Seven NFL Quarterbacks Who Could Have Played Running Back

by Jeremy Block - 6/23/2025

NFL quarterbacks who could have been running backs Lamar Jackson

Let’s be honest—quarterbacks are supposed to lead the offense from the pocket, calling the shots and finding open receivers. But every now and then, someone shows up who looks just as comfortable running the ball as throwing it. We’re not talking about the usual scramble to buy time, but players who run with purpose and pile up yards like running backs.

These seven QB’s had the speed, power, and instincts to be solid running backs if given the chance. With that in mind, let’s break down why these seven quarterbacks could’ve been serious threats in the backfield.

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Lamar Jackson

There aren’t many players whose game is built around running as much as throwing, but Lamar Jackson fits the bill perfectly. He’s not just fast; he’s the all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks with 6,123 yards, proving he’s more than your typical scrambler. Jackson’s combination of size, speed, and vision makes it crystal clear he could’ve handled a running back’s workload without breaking a sweat.

Not to mention, Jackson ran a 4.34 40-yard dash at the combine. Yeah, you read that right. The average 40-yard dash time for quarterbacks is 4.59. Let that sink in. What really stands out is how he maneuvers through traffic and breaks tackles, exactly what you want from a running back. Honestly, it’s still wild that he doesn’t get more chances to just take the ball and go, considering how dangerous he is in the open field.

Michael Vick

Before defenses had time to figure out what “dual-threat” even meant, Michael Vick was already running laps around them. With 6,109 rushing yards over his career, Vick still stands as the second all-time rusher among quarterbacks. Like him or not, that’s more rushing production than some actual starting tailbacks from the early 2000s.

Vick ran a 4.33 40-yard dash—which would’ve made him one of the fastest running backs in the league if he ever switched spots. More importantly, his acceleration out of the pocket looked exactly like someone shot him out of a slingshot. He could shake defenders, cut on a dime, and still had the power to fight through contact. Plug him into any backfield and give him 15 touches a game? He’d have fans drafting him first in fantasy leagues for a whole different reason.

Cam Newton

Watching Cam Newton in his prime felt like someone put a linebacker at quarterback and dared defenses to try and stop him. Standing 6’5”, weighing 245 pounds, Newton was a bulldozer with an arm. You don’t rack up 75 career rushing touchdowns by accident. That’s more than Eddie George, and LeSean McCoy.

He may not have had track speed like Jackson or Vick, but Newton’s power-running style was every bit as effective. He lowered his shoulder and didn’t hesitate to stiff-arm a linebacker into next week. Add in his vision and Newton looked like a jacked halfback who just happened to throw for 35 touchdowns in an MVP season.

Steve Young

Long before mobile quarterbacks were getting entire playbooks built for them, Steve Young was already leaving defenders in the dust. He had the pocket presence of a Hall of Famer and the legs of someone who probably could’ve picked up a second career at running back. Young ran for 4,239 career rushing yards and added 43 rushing touchdowns.

Look, Young wasn’t flashy like Vick or Newton, but he was just slippery enough to shake defenders in the open field. If the 49ers ever thought about lining him up in the backfield, he probably would’ve handled it like everything else he did—efficiently, and without needing much help.

Randall Cunningham

Long before dual-threat QBs became trendy, Randall Cunningham was making defenders look clueless in the open field. He finished his career with 4,928 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns—numbers that stack up against plenty of running backs from the same era.

At 6'4" with lethal speed, Cunningham was a nightmare in space. He was able to slip tackles, read lanes, and make defenses pay if they gave him an inch of breathing room. Give him a few carries out of the backfield, and odds are you’re looking at a legit rushing weapon, not just a quarterback on the move.

Steve McNair

You didn’t need a scouting report to know Steve McNair brought a different kind of physicality to the quarterback position. Built like a fullback at 6’2”, 230 pounds, he wasn’t slipping past defenders—he was barreling through them. For his career, McNair racked up 3,590 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns, bringing the kind of production most “real” running backs would kill for.

McNair didn’t rely on speed or flash, but he had a gritty, downhill style that punished defenses every time he tucked it and ran. Short-yardage, red zone, or just plain broken plays—he got the tough yards needed. If you needed someone to drag a pile and keep the drive alive, McNair was already doing it from the quarterback spot.

Donovan McNabb

Defensive backs didn’t just have to worry about McNabb’s arm—they had to worry about getting trucked. With 3,459 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns across 13 seasons, McNabb made defenses pay for trying to chase him down.

What made him dangerous as a runner wasn’t just his size (240 pounds), it was how he picked his spots and timed his runs. McNabb knew when to take off and had a knack for turning broken plays into big yardage. If someone had lined him up behind the quarterback instead of being one, he most likely would have racked up 700-yard seasons like clockwork.

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Start:	June 23, 2025 @ 10:10 PM
Expert:	Vernon Croy
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Seven NFL Quarterbacks Who Could Have Played Running Back

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