When the NFL Draft rolls around every year, what position is the most anticipated, gets talked about the most, and let's be honest, is maybe a bit overvalued given the other talent on the board at the moment? If you guessed Quarterback, you are correct. Draft after draft, the big question is always, "Who's the top Quarterback?" 15 times in the last 20 drafts, the first overall pick has been a Quarterback. But guess what? Only seven of them, you could say, truly worked out for the team they were drafted by, with the last three TBD. Even outside the first overall pick, the ratio of first-round quarterbacks that truly work out for their drafting team is astonishingly low. So then, why the investment?

Some teams have proven successful with just average quarterbacks, but when you look at Super Bowl winners of the last two decades, nearly all of them have what you would define as a "franchise quarterback." If you want to be successful in this league, you need "the man" behind center. Otherwise, most of the time, you're destined for your team to be called "okay or good, but not great." I'm sure San Francisco fans will come for my head with this comment. Still, what if instead of riding a derailing Jimmy Garoppolo train into 2021 and eventually turning to Mr. Irrelevant of 2022, Brock Purdy, for not that much better results, the 49ers traded with the Lions for Matthew Stafford? As much as it would've made me nauseous, the 49ers likely would've hoisted one, maybe even three Lombardi trophies. Stafford at the helm of the 49ers' "Avengers" team? Forget it, they may have dominated the NFC, or may still be. 

That's how important a franchise quarterback is. And that's why so many teams spend years/decades trying to find one. It's not always the first round where you find them, but it can be the highest chance of success. 

In this past draft, the Tennessee Titans picked Quarterback Cam Ward with hopes that he would be their franchise quarterback. If you look back at the Tennessee Titans' history, including their time as the Houston Oilers, they have a pretty good list of franchise quarterbacks. From 1984 to 1993, they had Warren Moon, and then from 1995 to 2005, they had Steve McNair. A pretty decent two decades of quarterback play. But after 2005, they haven't been so lucky. Since McNair's departure, they've drafted four quarterbacks in the first round and have had big investments in a few others. Except for a decent stint from Ryan Tannehill, whom they signed as a free agent, the majority have been lackluster. Imagine if the Titans toyed with throwing in the towel on Marcus Mariota two years earlier and ended up drafting Lamar Jackson in 2018? There's a chance we'd be talking about a Titans Super Bowl appearance in the last 5-6 years. 

It's these little moments that show you how important a franchise quarterback can be. 

The Packers know how to nurture them.

When you look at the history of failed first-round quarterbacks, you can't help but wonder, "What went wrong?" Loads of talent displayed in college, enough to be considered a first-round pick, but for some to barely be average starters in the NFL just seems odd. There is the argument regarding the strength of college competition being a factor, or perhaps they had a supporting cast also worthy of a high draft pick to help them, but there are plenty of instances where this wasn't true. All the talent was there without the glaring caveats, and yet, they still failed. These are the times you need to turn to the coaching staff or roster management. 

You can have all the talent in the world, but on a field where you need 10 other players to do their job well for you to be successful, that can take a toll. You can't put the first overall quarterback pick at the helm of the worst team in the league and expect much better results. You need an offensive line to create a comfortable pocket, and a few pass catchers that can help get the ball out quickly. Not to mention a running back that can take some of the pressure off, getting at least 2-3 yards per carry. This all helps a young quarterback relax and get into a rhythm so they can start showing some of that talent that got them to where they are. 

The Packers, however, have adopted a different route. Their last two franchise quarterbacks have come after drafting them in the first round and having them sit and learn for a few years before handing them the reins. It worked out very well with Aaron Rodgers as he became a surgeon of sorts behind Center, he could dissect a defense within 2-3 seconds if he hadn't already before the snap and make the right call for a successful play. Jordan Love may not be at that elite level quite yet, but he's displayed a patience and understanding of the game that most quarterbacks don't possess in their first two years as a starter. This can come from coaching. 

For the last 20 years, the Packers have had some very quarterback-focused coaches. From Head Coaches Mike McCarthy and Matt LaFleur, to assistant coach Tom Clements, the Packers have been spoiled with quarterback whisperers holding highly influential positions on the team, giving them the power to mold any QB that comes through the door by any means necessary. On other teams, you watch young quarterbacks who could benefit from a year or so of tutelage, get drafted high by teams with defensive-minded coaches, and they're thrown directly into the fire to burn on week 1. Lucky for us, the Packers have learned that patience and tutelage are the best ways to go. 

Across the NFL, you watch teams struggle to find a decent quarterback that'll be successful for more than a few years. The Packers have been fortunate to find success in that category for over 30 years. It may not be perfect at times, but the Packers have had "the man" every year since 1992. Time to continue to keep that up and win another Super Bowl.