The debate rages on: Is the local starting quarterback truly a top ten talent in the league? While national analysts often place him outside the elite, sometimes as low as 20th, a closer look at the numbers paints a very different picture for the signal-caller who brought a major championship trophy home.
His early career was undeniably rocky. Drafted by a previous team, he struggled with a complex offensive scheme, averaging low passing yards, high interceptions, and a modest completion rate over three seasons. A subsequent move to another team saw him continue to regress, with similar struggles in a college-style offense that proved ill-suited for the professional game. After a year as a backup, many in the media had written him off.
The Comeback Kid
But the narrative has flipped. After getting another starting opportunity and then signing a long-term deal with his current team, the quarterback has soared. Over the last two seasons, he led two different teams to identical impressive regular season records, a feat unmatched by any other quarterback. He also became the first quarterback from his university to win a Super Bowl.
The analytics back up his resurgence. One analysis of 34 starting quarterbacks over the past two seasons, adjusting for full-season play, ranked him fifth overall in passer rating. He landed seventh in passing yards, tenth in completion percentage, and seventh in touchdowns. Other evaluations also place him firmly in the top tier: one network ranked him fifth in the most recent season, another source put him in the top ten for "Bog Boy Quarterbacking" using advanced metrics, and he was ranked fourth among the league's most clutch quarterbacks. One analyst highlighted his high accurate throw rate, low negatively graded play rate, and impressive yards per attempt.
Beyond the Arm
While his rushing stats might not be elite, ranking 24th in average rushing yards, he consistently uses his legs to extend plays, avoid sacks, and pick up crucial first downs. He averages a solid number of runs for first downs each season and boasts a respectable career yards per carry. But it's his arm talent that truly shines, making him one of the most accurate and impactful passers in the game.
His playoff performances further solidify his case. Over the last two postseasons, he kept turnovers to a minimum, with only one interception and one fumble with a previous team, and zero turnovers in the playoffs with his current squad. He delivered a strong completion percentage and passer rating in the most recent season, playing clean games and lifting the championship trophy on the biggest stages. The man who once "saw ghosts" has undeniably become "The Ghostbuster," proving he belongs among the league's elite.
Originally reported by SB Nation - Field Gulls.