There are two types of quarterbacks in football: Running quarterbacks and drop-back passers. Running quarterbacks are, of course, known for their rushing ability and often utilize designed runs. Meanwhile, drop-back quarterbacks focus more on passing the football and hanging in the pocket.
In regards to NFL players in the past, Michael Vick and Randall Cunningham are prime examples of running quarterbacks. Vick rushed for an impressive 6,109 yards during his career. Cunningham recorded nearly 5,000 rushing yards.
When it comes to drop-back passers, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are two of the best. Both Hall of Famers rank in the top three all-time in passing yards. Yet, neither ever rushed for over 160 yards in a single season.
Brady, Manning, Vick, and Cunningham are all legends from the past. But let’s look at current examples of running quarterbacks and drop-back passers.
College Football Running and Drop-back Passers
Drop-back passers in college football remain an essential part of the game, despite the rise of dual-threat quarterbacks. These traditional pocket passers excel in accuracy, decision-making, and arm strength. Many college programs have a distinct style, mostly attributed to the coaches’ vision.
Despite this, former college players like drop-back passers David Fales, Derek Carr, and Jameis Winston have demonstrated the effectiveness of this style. While some argue that RPO-based offenses are easier for quarterbacks, others believe that mastering play-action and anticipation is crucial.
Successful drop-back passers often possess the ability to read defenses quickly, make precise throws to the intermediate areas of the field, and maintain composure under pressure. As college offenses evolve, the ability to pass effectively from the pocket remains a valuable skill for quarterbacks aiming for success at the collegiate level and beyond.
Comparing NFL Running Quarterbacks vs Dropback Passers
Running Quarterbacks
You can’t have a “Greatest Running QB” conversation without mentioning Lamar Jackson. It just wouldn’t be right. The Baltimore Ravens star has the most rushing yards (6,173) by a quarterback in NFL history. Jackson is also the only signal-caller to ever rush for over 1,000 yards in a season twice.
With Jackson and running back Derrick Henry leading the way, the Ravens led the league in rushing last season. The team had 3,189 rushing yards and averaged 5.8 yards per carry. Jackson has won two NFL MVP awards in his career. He nearly won it for a third time this past season, but was beat out Josh Allen.
Speaking of Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills star is certainly one of the league’s top running quarterbacks. He has recorded over 500 rushing yards in six of his seven seasons. In addition, Allen is tied with Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas for the most career rushing touchdowns in Bills history. In 2024, Allen’s passing and rushing abilities helped Buffalo emerge as one of the league’s most explosive offenses. Allen, who threw for 3,731 yards last season, excels and both passing and running the ball.
Passing Quarterbacks
Undoubtedly, Joe Burrow is one of the NFL’s top drop-back quarterbacks. Last season, he led the league in several categories, including drop-backs (725), passing attempts (652), completions (460), passing yards (4,918), and passing touchdowns (43). If the Cincinnati Bengals didn’t finish with a 9-8 record and miss out on the playoffs, Burrow just might’ve been a serious threat to Allen for the MVP award.
Burrow means the world to the Bengals’ offense. Despite the team’s defensive struggles, Burrow still nearly managed to get Cincinnati into the postseason.
Matthew Stafford is another great example of a drop-back passer. He has only hit the 200-yard rushing mark once in his 16-year career. So yeah, he’s certainly not known as a runner. Stafford, who led the Los Angeles Rams to a win in Super Bowl LVI over Burrow’s Bengals, is one of the most prolific passers of this generation.
Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire wrote about Stafford’s drop-back production during the playoffs:
“If you dig even deeper, advanced analytics further cement Stafford’s status as one of the best postseason quarterbacks. Since 2000, his +0.24 EPA/drop-back in the playoffs is the best among all quarterbacks with at least 300 drop-backs.”
Stafford had been gaining trade interest recently. However, he will return to L.A. next season (contract restructure) to try and get the Rams back to the playoffs.
Main photo credit: © Evan Habeeb-Imagn Images
