Although draft experts and GMs dislike short quarterbacks, fans love to root for an underdog. Learn more about some of the greatest short quarterbacks in the history of the NFL
Who was the Shortest Quarterback in the NFL?
The shortest quarterback to play in the NFL was Davey O’Brien, who stood at 5’7″ tall.
This short king played for the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Texans, and Washington Redskins from 1946 to 1951. Davey O’Brien was named a two-time All-American at TCU and won the Heisman Trophy in 1947. He was also the first quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy from a Southwest Conference school.
A mobile quarterback known for his scrambling ability, Davey was also a good passer and had a strong arm. He threw for 1,742 yards and 14 touchdowns in his rookie season with the Browns. Despite injuries cutting his career short, he was a somewhat successful quarterback in the NFL..
He even has a college football award named after him. The Davey O’Brien Award is an award presented to the top college football quarterback in the nation. Past winners of the award include some of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, such as Troy Aikman, Steve Young, and Peyton Manning.
Who are the Best Short Quarterbacks in the NFL?
- Russell Wilson (5’11”) – Wilson is a two-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP. He is also a seven-time Pro Bowler and has been named to the NFL’s All-Pro team three times. Wilson is known for his mobility and his ability to make plays outside of the pocket. He is also a very accurate passer and has a strong arm.
- Kyler Murray (5’10”) – Kyler Murray is a former Heisman Trophy winner who is considered to be one of the most exciting players in the NFL. He is a dual-threat quarterback who can run and pass effectively. Murray has led the Cardinals to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons in the NFL.
- In his first season, Murray led the Cardinals to a 5-10-1 record. He threw for 3,722 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also rushing for 544 yards and four touchdowns. In his second season, Murray led the Cardinals to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth. He threw for 3,971 yards and 26 touchdowns, while also rushing for 819 yards and 11 touchdowns.
- Doug Flutie (5’10”) – Flutie was a two-time All-American at Boston College and was named the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1984. He played in the NFL for 17 seasons and was a two-time Pro Bowler. Flutie was known for his scrambling ability and his ability to make plays with his feet. He also had a strong arm and was a good passer.
- Sonny Jurgensen (5’11”) – Jurgensen was a six-time Pro Bowler and was named to the NFL’s All-Pro team twice. He played in the NFL for 18 seasons and was a two-time NFL MVP. Jurgensen was known for his strong arm and his ability to make plays downfield. He was also a good scrambler and was able to extend plays with his feet.
- Davey O’Brien (5’7″) – Davey O’Brien was a two-time All-American at TCU and won the Heisman Trophy in 1947. He played in the NFL for five seasons and was a Pro Bowler in 1950. O’Brien was known for his mobility and his ability to make plays outside of the pocket. He was also a good passer and had a strong arm.
Who is the Shortest Current NFL Quarterback?
The debate over who is the shortest quarterback in the NFL between Bryce Young and Kyler Murray is a close one. Both quarterbacks are listed at 5’10”, but Young was measured at 5-10 1/8″ at the NFL Combine, while Murray was measured at 5-10″. This means that Young is technically taller than Murray, but the difference is negligible.
Ultimately, the debate over who is the shortest quarterback in the NFL is a matter of semantics. Both Young and Murray are relatively short for NFL quarterbacks, but they have both shown that they can be successful despite their height. They are both very accurate passers and have strong arms. They are also both very good runners and are able to extend plays with their feet.
It is important to note that height is not the only factor that determines a quarterback’s success in the NFL. There have been plenty of successful quarterbacks who were not very tall. For example, Drew Brees is only 6’0″ tall, and he is one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history.
The debate over who is the shortest quarterback in the NFL is a fun one, but it is ultimately meaningless. Both Young and Murray are talented quarterbacks with the potential to be stars. Their height may be a disadvantage in some situations, but it has not prevented them from being successful so far. Only time will tell how they will be able to overcome this.
How Many Quarterbacks were under 6 Feet Tall?
There have been a total of 9 starting NFL quarterbacks who were under 6 feet tall since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.
Here is a list of the starting NFL quarterbacks who were under 6 feet tall:
- Doug Flutie (5’10”)
- Sonny Jurgensen (5’11”)
- Davey O’Brien (5’7″)
- Eddie LeBaron (5’7″)
- Pat Haden (5’11”)
- Russell Wilson (5’11”)
- Kyler Murray (5’10”)
- Bryce Young (5’10”)
We do not include quarterbacks who were only briefly started in the NFL in this number. For example, Seneca Wallace was a starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in 2007, but he was only 5’11”.
It is also worth noting that the number of starting NFL quarterbacks who are under 6 feet tall has been decreasing in recent years. This is likely due to the fact that the average height of NFL players has been increasing over time.
Why is the Number of Short Quarterbacks in the NFL Increasing?
There are a few reasons why the number of short quarterbacks in the NFL is increasing.
- Changes in offensive philosophy: The NFL has become more pass-oriented in recent years, which has led to a greater demand for mobile quarterbacks who can make plays outside the pocket. Short quarterbacks are often more agile and elusive than taller quarterbacks, which gives them an advantage in this type of offense.
- Improvements in training and nutrition: Players are getting bigger, stronger, and faster than ever before. This is due in part to improvements in training and nutrition. As a result, short quarterbacks are now able to compete with taller quarterbacks at a higher level.
- Changing attitudes: There is a growing acceptance of short quarterbacks in the NFL. Coaches and scouts are now more willing to give short quarterbacks a chance, as they have seen that they can be successful.
As a result of these factors, we are seeing more and more short quarterbacks in the NFL. This trend is likely to continue in the years to come.
Why do Teams Avoid Short Quarterbacks?
There are a few reasons why teams are sometimes against short quarterbacks.
- Vision: Some coaches believe that short quarterbacks have a harder time seeing over the line of scrimmage, which can lead to batted balls and interceptions.
- Durability: Some coaches believe that short quarterbacks are more likely to be injured by sacks.
- Lack of prototypical size: The NFL is a physical league, and some coaches believe that short quarterbacks lack the size and strength to be successful at the highest level.
However, there are also a number of reasons why teams should not be against short quarterbacks.
- Agility: Short quarterbacks are often more agile and elusive than taller quarterbacks, which can give them an advantage in the pocket and when scrambling.
- Accuracy: Short quarterbacks can be just as accurate as taller quarterbacks, and their smaller frames can actually make it easier for them to throw the ball with touch.
- Mental toughness: Short quarterbacks often have to work harder than taller quarterbacks to prove themselves, which can give them a mental edge.
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