Randall Cunningham

Jalen Hurts operates in a different era entirely—modern passing rules and spacing make his job fundamentally easier than what Cunningham navigated in the '80s and '90s. But here's the thing: Cunningham's 4,928 rushing yards as a QB still rank second all-time, and he was doing that while taking 72 sacks in one season on a porous line. Hurts is the better pure passer; Cunningham was the more explosive athlete at the position.

Cunningham's Hall of Fame snub remains one of football's head-scratchers. Four Pro Bowls, 29,979 passing yards, 35 rushing touchdowns, and he led the 1998 Vikings to a then-NFL record 556 points while becoming the first Black QB to lead the league in passer rating. He's in the College Football Hall of Fame and Eagles Hall of Fame, but Canton's door remains closed—a decision that says more about the Hall's historical biases than his resume.

The search results don't provide current information about Cunningham's 2026 activities. After retiring following the 2001 season, he returned to UNLV to finish his degree in 2004 and became an ordained pastor, but specific details about his present work aren't available in these sources.

Cunningham would thrive in today's NFL. Modern rules protecting quarterbacks would've eliminated those brutal sack totals, while his athleticism—second only to Michael Vick in rushing yards per game—translates beautifully to contemporary spread offenses. He'd likely post better efficiency numbers, though his 81.5 career rating suggests he'd still be a mid-tier starter rather than elite.

McNabb edges Cunningham as the more consistent passer, but that rating gap (46.44 vs. 33.8) oversimplifies their legacies. Cunningham was more dynamic with his legs and played through rougher circumstances; McNabb had better protection and more weapons. Both defined Eagles quarterback play for their eras, though McNabb's Super Bowl appearance gives him the edge in franchise lore.