The NFL is a quarterback-driven league. An offseason revolving around Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Matt Ryan, and Carson Wentz has only solidified that fact.
It’s awfully hard to win without a prolific passer. Dan Campbell, however, still thinks it’s possible.
Per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Lions head coach said an elite quarterback isn’t a prerequisite for success.
“No, I don’t think you need that,” Campbell said of a top quarterback. “I think that those guys like that are obviously, they’re special. And they certainly can give you a better chance. But no, I don’t believe you have to have one of those guys to have sustained success.”
In Campbell’s first season, the Lions went 3-13-1 with unremarkable quarterback play from Jared Goff. Meanwhile, his old team showed the significance of the position when long-time Lions cornerstone Matthew Stafford led the Los Angeles Rams to a Super Bowl title.
With Goff still carrying a hefty cap hit, the Lions watched as other teams upgraded the position this offseason. Campbell’s comments also suggest he wouldn’t want the team to reach for a rookie signal-caller with the second pick of the upcoming draft.
Campbell said his priority is attaining “a Day 1 starter,” but he’s not opposed to taking a quarterback if the organization is enamored with a particular prospect.
“Look, if you really love a guy, right? If you really love a guy and you know people are going to be all over him, and the only way to acquire that guy is pick them where they’re at, it’s something worth thinking about, especially if you think you can develop those guys.”
However, he also supported Goff and praised the quarterback’s performance down the stretch. Campbell is more concerned with building a well-rounded roster and “adding pieces” until the right quarterback fit comes along.
Whether one agrees with Campbell’s assessment goes back to the old Joe Flacco debate. A strong roster can go the distance with a really good, but not elite quarterback. But champions are far more often than not steered by a star signal-caller.
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