The Evolution of the Mobile Quarterback: How Dual-Threat QBs Are Changing the NFL

The quarterback position in the NFL has changed drastically over the past two decades. The days when quarterbacks were expected to stay in the pocket and rely purely on arm strength and precision are long gone. In today’s NFL, the most successful quarterbacks are often those who can make plays with both their arms and legs. The rise of dual-threat quarterbacks has forced teams to adjust their offensive schemes, rethink how they design plays, and even change how they scout and develop players. Mobility is no longer just a bonus—it’s become essential to winning at the highest level.

While mobile quarterbacks aren’t a new concept, they were once more of an exception than a trend. In the 1970s, Fran Tarkenton and Roger Staubach showed that quarterbacks could use their legs to extend plays, but teams still prioritized strong-arm passers who could win from the pocket. Randall Cunningham and Steve Young helped push the idea of mobility forward in the 1980s and 1990s. Cunningham’s athleticism made him a legitimate running threat, while Young’s ability to throw accurately on the run gave defenses fits.

However, even with their success, the league still viewed mobile quarterbacks as a novelty rather than a blueprint for the position. The true shift began with Michael Vick in the early 2000s. Vick’s combination of elite speed and arm strength allowed him to dominate both as a runner and a passer. In 2006, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season, redefining how the position could be played. However, Vick’s success was still viewed as an outlier rather than a sign of where the game was headed.

Aaron Rodgers represents the bridge between the old-school pocket passer and the modern dual-threat quarterback. Rodgers has never been known as a “running quarterback,” but his ability to move within the pocket, escape pressure, and throw accurately on the run helped redefine how the position could be played. Rodgers’ ability to extend plays and deliver pinpoint passes from off-platform positions influenced the current generation of quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen.

He wasn’t rushing for 1,000 yards like Michael Vick, but his movement in the pocket and his ability to create plays with his legs set the stage for the rise of the modern mobile quarterback. Rodgers proved that you don’t have to be a running quarterback to benefit from mobility—you just need to have the ability to evade pressure and throw accurately on the move.

The evolution of the dual-threat quarterback gained momentum in the 2010s as NFL offenses started to borrow more from college-spread offenses. RPO (run-pass option) concepts and zone-read plays became more common, creating opportunities for quarterbacks who could exploit defenses with both their legs and arms. Cam Newton emerged as the blueprint for the modern power-running quarterback. At 6’5″ and 245 pounds, Newton’s size and strength made him nearly impossible to stop in short-yardage situations.

In 2015, Newton accounted for 45 total touchdowns (35 passing, 10 rushing) and led the Panthers to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance. Newton’s ability to function as both a passer and a runner forced defenses to change how they approached the quarterback position. Russell Wilson took a different approach to mobility. He wasn’t physically dominant like Newton, but his quickness, agility, and football IQ allowed him to extend plays and create opportunities downfield. Wilson’s success with the Seahawks showed that a smaller quarterback could thrive in the NFL if they could create outside the pocket and make smart decisions under pressure.

No quarterback has embodied the modern dual-threat style more than Lamar Jackson. In 2019, Jackson became the second quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards while also leading the league in touchdown passes (36). His combination of elite speed, agility, and arm strength made him nearly impossible to defend. The Ravens built their entire offensive scheme around Jackson’s strengths, using pistol formations, RPOs, and designed quarterback runs to maximize his athleticism. Jackson’s success proved that you can win MVP and dominate the league even as a run-first quarterback.

The rise of dual-threat quarterbacks has forced teams to change how they design their offenses. RPOs have become a staple of modern playbooks, forcing defenders to commit to stopping the run or the pass, often putting them in no-win situations. Spread formations have also become more popular, creating open throwing lanes and giving mobile quarterbacks more space to operate. Teams like the Bills and Chiefs have built their offenses around quick reads and rollouts, allowing their quarterbacks to take advantage of both their arms and legs. Designed quarterback runs, once considered too risky for injury reasons, are now an essential part of the game. The Bills regularly use Josh Allen in power-run situations, and the Eagles have tailored their offense to maximize Jalen Hurts’ running ability.

Defenses have had to adjust to the rise of dual-threat quarterbacks as well. Many teams now assign a “spy” defender—usually a fast linebacker or safety—to shadow the quarterback and prevent scrambles. However, players like Jackson and Hurts have proven that even a spy isn’t enough to stop elite mobility. Defensive players have also gotten smaller and faster to match up with more athletic quarterbacks and wide-open offensive schemes. Linebackers who once weighed 250 pounds are now closer to 220, and safeties are expected to cover more ground and provide support in run defense. Teams have also increased blitzing and pressure to try to contain mobile quarterbacks in the pocket. However, players like Mahomes and Allen have shown they can remain calm under pressure and still make accurate throws while moving.

The success of quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes has changed the way teams evaluate and develop the position. Scouts are no longer looking for just tall, strong-armed quarterbacks—they want players who can make plays off-schedule and create opportunities when the original play breaks down. Even pocketThe Evolution of the Mobile Quarterback: How Dual-Threat QBs Are Changing the NFL passers are expected to have some degree of mobility to avoid pressure and make throws on the run. While pure pocket passers like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were able to dominate in their eras, the modern NFL now favors quarterbacks who can win with both their arms and legs.