The NFL is a quarterback driven league. A quarterback has won the Most Valuable Player award every year since 2013, and 19 of the 23 MVPs have been quarterbacks since the year 2000.
The NFL is going through a changing of the guard in the quarterback position. Many of the top touted quarterbacks of the 2000s and early 2010s are all but retired. However, not all of them have decided to hang up their cleats just yet, but judging by their performances this season it looks like it may be time to let the game go for a few of them.
Matt Ryan throughout his career has been a star. Ryan has served as the starting quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons from 2008 all the way up until last year, even leading them to a super bowl appearance in 2017. Since coming to the Indianapolis Colts during last offseason, Ryan has had many struggles with his new team. Ryan started off this season throwing 9 interceptions and only 9 touchdowns. All of that came to a head last week when he was benched for backup rookie quarterback Sam Ehlinger for the Colts game against the Washington Commanders. Ryan has since stated that he was personally disappointed by the decision to have him benched. At 37 years old, Ryan’s best days are behind him and with the new arrangement of him being benched it looks like retirement for Ryan is on the horizon.
Ryan is not the only player who has been struggling as they age. Aaron Rodgers of the GreenBay Packers has had his fair share of troubles as well. Football fans know Rodgers is one of the greatest to ever throw the ball, but throwing three interceptions in a loss to the previously 1-6 Detroit Lions last week is just a new addition to the long lists of worries Packers fans have. The rumors that the former four time MVP and superbowl champion is going to be on his way out of Green Bay after this season have been swirling for some time now. Judging by his performance this year, it may be time to leave the Packers and the NFL as a player for good.
Tom Brady had already retired briefly in the offseason, but decided to come back for his 23rd NFL season. Brady’s struggles on and off the field have been well documented since training camp. Widley considered the greatest quarterback of all time, Brady finally looks like he is losing the battle to father time this season. As a 45 year old, his Tampa Bay Buccaneers are sitting at a disappointing 4-5 record. Luckily due to his poor division Brady still has a shot at making the playoffs which may be all he needs to do. Although the playoff hopes are still alive unlike the previously mentioned QBs, the Buccaneers staff and players have been claiming their team is directionless for some time now. Brady has continued to underperform to his standards all season long. This begs the question as to if Brady was right the first time and should have stayed in retirement.
As painful as it is for them and the fans, it may be time for these legends to hang up the cleats and call it a career once and for all.