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List of dual-threat quarterback records

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In gridiron football, the quarterback position is often defined by a player passing the football within the pocket. However, over the sport's history the position has evolved to feature quarterbacks with elite running ability. These quarterbacks are dubbed "dual-threat" or "running" quarterbacks for their potential to attack opposing defenses through the air or on the ground.[1]

Dual-threat quarterbacks have historically been more prolific at the college level. In the NFL, Cam Newton is the NFL's all-time leader in rushing attempts (1,118) and rushing touchdowns (75) for a quarterback, while Michael Vick holds the record for most rushing yards (6,109). In the Canadian Football League (CFL), Damon Allen holds the rushing yards (11,920) and rushing touchdowns (93) record among quarterbacks.

NFL statistical leaders

[edit]
Cam Newton is the NFL's all-time leader in career rushing attempts and touchdowns by a quarterback

Career records (regular season)

[edit]

Note: stats are accurate as of the end of the 2023 NFL season.

Key
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Player who is still active

Rushing attempts

[edit]
Rank Player Teams Rush attempts
1 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers (20112019; 2021)
New England Patriots (2020)
1,118
2 Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks (20122021)
Denver Broncos (20222023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)
981
3 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens (2018–present) 875
4 Michael Vick Atlanta Falcons (20012006)
Philadelphia Eagles (20092013)
New York Jets (2014)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2015)
873
5 Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles (19851995)
Minnesota Vikings (19971999)
Dallas Cowboys (2000)
Baltimore Ravens (2001)
775
6 John Elway Denver Broncos (19831998) 774
7 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (19841985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19851986)
San Francisco 49ers (19871999)
722[n 1]
8 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers (20052022)
New York Jets (2023–present)
719
9 Tom Brady New England Patriots (20002019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20202022)
693
10 Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings (19611966)
New York Giants (19671971)
Minnesota Vikings (19721978)
675
Source:[2][n 2]

Rushing yards

[edit]
Michael Vick holds the NFL record for most rushing yards
Rank Player Teams Rushing yards
1 Michael Vick Atlanta Falcons (20012006)
Philadelphia Eagles (20092013)
New York Jets (2014)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2015)
6,109
2 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers (20112019; 2021)
New England Patriots (2020)
5,628
3 Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks (20122021)
Denver Broncos (20222023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)
5,307
4 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens (2018–present) 5,258
5 Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles (19851995)
Minnesota Vikings (19971999)
Dallas Cowboys (2000)
Baltimore Ravens (2001)
4,928
6 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (USFL) (19841985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19851986)
San Francisco 49ers (19871999)
4,239[n 1]
7 Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings (19611966)
New York Giants (19671971)
Minnesota Vikings (19721978)
3,674
8 Steve McNair Houston Oilers (19951996)
Tennessee Oilers (19971998)
Tennessee Titans (19992005)
Baltimore Ravens (20062007)
3,590
9 Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (2018–present) 3,529
10 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers (20052022)
New York Jets (2023–present)
3,466
Source:[5][n 3]

Rushing touchdowns

[edit]
Josh Allen has the most career rushing touchdowns among active quarterbacks
Rank Player Teams Rushing TDs
1 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers (20112019; 2021)
New England Patriots (2020)
75
2 Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (2018–present) 53
3 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (USFL) (19841985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19851986)
San Francisco 49ers (19871999)
43[n 1]
4 Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles (2020–present) 41
5 Jack Kemp Pittsburgh Steelers (1957)
Calgary Stampeders (1959)
L.A. / San Diego Chargers (19601962)
Buffalo Bills (19621969)
40[n 4]
6 Kordell Stewart Pittsburgh Steelers (19952002)
Chicago Bears (2003)
Baltimore Ravens (20042005)
38
7
(tie)
Tobin Rote Green Bay Packers (19501956)
Detroit Lions (19571959)
Toronto Argonauts (CFL) (19601962)
San Diego Chargers (19631964)
Denver Broncos (1966)
37[n 5]
Steve McNair Houston Oilers (19951996)
Tennessee Oilers (19971998)
Tennessee Titans (19992005)
Baltimore Ravens (20062007)
9 Michael Vick Atlanta Falcons (20012006)
Philadelphia Eagles (20092013)
New York Jets (2014)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2015)
36
10
(tie)
Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers (20052022)
New York Jets (2023–present)
35
Steve Grogan New England Patriots (19751990)
Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles (19851995)
Minnesota Vikings (19971999)
Dallas Cowboys (2000)
Baltimore Ravens (2001)
Source:[6][n 6][n 7]

Career leaders (playoffs)

[edit]

Note: stats are accurate as of the end of the Conference Championship games of the 2023–24 NFL playoffs.

Key
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Player who is still active

Rushing attempts

[edit]
Rank Player Teams Rush attempts
1 Tom Brady New England Patriots (20002019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20202022)
114
2 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (USFL) (19841985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19851986)
San Francisco 49ers (19871999)
96[n 1]
3 John Elway Denver Broncos (19831998) 94
4 Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present) 90
5
(tied)
Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (2018–present) 83
Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks (20122021)
Denver Broncos (20222023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)
7
(tied)
Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers (20042021) 76
Roger Staubach Dallas Cowboys (19691979)
9 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens (2018–present) 73
10 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (19992009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)
72
Source:[10]

Rushing yards

[edit]
Rank Player Teams Rush yards
1 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (USFL) (19841985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19851986)
San Francisco 49ers (19871999)
594[n 1]
2 Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (2018–present) 563
3 Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks (20122021)
Denver Broncos (20222023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)
527
4 Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present) 524
5 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens (2018–present) 521
6 Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers (20112016) 507
7 John Elway Denver Broncos (19831998) 461
8 Roger Staubach Dallas Cowboys (19691979) 432
9 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (19992009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)
422
10 Steve McNair Houston Oilers (19951996)
Tennessee Oilers (19971998)
Tennessee Titans (19992005)
Baltimore Ravens (20062007)
355
Source:[11]

Rushing touchdowns

[edit]
Rank Player Teams Rush TDs
1 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (USFL) (19841985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19851986)
San Francisco 49ers (19871999)
8[n 1]
2 Tom Brady New England Patriots (20002019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20202022)
7
3
(tie)
Steve McNair Houston Oilers (19951996)
Tennessee Oilers (19971998)
Tennessee Titans (19992005)
Baltimore Ravens (20062007)
6
John Elway Denver Broncos (19831998)
5
(tie)
Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles (2020–present) 5
Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (2018–present)
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present)
Otto Graham Cleveland Browns (19461955)[a]
9 Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys (2016–present) 4
Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers (20112016)
Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers (20052022)
New York Jets (2023–present)
Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (19992009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)
Source:[12]

Single-season leaders (regular season)

[edit]
Lamar Jackson has four of the top seven NFL seasons in rushing attempts and two of the top four in rushing yards
Key  Player  Denotes an ongoing season.

Rushing attempts

[edit]
Rank Player Season Team Rush attempts
1 Lamar Jackson 2019 Baltimore Ravens 176
2 Jalen Hurts 2022 Philadelphia Eagles 165
3 Justin Fields Chicago Bears 160
4 Lamar Jackson 2020 Baltimore Ravens 159
5 Jalen Hurts 2023 Philadelphia Eagles 155
6 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens 148
7 Lamar Jackson 2018 Baltimore Ravens 147
8 Bobby Douglass 1972 Chicago Bears 141
9
(tie)
Cam Newton 2017 Carolina Panthers 139
Jalen Hurts 2021 Philadelphia Eagles
Source:[13]

Rushing yards

[edit]
Rank Player Season Team Rushing yards
1 Lamar Jackson 2019 Baltimore Ravens 1,206
2 Justin Fields 2022 Chicago Bears 1,143
3 Michael Vick 2006 Atlanta Falcons 1,039
4 Lamar Jackson 2020 Baltimore Ravens 1,005
5 Bobby Douglass 1972 Chicago Bears 968
6 Randall Cunningham 1990 Philadelphia Eagles 942
7 Michael Vick 2004 Atlanta Falcons 902
8 Russell Wilson 2014 Seattle Seahawks 849
9 Lamar Jackson 2023 Baltimore Ravens 821
10 Kyler Murray 2020 Arizona Cardinals 819
Sources:[14]

Rushing yards per game

[edit]
Rank Player Season Team RYds/game
1 Lamar Jackson 2019 Baltimore Ravens 80.4
2 Justin Fields 2022 Chicago Bears 76.2
3 Bobby Douglass 1972 Chicago Bears 69.1
4 Lamar Jackson 2020 Baltimore Ravens 67.0
5 Michael Vick 2006 Atlanta Falcons 64.9
6 Lamar Jackson 2021 Baltimore Ravens 63.9
7 Lamar Jackson 2022 Baltimore Ravens 63.7
8 Michael Vick 2004 Atlanta Falcons 60.1
9 Randall Cunningham 1990 Philadelphia Eagles 58.9
10 Michael Vick 2010 Philadelphia Eagles 56.3
Sources:[15]

Rushing touchdowns

[edit]
Jalen Hurts (pictured) and Josh Allen's 2023 performances are tied for first all-time in rushing touchdowns
Rank Player Season Team Rushing TDs
1
(tie)
Jalen Hurts 2023 Philadelphia Eagles 15
Josh Allen Buffalo Bills
3 Cam Newton 2011 Carolina Panthers 14
4 Jalen Hurts 2022 Philadelphia Eagles 13
5
(tie)
Steve Grogan 1976 New England Patriots 12
Cam Newton 2020
7
(tie)
Johnny Lujack 1950 Chicago Bears 11
Tobin Rote 1956 Green Bay Packers
Kordell Stewart 1997 Pittsburgh Steelers
Kyler Murray 2020 Arizona Cardinals
Sources:[16]

In the Canadian Football League

[edit]

The width of the CFL's field at 65 yards and the length at 110 yards has allowed quarterbacks to find openings to run the ball, implementing improvisation by a quarterback as a beneficial trait in Canadian football.[17][18] Quarterback sneaks or other runs in short yardage situations tend to be successful as a result of the distance between the offensive and defensive lines being one yard. Drew Tate, a quarterback for the Calgary Stampeders, led the CFL in rushing touchdowns during the 2014 season with ten scores as the backup to Bo Levi Mitchell.[19][20] He was primarily used in short yardage situations due to his speed and running ability. Tate scored two one-yard rushing touchdowns in the Stampeders' 20–16 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 102nd Grey Cup.[19]

Statistical CFL leaders

[edit]
Damon Allen is the CFL's all-time leader in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns for a quarterback.

Career rushing yards

[edit]
Rank Player Seasons by team Total rushing yards
1 Damon Allen Edmonton Eskimos (19851988)
Ottawa Rough Riders (19891991)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1992)
Edmonton Eskimos (19931994)
Memphis Mad Dogs (1995)
BC Lions (19962002)
Toronto Argonauts (20032007)
11,920[21]
2 Tracy Ham Edmonton Eskimos (19871992)
Toronto Argonauts (1993)
Baltimore Stallions (19941995)
Montreal Alouettes (19961999)
8,043[21]
3 Jackie Parker Edmonton Eskimos (19541962)
Toronto Argonauts (19631965)
BC Lions (19661968)
5,210[21]

Career rushing touchdowns

[edit]
Rank Player Seasons by team Total rushing TDs
1 Damon Allen Edmonton Eskimos (19851988)
Ottawa Rough Riders (19891991)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1992)
Edmonton Eskimos (19931994)
Memphis Mad Dogs (1995)
BC Lions (19962002)
Toronto Argonauts (20032007)
93[22]
2 Matt Dunigan Edmonton Eskimos (19831987)
BC Lions (19881989)
Toronto Argonauts (19901991)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (19921994)
Birmingham Barracudas (1995)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1996)
77[22]
3 Jackie Parker Edmonton Eskimos (19541962)
Toronto Argonauts (19631965)
BC Lions (19661968)
68[22]
4 Doug Flutie New Jersey Generals (USFL)[n 8] (1985)
Chicago Bears (NFL)[n 9] (1986)
New England Patriots (NFL) (19871989)
BC Lions (19901991)
Calgary Stampeders (19921995)
Toronto Argonauts (19961997)
Buffalo Bills (NFL) (19982000)
San Diego Chargers (NFL) (20012004)
New England Patriots (NFL) (2005)
66[22]
5 Tracy Ham Edmonton Eskimos (19871992)
Toronto Argonauts (1993)
Baltimore Stallions (19941995)
Montreal Alouettes (19961999)
62[22]

Single-season rushing yards

[edit]
Kerry Joseph
Rank Player Season Team Total rushing yards
1 Tracy Ham 1990 Edmonton Eskimos 1,096[21]
2 Damon Allen 1991 Ottawa Rough Riders 1,036[21]
3 Kerry Joseph 2005 Ottawa Renegades 1,006[21]
4 Tracy Ham 1989 Edmonton Eskimos 1,005[21]

Single-game rushing yards

[edit]
Rank Player Date Team Total rushing yards / carries
1 Nealon Greene July 16, 1999 Edmonton Eskimos 180 (14 carries)[21]
2 Damon Allen October 29, 1993 Edmonton Eskimos 170 (15 carries)[21]
3 Tracy Ham August 15, 1991 Edmonton Eskimos 166 (13 carries)[21]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Young's USFL stats with the Los Angeles Express are not counted.
  2. ^ Tom Matte and Charley Trippi have 1,200 and 687 rushing attempts, respectively, enough for placement within the top 10. However, they are not included in this listing as Matte was primarily used as a running back, having only attempted 42 passes in his career,[3] while Trippi played in the pre-modern era of the NFL, in which players were more commonly versatile in terms of position. Trippi was also primarily used as a halfback rather than a quarterback, logging more rushing than passing attempts,[4] and earning All-Pro honors as a running back.
  3. ^ Tom Matte and Charley Trippi have 4,646 and 3,506 rushing yards, respectively, enough for placement within the top 10. However, they are not included in this listing as Matte was primarily used as a running back, having only attempted 42 passes in his career,[3] while Trippi played in the pre-modern era of the NFL, in which players were more commonly versatile in terms of position. Trippi was also primarily used as a halfback rather than a quarterback, logging more rushing than passing attempts,[4] and earning All-Pro honors as a running back.
  4. ^ Kemp's CFL statistics are not included in his official NFL stats
  5. ^ Rote's CFL statistics are not included in his official NFL stats
  6. ^ Although Pro Football Reference lists Tom Matte with 45 touchdowns, Matte is not included in this listing as he was used primarily as a running back, only attempting 42 passes in his career.[3]
  7. ^ Otto Graham and Y. A. Tittle recorded 44 and 39 rushing touchdowns, respectively, enough for a top 10 placement. However, they recorded several of their touchdowns during their time in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), whose stats are not officially recognized by the NFL, despite the 1950 NFL–AAFC merger.[7] From the 1950 NFL season onward, both Graham and Tittle recorded 33 rushing touchdowns each.[8][9]
  8. ^ Flutie's USFL stats are not accounted into his official CFL stats
  9. ^ Flutie's NFL stats are not accounted into his official CFL stats
  1. ^ Otto Graham played for the Cleveland Browns from 1946 through 1955. The Browns were a part of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) from 1946 through 1949; despite the AAFC–NFL merger, the NFL does not officially count AAFC statistics and records, and as such Graham's one rushing touchdown with the Browns pre-1950 is not included for this list.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Benoit, Andy (June 5, 2014). "NFL's Best Running Quarterback? The Answer May Surprise You". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  2. ^ "Player Season Finder Query Results | Current search: For combined seasons, played QB, sorted by descending Rushing Att". Stathead. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 20, 2021. (Subscription required.)
  3. ^ a b c "Tom Matte Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Charley Trippi Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  5. ^ "Player Season Finder Query Results | Current search: For combined seasons, played QB, sorted by descending Rushing Yds". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 20, 2021. (Subscription required.)
  6. ^ "Player Season Finder Query Results | Current search: For combined seasons, played QB, sorted by descending Rushing TD". Stahead. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 23, 2021. (Subscription required.)
  7. ^ Brown, Daniel; Emmons, Mark (November 8, 2011). "49ers great Joe Perry and the stats that don't count". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  8. ^ "Otto Graham Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  9. ^ "Y. A. Tittle Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  10. ^ "Who has the most career rushing attempts by a quarterback in playoff history". StatMuse. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  11. ^ "Who has the most career rushing yards by a quarterback in playoff history". StatMuse. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  12. ^ "Who has the most career rushing yards by a quarterback in playoff history". StatMuse. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  13. ^ "Player Season Finder Query Results | Current search: For single seasons, played QB, sorted by descending Rushing Att". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2019. (Subscription required.)
  14. ^ "Player Season Finder Query Results | Current search: For single seasons, played QB, sorted by descending Rushing Yds". Stathead. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 20, 2021. (Subscription required.)
  15. ^ "Most qb rushing yards per game, season". StatMuse. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  16. ^ "Player Season Finder Query Results | Current search: For single seasons, played QB, sorted by descending Rushing TD". Stathead. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2021. (Subscription required.)
  17. ^ "CFL vs NFL". 13thman.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  18. ^ Flannery, Jim (September 8, 2014). "Bo Levi Mitchell Shows That CFL Quarterbacks Are Not Wimps". bleacherreport.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  19. ^ a b Denomme, Ian (November 30, 2014). "Backup quarterback Drew Tate plays major role in limited time in Stampeders' Grey Cup win". ca.sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  20. ^ "Rushing - 2014". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Regular Season All-Time Records". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  22. ^ a b c d e "INDIVIDUAL RECORDS" (PDF). cfl.ca. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2015.