List of dual-threat quarterback records

Last updated

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]

Contents

Dual-threat quarterbacks have historically been more prolific at the college level. In the National Football League (NFL), Cam Newton is the NFL's all-time leader in rushing attempts (1,118) and rushing touchdowns (75) for a quarterback, while Lamar Jackson holds the record for most rushing yards (6,173). In the Canadian Football League (CFL), Damon Allen holds the rushing yards (11,920) and rushing touchdowns (93) record among quarterbacks.

NFL statistical leaders

Cam Newton is the NFL's all-time leader in career rushing attempts and touchdowns by a quarterback Cam Newton 2014.jpg
Cam Newton is the NFL's all-time leader in career rushing attempts and touchdowns by a quarterback

Career records (regular season)

Note: stats are accurate as of the end of the 2024 NFL season regular season.

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

Rushing attempts

RankPlayerTeamsRush attempts
1 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers (2011–2019; 2021)
New England Patriots (2020)		1,118
2 Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021)
Denver Broncos (2022–2023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)		1,024
3 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens (2018–present)1,014
4 Michael Vick Atlanta Falcons (2001–2006)
Philadelphia Eagles (2009–2013)
New York Jets (2014)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2015)		873
5 Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles (1985–1995)
Minnesota Vikings (1997–1999)
Dallas Cowboys (2000)
Baltimore Ravens (2001)		775
6 John Elway Denver Broncos (1983–1998)774
7 Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (2018–present)759
8 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers (2005–2022)
New York Jets (2023–present)		741
9 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (1984–1985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)		722 [n 1]
10 Tom Brady New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)		693
Source: [2] [n 2]

Rushing yards

RankPlayerTeamsRushing yards
1 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens (2018–present)6,173
2 Michael Vick Atlanta Falcons (2001–2006)
Philadelphia Eagles (2009–2013)
New York Jets (2014)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2015)		6,109
3 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers (2011–2019; 2021)
New England Patriots (2020)		5,628
4 Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021)
Denver Broncos (2022–2023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)		5,462
5 Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles (1985–1995)
Minnesota Vikings (1997–1999)
Dallas Cowboys (2000)
Baltimore Ravens (2001)		4,928
6 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (USFL) (1984–1985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)		4,239 [n 1]
7 Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (2018–present)4,142
8 Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966)
New York Giants (1967–1971)
Minnesota Vikings (1972–1978)		3,674
9 Steve McNair Houston Oilers (1995–1996)
Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)
Tennessee Titans (1999–2005)
Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007)		3,590
10 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers (2005–2022)
New York Jets (2023–present)		3,573
Source: [5] [n 3]

Rushing touchdowns

Josh Allen has the most career rushing touchdowns among active quarterbacks Josh Allen SEPT2021 (cropped2).jpg
Josh Allen has the most career rushing touchdowns among active quarterbacks
RankPlayerTeamsRushing TDs
1 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers (2011–2019; 2021)
New England Patriots (2020)		75
2 Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (2018–present)65
3 Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles (2020-present)55
4 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (USFL) (1984–1985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)		43 [n 1]
5 Jack Kemp Pittsburgh Steelers (1957)
Calgary Stampeders (CFL) (1959)
L.A. / San Diego Chargers (1960–1962)
Buffalo Bills (1962–1969)		40 [n 4]
6 Kordell Stewart Pittsburgh Steelers (1995–2002)
Chicago Bears (2003)
Baltimore Ravens (2004–2005)		38
7
(tie)		 Tobin Rote Green Bay Packers (1950–1956)
Detroit Lions (1957–1959)
Toronto Argonauts (CFL) (1960–1962)
San Diego Chargers (1963–1964)
Denver Broncos (1966)		37 [n 5]
Steve McNair Houston Oilers (1995–1996)
Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)
Tennessee Titans (1999–2005)
Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007)
9 Michael Vick Atlanta Falcons (2001–2006)
Philadelphia Eagles (2009–2013)
New York Jets (2014)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2015)		36
10
(tie)		 Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers (2005–2022)
New York Jets (2023–present)		35
Steve Grogan New England Patriots (1975–1990)
Randall Cunningham Philadelphia Eagles (1985–1995)
Minnesota Vikings (1997–1999)
Dallas Cowboys (2000)
Baltimore Ravens (2001)
Source: [6] [n 6] [n 7]

Career leaders (playoffs)

Note: stats are accurate as of the end of Super Bowl LIX of the 2024–25 NFL playoffs.

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


Rushing attempts

RankPlayerTeamsRush attempts
1 Tom Brady New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)		114
2
(tied)		 Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (2018–present)112
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present)
4 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (USFL) (1984–1985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)		96 [n 1]
5
(tied)		 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens (2018–present)94
John Elway Denver Broncos (1983–1998)
7 Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021)
Denver Broncos (2022–2023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)		86
8 Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles (2020–present)78
9
(tied)		 Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021)76
Roger Staubach Dallas Cowboys (1969–1979)
Source: [10]

Rushing yards

RankPlayerTeamsRush yards
1 Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (2018–present)668
2 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens (2018–present)641
3 Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present)606
4 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (USFL) (1984–1985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)		594 [n 1]
5 Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021)
Denver Broncos (2022–2023)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present)		533
6 Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers (2011–2016)507
7 John Elway Denver Broncos (1983–1998)461
8 Roger Staubach Dallas Cowboys (1969–1979)432
9 Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)		422
10 Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles (2020–present)381
Source: [11]

Rushing touchdowns

RankPlayerTeamsRush TDs
1 Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles (2020–present)10
2 Steve Young Los Angeles Express (USFL) (1984–1985)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986)
San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999)		8 [n 1]
3
(tie)		 Josh Allen Buffalo Bills (2018–present)7
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present)
Tom Brady New England Patriots (2000–2019)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)
6
(tie)		 Steve McNair Houston Oilers (1995–1996)
Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998)
Tennessee Titans (1999–2005)
Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007)		6
John Elway Denver Broncos (1983–1998)
8 Otto Graham Cleveland Browns (1946–1955) [a] 5
9 Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys (2016–present)4
Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers (2011–2016)
Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers (2005–2022)
New York Jets (2023–present)
Donovan McNabb Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009)
Washington Redskins (2010)
Minnesota Vikings (2011)
Source: [12]

Single-season leaders (regular season)

Lamar Jackson has four of the top eight NFL seasons in rushing attempts and two of the top four in rushing yards Lamar Jackson vs. Bengals 2018.jpg
Lamar Jackson has four of the top eight NFL seasons in rushing attempts and two of the top four in rushing yards
Key  Player  Denotes an ongoing season.

Rushing attempts

RankPlayerSeasonTeamRush attempts
1 Lamar Jackson 2019 Baltimore Ravens 176
2 Jalen Hurts 2022 Philadelphia Eagles 165
3 Justin Fields Chicago Bears 160
4Lamar Jackson 2020 Baltimore Ravens 159
5Jalen Hurts
 2023 Philadelphia Eagles 155
6 2024 Philadelphia Eagles 150
7
(tied)		Lamar Jackson 2023 Baltimore Ravens 148
Jayden Daniels 2024 Washington Commanders
9Lamar Jackson 2018 Baltimore Ravens 147
10 Bobby Douglass 1972 Chicago Bears 141
Source: [13]

Rushing yards

RankPlayerSeasonTeamRushing 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
4Lamar Jackson 2020 Baltimore Ravens 1,005
5 Bobby Douglass 1972 Chicago Bears 968
6 Randall Cunningham 1990 Philadelphia Eagles 942
7Lamar Jackson 2024 Baltimore Ravens 915
8Michael Vick 2004 Atlanta Falcons 902
9 Jayden Daniels 2024 Washington Commanders 891
10 Russell Wilson 2014 Seattle Seahawks 849
Sources: [14]

Rushing yards per game

RankPlayerSeasonTeamRYds/game
1 Lamar Jackson 2019 Baltimore Ravens 80.4
2 Justin Fields 2022 Chicago Bears 76.2
3 Bobby Douglass 1972 Chicago Bears69.1
4Lamar Jackson 2020 Baltimore Ravens67.0
5 Michael Vick 2006 Atlanta Falcons 64.9
6Lamar Jackson 2021 Baltimore Ravens63.9
7Lamar Jackson 2022 Baltimore Ravens63.7
8Michael Vick 2004 Atlanta Falcons60.1
9 Randall Cunningham 1990 Philadelphia Eagles 58.9
10Michael Vick 2010 Philadelphia Eagles56.3
Sources: [15]

Rushing touchdowns

Jalen Hurts (pictured) and Josh Allen's 2023 performances are tied for first all-time in rushing touchdowns WAS at PHI Jan 2021 D50 4238 (50805447602).jpg
Jalen Hurts (pictured) and Josh Allen's 2023 performances are tied for first all-time in rushing touchdowns
RankPlayerSeasonTeamRushing TDs
1
(tie)		 Jalen Hurts 2023 Philadelphia Eagles 15
Josh Allen Buffalo Bills
3
(tie)		 Cam Newton 2011 Carolina Panthers 14
Jalen Hurts 2024 Philadelphia Eagles
5Jalen Hurts 2022 Philadelphia Eagles13
6
(tie)		 Steve Grogan 1976 New England Patriots 12
Cam Newton 2020
Josh Allen2024Buffalo Bills
9
(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

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

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

Career rushing yards

RankPlayer Seasons by team Total rushing yards
1 Damon Allen Edmonton Eskimos (1985 – 1988)
Ottawa Rough Riders (1989 – 1991)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1992)
Edmonton Eskimos (1993 – 1994)
Memphis Mad Dogs (1995)
BC Lions (1996 – 2002)
Toronto Argonauts (2003 – 2007)		11,920 [21]
2 Tracy Ham Edmonton Eskimos (1987 – 1992)
Toronto Argonauts (1993)
Baltimore Stallions (1994 – 1995)
Montreal Alouettes (1996 – 1999)		8,043 [21]
3 Jackie Parker Edmonton Eskimos (1954 – 1962)
Toronto Argonauts (1963 – 1965)
BC Lions (1966 – 1968)		5,210 [21]

Career rushing touchdowns

RankPlayer Seasons by team Total rushing TDs
1 Damon Allen Edmonton Eskimos (1985 – 1988)
Ottawa Rough Riders (1989 – 1991)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1992)
Edmonton Eskimos (1993 – 1994)
Memphis Mad Dogs (1995)
BC Lions (1996 – 2002)
Toronto Argonauts (2003 – 2007)		93 [22]
2 Matt Dunigan Edmonton Eskimos (1983 – 1987)
BC Lions (1988 – 1989)
Toronto Argonauts (1990 – 1991)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1992 – 1994)
Birmingham Barracudas (1995)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1996)		77 [22]
3 Jackie Parker Edmonton Eskimos (1954 – 1962)
Toronto Argonauts (1963 – 1965)
BC Lions (1966 – 1968)		68 [22]
4 Doug Flutie New Jersey Generals (USFL) [n 8] (1985)
Chicago Bears (NFL) [n 9] (1986)
New England Patriots (NFL) (1987 – 1989)
BC Lions (1990 – 1991)
Calgary Stampeders (1992 – 1995)
Toronto Argonauts (1996 – 1997)
Buffalo Bills (NFL) (1998 – 2000)
San Diego Chargers (NFL) (2001 – 2004)
New England Patriots (NFL) (2005)		66 [22]
5 Tracy Ham Edmonton Eskimos (1987 – 1992)
Toronto Argonauts (1993)
Baltimore Stallions (1994 – 1995)
Montreal Alouettes (1996 – 1999)		62 [22]

Single-season rushing yards

Kerry Joseph Kerry Joseph.jpg
Kerry Joseph
RankPlayerSeasonTeamTotal 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]
4Tracy Ham1989 Edmonton Eskimos 1,005 [21]

Single-game rushing yards

RankPlayerDateTeamTotal 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

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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

  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. 1 2 3 "Tom Matte Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  4. 1 2 "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. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Regular Season All-Time Records". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 "INDIVIDUAL RECORDS" (PDF). cfl.ca. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 5, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
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