This three-part series explores the inevitable predicament teams face: the dreaded plight of replacing a longtime franchise quarterback. Teams that arrive at this apex, historically, take one of two distinct paths – let their franchise leader go, or allow them to leave on their terms. Ultimately, when is it time to severe ties with a team’s beloved quarterback?
In Part 1, we saw that teams who let their famous quarterbacks go early watched them lead their new franchise to postseason success; in turn, their heir successors quickly flourished, and the team remained prosperous for years thereafter. In Part 2, we saw that teams who held on to their star until the bitter end often found short-term success, but the franchise suffered long-term consequences.