The NFL has a certain group of quarterbacks who seem to get equal praise and criticism, from their fan base to outside observers. Here's looking at the top eight who cause the most debate for one reason or another.
Ranking NFL's 8 most polarizing quarterbacks, from Dak Prescott and Jordan Love to Tua Tagovailoa originally appeared on The Sporting News
There's no NFL position more polarizing than quarterback. When a team wins, even if he had a limited effect on the game outcome, a lot of credit gets heaped on the QB. When a team loses, even if it was the defense or another factor being more responsible, the QB often also takes much of the blame.
But some quarterbacks get a little extra controversy thrown their way. For a QB to become one of the league's most polarizing, the passer first must have a certain level of popularity, to the point he sparks passion in those defending or debasing him.
Second, he must define polarization, "creating a divided set of opinions that are in stark contrast to each other." Some need to think the quarterback is good and just as many need to think he is bad. Finally, there needs to be a level of maddening inconsistency from the quarterback's play, which keeps those opinions in constant flux.
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A fourth of the league has a QB who fits all that criteria for criticism (or a lack thereof). Here's the great (or not so great) eight that are causing the most debate in 2025:
Ranking the NFL's most polarizing quarterbacks
1. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
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Why Dak is so polarizing: This player's status comes with the job of quarterbacking the Dallas Cowboys, aka America's Most Loved or Hated Team. Prescott's predecessor, Tony Romo, felt this too, despite efficient play and plenty of winning in the regular season. If the Cowboys QB isn't winning in the playoffs and getting Super Bowl rings to match Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, he might as well be Chad Hutchinson or Quincy Carter.
The inconsistency and injury concerns also come into play for Prescott. So does the fact that he keeps getting positive bumps in salary for lesser team results — Prescott is currently the highest-paid player in 2025. Even when Prescott isn't the problem and playing well, which is most of the time, he gets blamed for all the Cowboys' other ills, offense or defense. Some think he's closer to elite, some believe he's just above average. Dak is the lone star with a bullet here.
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2. Jordan Love, Packers
Why Love is so polarizing: The Green Bay Packers are one of the league's proudest winning franchises and their fan base is hoping to make it three consecutive Super Bowl champion QBs after both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers delivered extra rings to Titletown. Considering both are also all-time Hall of Famers, that's a ton of pressure on Love being that great as a passer, leader and winner. From the time he was a controversial first-round pick in 2020, Love has been the subject of scrutiny.
Case in point: Love was playing great during the Packers' defense-dominated 2-0 start, only to be ripped most for the team not scoring enough in the massive upset loss to the Browns in Week 3. Love, like Rodgers in the Matt LaFleur system, has been efficient and made the most of the skill players in flux around him. He should get more, well, love. Instead, there's national hate until he can ever live up to unreasonable expectations.
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3. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
Why Lawrence is so polarizing: The Jacksonville Jaguars' No. 1 overall pick in 2021 has been labeled a can't-miss NFL talent for a long time, going back to when he was the biggest college QB recruit since John Elway when he starred as a championship passer at Clemson.
Lawrence has been through the wringer with coaches in schemes in four-plus seasons, with the Jaguars having to improve the receiving, blocking and play-calling talent to better support him. But other than flashing in 2022, his physical and mental gifts have left everyone wanting more, as the waiting remains for Lawrence to take that next leap into an upper-crust quarterback.
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Lawrence still looks the part and has also brought some QB stability to a franchise that needs it. Outside of Jacksonville, that's difficult to understand. He's risen higher on the list for 2025 as he's off to a slow start in what's supposed to be Liam Coen's scheme suited to help him reach his full potential.
4. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
Why Tagovailoa is so polarizing: Miami Dolphins fans are very protective of their franchise QB, taken No. 5 overall in the 2021 draft between Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert. Tagovailoa has put up some top numbers, including leading the NFL in yards per attempt (8.9 in 2022), passer rating (105.5 in 2022), passing yards (4,634 in 2023) and completion percentage (72.9 in 2024).
With the flashes of being a top pocket passer, the downside has been the scare with head injuries and not offering much to help him as a runner. He also hasn't won in the playoffs and seems more lifted by the system and his weapons than the other way around. Then there are the turnover struggles in bigger games vs. tougher defenses.
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Same as Dak Prescott, Jordan Love and Trevor Lawrence earning veteran mega contracts, Tagovailoa has become more polarizing once the Dolphins gave him a four-year, $212.4 million deal with $167 million guaranteed last year. Tagovailoa has shown the most long-term promise since Dan Marino, but has underwhelmed of late with more gunshy passing. The team also going from a surprise wild card to a fading AFC cellar dweller doesn't help.
5. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Why Murray is so polarizing: The Arizona Cardinals felt they were sitting pretty at QB for a long time when they did a quick pivot from the Josh Rosen first-round whiff in 2018 to draft Murray No. 1 overall in 2019. Murray did dazzle early, attached to the ideal offensive coach in Kliff Kingsbury, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year first before running to a second-year breakout.
But since 2022, his play has become shakier, and it didn't help that the team moved on from Kingsbury in 2023. The top dual-threat play and lifting his team to wins haven't been there and he's seemed to peak as a passer and hasn't kept up the same dangerous level as a willing runner. There's also been a major knee injury along the way.
Murray might be stuck with some bad personnel luck, with the offensive line and receiving moves being inconsistent and the new system letting down for two-plus seasons. Or he could be a big part of the reason for the dysfunction.
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6. Caleb Williams, Bears
Why Williams is so polarizing: Williams came to the Chicago Bears with his own share of can't-miss hype as their long-lost QB savior drafted No. 1 overall in 2024. The expectations as a rookie were unreasonable; however, with a lame duck bad coaching staff led by Matt Eberflus and Shane Waldron. The hype has revved back up in Year 2 with former Lions OC Ben Johnson being connected to Williams.
Williams is showing signs of breaking out big time as a sophomore with Bears fans believing in him again. He wasn't bad as a rookie, some opinions would tell you he was. Outside of Chicago, anti-Bears fans want the narrative of poor-to-above-average post-Sid Luckman QB play to continue, thinking the team has its next Cade McNown, Rex Grossman, Mitchell Trubisky or Justin Fields. But Williams has a real chance to end that curse and give them a lot more than Jay Cutler did.
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7. Brock Purdy, 49ers
Why Purdy is so polarizing: The San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback spot is much like the Packers, only with Joe Montana and Steve Young playing the past Super Bowl-winning and Hall of Fame great roles of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Purdy has helped the team return to the Super Bowl and it fell short there, so he's being lumped in with Colin Kaepernick and Jimmy Garoppolo before him.
But Purdy didn't waste time being relevant as an ace downfield passer when thrust into late action as a rookie No. 262 overall pick ahead of the playoffs in the 2022 season. He stole the job easily from Trey Lance for good and has been toe-to-toe with Patrick Mahomes in a Super Bowl, only losing in overtime. But some think he's still an overrated product of a system with some great offensive skills around him. That narrative has grown after signing a five-year, $265 million contract this May.
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By every statistical metric and team accolade, Purdy, when healthy, is one of the league's most dangerous and winningest QBs. The NFC championship run did abate some of the hate, but there are still plenty of critics citing his questionable durability and his lessened production when there are key injuries around him.
8. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
Why Mayfield is so polarizing: Mayfield is back high on his NFL career roller-coaster ride in his third season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coming off his 40-TD season, he's trying to lead his team to a fifth consecutive NFC South division title and a sixth straight playoff trip.
The team is getting a lot more than expected from Mayfield in succeeding the short Super Bowl-winning stint with the GOAT, Tom Brady. At 30, he's been one of the league's best reclamation stories, bouncing through the Rams and Panthers after the Browns rudely dismissed him for the bad mistake of trading for Deshaun Watson.
But Mayfield can rub people the wrong way with his hyped throwback ways and playground play at times. He's beloved by many at the same time for speaking his mind, which has led to him becoming one of the league's best commercial stars, going back to his Progressive days in Cleveland. Mayfield is much like the modern-day Brett Favre on the field, a fun gunslinger with some "huh" moments.
Mayfield's redemption story has caused some separation with the love beginning to outweigh the hate. But he gets the last spot because of his growing popularity and greater success, breeding some contempt.
Category: Football
