Joe Theisman won the Super Bowl and he was a punt returner earlier in his career. I would characterize that as a runner though I concede he was more a drop back scrambler won he won the Super Bowl but they still bootlegged him even at that age of his career.
That’s true, but I would still argue the fact that bootlegging does not a running quarterback make. That was still a designed pass play that was afforded to those teams fortunate enough to have a mobile qb, but still primarily a pocket passer. I think the distinction is made with the read option and designed qb rushing plays. The precursor to all this was Carmichael and the Eagles. Although not running a true read option, they still designed rushing plays for him. Until he got hurt. Then the focus was making him a better pocket passer. Like they do now. After their qb gets hurt from the abuse.
That’s true, but I would still argue the fact that bootlegging does not a running quarterback make. That was still a designed pass play that was afforded to those teams fortunate enough to have a mobile qb, but still primarily a pocket passer. I think the distinction is made with the read option and designed qb rushing plays. The precursor to all this was Carmichael and the Eagles. Although not running a true read option, they still designed rushing plays for him. Until he got hurt. Then the focus was making him a better pocket passer. Like they do now. After their qb gets hurt from the abuse.