No quarterback took part in the bench press. This wasn’t all that surprising. In the past 33 years, only 36 quarterbacks have performed the bench press at the NFL combine. Of this group, only ten managed to do 20 or more reps which is kind of impressive from a purely physical standpoint. However, it is not an indication of future success when it comes to on the field performance.
Read More: The 10 best QB bench press results at the NFL Combine
In fact, your career is probably already doomed if you’re a quarterback doing a bench press at the NFL combine. A few have managed to become NFL starters, others had some memorable moments and most are guys you’ve never heard of. Let’s take a look at some of notable NFL Combine QB bench press results.
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Jay Cutler – 2006
23 reps
Lifted more than: Michael Oher (21), Demarcus Lawrence (20)
It is kind of crazy to think Jay Cutler lifted 225 lbs. some 23 times. I was “blindsided” to learn he managed to bench more than Michael Oher. Now the bad jokes are out of the way, we can tell you Jay Cutler is arguably the most successful quarterback to have participated in the bench press at the NFL combine. Somehow this wasn’t included in his combine highlights video.
His 23 reps are the fourth best NFL Combine QB bench press result of all time. On the field, Vinny Testaverde (13 reps) and Rich Gannon (7 reps) are the only other bench press participants that come close to him. Gannon probably had a better peak than Cutler in Oakland, but his overall body of work isn’t great. Meanwhile, Testaverde was around forever and still might be on an NFL roster.
Brady Quinn – 2007
24 reps
Lifted more than: Patrick Willis (22), Greg Hardy (21)
Brady Quinn came along one year later and beat Cutler by one rep. This was less surprising than Cutler’s performance because Quinn was already known as a body guy coming out of Notre Dame. There was even some concern his physique could hinder his ability to be an NFL quarterback. His muscles didn’t hold him back as a pro, but his lack of pocket awareness sure did.
Rhett Bomar – 2009
25 reps
Lifted more than: Cortez Kennedy (23), Greg Hardy (21)
So, the actual NFL Combine QB bench press record is held by Jason Boltus, but you probably aren’t familiar with the DIII player who also punted at Hartwick College. You may know Rhett Bomar, the former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback who was kicked off the team for collecting a paycheck from a car dealership in Norman despite not actually working there.
Bomar put up 25 reps in 2019 only to be bested by Boltus who managed 26 reps. These numbers are pretty crazy when you think about some of the players both quarterbacks managed to out lift. Gerald McCoy (23), Alan Faneca (20) and Le’Veon Bell (24) are just a few of the All-Pros who did fewer reps than Bomar at the NFL Combine.
