Top Seven NFL Quarterbacks Who Went from Heroes to Zeroes in a Flash

by Jeremy Block - 11/25/2024

Top seven NFL quarterbacks who went from hero to zero Cam Newton

Since the start of the NFL, quarterbacks have always been labeled as the face of their teams. And, honestly, it makes sense. They’ve got to call the plays, read the defense, and somehow avoid getting their heads taken off by defensive linemen -- all while trying to complete a pass. No small task, right?

But here’s the thing: the line between hero and zero is razor-thin, thinner than a defensive back’s coverage on a good day. One minute, a quarterback is riding high. The next, they’re scraping the bottom of the NFL barrel, thanks to a combination of off-field issues, career-altering injuries, or just flat-out failing to perform on the biggest stage of them all. Here are some quarterbacks who went from heroes to zeroes faster than you can say "interception."

1. Johnny Manziel – From Heisman Hero to NFL Bust

Johnny Manziel, aka "Johnny Football," was a college legend, a Heisman winner, and the most electrifying player in college football during his time at Texas A&M. His name was synonymous with big plays, big celebrations, and a huge personality.

However, nearly instantly after being drafted in the 2014 NFL Draft as the 22nd overall pick, his off-field behavior and lack of maturity became his worst enemy. Manziel's time in the NFL was a trainwreck of poor performances, partying, and personal issues. His brief stint with the Cleveland Browns quickly ended in flames after just two seasons, leaving fans in disappointment.

2. Tim Tebow – The Savior Who Couldn’t Throw a Football

Tim Tebow became a cultural phenomenon during his time at Florida. And in 2011, he briefly sparked one of the most improbable playoff runs in NFL history with the Denver Broncos. His trademark grit, faith, and clutch game-winning throws -- like that iconic overtime TD pass to Demaryius Thomas -- had fans buying into the Tebowmania hype. For a hot minute, it seemed like Tebow had found a way to make it work in the NFL.

But here’s the problem: while Tebow had the heart of a lion, his skills as a passer were, well, less than inspiring. Sure, he was a lefty, but his awkward throwing motion, awful accuracy, and inability to adapt to the pro game, didn’t exactly scream "NFL starter." And just like that, the once-heroic Tebow was out of the league faster than a failed two-minute drill. He may have been a hero for a brief moment, but his lack of a refined skill set turned him into a zero quicker than you can say “fourth quarter comeback”.

3. Robert Griffin III – The Rookie of the Year Who Couldn’t Stay Healthy

Robert Griffin III (RG3) started his career with a bang, earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2012 and even led Washington to the playoffs. His athleticism and dual-threat ability had fans thinking they were witnessing the future of the NFL.

However, injuries, including a catastrophic knee injury in his rookie year, derailed his career before he could reach his full potential. Despite a few attempts to revive his career, RG3 was never the same player after the injuries, and his spotlight faded out quickly, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.

4. Ryan Leaf – The Bust of All Busts

In 1998, the Los Angeles Chargers thought they had found their franchise quarterback when they selected Ryan Leaf. With a cannon for an arm and all the physical tools to dominate the late '90s, he was supposed to be the next big thing. Instead, he became the poster child for NFL draft busts, proving that sometimes the hype just doesn't match the reality. Expectations were through the roof, but reality hit fast, and Leaf quickly became the face of NFL busts.

He couldn’t live up to the hype, and his career was a mix of poor performances, on-field meltdowns, and off-field drama that made him infamous. In just three seasons, Leaf was done, and he’s now commonly cited as one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. From hero to zero? Heck, he didn’t even get a chance to be a hero.

5. Cam Newton – From MVP to Free Agent

A name that we tend to overlook is former Carolina quarterback Cam Newton. Newton was once the most dominant quarterback in the NFL, winning MVP honors in 2015 and leading the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl 50. His dual-threat ability -- mixing powerful running with a rocket launcher for an arm -- made him a pain in the “you know what” for defenses. For a time, he was the face of the league; a guy who could do it all.

But then, injuries started piling up, and Newton's inconsistency as a passer became harder to ignore. After being released by the Panthers, he made a brief and underwhelming stop with the New England Patriots. In 2021, he would make a return to Carolina, but by then it was clear: the best days of Newton under center were long gone. Now retired, Newton struggled to find a team willing to take a chance on him -- proof that the NFL’s shiny MVP can quickly turn into a guy desperately trying to prove he still has it.

6. Blake Bortles – The QB Who Should’ve Stayed a Backup

Blake Bortles was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 3rd overall pick in the 2014 draft. And for a quick minute, it looked like he might actually justify all the hype. He led the Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game in 2017, falling just short of the Patriots in a heartbreaker, 24-20.

But that was about as good as it got. After that playoff run, Bortles' career began to derail. His inconsistent play, poor decision-making, and glaring lack of accuracy made it clear he wasn’t cut out to be a franchise quarterback. He never fully developed into a starter, got benched, and was eventually released. Bortles went from playoff stud to a forgotten man faster than you can say "backup."

7. Jamarcus Russell – The Biggest Bust in NFL History

When you hear the words "bust" and "Raiders" in the same sentence, the first name that should come to mind is JaMarcus Russell. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Russell was once considered the future of the Oakland Raiders, a quarterback with a missile launcher for an arm and all the physical tools to be a star.

But here’s the catch: Russell had one major problem -- he couldn’t -- or more accurately, wouldn’t -- put in the work. His poor work ethic, combined with struggles in conditioning and an inability to grasp the playbook, doomed his career before it even started.

Just three seasons with the Raiders, and Russell was out of the NFL, and his epic failure is still considered one of the biggest NFL busts in history. From "future of the franchise" to "what the hell happened?" in record time.

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Start:	November 25, 2024 @ 11:30 PM
Expert:	Raphael Esparza (VSI)
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Top Seven NFL Quarterbacks Who Went from Heroes to Zeroes in a Flash

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