In the NFL, the quarterback position is the one with the most star power. It makes sense as it is arguably the most important position in the game and has had several legends in the position over the years. Players like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes are the biggest names in the league for good reason.
Because quarterbacks are the most important players in the league, they also remain in the spotlight after they leave the field. From opening businesses off the field, to coaching and becoming an analyst, retired NFL quarterbacks seemingly get to choose what they want to do when their playing days are done.
10/10 Alex Tanney: Coach
The least known player on this list, Alex Tanney, was an NFL player for nearly a decade. The quarterback was an undrafted out of Monmouth, but he was able to stay in the league for a long time thanks to his great mindset for the game and being an ideal backup.
In February 2021, Tanney announced his retirement from the NFL. However, he didn’t do it without having a job lined up. Tanney is currently the offensive control coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and is in his second season on the job.
9/10 Ryan Fitzpatrick: Amazon Analyst
Ryan Fitzpatrick could be one of the most legendary official players in all of sports history. The former seventh-round pick out of Harvard somehow stayed in the league for 17 seasons and played for nine teams in that time.
Earlier this year, the gunslinger finally retired from the sport. Along with the retirement announcement, Fitzpatrick had another big piece of news, that he would be joining Amazon. The former NFL quarterback currently serves as a pre- and post-game analyst for Thursday Night Football, after Amazon secured the rights earlier this year.
8/10 Josh McCown: Coach
Like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh McCown is another notable quarterback. The quarterback played 19 years in professional football and had memorable seasons with the Chicago Bears, New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles, among other teams.
Although he never officially retired, McCown last played in 2020 and has been focused on coaching ever since. While he only coached at the high school level, he was a finalist for the Houston Texans head coaching job earlier this year. Although that job went to Lovie Smith, McCown is likely to be an NFL coach sooner rather than later.
7/10 Andrew Luck: Going back to school
Andrew Luck is one of the greatest “what if” players in NFL history. Despite dealing with a poor coaching staff, a lack of talent around him and brutal injuries, he was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL from 2012 to 2019.
Sadly, he abruptly announced his retirement in the 2019 preseason. Since then, Luck has mostly stayed off the grid. However, Stanford coach David Shaw revealed in August that the former quarterback will return to the school to earn a master’s degree in education.
6/10 Robert Griffin III: ESPN Analyst
Incredibly, ten years after the 2012 NFL draft, both the first and second overall picks are likely up for grabs. While Andrew Luck has officially announced his retirement, Robert Griffin III has not, but he has already decided to move on to a different career.
In August 2021, Griffin III signed with ESPN on a multi-year deal. The former Pro Bowl quarterback not only works as an analyst but also as a commentator. To his credit, Griffin III seems to be excellent at doing both jobs.
5/10 Ben Roethlisberger: Family Retreat Center
Ben Roethlisberger’s NFL career was wild. With sky-high highs and low lows, the quarterback finally decided to hang up his jersey in 2021, after playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers for nearly two decades. Now that he is retired, Roethlisberger wants to do good in his community.
That help comes in the form of the Roethlisberger Family Foundation, which he started. The quarterback wants to use the foundation to help families and is currently in the process of building a retirement center for families to use.
4/10 Drew Brees: NBC Sports Analyst
Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history and there isn’t much debate. The veteran New Orleans Saints passer played in the league for nearly two decades and is in the top half of virtually every passing record held by the NFL.
In 2021, the former Super Bowl champion decided to retire. He wasn’t out of work for long, as Brees was quickly hired to work as a color analyst for Notre Dame and Sunday Night Football games for NBC Sports.
3/10 Phillip Rivers: Coach
Philip Rivers was a player of a lifetime. The former Los Angeles Chargers quarterback would light up the scoreboard one week and completely fall apart the next. Regardless of his game, he was trash talking the entire time.
He retired in 2021 after a unique year as a quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. After deciding to retire as a player, Rivers made the decision to help train the next generation. He is currently the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama.
2/10 Alex Smith: ESPN Analyst
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Alex Smith’s NFL career can, and probably will, be made into a movie one day. After being defeated as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, he turned his career around with the help of Jim Harbaugh and Andy Reid. Even after suffering a brutal injury in 2018 that could have ended his career, Smith kept fighting.
In 2021, Smith decided to retire, just a few months after winning the Comeback Player of the Year award. Despite training and playing offers, the quarterback decided to work as an analyst for ESPN.
1/10 Eli Manning: ESPN analyst and New York Giants assistant
During his NFL career, Eli Manning was a great player, winning two Super Bowl championships. Despite probably being a Hall of Famer, it was difficult for him to step out of the shadow of his older brother, star Peyton Manning.
Since retiring, Eli Manning has decided to do a little of everything. The former New York Giant works for the team, in business operations and fan engagement roles. To go along with that, he has his own television show. Eli’s places, on ESPN. Manning even does commentary for Monday Football with his brother, nicknamed ManningCast.