By Marvin Moore September 8, 2023
The baton has been passed in the pass-happy National Football League. A new generation of NFL quarterbacks has arrived. And, unlike in previous decades when dropback passers were the prototype, field generals oozing with athleticism are the new norm.
For the first time in 19 years, last year’s playoffs did not feature one or more of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, and his little brother, Eli. From 2003 to 2021, the odds of watching one of the four Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks in a divisional playoff matchup were almost guaranteed.
During the 76 divisional round games played over the last two decades, one or more of the quartet played in 35 of those playoff contests. At least one of the legendary quarterbacks was involved in over 50 percent of the 38 conference title games and 15 of the 19 Super Bowls. That’s the reason they are legends.
But all good things must come to an end, right? Maybe not. Although Rodgers missed the playoffs last season, the future Hall of Famer will lead a talented New York Jets squad with visions of winning the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
A plethora of youthful but talented quarterbacks led by Patrick Mahomes will challenge Rodgers for Super Bowl glory this season. Mahomes, who will celebrate his 28th birthday this month, has led the Kansas City Chiefs to five consecutive AFC title games and two NFL crowns.
Mahomes counterpart in last year’s big game, Jalen Hurts, enjoyed a breakout season a year ago and has an elite receiving corps. The 25-year-old was 16-2 in 18 games and tallied over 5,000 total yards and 43 touchdowns in an electrifying campaign.
A pair of dynamic signal-callers also reside in the rugged AFC East along with the four-time league MVP. Josh Allen has guided the Buffalo Bills to three consecutive division titles and has averaged 42 total touchdowns over the past two seasons. Tua Tagovailoa led the league in passer rating in 2022, posting 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns despite an injury-plagued campaign.
Cincinnati Bengals fourth-year quarterback Joe Burrow became the highest-paid player in NFL history with a massive five-year, $275 million contract extension. Joe Cool has won five of seven playoff games while leading the Bengals to back-to-back AFC Conference Championship appearances.
A former league MVP flying under the radar this season is Lamar Jackson. The Baltimore Ravens dual-threat quarterback is still only 26 years-old and will open the upcoming season with a stellar cast of pass-catchers and a modern passing game for the first time in his six-year career.
2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Justin Herbert, and three-time Pro Bowler Deshaun Watson are both poised to enjoy productive seasons this year. Herbert, 25, holds the NFL record for most passing yards (14,089) in a quarterback’s first three NFL seasons. Watson topped the league in passing yards three seasons ago and has shaken off the rust of being inactive for two years that plagued the 27-year-old last season.
Another rising star, Trevor Lawrence, led the Jacksonville Jaguars to the playoffs in just his second season. The 23-year-old pick threw for 4,113 yards and tallied 30 total touchdowns to help the Jaguars earn their first division title since 2017.
A trio of rookie quarterbacks will be under center in Week 1. This year’s top overall pick, Bryce Young, will look to rejuvenate a Carolina Panthers franchise that has reached the playoffs in six years. The Houston Texans have given the keys to their offense to former Ohio State standout C.J. Stroud, while Florida product Anthony Richardson is the Indianapolis Colts young field general.
The new guard has arrived and has already begun to forge their own legacies. While Brady, Rodgers, and the Mannings will never be forgotten, the league is riding high with a new generation of quarterbacks who are excitingly changing the landscape of the game.
