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Who Is The Shortest Quarterback In The Nfl Today

Picture this: you walk into an NFL quarterback room expecting to see a lineup of towering giants, guys who could headbutt a stop sign. But nestled among these football greenheads is a player who looks like he might need a booster seat for the postgame interview.

Today we're talking about who the shortest quarterback in the NFL actually is, and trust me, the answer might make you do one of those cartoon double-takes. Hot cocoa ready? Let's dive in.

The Reigning Champ of the Vertical Space He-Man Contest

If you guessed Kyler Murray, the Arizona Cardinals' franchise quarterback, give yourself a fictional gold star that you didn't earn. Murray comes in at a sassy 5 feet 10 inches—which in the world of NFL quarterbacks is basically like being a house cat at a dog show.

For reference, the average starting quarterback in the NFL nowadays hovers around 6'2" to 6'4". So Murray strolling into a huddle is like a Golden Retriever accidentally joining a pack of Great Danes—he fits, but everyone just kind of notices.

The Height Disadvantage That Defied Expectations

Now, before you start writing a strongly worded letter to the NFL demanding they add a minimum height requirement, let's talk numbers. Murray was the first overall pick in 2019, the Arizona Cardinals apparently looked at his 5'10" frame and said, "Yep, that's our guy." Bold move, honestly—respect.

He posted over 3,000 passing yards in multiple seasons and dazzled with his dual-threat ability. Short arms, big arsenal.

The Height Challenge Is Real — But So Is the Ego

Being short in the NFL comes with genuine struggles, and no, we're not talking about reaching the top shelf of the team snack cabinet. Taller linemen create a wall of bodies that forces shorter quarterbacks to throw over or around traffic like they're navigating a human construction zone.

Who Are the Tallest & Shortest Quarterbacks in the NFL Right Now?Who Are the Tallest & Shortest Quarterbacks in the NFL Right Now?

Murray has spoken honestly about how his height can be a tough obstacle in the pocket. Think about it: imagine trying to fling a spiral over six enormous people when you could've been a perfectly happy point guard in the NBA instead. No pressure.

But Wait — He's Not the Only Short King in the League

Before Kyler claims his throne entirely, we should mention Russell Wilson, the Steel City veteran rocking a tidy 5'11" listing. Whether that includes shoes, socks, and a dream, nobody knows for sure, but he's the next contestant on "Shorter Than Average QB Island."

Some fans swear Russell adds an inch for press conferences. Honestly, at that point, everyone in the NFL is padded—just in different places.

Honorable Mention: The Short Kings Who Came Before

Drew Brees retired back in 2021 at 6'0", though his official listing has sparked a million conspiracy threads on Reddit. Russell Wilson somehow always seems to never actually measure under 6 feet though, so stats are hilariously subjective.

Shortest NFL Quarterbacks of All TimeShortest NFL Quarterbacks of All Time

In 2006, the legendary Doug Flutie had the internet doubting his 6'0" listing in an era before Casual Consumer Height Verification. Football's been running a height illusion act for decades, and honestly? It's a kind of charming scandal.

Honest Take: Does Height Really Matter for a QB?

Some scouts will tell you height is a major indicator for pocket quarterbacks—we're not entirely wrong, but they're also not entirely right. Players like Baker Mayfield at 6'0" have thrived, and Drew Brees reminds everyone that footwork plus football reading skills can compensate for shorter arms.

At the same time, taller quarterbacks have always enjoyed a natural advantage in seeing over linemen like a lighthouse over fishermen. When you stack that against the NFL's constant churn of being either genius or fool-testing taller averages, the data reveals something interesting.

Kyler Murray demonstrates you can lessen the height gap by moving your feet, reading defenses fast, and in Murray's case, being a literal arcade cheat code with elite scrambling ability.

Who Are the Tallest & Shortest Quarterbacks in the NFL Right Now?Who Are the Tallest & Shortest Quarterbacks in the NFL Right Now?

The Real Test of Quarterback Nimbleness

Murray's short stature means he's not winning any photobombs with teammates where he's the tallest one in the frame. He's poured 4,600+ yards and 24+ touchdowns into some seasons, proving that quarterbacking brilliance doesn't require a high-rise trophy shelf.

At the same time, whenever critics point out he's short, Kyler responds with footwork that'd make Fred Astaire proud—and fans watching go, "Unless you started watching NFL before 2015, your opinion is irrelevant anyway." Clickbait sports journalism has short memories.

Final Thoughts: Height May Vary, Go Won't

So who's the shortest quarterback in the NFL today? Talk about a nice technicality argument: Kyler Murray owns the minimum height crown as a starter, with Russell Wilson a close second—an inch or two behind depending on whether you believe the guy. Both live proof that the ⬇️ tag doesn't apply to cheks on play accuracy or pocket presence ironies.

The NFL keeps inching forward, discovering that sometimes the shortest QB has the biggest heart. Who knew?