We’re in an age when the mobile, duel-threat quarterback is king.
In recent seasons, Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray and Daniel Jones have given opposing defensive linemen and coordinators nightmares with their ability to extend plays with their elusiveness in the backfield. Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts and fellow quarterback Justin Fields, meanwhile, emerged as a different kind of threat because of their ability to break a run from the pocket and take it all the way to the end zone.
Colin Kaepernick and Mike Vick paved the way when it comes to the most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback in NFL history.
And no, you won’t find Tom Brady on this list:
The Most Rushing Yards in a Game by a QB
1. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers: 181 yards
Jan. 12, 2013 vs. Green Bay Packers (Playoff Game)
In Week 1 of the 2013 season, Alex Smith led the San Francisco 49ers to a 30-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Come the NFC divisional round game, it was Kaepernick who proceeded to destroy the Packers in a much more convincing fashion as part of a 45-31 win. He rushed for 181 yards on 16 carries (of which two were kneel downs, which would have made his 11.31 yards per carry even more impressive) to set not only a postseason record, but also an all-time NFL record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a game.
2. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears: 178 yards
Nov. 6, 2022 vs. Miami Dolphins
In his second year, Fields continued to come of age for a franchise desperate for a dynamic playmaker under center.
The Bears quarterback threw for 123 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for a regular-season record 178 yards and a score on a team-high 15 carries (11.9 yards per carry). Unfortunately, Chicago couldn’t stop Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins in a 35-32 loss at Soldier Field.
Fields’ 408 rushing yards over a four-game span capped by this performance was the most in the NFL since 1960, surpassing Lamar Jackson’s 404 from Sept. 29 to Oct. 20, 2019. He also finished the season with 1,143 yards, just shy of Jackson’s single-season rushing record by a QB of 1,206.
3. Mike Vick, Atlanta Falcons: 173 yards
Dec. 1, 2002 vs. Minnesota Vikings
It’s not surprising that this section is dominated by one man. And none of these include the many performances Michael Vick put up on the Madden 2004 video game when many controllers were broken in rage after trying to chase him down.
Back in the real world, his best performance came in Week 13 of the 2002 season in somewhat of a shootout against the Minnesota Vikings, who were led by a dominant Randy Moss. Vick rushed for 173 yards on 10 attempts, including the decisive 46-yard touchdown sprint in overtime in which two Vikings players ended up tackling each other as Vick slipped away for the game-winning score.
It was hardly a vintage performance for him, though. He gave up two fumbles and threw an interception on a night in which he also threw for 173 yards and accounted for 346 of Atlanta’s 379 yards in the matchup.
4. Mike Vick, Atlanta Falcons: 166 yards
Nov. 26, 2006 vs. New Orleans Saints
The Best of the Rest:
- 5. Jalen Hurts: 151 yards (Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers, Nov. 27, 2022)
- 6. Lamar Jackson: 152 (Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Oct. 13, 2019)
- 7. Colin Kaepernick: 151 yards (San Francisco 49ers vs. San Diego Chargers, Dec. 20, 2014)
- 8. Justin Fields: 147 yards (Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions, Nov. 13, 2022)
- 9. Lamar Jackson: 143 yards (Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans, Jan. 11, 2020 – Playoff Game)
- 10. Mike Vick: 141 yards (Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers, Dec. 7, 2003)
The Most Rushing Yards in a Playoff Game by a QB
1. Colin Kaepernick: 181 yards (San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers, Jan. 12, 2013)
We mentioned this game earlier at No. 1 overall. Not content with letting his feet do the talking, Kaepernick also threw for 263 passing yards, resulting in two touchdowns as he became just the third NFL quarterback to throw for two touchdowns and run for two in the same playoff game – joining Jay Cutler and Otto Graham, who achieved the feat twice.
- 2. Lamar Jackson: 143 yards (Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans, Jan. 11, 2020)
- 3. Lamar Jackson: 136 yards (Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans, Jan. 10, 2021)
- 4. Colin Kaepernick: 130 yards (San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks, Jan. 19, 2014)
- 5. Mike Vick: 119 yards (Atlanta Falcons vs. St. Louis Rams, Jan. 15, 2005)
The Most Rushing Yards in the Super Bowl by a QB
1. Jalen Hurts: 70 yards (Philadelphia Eagles vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Feb. 12, 2023)
Hurts not only rushed for a Super Bowl QB-record 70 yards on 15 carries, but he also set a Super Sunday mark with three rushing touchdowns to break Jim McMahon’s record of two set during the Bears’ 46-10 win over the New England Patriots on Jan. 26, 1986.
- 2. Patrick Mahomes: 66 yards (Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers, Feb. 11, 2024)
- 3. Steve McNair: 64 yards (Tennessee Titans vs. St. Louis Rams, Jan. 30, 2000)
- 4. Colin Kaepernick: 62 yards (San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens, Feb. 3, 2013)
- 5. Joe Montana: 59 yards (San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins, Jan. 20, 1985)