The modern game of football was supposed to be “easier than ever” for quarterbacks because of more rules that favor them, fewer hits, and easier passing concepts. Just a year ago, Troy Aikman said 40 would be “the new norm” for quarterbacks. Tom Brady won two Super Bowls in his 40s, Peyton Manning won one just before his 40th birthday, Drew Brees was still competing over 70% of his passes after 40, and Aaron Rodgers was destined to be the next, right?
Wrong.
Just a few years after Brady’s retirement, the premise that “quarterbacks are aging gracefully” and that “all of the good ones will be able to play until they are 40” is fading away faster than Russell Wilson’s career.