QB's who sat then became Pro Bowlers

[ATL-Eric]

I was trying to compile a list of Quarterbacks who were backups for several years (4-5+ years) then eventually became pro bowlers. I'm talking guys who didnt play at all.

Aaron Rodgers is the obvious one, but who else?

I was just thinking if that 2012 2nd rounder should have been used differently considering when we signed Peyton we were immediately thrust into "win now" mode.

Its pretty ballsy to draft a backup in the 2nd round if you think about it. I understand Peyton's health was a question mark, but why hedge your bets like that? Either go for it or dont. Think how much we could use a Lavonte David or Casey Howard right now?

Maybe Elway wanted Peyton to have his Gary Kubiak, idk, but I cant help but wonder how we can possibly expect Brock to preform at a high level in 2017 having not played in any meaningful games in 5 years.

And dont fool yourself, Peyton will play out his contract and if he keeps going to Europe to get his blood flushed he may play til hes 45.

[Kaylore]

Steve Young, Rivers.

[BowlenBall]

Tom Brady had zero starts in his first two years....

[BowlenBall]

Speaking of guys who replaced Drew Bledsoe, Tony Romo didn't get his first start until halfway through his third year.....

[BowlenBall]

Kurt Warner was 28 when he started his first NFL game (not sure if that counts though, as he was bagging groceries instead of riding pine).

[BowlenBall]

Len Dawson only started 2 games in his first 6 seasons....

[ATL-Eric]

Steve Young, Rivers.

Rivers sat for only 2 years and was a top 5 pick. Not to mention a 4 yr starter in college.

Young is a good one but Montana was always hurt.

Brock has basically only started 1 year of non high school football in his life.

[ATL-Eric]

Tom Brady had zero starts in his first two years....

Brady only sat for 1 year

[ATL-Eric]

Kurt Warner was 28 when he started his first NFL game (not sure if that counts though, as he was bagging groceries instead of riding pine).

Warner was in the arena league for some time I believe

[DENVERDUI55]

Gannon. Kordell Stewart. You did say probowlers not guys who were franchise guys.

[ATL-Eric]

Gannon. Kordell Stewart. You did say probowlers not guys who were franchise guys.

Yep, Gannon sat for 3 solid years after college.

But then he couldnt get his rating above 82 for the next 5

[TheChamp24]

Matt Hasselbeck is another guy.

[bowtown]

Yep, Gannon sat for 3 solid years after college.

But then he couldnt get his rating above 82 for the next 5

I'm confused, is the point of this game for you to ask us a question, us to answer it and then for you to shoot all of our answers down because it's not the EXACT same situation as Oz?

Time to get over a draft that was 2 years ago. Of course Elway hedged his bets. That's his job. That's what a good GM does: puts his team in a position to win with an eye on the future. QB, as we have all seen, is the most premium position in the league and there are no guarantees ever in the NFL or the draft, so John is going to keep taking them until we get the right guy to replace Manning when he retires or gets re-injured. Just because a message board guy has declared that Manning will play until he's 45 doesn't mean it's happening, and if Elway is doing his job right, we will have a guy to step into that position when it doesn't and keep us winning football games.

[Pogo]

Drew Brees

[Dedhed]

Drafting a QB to start immediately is the hallmark of desperation, employed by franchises at the bottom of the barrel who have no choice but to throw the new toy into the fire. That strategy is rife with failure and the flameouts of highly talented athletes at the position.

Having the luxury to draft a player with a perceived high ceiling in the second round and develop him has great long term value to the franchise, and is a far better way to operate than trying to get that blue-chip player in the first round.

The OP laments the fact that we could be benefitting from a position player who was selected with the pick that was used on Brock, and there is some validity in that thought process given the short window we have with Manning. However, were we to wait to address the position in the post-Manning era, we would likely have to give up picks to get our guy or suffer a couple of years of complete ineptitude to acquire a top 5 pick.

Being ahead of the curve is a far better way to operate than trying to catch up to it.