Most Rushing Touchdowns by a Quarterback in NFL History (All-Time Career Leaders)

Cam Newton’s 75 rushing scores set the gold standard, but Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts are closing in fast. Here’s the complete ranking of the most dangerous rushing Quarterbacks ever.

by SOG Sports

Most Rushing Touchdowns by a Quarterback in NFL History – All-Time Career Leaders

When we talk about rushing quarterbacks, yardage is one thing — but finding the end zone is where the real legacy is built. This list of the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history celebrates the players who turned their legs into scoring machines. From Cam Newton’s unmatched power at the goal line to Josh Allen’s fearless plunges, and Jalen Hurts’ short-yardage dominance, these QBs have redefined red-zone offense. Whether it’s Steve Young weaving through defenders in the ‘90s or Michael Vick slicing through secondaries with ease, every name here mastered the art of turning mobility into points.

Breaking down the most prolific touchdown-scoring quarterbacks on the ground in NFL history.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Most Rushing Touchdowns by a Quarterback

10. Daunte Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) – 34 Rushing Touchdowns

149 total touchdowns • 24,153 passing yards • 3x Pro Bowl
Culpepper’s size and strength made him a nightmare near the goal line. Defenses had to respect his passing arm, but in tight situations, he could bulldoze through defenders like a running back.

9. 3-Player Tie – 35 Rushing Touchdowns

Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cunningham, Steve Grogan
Rodgers often struck with perfectly timed scrambles, Cunningham was the prototype dual-threat QB, and Grogan brought a bruising style that fit the Patriots’ gritty offenses of the late ’70s and ’80s.

8. Michael Vick (Atlanta Falcons) – 36 Rushing Touchdowns

133 total touchdowns • 22,464 passing yards • 4x Pro Bowl
While Vick is most famous for his speed and highlight runs, he also had a nose for the end zone, often turning broken plays into scoring opportunities. His is also the record holder for most rushing yards by a Quarterback in NFL history.

6. Steve McNair (Tennessee Titans) – 37 Rushing Touchdowns

174 touchdowns • NFL MVP (2003) • 31,304 passing yards
McNair’s combination of power and fearlessness made him a consistent rushing threat, particularly in short-yardage and red-zone situations.

6. Tobin Rote (Green Bay Packers) – 37 Rushing Touchdowns

148 touchdowns • 18,850 passing yards • NFL Champion (1957)
Rote’s rushing ability was ahead of his time. In an era when QBs mostly stayed in the pocket, he used his legs as a true offensive weapon.

5. Jack Kemp (Buffalo Bills) – 40 Rushing Touchdowns

114 touchdowns • 21,130 passing yards • 2x AFL Champion
Before his political career, Kemp was a physical QB who wasn’t afraid to get hit. His rushing scores were a critical part of Buffalo’s championship runs. 

4. Steve Young (San Francisco 49ers) – 43 Rushing Touchdowns

232 touchdowns • Hall of Fame • 33,124 passing yards
Young’s mobility and vision made him a scoring threat from anywhere on the field. His ability to improvise created countless red-zone rushing opportunities. He is arguably the best passer on this rushing list.

3. Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) – 55 Rushing Touchdowns

92 total touchdowns • 11,721 passing yards • 1x Super Bowl
Jalen Hurts has become the NFL’s most dominant QB in short-yardage situations. His signature “tush push” play is almost unstoppable near the goal line. It’s a play built for him as he squats more than any Quarterback in the NFL today.

2. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) – 65 Rushing Touchdowns

176 total touchdowns • 64% completion percentage • 23,000+ passing yards
Josh Allen runs with the force of a power back, hurdling defenders and breaking tackles to find the end zone. His red-zone rushing dominance is unmatched among active players. Some call him White Cam Newton. And the name fits.

1. Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) – 75 Rushing Touchdowns

240 total touchdowns • NFL MVP (2015) • 31,000+ passing yards
Newton is the undisputed king of QB rushing touchdowns. His rare blend of size, strength, and athleticism made him the ultimate weapon inside the 10-yard line. He is also ranked third for most rushing yards by a Quarterback in NFL history.

Top 10 quarterbacks with the most rushing touchdowns in NFL history – Cam Newton, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Steve Young, and more.

Cam Newton leads all quarterbacks in NFL history with 75 rushing touchdowns, followed by Josh Allen with 65 and Jalen Hurts with 55.


Full List – All-Time Career Rushing TDs by a Quarterback

RankPlayerRushing TDs
1Cam Newton75
2Josh Allen65
3Jalen Hurts55
4Steve Young43
5Jack Kemp40
6Steve McNair37
7Tobin Rote37
8Michael Vick36
9Aaron Rodgers35
10Randall Cunningham35
11Steve Grogan35
12Daunte Culpepper34
13Lamar Jackson33
14John Elway33
15Otto Graham33
16Y.A. Tittle33
17Kordell Stewart32
18Terry Bradshaw32
19Fran Tarkenton32
20Kyler Murray31
21Russell Wilson31
22Roman Gabriel30
23Dak Prescott29
24Donovan McNabb29
25Tom Brady28
26Ryan Tannehill27
27Jeff Garcia26
28Drew Brees25
29Bobby Layne25
30Billy Wade24
31Norm Snead23
32Andy Dalton22
33Warren Moon22
34Bobby Douglass22
35John Brodie22
36Babe Parilli22
37Ryan Fitzpatrick21
38Rich Gannon21
39Greg Landry21
40Johnny Lujack21
41Deshaun Watson20
42Taysom Hill20
43Ben Roethlisberger20
44Joe Montana20
45Ken Anderson20
46Roger Staubach20
47Justin Fields19
48Kirk Cousins19
49Tyrod Taylor19
50Marcus Mariota18

 

NFL quarterbacks ranked by career rushing touchdowns – tier list from Tier 5 to Tier 1.

Tier list of quarterbacks with the most rushing touchdowns in NFL history, from Cam Newton in Tier 1 to Marcus Mariota in Tier 5.


FAQ – Most Rushing Touchdowns by a Quarterback

Who has the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history?
Cam Newton holds the record with 75 career rushing touchdowns, the highest total for any quarterback in league history.

Who are the top active quarterbacks by rushing touchdowns?
Among active players, Josh Allen (65), Jalen Hurts (55), and Lamar Jackson (33) are the top rushing touchdown leaders.

What makes Cam Newton so dominant in rushing touchdowns?
Newton combined size, strength, and agility to excel in short-yardage and red-zone situations, often running through defenders and finishing drives himself.

Which quarterback had the most rushing touchdowns in a single season?
Jalen Hurts set a modern benchmark with 15 rushing touchdowns in a single season, showcasing his effectiveness in short-yardage situations.

How has the role of rushing quarterbacks changed over time?
While rushing quarterbacks were once considered unconventional, today’s NFL embraces mobility, with designed QB runs and read-option plays becoming key parts of offensive strategy.


Conclusion – Most Rushing Touchdowns by a Quarterback

When it comes to rushing touchdowns, these quarterbacks have set themselves apart with a rare ability to turn broken plays and designed runs into points. Cam Newton’s 75-touchdown record stands as a testament to his unique combination of power and athleticism, while Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts are redefining red-zone quarterback play for a new generation. From Steve Young’s scrambling magic to Michael Vick’s speed and Randall Cunningham’s all-around versatility, each player on this list brought their own style to finding the end zone.

As offensive schemes continue to evolve, we could see more quarterbacks climbing this leaderboard — but reaching the top requires durability, consistency, and the willingness to put their body on the line. That’s what makes this list special: every touchdown here represents a quarterback taking control of the game with their legs.

For more all-time leaderboards, tier lists, and deep dives into NFL history, explore our full rankings here on SOG Sports.

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