I firmly believe the current quarterbacks in the NFL are the most talented group ever. There has never been anyone at the position who has been as gifted as Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, or Josh Allen. Even outside of these three generational talents, there are still players like Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts. If you’ve ever seen any of these quarterbacks, among many others, play the sport, you’ve likely noticed their undeniable talent too.
While this new generation of quarterbacks don’t have the numbers to compare to the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and the other talented players of the previous generation, it doesn’t seem crazy to say they’re more talented. As more years have gone by, the NFL has shifted their expectations from quarterbacks focusing on throwing the ball to quarterbacks who can run it too.
If you look at the previous generation of quarterbacks, none of the players were known for their ability to extend plays outside of the pocket, besides Aaron Rodgers. Now, almost every starting quarterback in the league can do it.
It’s still early in the careers of players like Mahomes, Jackson, and Allen, but I think when things are all said and done, you’ll notice a clear shift in career stats. While none of them will likely throw for 5,000 yards or break passing records, they’ll make up for it in other ways. For example, at just 28 years old, Lamar Jackson already holds the record for most rushing yards in a career for quarterbacks. If that’s not enough to prove the shift in quarterback play, Josh Allen already holds the Buffalo Bills’ record for most rushing touchdowns in a career at 29 years old.
It’s clear that the style of play in the NFL is evolving from a pass-first league to a more balanced approach, and the quarterback position is no exception. Everyone is even bigger, stronger, and faster than they’ve ever been. This, combined with the evolution of the sport, has allowed the quarterback position to be more dynamic than it’s ever been before.
