When it comes to NFL quarterbacks, skill on the field is usually the measure of greatness. But what if we ranked them on looks instead? A recent survey asked women to do just that—rate the league’s top signal-callers based purely on attractiveness. The results? A mix of expected heartthrobs, surprise underdogs, and a debate over whether a chiseled jawline translates to more media love.
But is there a real connection between good looks, quarterback success, and media exposure? We crunched the numbers to find out.
The Survey: Who’s the NFL’s most attractive QB?
The survey, conducted among 28 female football fans and casual viewers, asked them to rank all 32 starting quarterbacks. The results crowned Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Hurts (71%) as the league’s most attractive quarterback, followed by Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow (14%). Washington Commanders’ rookie Jayden Daniels and Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud tied for third (7%).
Former MVPs Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson landed surprisingly low in the rankings. Meanwhile, Mahomes and NFL legend Aaron Rodgers remain the only active starting quarterbacks to have both won a Super Bowl and attended the Met Gala.
Here’s where it gets interesting: The quarterbacks rated highest in attractiveness also happened to secure more endorsement deals and media coverage. Coincidence? Maybe not.
The Beauty-Skill-Media Triangle
To see if attractiveness influences skill level and media exposure, we compared the survey rankings to three key factors: quarterback performance (passing yards, touchdowns, Pro Bowl selections), endorsement deals and social media presence.
The results? Quarterbacks ranked as more attractive were more likely to land national endorsement deals and frequent media appearances, even if they weren’t the league’s best performers.
Take Hurts, for example. Despite being crowned the league’s most attractive quarterback, he ranked just 20th in passing yards last season and made just two Pro Bowl appearances in his career. However, Hurts is still considered an elite quarterback who led the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl twice. On top of that, he boasts endorsement deals with major brands like Jordan, Beats, Hulu and more.
Meanwhile, Joe Burrow—renowned for both his talent and charm—often finds himself in the spotlight, whether for his fashion choices or his off-field charisma.
On the other hand, quarterbacks who are statistically dominant but don’t fit conventional beauty standards—like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson—receive less attention for their personalities and appearances, despite being among the league’s top performers.
According to The Society for Human Resource Management, research shows that individuals seen as conventionally attractive often have greater social influence and are more likely to gain the approval of others than those who do not fit conventional standards of attractiveness.
Final Verdict: Does Attractiveness Matter in the NFL?
While talent ultimately drives success on the field, this survey suggests that looks play a role in media coverage and public perception. The NFL’s most attractive quarterbacks often enjoy the benefits of heightened attention, lucrative sponsorships, and a bigger presence in pop culture.
So, do good looks make a great quarterback? Not necessarily. But in a league where branding is as important as a strong arm, it certainly doesn’t hurt.
