QB Babies: The Revolution is Here

01/18/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

The NFL Quarterback Youth Movement is Inevitable as New Era of Franchise QBs Have Officially Ousted the Veterans

No Tom Brady. No Aaron Rodgers. No Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Mathew Stafford, Matt Ryan, Derek Carr, or Ryan Tannehill. There are no QBs age 30 or older in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, and that’s astounding considering eight of the last ten Super Bowls have featured a QB over the age of 30. In fact, only five Super Bowls since 2000 had both starting QBs in their 20s.

 

The veteran quarterback still standing? That’s 29-year-old Dak Prescott, who just claimed his second career postseason victory. There’s been ample coverage of the young quarterbacks taking over the NFL in recent years, namely in the AFC with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow lightning up teams en route to the 1, 2, and 3 seeds. Plus, Trevor Lawrence (23) looks ready to thrive. Don’t forget Tua Tagovailoa (24) and Lamar Jackson (26) who would’ve had a shot to be alive right now if it weren’t for late-season injuries or Justin Herbert (24) who saw his team blow a 27-point lead.

 

Then there’s the NFC, where Prescott and three playoff rookies are about to duke it out. Jalen Hurts (0 games), Brock Purdy (0 games), and Daniel Jones (1 game) are all in their first year of postseason play. Now, the lights are the brightest, and Prescott’s experience may prove vital.

 

Fun Fact: The average age of the remaining quarterbacks is 25 — the same age as two-time Georgia championship QB Stetson Bennett.

 

Age of Remaining Playoff QBs

Dak Prescott (DAL): 29 Years Old

Patrick Mahomes (KC): 27 Years Old

Josh Allen (BUF): 26 Years Old

Joe Burrow (CIN): 26 Years Old

Daniel Jones (NYG): 25 Years Old

Jalen Hurts (PHI): 24 Years Old

Brock Purdy (SF): 23 Years Old

Trevor Lawrence (JAX): 23 Years Old

 

Career Playoff Wins By QB

Patrick Mahomes (KC): 8

Josh Allen (BUF): 4

Joe Burrow (CIN): 4

Dak Prescott (DAL): 2

Daniel Jones (NYG): 1

Trevor Lawrence (JAX): 1

Jalen Hurts (PHI): 0

Brock Purdy (SF): 0

 

Total Playoff Wins: 20

*5 Occurred Last Weekend

 

If you remove Mahomes — who owns significant playoff success in his first six seasons — the other seven QBs account for just 12 total postseason victories, and nearly half of those (5) occurred last weekend.

 

The Youngest QB-SB Showdowns

Since 1967, the lowest combined age of starting QBs in a Super Bowl is 51 (twice) — Joe Montana (28) vs. Dan Marino (23) in 1985, and Brett Favre (27) vs. Drew Bledsoe (24) in 1997. There’s a strong chance that the record is tied or broken in Super Bowl LVII.

 

What About the Coaches?

That’s a very lopsided resume comparison, too. The two teams with the oldest quarterbacks — Kansas City and Dallas — also have the most seasoned play-callers. Andy Reid (19 wins) and Mike McCarthy (11 wins) are the only two head coaches with double-digit postseason victories. Doug Pederson (JAX: 5), Kyle Shanahan (SF: 5), Zac Taylor (CIN: 4) and Sean McDermott (BUF: 4) also have experience, but the wisdom on the Chiefs and Cowboys sidelines could come into play.

 

In 2023, the gates to a quarterback revolution have been opened, and a few QB babies are about to get thrown into the fire for the first time. Will Mahomes claim the throne and capture his second Super Bowl? Or is there another young quarterback about win his first? Divisional Round incoming…

 

Additional Storylines

SportsNaut: 2023 NFL Playoff QB Rankings From 8 to 1

ESPN: Ranking All Remaining NFL Playoff Quarterbacks: Strengths & Weaknesses

 

Photo: Adam Glanzman / Getty Images