Left-Handed QBs in NFL History

Left-handed quarterbacks have long been considered a rarity in the National Football League.

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In a league overwhelmingly dominated by right-handed signal-callers, the presence of a lefty can feel almost like finding a unicorn. This scarcity persisted to such an extent that, prior to Tua

Tagovailoa's arrival in 2020, a left-handed quarterback hadn't started an NFL game since late in the 2015 season.

The small pool of southpaw passers includes a select group of celebrated names and notable contributors to the sport's history. Examining the careers of these players provides the necessary context to evaluate where current left-handed starters like Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. might eventually rank among this unique cohort.

✦ Historical Context: The Giants of the Past

The history of left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL features several players who achieved significant success and recognition. Among the most acclaimed is Steve Young, often regarded as potentially the greatest left-handed quarterback in NFL history. His career was marked by considerable personal and team success, including multiple MVP awards and a Super Bowl MVP.

Another prominent historical figure is Ken Stabler, a four-time Pro Bowler and an NFL MVP winner in 1974. Stabler was a Super Bowl champion and concluded his 15-year NFL career with nearly 28,000 passing yards and 194 touchdowns.

Both Young and Stabler have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

✦ The Legacy of Steve Young

Steve Young's career blossomed after spending time behind Joe Montana, becoming a dominant force once he took over as the full-time starter for the 49ers.

He led the NFL in touchdown passes four times and finished first in completion percentage five times. Young's individual brilliance helped the San Francisco 49ers sustain an impressive run of dominance during his tenure.

✦ Ken Stabler's Impact

Ken Stabler, nicknamed "The Snake," spent a decade with the Raiders and played a central role in their success. While he faced criticism for throwing 222 interceptions over his career, he was also a highly effective quarterback who led the team to a Super Bowl victory. His posthumous Hall of Fame induction in 2016 solidified his legacy as one of the NFL’s all-time greats.

✦ Modern Era Lefties

Beyond Young and Stabler, several other QBs that are left-handed made significant contributions in more recent decades.

Boomer Esiason holds the distinction of leading all left-handed QBs in NFL history with 37,290 passing yards and 247 touchdowns over his 14-year career. Esiason was a four-time Pro Bowler and earned NFL MVP honors in 1988, primarily during his ten seasons with the Bengals.

Michael Vick, celebrated for his exceptional mobility, also amassed substantial passing statistics, throwing for over 22,000 yards during his career. Vick was a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who helped maintain the visibility of left-handed QBs in the 2000s.

Mark Brunell was a three-time Pro Bowler who guided the expansion Jaguars to immediate competitiveness in the 1990s. He played a significant role in leading the Jaguars to four straight playoff appearances and topping the NFL in passing yards in 1996. Brunell finished his career with 32,072 passing yards.

✦ The Recent Drought and Tua's Arrival

Before Tua Tagovailoa entered the league in 2020, QBs that were left-handed had become exceedingly rare, described as almost extinct. The last left-handed quarterback to start an NFL game before Tua Tagovailoa was Kellen Moore, who started for the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 of the 2015 season

Over the next several years, out of the 116 quarterbacks who threw a pass in the NFL, none were left-handed.

Tagovailoa's selection by the Miami Dolphins ended this drought and brought a left-handed starter back into the league. His arrival was notable moment given the extended period without a southpaw under center.

✦ Scarcity and Explanations

The persistent scarcity of left-handed quarterbacks has puzzled observers, including NFL general managers and coaches. Although roughly 10% of the general population is left-handed, that percentage has never been reflected at the quarterback position.

Some speculate that gifted lefties may gravitate toward baseball, where a left-handed throwing arm is a prized asset for pitchers. Others, including Hall of Famer Steve Young, have stirred debate by suggesting that certain coaches may simply prefer not to work with left-handed quarterbacks at all.

✦ Tua Tagovailoa's Unique Path

Adding to the intrigue of Tua Tagovailoa's arrival is the fact that he is naturally right-handed.

His father trained him from a young age to throw a football with his left hand. While he performs many daily tasks, like writing and eating, with his right hand, when he shoots baskets (or launches the pigskin) he’ll use his left.

Tagovailoa himself believes he would not have reached the NFL level had he remained a right-handed thrower. Through 62 starts, he has accumulated 100 touchdown passes and holds a record of 38-24.

✦ Emerging Lefty Talent: Michael Penix Jr.

The recent return of left-handed quarterbacks saw another significant development with the Atlanta Falcons selecting Michael Penix Jr. as the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Penix Jr., a Heisman runner-up in college, overcame multiple injuries during his collegiate career. Originally expected to sit behind veteran Kirk Cousins, Penix Jr. was given an opportunity to start late in the 2024 season after Cousins was benched.

His emergence provides the potential for the 2025 season to be the first in recent memory featuring two left-handed quarterbacks starting in Week 1. Penix Jr. represents the latest prospect hoping to establish himself among the NFL's notable southpaws.

✦ Legacy and Future Outlook

Left-handed quarterbacks, despite their limited numbers, have undeniably left their mark on the NFL. From Hall of Famers like Steve Young and Ken Stabler to modern contributors like Michael Vick and Boomer Esiason, they have provided unique skill sets and memorable moments.
Some, like Young, argue that the rarity itself can provide an advantage, forcing defenses to adjust to an offense structured differently.

While the exact reasons for their historical scarcity remain debatable, the arrival of Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. offers hope for a potential increase in left-handed representation in the league.

Whether Tua Tagovailoa can ultimately reach the level of "greatness" associated with players like Steve Young will depend on his continued performance and achievements in the coming years.