The NFL faces a serious problem with young quarterbacks

Over the past few seasons, a worrying trend has been emerging in the NFL: more and more quarterbacks drafted in the first round quickly find themselves on the bench.

This raises serious questions about the ability of teams to develop their young pivots… and about the patience accorded to these costly projects.

Since 2020, almost every crop of first-round quarterbacks has produced its share of temporary disappointments. Tua Tagovailoa, fifth overall in 2020, has already experienced a stint on the bench despite massive financial investment.

The following year, the situation became even more striking: Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones were all passed over at one point or another, despite their first-round pick status and the high expectations that accompanied them.

The phenomenon didn't slow down thereafter. Kenny Pickett, selected in 2022, never managed to establish himself as a long-term solution. By 2023, even the most recent prospects had not escaped: Bryce Young, despite being the first overall pick, was sent to the bench before being relaunched, while Anthony Richardson also experienced a rapid demotion.

This portrait highlights a troubling reality: the NFL drafts quarterbacks faster than it knows how to coach them. Between the immediate pressure to win, the frequent changes in offensive coordinators, and the sometimes deficient alignments around young quarterbacks, many find themselves propelled into untenable situations.

Developing a quarterback takes time… and stability

Unlike other positions, quarterbacking requires patience, continuity, and structure. But the league often works the other way around. Head coaches gamble their jobs in the short term, organizations change direction quickly, and young quarterbacks become the first victims of this instability.

Being drafted in the first round no longer guarantees a clear plan or gradual progression. Too often, these players are thrown into the fray without a safety net, then quickly judged when they stumble. The result: confidence crumbles, development stagnates, and teams start from scratch.

The NFL may never have had so much raw talent at the quarterback position, but without a more structured approach, that talent will continue to wear out prematurely. The problem isn't just the players… it's the system around them.

This content was created with the help of AI.