In baseball, you see left-handed pitchers playing on every team. In fact, left-handed pitchers are actually sought after by teams for their ability to get left-handed batters out.
However, left-handed quarterbacks in football are pretty rare. Currently, there are only 6 “southpaw” quarterbacks in the NFL, and only 2 of those are starters.
Let’s take a quick look at the 5 best left-handed quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL.
#5 Michael Vick – Atlanta Falcons (2001-current)
The #1 draft pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, Michael Vick is perhaps the best all around athlete to play the quarterback position in the NFL. Vick is currently one of the most recognizable faces in the NFL, and in 2006 he became the 1st quarterback in NFL history to run for over 1,000 yards in a single season.
Vick is more of a threat with his legs than with his arm, but he has, at times, shown the ability to hurt opposing defenses with both.
Vick edges out former Seattle Seahawks lefty Jim Zorn for #5 on this list because of his impact so far in his career, and the fact that he is still only 26 years old. If Vick is able to have a long career and win a Super Bowl, he may have a chance at being considered the greatest left-handed quarterback to ever play the game.
#4 Mark Brunell – Green Bay Packers(1993-94),Jacksonville Jaguars(1995-2003) Washington Redskins(2004-current)
Brunell, who played his college ball at the University of Washington, made his name in the NFL as the leader of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the late 90’s. Brunell surprisingly led the Jags to the playoffs in just their second season as an NFL franchise in 1996. The Jaguars also made the playoffs in ’97, ’98, and ’99 under the guidance of Brunell.
In his career, Brunell has been named to 3 Pro Bowls and was the MVP of the Pro Bowl in 1997. In his career, he’s thrown for more than 30,000 yards and 182 touchdowns. He also has 15 rushing touchdowns in his career. Early in his career, Brunell was a dual threat, hurting defenses with his rocket arm and his elusive feet.
Brunell probably isn’t a Hall of Famer, but he has been one of the most productive quarterbacks of his generation.
#3 Boomer Esiason – Cincinnati Bengals(1984-1992, 1997), New York Jets(1993-95), Arizona Cardinals(1996)
Esiason has thrown for more yards and touchdowns than any other left-handed quarterback in NFL history. He had his best season in 1998 when he was named NFL MVP after leading the Bengals to a 12-4 regular season record, 2 playoff victories, and an appearance in Super Bowl XXIII, where they lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 20-16.
Esiason went to 4 Pro Bowls in his career and was one of the NFL’s most consistent players at the quarterback position while with the Bengals.
#2 Kenny Stabler – Oakland Raiders(1970-79), Houston Oilers(1980-81), New Orleans Saints(1982-84)
Kenny “The Snake” Stabler was the quarterback for some very good Oakland Raider teams in the mid to late 70’s. A backup his first 3 seasons, Stabler came in for Raiders starting quarterback, Daryle Lamonica, in a 1972 Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and ran for a 30 yard touchdown that put the Raiders ahead late in the 4th quarter. The Steelers would go on to come back and win the game on perhaps the craziest play in NFL history, “The Immaculate Reception”.
Stabler went on to quarterback the Raiders for the remainder of the decade, winning the NFL MVP in 1974 and leading the Raiders to a victory in Super Bowl XI over the Minnesota Vikings 32-14.
Stabler finished his career with just under 28,000 yards and 192 career touchdown passes.
#1 Steve Young – Tampa Bay Buccaneers(1985-86), San Francisco 49ers(1987-1999)
Steve Young started his career in the USFL and then with the often pitiful Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the 1980’s. After leaving the Buccaneers, Young was labeled by many as a “bust”.
Young’s trade to the San Francisco 49ers revitalized his career, although it took several years for him to stake his claim to the starting job in San Francisco.
The winner of 2 NFL MVP awards(1992 & 1994), Young was also the MVP of Super Bowl XXIX, leading the 49ers to a 49-26 win over the San Diego Chargers. Young threw a record 6 touchdown passes in the rout over the Chargers.
The 7-time Pro Bowler retired in 1999, and in 2005 became the first left-handed quarterback inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
An elusive runner, Young finished his career with more rushing touchdowns(43) than any quarterback in NFL history. Young also has the highest career passer rating in NFL history, and at one point had 4 consecutive seasons with a passer rating over 100, another NFL record.
Honorable Mention :
Jim Zorn – Former Seahawks lefty threw 111 career TD’s in NFL.
Bobby Douglass – Not much of a passer, this scrambler ran for 968 yards and 8 td’s in 1972 for the Bears.
Other Current NFL lefty QB’s:
Chris Simms – Tampa Bay
Matt Leinart – Arizona Cardinals
David Greene – Seattle Seahawks
Jared Lorenzen – New York Giants
Past Lefty QB’s of note:
Scott Mitchell
Todd Marinovich
Brock Huard
Paul McDonald
Cade McNown
