If you walk into an NFL locker room, you usually feel like you’ve accidentally wandered into a forest of redwoods. The guys are massive. Most quarterbacks look down on the rest of us from a comfortable 6-foot-3 or higher. But every once in a while, a guy comes along who makes you do a double-take. You start wondering how on earth they see over a 320-pound offensive lineman.
Honestly, the question of who is the smallest NFL quarterback isn't just about a number on a scouting report. It's about physics, survival, and a whole lot of "heart over height" cliches that actually happen to be true in this league.
The Reigning Smallest NFL Quarterback
Right now, as we head deeper into the 2026 season, the title for the shortest active signal-caller is a shared one. Bryce Young and Kyler Murray are the names you’re looking for. Both are officially listed at 5-foot-10.
Now, if you want to get technical—and NFL scouts always do—Bryce Young measured in at 5-foot-10 and 1/8 of an inch during his combine. Kyler Murray? Almost identical.
But height is only half the story.
Bryce Young, the Carolina Panthers’ former number-one pick, is widely considered the "smallest" because of his frame. He weighs in at around 204 pounds. While Kyler Murray is the same height, the Cardinals' star is built like a tank, carrying about 207 to 210 pounds of explosive muscle. When you see Young standing next to a guy like Calais Campbell, who stands 6-foot-8, it looks like a glitch in a video game. It’s wild.
Why the "Small" Label Matters
Being 5-foot-10 in the NFL is basically like being 5-foot-2 in the real world. You're constantly fighting for a line of sight. Most NFL offensive linemen average about 6-foot-5. When they stand up to pass block, they create a literal wall of meat and jerseys.
Short quarterbacks have to be masters of "throwing lanes." They don't throw over people; they throw between them. Kyler Murray uses his elite speed to move the pocket and find windows. Bryce Young relies more on anticipation—throwing the ball before the receiver even makes his break because he knows he won't be able to see him a second later.
Historical Giants of the "Short" Category
If we look back through history, Bryce and Kyler actually look like giants compared to the real pioneers.
The record for the absolute smallest NFL quarterback ever belongs to Eddie LeBaron. Known as "The Little General," LeBaron played in the 50s and 60s for the Redskins and Cowboys. He was officially listed at 5-foot-9, but he later admitted he was actually 5-foot-7.
Imagine that.
A 5-foot-7 man leading an NFL huddle. He didn't just play; he went to four Pro Bowls. He proved that if you’re fast enough and your release is quick enough, the giants can’t touch you.
Other Notable "Short" Kings:
- Davey O’Brien: Another 5-foot-7 legend from the late 1930s. He won the Heisman and then jumped into the NFL, though his career was short-lived.
- Doug Flutie: The man, the myth, the legend. Flutie was 5-foot-10 and spent decades proving people wrong in the USFL, CFL, and eventually the NFL. His "Hail Flutie" moment is forever, but his ability to survive the pocket at that size was his real magic.
- Russell Wilson: At 5-foot-11, he was the shortest QB to ever win a Super Bowl until recently. People forget how much of a "risk" he was considered coming out of Wisconsin. Now he’s a future Hall of Famer.
The Weight Factor: Lightest vs. Shortest
Size isn't just about the vertical. It's about durability. The reason Bryce Young’s size was such a massive talking point during the draft wasn't just his height—it was his weight.
Most QBs need some "armor" to absorb hits from 260-pound edge rushers.
At 204 pounds, Young is significantly lighter than the average starter. For comparison, Josh Allen is about 237 pounds. That’s a 30-pound difference in "impact padding." This is why teams get so nervous about smaller QBs. One bad hit from a blindside blitzer can end a season when there isn't much mass to absorb the blow.
How They Actually Succeed
You might think being small is a pure disadvantage, but there are some weird perks.
- Lower Center of Gravity: It is much harder to tackle Kyler Murray in the open field than it is to tackle a guy like Trevor Lawrence. Kyler can change direction on a dime.
- The "Hide and Seek" Effect: Sometimes, defensive linemen literally lose track of where the QB is behind the guards.
- Speed: Almost every successful small QB in history has been fast. You have to be. If you can’t see over the wall, you have to run around it.
It’s sorta fascinating how the league has changed. Ten years ago, a 5-foot-10 quarterback wouldn't even get a look in the first round. Now, teams are realizing that talent is talent. If you can spin it, you can play.
The Current "Short List" (Active QBs)
| Player | Height | Team (2025/26) |
|---|---|---|
| Bryce Young | 5'10" | Carolina Panthers |
| Kyler Murray | 5'10" | Arizona Cardinals |
| Russell Wilson | 5'11" | New York Giants |
| Stetson Bennett | 5'11" | LA Rams |
| Brock Purdy | 6'1" | SF 49ers |
Wait, Stetson Bennett? Yeah, the "Mailman" from Georgia is right there in the mix too. He’s listed at 5-foot-11, though many scouts whispered that he’s closer to 5-foot-10 when the shoes come off.
What This Means for the Future of the NFL
The "prototype" is dying.
We’re seeing more and more "shorter" guys like Caleb Williams (6-foot-1) and Baker Mayfield (6-foot-1) succeed. The league is becoming more about "off-platform" throws and mobility. You don’t need to be a 6-foot-5 statue anymore. In fact, being a statue is a death sentence in the modern NFL because pass rushers are too fast.
If you’re a smaller player looking to emulate these guys, the blueprint is clear: master the quick release. You don't have the luxury of holding the ball for five seconds. You need to know where the ball is going before it’s even snapped.
Basically, the smallest NFL quarterback has to be the smartest guy on the field. They have to work twice as hard to get half the credit. But when they succeed—like Kyler Murray making a defender miss in the backfield or Bryce Young threading a needle on third down—it’s the most exciting thing in sports.
To really track the evolution of these players, keep an eye on "average time to throw" stats and "scramble yards." These metrics usually reveal how smaller quarterbacks compensate for their lack of height by using their legs and their brains to stay alive. Watching the "David vs. Goliath" battle every Sunday is part of what makes football great.
✨ Don't miss: Getting Into the Jets Draft Party 2025: What New York Fans Are Actually Chasing
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you're betting or playing fantasy football, don't automatically discount a QB because of their height. Instead, look at their Offensive Line's interior height. If a short QB has 6-foot-6 guards, they may struggle more with "batted passes" at the line of scrimmage than if they had shorter, more mobile linemen. Check the "passes defended" stat for opposing defensive lines before you lock in your lineup.