NFL quarterbacks are some of the most recognized athletes in professional sports. NFL quarterbacks are responsible for leading their teams down the field and scoring points. Quarterbacks need to be intelligent, get their offense lined up, and change plays depending on the defensive coverage. Sports fans enjoyed watching quarterbacks like Michael Vick, Dan Marino, and Brett Favre in the past. The NFL is littered with talented quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts.
With the NFL season winding down I think it’s important to analyze the difference between older and younger quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers (39) and Tom Brady (45) are the oldest quarterbacks in the NFL. Some of the quarterbacks I mentioned above are young and in the playoffs. This article should paint a picture of life in the NFL for older and younger quarterbacks.
Older NFL Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are the oldest quarterbacks in the NFL. Both quarterbacks have had outstanding careers. Brady has won seven super bowls, passed for over 89,000 yards, thrown 649 touchdowns, and has engineered game-winning drives. Rodgers has won multiple MVP awards and has proven to be one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league.
Despite Rodgers and Brady’s success, their futures are up in the air. Rodgers has to decide if he wants to return to Green Bay and Brady has to decide if he wants to continue playing. Being an older quarterback isn’t easy in today’s NFL. Both quarterbacks had rough 2022 seasons. Rodgers Packers missed the playoffs, lost a lot of games, and looked broken during the season. Rodgers had to find ways to connect with his young receivers and looked frustrated during games. Brady had multiple bad games and struggled to connect with his offense at times. Most recently Brady looked like a shell of himself against the Dallas Cowboys.
Younger NFL Quarterbacks
Younger quarterbacks are producing and playing good football. Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen have taken over the NFL. Mahomes has won a Superbowl and will most likely win his second MVP award. Allen has a huge arm and has made the Buffalo Bills relevant. Burrow has done the same in Cincinnati. Burrow has also won important playoff games.
Younger quarterbacks are rallying their teams and proving their worth in the NFL. Teammates are following younger quarterbacks’ lead. The Jaguars rallied around Trevor Lawrence during their win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Younger quarterbacks struggle on the gridiron. They have to decide when to take shots and when to play conservatively. Additionally, young quarterbacks have to think about their contracts and learn how to lead their teams.