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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 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 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.
Career records (regular season)
Note: stats are accurate as of the end of Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season.
| ★ | Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| ‡ | Player who is still active |
Rushing attempts
| Rank | Player | Teams | Rush 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) |
981 |
| 3 | Lamar Jackson‡ | Baltimore Ravens (2018–present) | 928 |
| 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 | Aaron Rodgers‡ | Green Bay Packers (2005–2022) New York Jets (2023–present) |
730 |
| 8 | Steve Young★ | Los Angeles Express (1984–1985) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999) |
722[n 1] |
| 9 | Tom Brady | New England Patriots (2000–2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022) |
693 |
| 10 | Fran Tarkenton★ | Minnesota Vikings (1961–1966) New York Giants (1967–1971) Minnesota Vikings (1972–1978) |
675 |
| Source:[2][n 2] | |||
Rushing yards
Rushing touchdowns
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Career leaders (playoffs)
Note: stats are accurate as of the end of the Conference Championship games of the 2023–24 NFL playoffs.
| ★ | Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| ‡ | Player who is still active |
Rushing attempts
| Rank | Player | Teams | Rush attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Brady | New England Patriots (2000–2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022) |
114 |
| 2 | Steve Young★ | Los Angeles Express (USFL) (1984–1985) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999) |
96[n 1] |
| 3 | John Elway★ | Denver Broncos (1983–1998) | 94 |
| 4 | Patrick Mahomes‡ | Kansas City Chiefs (2017–present) | 90 |
| 5 (tied) |
Josh Allen‡ | Buffalo Bills (2018–present) | 83 |
| Russell Wilson‡ | Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–2023) Pittsburgh Steelers (2024–present) | ||
| 7 (tied) |
Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021) | 76 |
| Roger Staubach★ | Dallas Cowboys (1969–1979) | ||
| 9 | Lamar Jackson‡ | Baltimore Ravens (2018–present) | 73 |
| 10 | Donovan McNabb | Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009) Washington Redskins (2010) Minnesota Vikings (2011) |
72 |
| Source:[10] | |||
Rushing yards
| Rank | Player | Teams | Rush yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Young★ | Los Angeles Express (USFL) (1984–1985) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999) |
594[n 1] |
| 2 | Josh Allen‡ | Buffalo Bills (2018–present) | 563 |
| 3 | Russell Wilson‡ | Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) Denver Broncos (2022–2023) 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 (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 | Steve McNair | Houston Oilers (1995–1996) Tennessee Oilers (1997–1998) Tennessee Titans (1999–2005) Baltimore Ravens (2006–2007) |
355 |
| Source:[11] | |||
Rushing touchdowns
| Rank | Player | Teams | Rush TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Young★ | Los Angeles Express (USFL) (1984–1985) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986) San Francisco 49ers (1987–1999) |
8[n 1] |
| 2 | Tom Brady | New England Patriots (2000–2019) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022) |
7 |
| 3 (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) | ||
| 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 (1946–1955)[lower-alpha 1] | ||
| 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)
| Key | Player | Denotes an ongoing season. |
|---|
Rushing attempts
| 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
| 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
| 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
.jpg)
| 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] | ||||
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
Career rushing yards
| Rank | Player | 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
Single-season rushing yards
| 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
| 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] |
- Young's USFL stats with the Los Angeles Express are not counted.
- 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.
- 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.
- Kemp's CFL statistics are not included in his official NFL stats
- Rote's CFL statistics are not included in his official NFL stats
- 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]
- 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]
- Flutie's USFL stats are not accounted into his official CFL stats
- Flutie's NFL stats are not accounted into his official CFL stats
- 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.
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