![Russell Wilson [L] and Lamar Jackson [R]](https://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Russell-Wilson-L-and-Lamar-Jackson-R-1024x563.jpg)
Find yourself a quarterback who can pass and run. While the NFL has long focused on the passing game, quarterbacks who can scramble are still game-changers. Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens’ star QB, is today’s best example of a dual-threat quarterback.
In just six seasons, he’s snagged two NFL MVP awards and made history as the only quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in multiple seasons. Jackson has also climbed to third on the NFL’s all-time rushing yards list for quarterbacks. However, he still needs more yards to claim the top spot.
Who Are The Top Rushing Quarterbacks of All Time?
5) Randall Cunningham (4,928)
Randall Cunningham was among the smoothest and most dynamic quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. A true dual-threat, Cunningham spent 11 of his 16 NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he dazzled fans and confounded defenses with his combination of a rocket arm and effortless running style. His ability to glide past defenders and launch deep passes made him one of the most versatile quarterbacks of his era.
While Cunningham threw for over 3,000 yards in five seasons, his 1990 campaign showcased his exceptional rushing ability. That year, he rushed 118 times for an impressive 942 yards and scored five touchdowns on the ground, making him a nightmare for opposing defenses. From 1986 to 1992, Cunningham rushed for 500 or more yards in six out of seven seasons, a streak that would likely have extended to seven if not for a torn ACL in the 1991 season opener.
By the end of his career, Cunningham had accumulated 4,928 rushing yards, putting him among the all-time great rushing quarterbacks. To highlight his versatility, his 4,928 rushing yards aren’t far behind his brother, Sam Cunningham, the all-time rushing leader for the New England Patriots, who finished with 5,453 yards. Randall’s legacy remains a benchmark for quarterbacks who excel in both passing and rushing.
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4) Russell Wilson (5,307)
Russell Wilson started his NFL career with a bang, delivering ten stellar seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, Wilson quickly proved his worth by winning the starting job in training camp as a rookie and never missing a start for his first nine seasons.
While he made headlines for his passing, especially when he led the league with 34 touchdown passes in 2017, his running game was equally lethal. That same season, he rushed for 586 yards and three touchdowns, marking his fourth season with 500 or more rushing yards. He added a fifth in 2020 with 513 rushing yards.
Wilson’s best rushing season came in 2014 when the Wisconsin product ran for a career-high 849 yards and six touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to take over games with his legs. However, as his career progressed, he became more conservative with his runs.
After a 2022 trade, Wilson played two seasons with the Denver Broncos before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2024 season. Entering the campaign with 5,307 rushing yards, Wilson is just outside the top three all-time rushing quarterbacks.
At 35, he’s contending with a lingering calf injury, which could limit his chances of climbing back into the top three. However, with his experience and ability to surprise, Wilson remains a player to watch as he takes on this new chapter with Pittsburgh.
3) Lamar Jackson (5,321)
Lamar Jackson could soon top the NFL’s greatest rushing quarterbacks list. In just six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, the two-time MVP has already amassed 5,258 rushing yards and shows no signs of slowing down. Jackson is the only quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in multiple seasons, hitting a career-high 1,206 yards during his first MVP season in 2019.
Jackson’s running ability was evident from his rookie year in 2018, where, despite starting only seven games, he ran for 695 yards—the lowest rushing total of his career.
The following year, he exploded for 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, setting the single-season rushing record for a QB. In 2020, Jackson followed up with 1,005 rushing yards in 15 games, becoming the first QB to achieve multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
In his 2023 MVP season, Jackson continued his rushing dominance with 821 yards, further cementing his status as the league’s premier dual-threat quarterback. By 2024, Jackson made history again by moving up to third on the NFL’s all-time rushing leaderboard for quarterbacks.
In a pivotal game, Jackson’s eight carries for 63 yards led Baltimore and pushed him past Russell Wilson, who had 5,307 yards entering the season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Jackson still in his prime, he’s closing in fast on Vick and Newton, aiming to become the NFL’s greatest rushing quarterback ever.
2) Cam Newton (5,628)
Cam Newton wasted no time establishing himself as a dual-threat force for the Carolina Panthers. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Newton burst onto the scene with an incredible rookie season that showcased both his arm and legs. He threw for 4,051 yards and 21 touchdowns, but his rushing made headlines.
Newton ran for 706 yards and set a rookie quarterback record with 14 rushing touchdowns. His dynamic play earned him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, even though the Panthers finished with a 6-10 record.
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 245 pounds, Newton combined speed to outrun defenders with the power to bulldoze through them. In his second season, he rushed for 741 yards and scored eight more rushing touchdowns, further solidifying his reputation as a true dual-threat QB.
Newton’s peak came in 2015 when he was named NFL MVP after leading the Panthers to a 15-1 record. That year, he threw for 3,837 yards and 35 touchdowns while adding 636 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. His efforts took Carolina to Super Bowl 50, where they narrowly lost to the Denver Broncos.
In 2017, Newton rushed for a career-high 754 yards, proving he could still dominate on the ground. He finished his 11-year NFL career with 5,628 rushing yards, ranking among the top rushing quarterbacks in NFL history.
1) Michael Vick (6,109)
Michael Vick, the dynamic left-handed quarterback from Virginia Tech, redefined what it meant to play the position in the NFL. Known for his flashy style and explosive speed, Vick became a sensation with the Atlanta Falcons, thrilling fans with his ability to outrun defenders and launch deep passes downfield. While he had a powerful arm, his rushing prowess truly set him apart from every other quarterback.
In 2006, Vick became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season, finishing with 1,039 yards and setting a record 8.4 yards per carry. Throughout his career, he led the league in yards per carry five times, proving his ability to break away on any play.
Vick had six seasons with 500+ rushing yards—four with the Falcons and two with the Eagles. In 2004, he ran for 902 yards in just 15 games. With 6,109 career rushing yards, Vick remains the NFL’s all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks.
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