While the QB is one of the most important pieces for an NFL team, it comes with its own risks. A QB in the NFL holds the responsibility for reading rival defenses, and creating chances with either their passing abilities or runs. And this makes them more prone to being tackled by defensive players, which sometimes leads to season-ending injuries and concussions. 

Even NFL GOAT Tom Brady succumbed to such an injury during his tenure with the New England Patriots. And the Brady scare led to a change in the league’s regulation, which now provides some protection to current QBs like Patrick Mahomes and Kirk Cousins on the field.

Brady’s injury scare led to a change in QB hits in the NFL

On the 12th of July, Netflix is releasing a new docudrama called ‘Quarterback’, where they teamed up with the NFL to follow the journey of three QBs during the 2022 season. Those three QBs are Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Marcus Mariota of the Atlanta Falcons. 

In a five-minute video shared by NTudum from the docudrama, we see Kirk Cousins teaching his son why the NFL has so many rules about hitting QBs. He went on to explain that when a QB is playing a pass; it leaves him open and vulnerable to being tackled by offensive linemen. He then when on to talk about Tom Brady’s 2008 torn ACL when he was hit by Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard. And this season-ending injury led to a ban on QBs being tackled below the knee.

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And because of this experience, Brady went on to become an advocate for QB safety in the NFL.

Are QBs prone to injuries?

It is not a surprise that QBs are in the most vulnerable position of getting tackled by defensive players. And sometimes these tackles have a long-lasting impact on their physical health. The most well-known recent incident of QB injury is Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s concussions last season. Back in 2021, Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammate Chris Godwin suffered from a season-ending ACL injury after being tackled while catching a pass. This led to the NFL GOAT speaking up against the dangers of such plays on his Let’s Go Podcast. Brady also went on to talk about how he spoke with the NFLPA about making the game safer for QBs and also about his plans of entering discussions with the Competition Committee.

Do you think a QB is at the greatest risk while playing on the NFL field? Let us know in the comments below.

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