Mike Martz on the CBA's Impact on NFL Quarterback Development

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Limited Practice Reps and Backup Investment Are Stalling Quarterback Development

The current CBA may be one reason the game is not producing better quarterback play. Developing at the position takes time, but young quarterbacks and backups do not receive enough practice reps. In the past, teams practiced for three hours and had additional opportunities during exhibition football and spring workouts.

Quarterbacks can develop their timing with receivers, improve their footwork and adjust to the speed of the game through seven-on-seven drills and one-on-one work with the secondary. Even while practicing in shorts and helmets, players can make significant progress at the skill positions. Without those opportunities, young quarterbacks enter the league facing a difficult race to catch up.

Eliminating spring work has stymied the development of young players. Some have fallen through the cracks simply because they did not receive enough snaps.

Organizations also appear reluctant to invest in backup quarterbacks, even though more than 63 quarterbacks took snaps last year. That makes the backup position essential because a team’s season can quickly go sideways when its starter is unavailable.

John Harbaugh has worked with three different quarterbacks, all former first-round draft choices. That situation demonstrates the importance of coaching the position and getting the most out of each player.

Some defensive head coaches, including Lovey, have preferred to carry only two quarterbacks on the roster. That approach is difficult to understand, especially when there are doubts about whether the second quarterback is good enough.

Money is often part of the decision. In the situation involving Cutler, the team did not want to bring in a quarterback of Mark Bulger’s stature because it believed the move might upset him. Those are poor reasons to avoid strengthening such an important position.

Teams may not want to spend money on a capable backup, but that decision becomes costly when the starting quarterback is unavailable in the middle of the season and a good football team is left wishing it had made the investment.