Tallest NFL Quarterback

We’ve previously written about the tallest player in NFL history, but what about specifically the tallest quarterback in NFL history? And tallest active quaterback in the NFL?

Well, the tallest quarterback in NFL history appears to be Dan McGwire, who was a first round pick (16th overall) of the Seattle Seahawks in 1991, just 17 spots ahead of a guy named Brett Favre. McGwire, the younger brother of former Major League slugger Mark McGwire, stood (and still stands) 6 foot 8 inches tall.

As for the tallest more recently active quarterback, as of April 1st, 2016 (when this article was first written), Brock Osweiler, who stands either 6 foot 7, or possibly also 6 foot 8, depending on what source you believe, was the tallest=–his NFL.com profile lists him at 6-8, while his NFL.com draft combine profile lists him at 6-7. Osweiler himself has said he is just a shade over 6 foot 7, while Wikipedia says he measured in at 6-6 7/8 at the combine. Paxton Lynch, who who was drafted in the first round by Denver in 2016, also measured in at 6-7 at the 2016 NFL Combine, would have joined Osweiler in the back row of an all-time NFL Quarterback group picture.

As of updating this article in 2025, the tallest quarterback’s are Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence, both standing at 6-foot, 6-inches tall. Bryce Young and Kyler Murray are the shortest, listed at 5-foot, 10 inches–although frankly that might be generous for both of them.