The Coach’s Eye: Quarterback Edition

When most fans watch a quarterback, they naturally watch what happens when the ball is in his hands. Did he complete the pass? Did he throw a touchdown? Did he make a great throw? Did he throw an interception?

Those things matter. But if you really want to understand quarterback play, you have to watch everything that happens between the snaps. That’s where a coach starts seeing things the casual fan may miss.

It Starts Before the Ball Is Snapped

A good quarterback doesn’t simply walk up to the line, call his cadence, and wait for the ball. He takes ownership of the entire offense. As he gets to the line, he’s looking at the defense. He’s looking right and left. He’s making sure his own players are aligned correctly. He’s taking a good look at the defense so he can get an idea of what he’s going to see once the play starts.

He already knows what his first read is supposed to be. Maybe he’s looking at the cornerback and seeing how far off the receiver he’s playing. Maybe he’s checking where a safety is lined up. Those little pieces of information can give the quarterback an idea, before the snap, of where he may want to go with the football.

That’s part of the job. The quarterback has to oversee the whole field before the play even begins. So when scouting for the position, look for players with a high football IQ, quick decision-making skills, and leadership qualities, first and foremost. You can make up for arm strength and/or size with a quick release on the right read. 

The Clock Is Already Running

Once the ball is snapped, the quarterback has to process all that information quickly. If it’s a quick passing play, he’s getting the snap, taking his step, and getting the football out. That doesn’t mean he should be rushed. It means he needs an internal clock. He has to get through his progression quickly enough to make the throw on time. A quarterback doesn’t want to panic, but he also can’t stand there waiting forever for something to develop.

The good ones understand that there is a limited amount of time to make a decision. That’s part of what makes the position so difficult.

Sometimes the Best Decision Isn’t the One You See on the Replay

One of the hardest things for a fan to judge is whether a quarterback actually made the right decision. Sometimes you simply can’t tell from the sideline.

A coach in the press box may have a completely different view of the field. He may see another receiver who was open. A coach on the sideline may only see the quarterback’s side of the play. That’s why communication between the field and the press box is so important.

Maybe the quarterback makes a big throw that results in a touchdown. Great play, right?

Maybe.

But if the quarterback missed another receiver who was wide open, you still want him to understand that read. That’s where film and communication come in. A good quarterback can make a great play and still have something to learn from that play. When scouting for your next quarterback, look for those who will communicate, not just with the players or coaches, but also with themselves. Steve Young once said that a quarterback levels up every twenty games, and in today’s virtual reality days, much can be done off the field as well as on it. 

Don’t Judge Every Throw by the Result

This is especially important when evaluating interceptions. Take a quarterback who sees that his receiver isn’t really open. If he throws the ball directly to the receiver, there’s a good chance a defender picks it off. So perhaps he puts the ball a little high, giving his receiver a chance to make a play.

Is that always the right decision? Probably not.

Sometimes the smarter play is simply to throw the ball away and live to see another down. But that’s why I don’t think you can evaluate a quarterback simply by looking at the stat sheet. You must look at the decision that led to the result.

Scouting quarterbacks may be the toughest position to evaluate. Having a player that can learn from their mistakes as well as put bad plays in the past—quickly—is paramount to building success at the position. 

Quarterback Is a Hard Position

There isn’t necessarily one thing that’s harder than everything else about playing quarterback. The position itself is hard. Think about everything the quarterback is responsible for on every play. He’s making sure everyone is lined up correctly. He’s overseeing the field. He’s working through his reads. He’s processing what the defense is showing him. He’s making decisions in a very short amount of time.

And then he has to execute.

That’s why I believe the quarterback is, without a doubt, the most important position on the field. And with that comes pressure. For every team at every level. As they say, it’s all about the quarterback. The quarterback knows it. Everybody else knows it. Thus when looking for the right prospects, finding a quarterback that can take the pressure, both on and off the field, is critical to the team’s success on Friday night, Saturday or Sunday. 

Trust Starts Long Before the Season

When I decide whether I trust a quarterback, that evaluation doesn’t begin when the season starts. It starts in the offseason. What is his work ethic? Is he a leader in the weight room? Is he encouraging his teammates? Is he there every day and on time? Does he want to put in the work to watch film? Is he doing the little things that will make him better?

Those things matter because teammates notice. A quarterback can’t simply tell people he’s a leader. They need to see him lead. Be a Leader, but be a teammate, too. That leadership carries over onto the field. If the quarterback makes a mistake, I want him to own it. Don’t blame somebody else. If the receiver ran the wrong route and that’s what caused the interception, then go find that receiver on the sideline and figure it out. Don’t sit on the bench with your head down and sulk.

Fix the problem.

And if the quarterback simply made a bad throw, I want to see him pat his chest and let everybody know: That’s my fault.

Then comes the most important part. When he gets back on the field, I want to see the same confidence he had before the mistake. Accountability and confidence have to coexist. The same thing applies when a teammate makes a mistake. If the center makes a bad snap, the quarterback doesn’t need to jump all over him. He needs to put his arm around him and say, essentially, “Next play. Get this one right.”

Be a coach on the field. But also be a strong teammate and an encourager. While finding prospects, you can see an arm. You can see size and athleticism. But you can’t see leadership, moxie or their willingness to take accountability, so make sure that’s part of your interview process. 

Know the Situation—All the Time

One of the most important elements of quarterback play is situational awareness. And I don’t mean just at the end of the game. I mean all the time. The quarterback needs to know the situation he’s in throughout the game.

What’s the score? What’s the down and distance? What’s happening in the game? Those things matter because the right decision can change depending on the situation. A quarterback isn’t simply executing a play that was called. He’s playing the situation, too.

Watch What Happens After the Play 

If I could give a casual fan one piece of advice, it would be this: Don’t just watch the quarterback when the ball is in his hands. Watch him from the time one play ends until the next play begins. Watch him walk to the line. Watch whether he’s overseeing the field. Watch whether he’s checking his offensive alignment. Watch whether he’s checking the defense and the sideline. Watch how much information he’s processing before the ball is snapped.

Then watch what happens when he comes off the field.

A quarterback will often go directly to his quarterback coach, who is communicating with the offensive coordinator, or to the offensive coordinator if he’s on the field. He may even communicate through the headset with the offensive coordinator or quarterback coach in the press box.

There’s a lot happening that the television viewer may never notice. And that’s really the point. So the next time you watch a quarterback, don’t just watch the throw. Watch the man. Because quarterback isn’t just about throwing a football. 

That’s what makes the position so difficult. And that’s what makes it so fascinating to watch.