Top QB Extending Play Artists in the NFL

[BayRaider]

One of the most important things in today's pass driven NFL is someone who can extend players on a regular basis. It's one of the best skills a QB can possibly have. Sure, Brady has done great things without it, but Brady is a one of a kind player. I feel like the best QB's of today will always be able to extend a play and put their team in position to make a play no matter what. Bill Walsh knew this, and you saw Montana/Young dominate their eras. Now, it's extremely common. 

With that said, here are the best Extend Play Artists in the NFL today, in my opinion:

Elite Tier:

1. Deshaun Watson

We have seen Watson escape pressure in some strange ways, twisting his body like a Fantastic Four member. Watson is bendy and unique, and has solid mobility. 

2. Patrick Mahomes

How many times have we seen Mahomes scramble around, dodging multiple defenders, and then throw a dime for a 1st down? Too many. 

3. Josh Allen

Allen gets better and better in this regard, and he's neck and neck with Mahomes imo. I've seen Allen extend plays in some absolutely incredible ways... and that divisional round game he had a couple that were just absolutely stunning. 

4. Russell Wilson

While the 2013 Seahawks Defense gets a lot of love, it is Wilson's play extending ability and football IQ that also really helped that team win a championship as well. Also, from 2015 to 2019, Wilson had the #32 ranked OL 5 years in a row which has to be some kind of record. We have seen Wilson scramble and extend plays quite a ton over the past 9 years. He is especially good at it in the playoffs. 

Solid Tier:

5. Aaron Rodgers

No, this is not a typo. Rodgers is very similar to Montana regarding extending plays, and it's one of the things that has made him so deadly over his career. He basically has Brady/Manning's pocket skillset, and Montana's play extending ability. We have seen Rodgers run around behind the line of scrimmage, making plays out of nothing, and throwing WR's open many many times. He is one of the best at it.

6. Justin Herbert

7. Kyler Murray

8. Lamar Jackson

So people might get dual-threat and play extending ability a bit confused. Lamar may be the best dual threat in the league, but play-extending ability is when you scramble around, stay behind the pocket, and end up completing a pass. Lamar doesn't do this as well as the rest of the list, and he'll likely just try to run the ball instead. 

 

Dak Prescott has this skillset but I don't see him use it nearly as often and mostly stays in the pocket. He does have the ability though. 

 

Also, young guys that have the ability, but have not shown nearly enough to be ranked yet: Trey Lance, Jordan Love, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Tua Tagovailoa. You may see those guys on the list in the future. 

Also, Hurts can extend plays to a decent degree, but definitely not on par with the list. Plus, Hurts isn't a very good QB in general. 

Edited February 27, 2022 by BayRaider