Famer, and the 29-year-old still has many more years to play.

3

Russell Wilson

Speaking of future Hall of Famers, Russell Wilson is one of the greatest quarterbacks of this generation. The undersized Wisconsin standout was one of the faces of the Seattle Seahawks‘ reign of dominance in the NFC.

Wilson was a pro from the beginning, putting together one of the best rookie seasons of all time in 2012. From then on, the Cincinnati native led the Seahawks to eight playoff berths in ten years and their first ever Super Bowl title.

At 36 years old, the ten-time Pro Bowler is winding down his career, currently playing this year for the New York Giants. But when it’s all said and done, Wilson will have a bust in Canton.

2

Lamar Jackson

In terms of peak, Lamar Jackson is one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. The 28-year-old needs a little longevity and one Lombardi Trophy, and he’s landing in most top 10 lists of all-time.

It’s a testament to Jackson’s work ethic that he already finds himself as the second-greatest dual-threat quarterback ever. The former Heisman Trophy winner at Louisville was doubted by many throughout the NFL scouting process.

Jackson was deemed too flawed as a pocket passer to succeed at the next level, with some well-known personalities suggesting that he should switch to wide receiver.

Those takes haven’t aged well. Lamar is already the greatest quarterback of all time from a pure rushing standpoint, and every year he’s improving as a passer. Jackson already has two MVPs to his name and is the best quarterback in Baltimore Ravens’ history.

But Lamar more than anyone wants that Lombardi Trophy, and should he win one, he’ll rise to No. 1 on this list.

1

Steve Young

Steve Young has it all when it comes to individual and team accomplishments. The first-ballot Hall of Famer had a long career to the starting job with the San Francisco 49ers.

Young played in the USFL, then was an unsuccessful starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and later became Joe Montana’s backup for two Super Bowl titles.

When the scrambling lefty supplanted the 49ers’ all-time great as the starter, the weight of the world was on his shoulders. Montana still had a few quality years left with the Kansas City Chiefs, but Young did not make San Francisco regret their decision.

Young only rushed for over 500 yards once, but constantly had defenses on edge with his mobility. It all came together in 1994, when Greenwich, Connecticut native won his second regular season MVP award and first Super Bowl MVP to continue the dynasty.

Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson might at some point pass Steve Young for the top slot on this list, but it’s going to take a lot more than regular-season accomplishments to supplant the Bay Area icon.