NFL

NFL fans love to hate quarterbacks for several reasons, even the quarterbacks leading their favorite teams. Quarterback is football’s most marquee and important position. That also makes it the game’s most polarizing position, getting too much credit for wins and getting too much blame for losses.

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Which active QBs are the source of most dislike and disdain? There are a combination of factors that make up the hated index, both on and off the field.

Start with team performance tied to winning and individual production attached to stats. A quarterback can be hated for either being a great player who breaks opponents’ hearts or a shaky player who disappoints his own fans. They also need to be popular enough to force a strong negative opinion.

Personality plays a big part. What kind of demeanor does the quarterback have? Does he rub others the wrong way the way he plays or what he says?

There also is outside perception, or what kind of chatter a QB gets from media coverage or fan reaction. There also are some quarterbacks so polarizing that their divisive presence can’t be ignored.

The higher a quarterback ranks when accounting all those factors, the more hate he gets. Here’s looking at the NFL’s 25 current most scorned QBs, including starters and notable backups.

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NFL’s most hated quarterbacks in 2026

Ken Blaze/Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

1. Deshaun Watson, Browns

Watson is trying to change the narrative in Cleveland with a surprise 2-1 start. He’s had one bad game, one stellar game and one meh game. But this is more about still not living up to his mega contract after a blockbuster trade.

Beyond the barking in the Dawg Pound, there’s also those troubling allegations off the field going back to his Texans time to make him hated elsewhere. He’s put much of it on himself and is working on a redemption story. For some, his past indiscretions put a dark cloud on his career that will never be lifted.

2. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers

If the NFL was the world of professional wresting, Rodgers would be known for making the ultimate heel turn. Remember when he was a jovial four-time MVP QB for the Packers, the face of State Farm and the affable guest host of Jeopardy!? That seems like forever ago.

Take your pick since Rodgers got himself out of Green Bay, with the unkindness getting the better of his weirdness. Whatever you think about his offbeat opinion on health matters, his constant need to criticize those involved in his past football and personal relationships isn’t a welcome look. On the field, Rodgers remains one of the all-time greats with an elite arm. But trading an introspective nature to unfiltered brashness has been a real turnoff for those outside of Pittsburgh.

3. Dak Prescott, Cowboys

Being quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys comes with a baseline level of hate from the huge NFC East rival fan bases of the Eagles, Giants and Commanders and those who can’t stand America’s Team. There’s also some frustration from Cowboys fans wanting him to translate his strong passing career into some top-level playoff success.

Prescott is one of the best people, period, in the NFL, so there’s limited hate through his off-field work, except from those who might think he’s overexposed. For non-Cowboys fans, they like to think Prescott is overrated, too. 

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4. Shedeur Sanders, Browns

Sanders isn’t even starting for Cleveland and with the boos lessening for Watson, there’s more reason to think Sanders simply isn’t good enough to start in the NFL anymore when he’s not the default best option for his team. Sanders’ hate factor is also literally Cowboys related as an extension of those who didn’t like the flashy trash-talking of his father Deion.

The trickle down to Shedeur might not seem fair, but there’s some discomfort with a big name in sports who has yet to match with big-enough game. Sanders would be even less popular even he wasn’t the Browns’ only alternative to Watson.

5. Jayden Daniels, Commanders

Where else did you expect Daniels to be ranked, other than No. 5 (will he even allow us to to say that?). Daniels had a stellar rookie season but there’s sudden concern in Washington he’s headed down the path of Robert Griffin III, going from beloved Heisman-winning pro to becoming resented for consistent concerns about injury and a status bigger than the team. His inability to stay on the field has become frustrating as the Commanders have rallied well under Marcus Mariota when needed.

There’s no doubt Daniels would be lower on the list without the LSU number non-retirement controversy that cropped up this offseason. That’s brought more scrutiny to Daniels with his peccadillos being magnified. He also has the Prescott-like vibe of having many rival fan bases not liking his presence as the top QB in Washington.

Imagn Images

6. Tua Tagovailoa, Falcons

It’s a different team but the same vibe with Tagovailoa. Since his injury-derailed days toward the end of his Alabama career, the way Tua carries himself has led to bad vibes with his lack of accountability for his struggles. He also needed to apologize for what past teammates have called out as questionable leadership.

For fans of his teams, Tua hasn’t helped himself, fading hard for the Dolphins after showing early promise as the No. 5 overall pick in 2020. His ending is Miami was rough, timed with the fall of Mike McDaniel. His reset in Atlanta hasn’t really started while he faces more durability woes.

7. Justin Herbert, Chargers

Herbert was taken one pick after Tagovailoa at No. 6 in 2020. He’s gotten the hate for different reasons while still on his original team. The biggest source is constant overhype as an athletic passing talent since his terrific rookie season. He’s shown only flashes since and has only exacerbated that feeling with awful losing playoff performances. He’s not lived up to the mega contract extension with a lack of top-level play.

Herbert also gets the classic jealous hate for being «extremely good looking» with the ideal frame, 6-6, 236 pounds. He’s now living up to that matinee idol status with his engagement to pop starlet Madison Beer. Fans of the Chiefs, Raiders and Broncos have the most hate toward Herbert.

8. Brock Purdy, 49ers

Purdy’s hated case is based on the fact everyone thinks he’s an overrated passer supported by the ideal offensive system under Kyle Shanhan. It is true Purdy is well supported, even with San Francisco’s constant wide receiver injuries. He has an elite left tackle (Trent Williams), the game’s best big-play tight end (George Kittle) and a future Hall of Fame running back (Christian McCaffrey). 

Part of that is continued disbelief of how the draft’s 2022 Mr. Irrelevant can be so good. He also gets weird unfair criticism for still having such a youthful face. Purdy has proved through the regular season and playoffs that he’s among the league’s premier deep-ball passers with incredible accuracy, efficiency and production.

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Purdy is putting it all together as an MVP candidate in 2026 (10 total TDs 9.5 yards per attempt 133.1 rating). At some point, which might only come with winning a Super Bowl for the 49ers, Purdy will get the unquestioned respect that past Niners greats Joe Montana and Steve Young have.

9. Caleb Williams, Bears

When Caleb Williams had such an emotional reaction after suffered a major hamstring injury against the Vikings in Week 2, not much time passed until it was ridiculed for crying. Although that’s a ridiculous reason to mock someone, his carting off the field was a reminder of how many don’t like the way Williams carries himself. 

Why shouldn’t Williams be confident with his immense talent in the ideal Ben Johnson offense and be hurting so much when knows he can’t play and keep leading his team? Let’s digress. Williams gets natural hate from those who didn’t like him at oft-hated USC and the fact he’s the anointed Bears savior doesn’t get love from Packers, Lions and Vikings fans. Love him or hate him (and too many do), he’s.a fun athletic improvisational passer to watch.

10. Daniel Jones, Colts

Jones was ripped by letting down the Giants’ fans with his consistent turnover woes in New York playing for the team that drafted him No. 6 overall in 2019. In seven seasons, he took the Giants to the playoffs only twice, replacing two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning, who was beloved through 16 seasons.

«Danny Dimes»did flash early, only to become a disappointment, a source of schadenfreude for fans of the Cowboys, Eagles and Commanders. The hate has eased a bit as Jones became the new starter in Indianapolis. Jones got called out more for calling out the unfair criticism he received as a result of playing for a popular team with relentless media. Jones has traded that pressure for trying to be the long-awaited successor to Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck in Indianapolis.

11. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers

Mayfield’s hate goes back to his days as Oklahoma’s brash, immature starting quarterback. He lost a lot of fans when he made the ill-fated decision to plant the flag on Ohio State’s field. That’s a product of his fiery competitiveness which haters see more as annoying swagger. On the field, his gunslinging playing style can be equal parts frustrating and exciting.

12. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Tom Brady has done well to pass the active GOAT torch to Mahomes. With it, Mahomes has been marked for hate with how much success he has had. Some haters get caught up in the voice, others don’t like the fact he’s well aware of how good he is. Brady got it. LeBron James got it. Being the best only means there’s a line of folks who want to try to bring him down. It’s not just Raiders, Broncos and Chargers who hate losing to Mahomes, but the Bills, Ravens, Texans and Bengals fans are among those in a long line. There’s also a perception Mahomes gets heavy favoritism from NFL officials, which every non-Chiefs fan just cannot stand.

13. Kirk Cousins, Raiders

Cousins has been rejuvenated with the Raiders to the point he can once again say «You like that?!» to all his haters. Detractors see him as a hokey everyman with a milquetoast personality. There’s also a lot of disappointed fans in Washington and Minnesota for him not living up to big contracts with inconsistent prime-time and playoff success. Now that he’s back finding success again with Las Vegas will be annoying to more. In reality, he’s become one of the most underrated passers in NFL history and he’s lessened the hate with a star turn on Netflix’s «Quarterback.»

14. Lamar Jackson, Ravens

Jackson is also part of the muddled middle of hate. Much of it comes from opponents who keep disrespecting his passing skills despite him proving it time and time again with two MVPs to his credit. Media and outside fans also question him matching his dynamic dual threat production by reaching the biggest playoff heights. The Steelers, Browns and Bengals are among the brashest critics, but he’s not liked much as a rival to the QBs in Buffalo and Kansas City. Jackson is used to hearing the hate for his playing style going back to when it was suggested he switch positions from quarterback.

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15. Jalen Hurts, Eagles

File Hurts with some of the same criticism as Jackson despite having several great seasons in Philadelphia and winning a ring as Super Bowl 59 MVP. He gets criticized way too much for a QB who simply wins a lot and succeeds making big plays with his arm and legs. Hurts gets knocked by Eagles fans who want him to explode for huge games every week, even when they keep winning. There also is some envy at play for how well his NFL trajectory has gone from Alabama to Oklahoma to Philadelphia. Those programs and teams also have the natural hate from rivals.

16. Sam Darnold, Seahawks

Darnold got a lot of hate while with the Jets, stamped by «seeing ghosts» and not living up to lofty expectations in New York as the No. 3 overall pick in 2019. With stops in Carolina, San Francisco and Minnesota in between, now he’s being hated as a reclamation project who landed in the ideal situation in Seattle. Critics fairly call out the fact the Seahawks have won a lot more with defense and operate a balanced run-heavy offense, which has led to Darnold being overrated as a Super Bowl-winning QB.

17. Jordan Love, Packers

His last name wouldn’t suggest the opposite, but there is some fair hate for Love. For some Packers fans, spoiled at quarterback between Super Bowl winners Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, have been impatient for Love make the same elite jump under Matt LaFleur. He also gets his share of outside hate from those in Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota.

18. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars

Lawrence’s long beautiful hair could be one source of hate for the follically challenged, but the real reason to those outside Jacksonville is him getting overhyped as a future all-time great before being drafted to the NFL No. 1 overall in 2021. That is becoming less of an issue as he’s blossomed in the ideal offense for his talents under Liam Coen. Lawrence also is strangely disliked for being confidently happy. Lawrence gets some equal love for being physically and mentally tough.

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19. Drake Maye, Patriots

The Patriots needed five years to get a suitable successor for Brady. When they made the Super Bowl again in Maye’s second year, the bad long-term feeling toward dynastic New England resurfaced in New York, Buffalo, Miami, Kansas City, Baltimore and Denver and any other NFL city with a promising AFC team. There also was the sense Maye was overrated, having his breakout against a favorable schedule and then succumbing to the Seahawks’ defensive challenge. It’s a bit sad those critics are reveling in «told you so» tied to Maye’s rough start to the 2026 season. As usual, Maye getting more media like has only increased his non-Patriots fate.

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20. Kyler Murray, Vikings

Murray got a lot of hate while in Arizona as being the No. 1 overall pick in 2019. For some, he gave off an air of arrogance in carrying himself as an elite all-around QB. For his big contracts, his on-field demeanor suggested he wasn’t the consistent grinding leader the Cardinals needed. There’s hope that being humbled a little with injuries will make Murray a more accountable QB as a veteran passer approaching 30. Minnesota is the perfect situation under Kevin O’Connell for Murray to rewrite the misperception.

21. Bo Nix, Broncos

Nix in Denver is much like Maye in New England. The Broncos’ biggest-ever stars at quarterback, John Elway and Peyton Manning, got their share of hate from outside fan bases who didn’t like losing to them. Nix is criticized for his frequent shaky play that makes him overrated — until he goes nuclear to bring down opponents often with clutch fourth quarters. That Elway trait gets knocked quickly as there’s consistent questioning of Nix’s arm strength and accuracy.

22. Jared Goff, Lions

Goff doesn’t create a visceral reaction like those above him, but file him under Purdy as a QB who doesn’t get enough respect because of those saying he’s a system quarterback who needs all the support in place to succeed. Like the 49ers, the Lions are loaded, with a great offensive tackle, elite running back, the game’s best slot receiver, a speedy big-play threat and a top tight end. He’s been seen as a fortunate product of McVay and then Ben Johnson. The No. 1 overall pick from 2016 can be inconsistent based on opponent and location, creating a sense of being overrated. In reality, he’s been as good as a fit with Detroit as Matthew Stafford has been with the Rams.

23. Josh Allen, Bills

Allen is an interesting case because he’s straight-up hated by fans of other teams because he can be so durable and dominant. At the same time, those same fans are fascinated by his consistent massive passing and rushing production that delivers in fantasy football every season. Then there’s the natural hate from Patriots, Dolphins and Jets fans, part of it being envy. Allen’s love has risen with his good guy work off the field and getting married to very the likable Hailee Steinfeld.

24. Joe Burrow, Bengals

Burrow has his share of hate from the heated rivals in the AFC North as Steelers, Ravens and Browns fans would rather not see him two times a season. His special college championship season at LSU in 2019 also has some carryover for the anti-SEC crowd. Burrow is well-liked for letting his personality shine through and having some mystique about his fashionable off-field life. That comes with some polarization, too.

25. Fernando Mendoza, Raiders

Mendoza hasn’t played a down yet in the NFL, but go figure he already comes in with haters from his college superstar days at Indiana. His classy authenticity and unbridled intensity has drawn disdain for those who think he’s not genuine or has a loose personality. Mendoza has taken plenty of strays just for late-blooming into a generational QB prospect. The fact he channels some of Cousins’ demeanor and expressions hasn’t helped. Some, including those in Kansas City and Denver, will hate Raiders quarterbacks, no matter what.

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