In short, an Elite QB is a QB that has skills that can overcome the playcall.
Every QB’s job is to execute the play: understand what receiver they should throw to (based on the play call), and make the right decision. Or hand the ball off.
But if the primary receiver just isn’t getting open – or the defense is able to get to the QB quickly a lot – the QB needs to have traits that allow them to overcome this:
Elite QB Traits
- Much better consistency with fundamental traits (footwork, pocket presence, situational football)
- Having explosive running ability (think of Lamar Jackson)
- Having an elite arm (throwing with great distance, great velocity, or great accuracy into very tight windows) (think of Josh Allen, John Elway, Brett Favre, Tom Brady)
- Throwing accurately while on the run or under pressure (think of prime Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen)
- Avoiding sacks really well (think Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson)
- Scrambling and extending the play
- Full knowledge and command of the playbook
- Making many audibles or play adjustments pre-snap so that they can guarantee a receiver will be open (think of Peyton Manning, sometimes Joe Burrow)
- Being consistently good against the blitz
- Being able to process the defense and find the open receiver without needing the read progression or play in an offense where receivers run option routes (think of Tom Brady)
- Avoiding turnovers extremely well (think Aaron Rodgers)
- Throwing with Anticipation (as in you know where the receiver will go and you throw it to a spot) (think of Drew Brees, Joe Burrow)
Having these traits makes them less reliant on the perfect playcall or facing a bad defense.
Essentially, the average QB is a product of their situation. With a good offensive line and good play design from the OC, or elite receivers and elite running backs, the opposing defense will struggle, making it easier for the QB to find the open receiver and throw accurately to him.
So they are a product of the perfect playcall.
But elite QBs don’t need everything perfect. They can get by with just 1 of the above.
Examples:
Prime Aaron Rodgers went through a period in the mid 2010s where the only bright spot on the Pakcers offense was just their protection. Jordy Nelson was their only good weapon; everything else was average. But his ability to throw on the run, his elite arm strength, and ability to adjust the play pre-snap allowed him to overcome this.
Tom Brady had years where his protection was very good, but did not have a strong running back or receivers that could manipulate defenses, or a great scheme that made it easy for receivers to get open, (2001-2003, 2005, 2006, and 2013 especially, or in years where Gronk was hurt like in 2012, 2016). But Brady’s ability to process defenses to find receivers without going through his reads, his arm strength to throw in tight windows, adjust the play pre-snap, and master of fundamental traits allowed him to overcome this.
Lamar Jackson from 2018-2023 had good protection but largely had lackluster weapons and scheme. His explosive running ability, and elite arm (both strength and accuracy) has allowed him to overcome this.
Joe Burrow has largely had very good receivers, but bad protection and mediocre running support and coaching. Joe Burrow’s ability to make adjustments pre-snap, his mobility, and master of fundamental traits has allowed him to overcome this.
