“System QB” and “Game Manager” - are these really negative traits? (1 Viewer)

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Earlier today someone called a player a “system QB”. I often see the term “game manager” bandied about as a pejorative statement.

But I can’t help but thinking, isn’t every QB a “system QB”? If they weren’t, why would teams need OCs? QBs all play within a system - sometimes it’s a good fit for that QBs skill set, and sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes there’s a talent barrier with a given QB. But it’s not the system’s fault if that happens.

Likewise for “game manager”. You know who I think of as the best game manager of all time? Tom Brady. Another outstanding game manager is Patrick Mahomes. Last year improvements to Jalen Hurts game management resulted in a Super Bowl victory.’

Do y’all really think “game manager” and “system QB” are insults in the YOOL 2025?

If so, why?

 

[BladeRunner]

Yeah, I have no problem with this. In fact, Jalen Hurts performs very well in that role.

 

[Chaka]

They're meaningless descriptives that are trying to sound smrt.

 

[msudaisy26]

I always thought the system qb talk was a lazy argument when people didn't like a certain quarterback. Why would teams run offenses and gameplans that didn't play to their strengths?

It was a big talking point of people that didn't like Brady for years, but the Patriots changed their scheme and personal many times and he always seemed to thrive.

 

[fatness]

Does the question pertain to NFL football or fantasy football?

 

[rzrback77]

Usually, it is used as a limiting adjective. The “game manager” can’t take over the game, if it is needed. The insinuation is that they are not likely to mount come-back efforts when a negative scoreboard demands it.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Does the question pertain to NFL football or fantasy football?

Yes.

 

[TheWinz]

To me, game manager means a guy who could be replaced by Joe Schmo and the team would finish the same. A few instances mentioned...
Tom Brady - no way in Hades the Pats go 219-64 during his tenure without him. Ridiculous
Patrick Mahomes - Really? The guy with the nearly 80% winning percentage. Doubtful
Jalen Hurts - I guess he is closer to a game manager than the other other two, but PHI has a 70% win percentage with him

 

[Soulfly3]

negative traits? Ask Brock Purdy's bank account.

 

[oldmanhawkins]

Yeah, I have no problem with this. In fact, Jalen Hurts performs very well in that role.

Glad to see that you are coming around on the notion that Jalen belongs in the conversation with the upper echelon.

 

[oldmanhawkins]

Both terms are still used as a way to diminish the QB’s contribution to fit some narrative.

The first “system qb” that comes to mind for me is Brock Purdy, simply because Kyle’s system is constantly referred to as QB friendly…but this does not seem to be based in evidence. Why weren’t Lance or Jimmy G as successful as Brock? I don’t expect to see a drop off in QB play from him as he loses weapons because he’s smart and makes quick decisions, which are so under appreciated. The ultimate system QB is Joe Montana which just goes to show how meaningless the term is when used to knock a guy down.

You are onto to something with the game manager stuff, HSG. Historically it’s been used to describe a guy who is avoids mistakes but also can’t make the big play or take over a game. But knowing when to take chances and when to play smart is critical. It is so important for a QB to adapt their game to the situation…shouldn’t that count as managing the game? I agree that Hurts in 2024 and Mahomes throughout his career have been outstanding in this regard, while Lamar and Allen might have room to grow in this area.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Tom Brady - no way in Hades the Pats go 219-64 during his tenure without him. Ridiculous
Patrick Mahomes - Really? The guy with the nearly 80% winning percentage. Doubtful

Are they not managing games?
Following the OC’s game plan, executing on schedule and not turning the ball over?

 

[TheWinz]

Tom Brady - no way in Hades the Pats go 219-64 during his tenure without him. Ridiculous
Patrick Mahomes - Really? The guy with the nearly 80% winning percentage. Doubtful

Are they not managing games?
Following the OC’s game plan, executing on schedule and not turning the ball over?

I guess I always just thought people were calling a QB plain by saying they were a game manager. The best example is how Trent Dilfer won a SB while going 12 for 25. I could've been the Ravens QB and the result would've been the same.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I guess I always just thought people were calling a QB plain by saying they were a game manager

That’s pretty much my point. It’s a strangely derogatory way to describe someone who’s very good at their job.

There are plenty of examples of talented players who are bad game managers. Jameis Winston has all the physical gifts but none of the game management ability. Which makes him a loser, barely worthy of being a backup.

 

[TheWinz]

Jameis Winston has all the physical gifts but none of the game management ability. Which makes him a loser, barely worthy of being a backup.

But a great FF QB when he's a starter. He can throw 30 INT's all he wants, as long as he keeps tossing the rock. He has more 5K passing seasons than Joe Burrow

 

[crushedspirit]

To me a game manager was someone who could execute the pre-game scripted plan while also protecting the ball, but also one who would usually struggle when having to go off-script and creating on their own. A QB you win with, but not one you win because of. A guy like Trent Dilfer would be the face of this meaning.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Jameis Winston has all the physical gifts but none of the game management ability. Which makes him a loser, barely worthy of being a backup.

But a great FF QB when he's a starter. He can throw 30 INT's all he wants, as long as he keeps tossing the rock. He has more 5K passing seasons than Joe Burrow

The original 30 for 30.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

To me a game manager was someone who could execute the pre-game scripted plan while also protecting the ball, but also one who would usually struggle when having to go off-script and creating on their own. A QB you win with, but not one you win because of. A guy like Trent Dilfer would be the face of this meaning.

That’s how most people use it. My point in the OP is that seems like an unnecessarily limiting / deliberately unflattering definition.

 

[TheWinz]

To me a game manager was someone who could execute the pre-game scripted plan while also protecting the ball, but also one who would usually struggle when having to go off-script and creating on their own. A QB you win with, but not one you win because of. A guy like Trent Dilfer would be the face of this meaning.

That’s how most people use it. My point in the OP is that seems like an unnecessarily limiting / deliberately unflattering definition.

But yet it's how most think when they hear the term. If I never fumbled while handing off every play, and we won every game, was I really a great QB?

 

[5-ish Finkle]

"System QB", to me at least, has always meant the guy could only really operate in one specific system. They'd get exposed when placed in other, usually more "pro", offenses.

Most of the Jeff Tedford guys, in the day. The old Sooner types, etc.

I think it's a much more damning term than "game manager" historically.

 

[Chaka]

It's the football equivalent of real estate terminology.

Cozy = small
Game manager = smart with a weak arm

X neighborhood adjacent = bad neighborhood
System QB = lots of physical talent but maybe not so good at football

 

[TheWinz]

It's the football equivalent of real estate terminology.

Cozy = small
Game manager = smart with a weak arm

X neighborhood adjacent = bad neighborhood
System QB = lots of physical talent but maybe not so good at football

That girl has a nice personality

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

It's the football equivalent of real estate terminology.

Cozy = small
Game manager = smart with a weak arm

X neighborhood adjacent = bad neighborhood
System QB = lots of physical talent but maybe not so good at football

Yes, and that’s exactly what I’m challenging the veracity of.

Are those terms really appropriate? If we went back and looked at some of the players entire careers - college, pros, were they really “just” a game manager? Were they really just a system QB?

Again - people called Brady a system QB for the better part of a decade. Even when he went to TB & won again, he was still playing in someone’s system.

But Brady is inarguably the GOAT.

He can’t both be the GOAT & a JAG who benefits from a system. He’s more than just a game manager, and yet he was able to manage games.

I grew with the statement above that these are somewhat lazy ways to denigrate a player.

 

[TheWinz]

Can we get a new term for Trent Dilfer then? If he's not a system QB or game manager, what term would best describe him? This guy managed to stay in the NFL for 13 years, had a 51% winning percentage, yet threw for 16 more INT's than TD's. He never reached 3K even though he played 4 full seasons at a time where 4K was already a thing. He took sacks at a higher than average rate, and fumbled 82 times while throwing for 20K.

Let me be the first to suggest a new term - Garbage

 

[Long Ball Larry]

It's the football equivalent of real estate terminology.

Cozy = small
Game manager = smart with a weak arm

X neighborhood adjacent = bad neighborhood
System QB = lots of physical talent but maybe not so good at football

Shedeur sanders is a real fixer-upper. A handyman’s dream, some might say

 

[need2know]

Can we get a new term for Trent Dilfer then? If he's not a system QB or game manager, what term would best describe him? This guy managed to stay in the NFL for 13 years, had a 51% winning percentage, yet threw for 16 more INT's than TD's. He never reached 3K even though he played 4 full seasons at a time where 4K was already a thing. He took sacks at a higher than average rate, and fumbled 82 times while throwing for 20K.

Let me be the first to suggest a new term - Garbage

He was. They were lucky to win one with him. Would not happen today

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

He was. They were lucky to win one with him. Would not happen today

I mean, if you had a team with a defense like that you absolutely could win one today. Probably not “with him” since he’s like, 53 years old, but a player like him sure. In the 2000 SB, Dilfer was 12 of 25 passes for 153 yards, 1 touchdown, and a passer rating of 80.9

The Bears did it in ‘85 with Jim McMahon. 2300 yards, 15 TD, 11 Ints. But that defense & RB. All-timers. In the Super Bowl he went 12/20 passes for 256 yards, and rushed for 2 TD.

Good enough to get a ring.

 

[wgoldsph]

To me a game manager was someone who could execute the pre-game scripted plan while also protecting the ball, but also one who would usually struggle when having to go off-script and creating on their own. A QB you win with, but not one you win because of. A guy like Trent Dilfer would be the face of this meaning.

That’s how most people use it. My point in the OP is that seems like an unnecessarily limiting / deliberately unflattering definition.

@Hot Sauce Guy , I feel like my comment about Sam Darnold is partly why you asked.

There are quarterbacks who look great if the system around them is good—good play design, good teammates, everything running smoothly. But if that system breaks down, they can’t create plays on their own.
Patrick Mahomes is the opposite—he’s amazing when plays break down and can make magic happen.
Darnold looked good when things were working, but when they weren’t, he made things worse.

A “game manager” QB is a different idea. Last year, Justin Fields was one. Winning as a game manager isn’t about big stats, it’s about protecting the ball and not giving the other team easy chances. The defense is expected to win the game—Fields just had to avoid mistakes. I think he went 4-1 doing that.

Some QBs are the system—like Brady, Manning, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson. Their teams’ entire game plans are built around their unique skills.

Terms like “system QB” aren’t perfect. You could argue about Brock Purdy. I think he can make plays even when things go wrong, so I wouldn’t call him a true system QB. Jimmy Garoppolo, on the other hand, struggled badly when the system broke down.