The quarterback position in the NFL has undergone a revolutionary transformation, shifting from a pure pocket passer role to one dominated by dynamic dual-threat athletes. This evolution is best exemplified by the record for the most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, a benchmark that has been shattered in the modern era. As of the current December 2025 timeframe, a new name sits atop the all-time list, a testament to the league’s embrace of mobility and power at the most important position.
This article dives deep into the elite fraternity of signal-callers who have found the end zone more often than any other QB in history, permanently changing how the game is played. We look at the career stats, biographical details, and the sheer dominance of the players who turned the QB sneak into a guaranteed scoring play and the read-option into a defensive nightmare. The list features a mix of legends from the past and current stars who are still adding to their incredible totals.
Josh Allen: The All-Time Rushing Touchdown King Profile
The new standard for quarterback mobility and scoring power belongs to Buffalo Bills superstar Josh Allen. His combination of size, speed, and willingness to initiate contact has made him the most prolific rushing quarterback in NFL history. He officially claimed the all-time record, surpassing the previous mark held by Cam Newton, a milestone that solidifies his place as the premier dual-threat quarterback of his generation.
- Full Name: Joshua Patrick Allen
- Born: May 21, 1996 (Age 29 as of late 2025)
- Hometown: Firebaugh, California
- College: University of Wyoming (2015–2017), Reedley College (2014)
- NFL Draft: 2018 / Round 1 / Pick 7 (Buffalo Bills)
- Current Team: Buffalo Bills
- Career Rushing Touchdowns: 77 (NFL All-Time QB Record)
- Key Achievements & Honors: NFL All-Time QB Rushing TD Leader, Tied for NFL Single-Season QB Rushing TD Record (15 in 2023).
Allen’s career is defined by his powerful arm and his relentless running style. He has consistently been one of the league's leading scorers from the quarterback position since his arrival in 2018. His record-breaking total is a reflection of his durability and the Bills' offensive scheme, which frequently utilizes him in goal-line situations, often employing the 'QB Power' run where his 240+ pound frame is nearly impossible to stop at the line of scrimmage.
The sheer volume of his rushing touchdowns in a short career is what sets him apart. He reached the all-time mark in significantly fewer games than his predecessor, illustrating the accelerating trend of quarterback rushing dominance in the modern game. His 77 touchdowns are more than most running backs achieve in a full career, placing him among the top 25 players of all time at any position for rushing TDs.
The Exclusive List: All-Time Quarterback Rushing Touchdown Leaders
The quest for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback is a story of athletic evolution. The players on this list are not just great passers; they are physical forces who used their legs to change the dynamics of a defense. Here is the definitive, up-to-date list of the NFL's all-time leaders in quarterback rushing touchdowns.
1. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills): 77 Career Rushing Touchdowns
As detailed above, Josh Allen is the current king of the QB rushing touchdown. His record-breaking season in 2023, where he tied the single-season mark, pushed him past the previous leader. Allen's ability to convert short-yardage situations and his knack for breaking tackles near the goal line make him a generational talent. He is also the active QB with the most rushing TDs, with a significant lead over all current competitors, ensuring this record will continue to grow for the foreseeable future.
2. Cam Newton (Panthers, Patriots): 75 Career Rushing Touchdowns
For years, Cam Newton was the gold standard for the rushing quarterback. Known as "Super Cam," his 75 rushing touchdowns were considered an unbreakable record for a long time. Newton redefined the position with his MVP season in 2015, where his physical running style was a cornerstone of the Carolina Panthers' offense. His dominance was not just in scoring, but in the sheer intimidation factor he brought to the read-option and goal-line packages. Newton's mark of 75 TDs is a towering achievement, and he remains the only other QB to cross the 70-touchdown threshold.
3. Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles): 63 Career Rushing Touchdowns
The most immediate threat to Josh Allen's new record is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts has exploded onto the scene as one of the most effective goal-line runners in NFL history, largely thanks to the Eagles' prolific use of the "Tush Push" or "Brotherly Shove" play. Hurts has already amassed 63 rushing touchdowns in his young career, positioning him perfectly to challenge the all-time record. He is tied with Josh Allen for the single-season rushing touchdown record by a QB, achieving 15 rushing TDs in 2023, showcasing the incredible scoring efficiency of the modern dual-threat quarterback. His trajectory suggests he will be the next player to surpass the 70-touchdown mark.
4. Steve Young (49ers, Buccaneers): 43 Career Rushing Touchdowns
Representing the era before the 'dual-threat' label became commonplace, Steve Young was a pioneer of quarterback mobility. A Hall of Famer and one of the most efficient passers in league history, Young's 43 career rushing touchdowns are a testament to his athleticism. He was a master of escaping the pocket and turning broken plays into positive gains, often ending with a scramble into the end zone. While his total is significantly lower than the modern leaders, Young's 43 TDs stood as the benchmark for a long time and set the stage for the runners who followed.
5. Michael Vick (Falcons, Eagles, Jets, Steelers): 36 Career Rushing Touchdowns
Michael Vick is arguably the most electrifying runner the quarterback position has ever seen. While his 36 rushing touchdowns place him fifth on this list, it is important to note that Vick remains the NFL's all-time leader in quarterback rushing yards. His rushing style was less about goal-line power and more about explosive, long-yardage scrambles. Vick's ability to turn a potential sack into a 50-yard run fundamentally changed defensive game-planning and is why he is still considered the godfather of the modern mobile quarterback. His 36 scores are a reflection of his big-play ability, often coming from outside the red zone.
The Evolution of the Rushing Quarterback and Future Records
The statistics clearly show a dramatic shift in the NFL. For decades, Steve Young’s total of 43 was an elite mark. Cam Newton then shattered it, proving a quarterback could be a primary goal-line threat. Now, with Josh Allen at 77 and Jalen Hurts rapidly approaching the 70-touchdown mark, the record is being re-written at a breakneck pace. This acceleration is driven by several key factors: the prevalence of the RPO (Run-Pass Option), the increasing size and speed of quarterbacks, and rule changes that protect the quarterback, encouraging them to run more often.
The trend of high-volume quarterback rushing touchdowns is not slowing down. The single-season record, currently tied at 15 by both Allen and Hurts, is likely to be broken in the near future. The focus on the 'QB Power' play, or 'Tush Push,' has made the quarterback an almost unstoppable force from the one-yard line, turning a high-risk play into a high-percentage score for teams with a mobile, powerful QB.
The conversation around the best rushing quarterback in NFL history now centers not just on yards (where Michael Vick still reigns supreme) but on sheer scoring efficiency. Josh Allen’s current record of 77 rushing touchdowns is the ultimate measure of that efficiency, marking him as the most impactful goal-line runner the position has ever seen. As the NFL continues to evolve, this record will be the most exciting to watch, as Jalen Hurts and other young dual-threat stars push the boundaries of what a quarterback can achieve with their legs.
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