Best Running Quarterbacks Ever – Randall Cunningham
#2 – Randall Cunningham
A Quarterback who can run and throw well? HE CAN DO EVERYTHING!! The expression “he can do everything on the field” is used far too openly when describing players today. I refuse to use it lightly, but I will tell you Randall Cunningham could do everything on the field. He’s not your regular “running Quarterback”.
From 91 yard punts to 95 yard bombs, Cunningham was more of a jack of all trades than a run first Quarterback. He was coached by Buddy Ryan for the majority of his career and the defensive minded coach used him more as a racehorse than a Quarterback. That stunted his growth as a passer, but we later saw that develop when he joined the Vikings later in his career. That is when we saw him at the age of 35 years old. Cunningham was voted into the pro bowl after throwing for 3700 yards and 34 touchdowns.
It leaves me wondering just how dominant he could have been with the right coaching behind him. Regardless, Cunningham was the first to master the “running Quarterback”. It is a no brainer putting him in the top 2 on this list.
Best Running Quarterbacks Ever – Michael Vick
#1 – Michael Vick
After Lamar Jackson had his MVP and record breaking season, I got so many messages saying he is the GOAT. Too quickly are people to dethrone Michael Vick with the first sign of a dominant Quarterback. Mike Vick is still the best running Quarterback ever and I don’t even think it’s close.
Vick’s record for most rushing yards by a Quarterback in a single season was broken by Lamar Jackson this season. While I can see Jackson taking the throne, keep in mind he only has 1 full season on his belt. Compare that to Michael Vick’s full body of work and it’s not even close.
This dominance started with the Falcons when Vick openly admitted to leaving game film in his car. He was so athletic and was so naturally gifted as a passer he could pretty much improvise. That was how talented Vick was early in his career. No film needed. That being said, his nontraditional style never led him to much playoff success.
Once he joined the Eagles after the dog fighting scandal, Vick was everything we had loved from before and more. He wasn’t as fast as he was in his prime, but his ability as a passer improved drastically behind QB guru Andy Reid. We actually saw Vick do work in the pocket and it made you wish he had that same drive to improve early in his career.
If he had a coach like Andy Reid behind him his entire career, who knows what he could have accomplished. Even with dysfunction following him for most of his career, Mike Vick is still the best running Quarterback of all-time.
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