Steve Young Stirs Draft Debate: QBs or Playmakers

SAN FRANCISCO — Imagine the scene: draft night, the war room buzzing, a generational talent at wide receiver on the board, but also a raw, high-upside quarterback. Which way do you lean? Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young recently threw a hand grenade into this age-old NFL draft debate, positing that perhaps, just perhaps, it’s better to chase the elite skill position players rather than force a quarterback pick.

Today’s energy pic.twitter.com/yU4013ilwp

— Steve Young (@SteveYoungQB) January 17, 2026

The Quarterback Conundrum: A Roll of the Dice?

Young’s perspective isn’t just hot takes; it comes from a deep understanding of what makes a successful NFL offense. For years, the mantra has been “get your franchise quarterback.” Teams mortgage futures, trade up, and often reach for a passer, even when the talent pool is shallow. Young suggests that with only a **20-25% success rate** for QBs picked outside the top five, perhaps investing in a truly elite wideout, a game-changing tight end, or a dominant edge rusher offers a more reliable return. He implies that the opportunity cost of whiffing on a quarterback in the first round is far greater than missing on, say, a top-tier cornerback.

Inside the Huddle

“Look, everyone wants that guy under center, that generational arm. But what if that guy isn’t there? What if you pass on a guy who becomes a perennial All-Pro at another position, just to grab a quarterback who never quite pans out? That’s a decade lost. Sometimes, the best move is to load up on weapons and trust you can find a competent signal-caller later.” — Steve Young, Hall of Fame Quarterback

The Bottom Line & What’s Next

This isn’t to say quarterbacks aren’t important; they are the most critical position in sports. But Young’s point forces teams to critically assess the actual talent available. If you’re picking outside the top five and the consensus top-tier quarterbacks are gone, does it make more sense to draft an undeniable talent like a **Ja’Marr Chase** or a **Myles Garrett**? Teams like the Eagles, who built a formidable roster around Jalen Hurts, or the 49ers, who have invested heavily in skill position players and defensive stars, seem to exemplify Young’s philosophy. This debate will continue to rage as teams prepare for the next draft cycle, weighing the high-risk, high-reward nature of the quarterback position against the more tangible impact of elite talent elsewhere. It’s a fascinating chess match that unfolds every spring.