There’s no denying that the quarterback position is the toughest position to play in the NFL. No other position comes with more pressure, demand or expectation than the player under centre each week. He’s the face of the franchise, determining how good or bad your team will be in any given season. Take the legendary Tom Brady. He played a key role in the New England Patriots winning six Super Bowl titles and has already led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their second-ever Super Bowl win.

Playing quarterback is markedly different from other positions, with hundreds of reasons making it the most challenging. We’ll explore four aspects to understand what it takes to be a good NFL quarterback.

1. Decision making under pressure.

At the heart of the quarterback’s challenges lies the need for split-second decision-making. In the chaos of the fast-paced game, a quarterback must quickly assess the defence, identify potential targets, and make decisions that can alter the course of the game.

But it’s not just about knowing how to do his own job. A quarterback must understand the responsibilities of every player on the field. Quarterbacks have to be able to hold their teammates accountable, and they can only do that if they’re in tune with what each player is supposed to be doing.

Quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, of the Green Bay Packers, go above and beyond with their preparation, ensuring readiness for any situation on the field. While meticulous planning of offensive plays is essential, the ability to think on their feet is unparalleled.

2. Enduring the physical demands.

The physical toll on a quarterback is often underestimated. They must possess the arm strength for field-splitting throws, accuracy to outmanoeuvre elite cornerbacks, and the athleticism to evade relentless pass-rushers. Don’t forget, pass-rushers are paid millions of dollars for the sole purpose of taking quarterbacks down, hard!

Standing tall in the pocket while a massive, 6’5”, 21lbs, is bearing down on them with a clear path. The quarterback must endure the physical punishment of the game and maintain peak performance throughout a gruelling NFL season.

3. Mental resilience.

Playing quarterback is an intricate dance between preparation and adaptability. Sharp focus and intense devotion to the mental side of the game are prerequisites. There are just too many things that a quarterback is responsible for on the field for his mental acuity to not be required as one of his better traits.

From memorising intricate playbooks to reading complex defensive schemes, quarterbacks are required to process an immense amount of information in real-time, as seen in the pre-snap communication of legends like Peyton Manning.

Mental resilience is a crucial trait evaluated during the pre-season draft process. Considering how important a quarterback is to the overall success of an NFL franchise, finding young prospects with the mental resilience to play the position is the single most important thing NFL teams have to do for long-term, sustained success.

4. Leadership, on and off the field.

A quarterback isn’t just a player. They’re the leader of their team, setting the tone from the huddle to the locker room. Inspiring, motivating, and rallying a diverse group of players is a skill few other positions require. Beyond the game, quarterbacks represent their franchise in the media and community, managing expectations and handling the pressure of public scrutiny.

A quarterback’s ability to navigate the media is becoming increasingly crucial. Balancing confidence, respectfulness, political correctness, and handling frustration requires a delicate touch. Learning and developing these skills take time and training, especially for the newer generation of quarterback talent like Patrick Mahomes.

The toughest position in world sports.

The quarterback position stands alone as a unique and challenging role that demands a rare combination of physical and mental attributes. Celebrating iconic quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Payton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers deepens our appreciation for the challenges they’ve overcome. The quarterback’s journey is not just a physical battle on the field but a mental and emotional odyssey that defines the essence of sportsmanship.

This deep dive into the quarterback conundrum allows us to marvel not only at the athletic prowess of these individuals but at the intangible qualities that make them true titans of the game. The quarterback position is not just a test of skill. It’s a test of character, leadership, and resilience. It’s a position that continues to captivate fans and aspiring athletes alike, cementing its status as the toughest in the world of sports.

Afterall, it’s why they get all the headlines!

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Lee: Thanks for joining us on The Edit, Sam. Firstly, tell us about The PFF NFL Podcast and what American Football fans can expect if they tune in.

Sam: The PFF NFL Podcast started back in 2012, I think. It kind of became the next avenue of content for us. We’d already written content on the PFF website and had lots of social media presence, so a podcast seemed like the next logical step.

Our audience is football fans, no matter where they are in the world. Whilst the majority of our listeners are based here in the United States, we have a big international listenership relative to any other NFL podcast. I think that is in part because of PFF’s European origins and my own start in Ireland.

The podcast is recorded three times a week in-season. We start with a review show every Monday and then have a preview show every Thursday. Our Wednesday episode is more of an open discussion. If you want to tune in you should be able to find us by searching The PFF NFL Podcast on your favourite podcast provider. Alternatively you can watch a video version on the PFF YouTube channel.

NFL Favourites

Lee: So Sam, on The Edit we like to get to know a little bit more about you and your favourite players and team. Let’s kick off by hearing about your favourite NFL player, and why.

Sam: My favourite NFL players now are all for nonsensical reasons! Because I provide coverage on the whole league, I’ve kind of grown away from individual team and player fandom. I like players that catch my eye early in their college careers and seeing them transition into successful NFL stars, especially if they weren’t highly-ranked prospects.

I’m a big fan of Cordarrelle Patterson of the Atlanta Falcons. He’s incredibly unique in the way that he plays on the defensive side of the ball, much like Derwin James, of the Los Angeles Chargers.

I like players that catch my eye early in their college careers and seeing them transition into successful NFL stars

Lee: So following that, who is your favourite NFL team?

Sam: The Vikings are still my favourite team, they have been since I was a kid. Their biggest need right now is interior solidity on the offensive line. A guy like Micheal Onwenu from New England would be a huge help for them, and plug a problem spot they’ve had for years! Onwenu barely gives up any pressure and has always been a good run blocker.

Their biggest need right now is interior solidity on the offensive line!

NFL Memories

Lee: So Sam, as someone who originally hails from Ireland, what is your earliest NFL memory?

Sam: We lived in Minnesota for a year when I was a kid, and it was the year after the Vikings traded for Herschel Walker, the largest player trade in the history of the National Football League. As you can imagine, everything around Minnesota at that time was all about Walker. Unfortunately, it didn’t really work out for the Vikings. Instead, you could argue that it actually sparked the Dallas dynasty of the 1990s as they used the subsequent draft picks to acquire the players they needed to help them win three Super Bowl titles! It’s a pretty good case for how careful you need to be in making NFL trades and fixating on one particular player.

Lee: And what is your favourite NFL memory, and why?

Sam: It came in a game I attended as a sideline photographer in London. Late in the game, Drew Brees, of the New Orleans, took an intentional safety and threw the ball out the back of his own end zone, right at a photographer – that was me! I had to bat the ball down to stop it smashing my camera and/or face. I was the only photographer it that end zone, and remain convinced to this day that it was deliberately aimed at me!

Season Expectations

Lee: So finally then Sam, what are your expectations for the remainder of this season?

Sam: My preseason Super Bowl pick was Buffalo vs. Philadelphia, and so far, through Week 16, that’s still looking good!

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Lee: And Sam, just before you go. What do you think of the products and designs on offer at The Terrace Apparel.

Sam: I think it’s a very cool concept and love the designs I’ve seen so far. Happily wearing my shirt
right now! NFL fans, be sure to check it out!

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