The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

The quarterback honorability index

21 snips
Jul 17, 2025
Dave Helman, a contributor specializing in the dynamics of NFL quarterback play, joins discussions on the intriguing Honorability Index. The conversation reveals how character influences quarterback reputation and performance metrics. Helman and the hosts dissect traits of honorable quarterbacks, notable examples, and the evolution of players like Patrick Mahomes. They explore the balance between risk-taking and effectiveness, evaluating various playing styles, from Dak Prescott's adaptability to the creative gameplay of CJ Stroud.
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INSIGHT

Defining Quarterback Honorability

  • Honorability in quarterbacks is about style, not quality of play or accolades.
  • Key traits include willingness to stand in the pocket and aggressively throw routes over the middle.
INSIGHT

Fearlessness Defines Top Tier

  • Fearlessness is the most crucial element of quarterback honorability.
  • Tier five quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford are unhinged, making every throw regardless of risk.
ANECDOTE

Stafford's Fearless Seam Throw

  • Matthew Stafford once threw a seam pass directly past top linebacker Roquan Smith without confirming the coverage.
  • His confidence to retry risky throws regardless of outcomes exemplifies his honorability.
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