Vic Fangio comments about the NFL’s “QB drought” speaks volumes
Sep 9, 2021, 2:19 PM
On Sunday, the Broncos will start their 10th different starting quarterback since Peyton Manning retired. The game against the Giants will mark the start of just their sixth season since the Hall of Fame QB walked away after Super Bowl 50, a span of just 65 games.
It’s been a revolving door. It’s been a carousel. It’s been a seemingly never-ending search.
Trevor Siemian. Paxton Lynch. Brock Osweiler. Case Keenum. Joe Flacco. Brandon Allen. Drew Lock. Jeff Driskel. Brett Rypien. And now Teddy Bridgewater.
The list makes Broncos Country cringe. It’s a who’s who of journeymen.
So it came as a bit of a surprise today when Denver’s head coach declared that there are more than enough quarterbacks to go around. In Vic Fangio’s mind, there are at least 32 NFL-caliber signal callers.
“The quarterback drought (has) kind of disappeared,” Fangio said. “I don’t know how many years back, it was really evident that there was a shortage.”
If there isn’t a shortage, why are the Broncos about to start their sixth different QB in the past six seasons? Why are other teams going into the season with the likes of Andy Dalton, Sam Darnold, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tyrod Taylor behind center?
Well, it all depends on perspective. Fans don’t like those types of QBs because they can’t envision their favorite team ever winning a Super Bowl with them at the helm. The Broncos head coach has a different way of evaluating things.
“There aren’t many teams now that don’t have a quarterback that you can win with,” Fangio added. “To various degrees.”
That’s how a team ends up with Bridgewater starting in Week 1. That comment epitomizes Denver’s thinking.
They don’t look at winning in big terms. It’s not about competing for the Super Bowl, capturing a division title or being a perennial contender.
Instead, it’s about winning more than they lose. It’s about playing relevant games in November and December.
If that’s the standard, then perhaps Fangio is correct. There aren’t a lot of quarterbacks starting in Week 1 that seem destined for two-, three- or four-win seasons.
But there still are quite a few mediocre quarterbacks at the helm. One of which is starting for the Broncos.
Is there a shortage of championship-caliber QBs? Of course. There always will be.
Is there a shortage of guys who can lead their team to the land of mediocrity? Apparently not.
