Are mobile quarterbacks the future? If so, these three NFL quarterbacks are leading the charge in the league's latest trend.
Are mobile quarterbacks the future?
It's a simple question with a complex answer.
In the past, it seemed as if every dual-threat quarterback had the same story: a promising start, a disappointing turning point, and a quiet exit from relevancy as injuries and lackluster results caused teams to part ways. For the quarterback, leaving the pocket usually resulted in disaster.
Now, as the league's rule changes have begun to protect quarterbacks and favor offenses, running quarterbacks have been creating nightmares for defenses with read-option plays and pistol formations.
NFL coaches are catering their game plans to feature nimble quarterbacks that can create plays outside of the play design. It worked for Jalen Hurts in 2022, who nearly led the Eagles to a championship as he became the first quarterback to rush for two touchdowns and pass for one touchdown in the Super Bowl. But in 2020, a quarterback who was almost as famous for his pocket presence as he was for his 40-yard dash time claimed the Lombardi Trophy. Mobility allows offensive flexibility when a play collapses, but a quarterback should always aim to exhaust all options within the structure of the play design. After all, elite quarterbacking still requires a mastery of the playbook and the ability to read defenses.
Steve Young, one of the most successful dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history, believes that scrambling away from pressure can hinder a quarterback's development as a passer. Mobile quarterbacks aren't forced to master the intricacies of the position because their feet can often bail them out. Why study film for endless hours when game-breaking plays can be created with physical ability?
The ability to escape the pocket can become a crutch that creates a quarterback who relies on randomness rather than rhythm.
As Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh explained when coaching Young, just running around can maybe make a great play. But the chances of a successful play increase when the offense knows where it's supposed to be at any given moment.
The sustained dominance of quintessential pocket passers such as Peyton Manning and Tom Brady has proven that the job of a perennial championship quarterback is to "orchestrate and to be a master of the data — from formation, to blitzes, to coverages," Young has said in the past.
Still, the desire for a dual-threat quarterback won't subside anytime soon, and the NFL does provide some powerful examples to motivate the next generation of quarterbacks. Here are three mobile quarterbacks in the NFL who are ensuring this is anything but a passing trend.
3 quarterbacks who will do the most damage with their legs this NFL season:
Honorable Mention: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
With a wealth of new pass catchers and a massive five-year, $260 million contract, Jackson is under a lot of pressure to produce this season.
Jackson has done considerable damage with his legs in the past, winning a unanimous NFL MVP title in 2019 after rushing for 1206 yards, which remains the most single-season rushing yards for a quarterback in NFL history. Jackson has a total of 4437 rushing yards over his five-year NFL career, but he didn't play the full season in 2021 or 2022.
Despite rushing for 2,536 yards since 2020 — the most by a quarterback in that timespan — Jackson has missed 11 regular season games in the past three seasons due to injury.
If Jackson can stay healthy on his new contract, he could find himself back on top of this list.
3. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
The only person to come close to Jackson's historic 2019 rushing record is Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who broke several NFL rushing records with 1143 yards in 2022. Last season, Fields broke the single-game quarterback rushing record, recorded the most rushing yards in a five-game span, logged the most consecutive games with a touchdown, and became the first NFL quarterback with 1,000 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. Additionally, Fields ranks No. 2 in terms of single-season rushing yards for a quarterback, which positions him to follow in Jackson's footsteps.
While Jackson won a unanimous NFL MVP award for a similarly groundbreaking season, the dismal reality was that Fields accomplished all this during a 3-14 season. To the chagrin of Chicago fans, Fields was tasked with carrying the entire team on his back, causing him to rely heavily on his legs. Also, the young quarterback still has significant work to do on his passing ability and accuracy, and as mentioned above, a dual-threat quarterback who primarily runs becomes one-dimensional over time. Fields isn't passing enough, and he's not completing enough of the passes he does make.
Fields is poised to have another impressive rushing season, perhaps one where he will best Jackson's record. Hopefully, his teammates and his own development as a passer will allow the Bears to flourish with the run rather than scramble out of bad situations.
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
He may have not come away with a Super Bowl title, but Josh Allen has come away with something else in 2023: his own Madden 24 cover. It's fitting that Allen is representing the game for the video game cover, as he has made his own name on play-making mobility. According to the Bills team website, Allen "set the NFL record for most combined TDs (passing + rushing + receiving) in a player's first five seasons. He finished second in the league in total TDs (46) and came in third in MVP voting." That not only demonstrates Allen's force as a dual-threat quarterback in 2022, but it demonstrates his prowess through every season he's been in the league. Consistently, Allen has found a way to the end zone, and he's often using his legs to do so.
Still, some in the NFL aren't convinced that Allen can win with his legs alone. The Athletic's Mike Sando recruited opinions from 50 NFL coaches and executives, and Allen came in as a Tier 2 quarterback alongside Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts.
"The running is a weapon, but if you are down two scores or 10 points, you might have an issue," said the anonymous NFL coordinator via Bleacher Report.
"His top 20 plays in a game are as good as Mahomes," an unnamed NFL scout added. "But then Buffalo will go nearly a half and do next to nothing."
Even if Allen has yet to win the biggest game of all, he has proven that he can achieve high-scoring milestones, dominate his division, and hang with the best in the AFC. As Allen endeavors to outduel competitors like Mahomes and Joe Burrow in the playoffs, he will do so with the mobility — and the arm — few wield in the NFL.
1. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
In terms of rushing yards, Jalen Hurts ranked behind Justin Fields, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen in 2022. But Hurts' 760 rushing yards are nothing to sneeze at, especially since Hurts is the only quarterback on this list who advanced to the Super Bowl last season. More than anyone else, Hurts has been successful at blending his rushing and passing ability to lead a prolific 14-3 campaign for the Philadelphia Eagles. If it weren't for the Washington Commanders, the Eagles may have snapped their nine-game undefeated streak — one they set during their Super Bowl-winning season in 2017.
NFL predictions are often predicated on past success, but some are predicting Hurts to outpace his competitors in rushing touchdowns next season. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, FanDuel Sportsbook expects Hurts to score the most rushing touchdowns at quarterback in 2023, although opinions vary at other sportsbooks.
It's a promising outlook for Hurts, who rushed for 10 touchdowns in 2021 and 13 touchdowns in 2022. When it comes to wins, Hurts is coming off of the best campaign in the NFC. When it comes to scores, Hurts is predicted to register the most with his legs. Hurts' proven success and given potential thoroughly captures what it means to do damage with one's legs, and clearly, Hurts is positioned to do the most.