Football is an incredible sport. It takes a special kind of person to be a successful NFL quarterback and those who do rise to the top of the ranks must put in a commitment, time and hard work that some just cannot commit to. So, how long is the average career of a successful NFL quarterback?
Well, to start, it all depends on how well you play and what teams you play for. A lot of NFL quarterbacks have had successful careers across multiple teams, and some quarterbacks have had longer careers overall due to their success on the field. That being said, if we look at the average NFL career for a quarterback, the short answer is that it is usually somewhere between four and eight years in length.
Now, many NFL quarterbacks have had careers that have lasted longer than the average. Notable names such as Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger have played in the NFL for more than 10 years each and are still playing at a high level. These sorts of careers can be attributed to the quarterback’s ability to stay healthy, adjust to different teams’ offense strategies and of course, maintain the high level of play demanded from playing in the league.
But what about those quarterbacks who don’t last as long as Brady and Big Ben? The truth is, not all quarterbacks have a long and lasting career. After an injury or changing teams, a quarterback’s career can be cut short, or their performance can decrease to the point of benching. It’s true that even with a lot of investment and endless practice, some quarterbacks are just not ready to meet the demands of the NFL.
So, it’s fair to say that while some NFL quarterbacks manage to last 10+ years in the league, most go through a shorter career span. As a general rule of thumb, the average career of a successful NFL quarterback is between four and eight years. Of course, there are examples of players who last longer, or even shorter depending on injury and team changes.
It’s also important to consider the financial implications of an NFL quarterback’s career longevity. Many of the greatest quarterbacks such as Brady and Roethlisberger are able to stay in the league much longer than those who are less successful due to the financial incentives. The opportunity to continue playing in an atmosphere where their skills are fiercely appreciated and well-monitored often trumps the opportunity to play elsewhere with the same talent and enthusiasm.
In contrast, younger quarterbacks often opt for shorter careers while they are still learning the ropes and perfecting their skills. They may choose to retire or move to a different team when their performance peaks, in order to maximize their earnings. This allows them to extend their career for as long as they want and maximize their ability to secure long-term financial stability.
In short, the career span of an NFL quarterback can vary greatly depending on their performance and talent, but the average successful career is usually four to eight years in length. Of course, there are outliers like Brady and Big Ben who have managed to keep their legend alive and continue to dominate in the league for much longer than the average quarterback. But when it comes to NFL quarterbacks, the typical career length is typically shorter than most people imagine.