For the first time in NFL history, 4 of the 8 teams headed to the divisional playoffs will be led by Black quarterbacks, including the likely MVP candidate, Lamar Jackson.
Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens are 14-2 and the #1 seed in the AFC. He led the league in touchdown passes (36) this year and broke the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (1,206). Told by many that he wouldn’t be able to play QB at the next level, most notably former GM Bill Polian, he defied the odds. Polian finally apologized admitting he was wrong, but still found an excuse to not to vote Jackson to the All-Pro team… a snub to say the least.
(the other three…)
Russell Wilson, who will likely finish second to Jackson in MVP voting this year, is already a 7-time Pro Bowler with a Super Bowl Championship under his belt. At 5’11, he’s not your typical White tall pocket quarterback… but who cares, because all he does is win, and win when it matters… he’s 16-3 in prime-time games and 31-7 after a loss.
Patrick Mahomes, who already has an MVP title in his young career, was one play away from making it to the Super Bowl last year. He threw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns last season, which had only been done once before in NFL history (Peyton Manning). He will likely be the first quarterback in history to sign a $200 million dollar deal.
Last but not least, DeShaun Watson, who might be the most talented of them all, led the Houston Texans back from a 16-0 deficit to defeat the Buffalo Bills in overtime this past weekend in their wildcard playoff game. I’m sure he’ll win an MVP title before his career is over. If you’ve seen Watson play, whether at Clemson or with the Texans, you know he’s special… so special Oakland Raiders HC John Gruden called him Michael Jordan. He’s also not just running around playing backyard football as many commentators like to suggest, he’s a true student of the game.
History should never let us forget that the Chicago Bears traded up to draft Mitch Trubisky ahead of Mahomes and Watson (and Jackson). A decision that has yet to work out and could negatively impact their franchise for a decade.
White GM’s and coaches used to think only White quarterbacks were smart enough to play in the NFL, which led to most (excuse me, all) quarterbacks being White, tall, and traditional pocket passers. Black athletic quarterbacks in college, who could pass from the pocket and also run when the pocket broke down, would be forced to play other positions (such as receiver).
But times change, and equality improves faster than usual when said equality increases revenue for stakeholders. You can argue that improvement has been most evident in sports, specifically at the quarterback position in the NFL.
Not much has changed in the front office in regard to the decision-makers being mostly White men; but, enough or most of them now realize that dual-threat quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson or DeShaun Watson can lead a team at the next level, and win with often complex playbooks that would’ve never been handed over to them 20, 30, or 40 years ago. They also sell more jerseys, boost ratings, and keep fans engaged, despite PR blunders like the Kaepernick situation or really bad officiating that leaves you scratching your head week in and week out.
Considering their success, especially Jackson and Watson, will we see more quarterbacks like them starting in the NFL? YES. The NFL is what you call a copycat league. I’m not sure teams can duplicate the success of the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans with quarterbacks like Jackson and Watson, but they will die trying… and spend a ton of money in the process.
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