Editing Quarterback (section)

==Trends and other roles==
In addition to their main role, quarterbacks are occasionally used in other roles. In the past, many teams utilized a backup quarterback as their [[Holder (American football)|holder]] on placekicks. A benefit of using quarterbacks as holders is that it would be easier to pull off a fake field goal attempt, but many coaches today prefer to use [[punter (football)|punters]] as holders because a punter will have far more time in practice sessions to work with the kicker than any quarterback would.<ref name="Q&A: Who's preferable as a holder for field goals - the punter or backup quarterback?">{{cite news|url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13680171|title=Q&A: Who's preferable as a holder for field goals - the punter or backup quarterback?|last=Legwold|first=Jeff|date=October 31, 2009|work=[[The Denver Post]]|access-date=August 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927213528/http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13680171|archive-date=September 27, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[Wildcat formation]], where a halfback lines up behind the center and the quarterback lines up out wide, the quarterback can be used as a receiving target or a blocker.<ref name="The Wildcat Offense: 5 Things You Didn't Know">{{cite web|url=http://www.askmen.com/entertainment/special_feature_400/416b_the-wildcat-offense-5-things-you-didnt-know.html|title=The Wildcat Offense: 5 Things You Didn't Know|last=MacMillan|first=Malcolm|publisher=[[AskMen]]|access-date=August 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927233232/http://www.askmen.com/entertainment/special_feature_400/416b_the-wildcat-offense-5-things-you-didnt-know.html|archive-date=September 27, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> A more rare use for a quarterback is to punt the ball themself, a play known as a [[quick kick]]. [[Denver Broncos]] quarterback [[John Elway]] was known to perform quick kicks occasionally, typically when the Broncos were facing a third-and-long situation.<ref name="Time to quick kick Fair Board">{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080717/COLUMNIST/807170360|title=Time to quick kick Fair Board|date=July 18, 2008|work=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]|access-date=August 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927065328/http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080717%2FCOLUMNIST%2F807170360|archive-date=September 27, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Philadelphia Eagles]] quarterback [[Randall Cunningham]], an [[All-America]] punter in college,<ref name="Randall Cunningham 91-yard punt">{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/videos/philadelphia-eagles/0ap2000000153487/Randall-Cunningham-91-yard-punt|title=Randall Cunningham 91-yard punt|date=March 26, 2013|work=[[National Football League|NFL.com]]|access-date=August 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923180843/http://www.nfl.com/videos/philadelphia-eagles/0ap2000000153487/Randall-Cunningham-91-yard-punt|archive-date=September 23, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> was also known to punt the ball occasionally, and was assigned as the team's default punter for certain situations, such as when the team was backed up inside their own five-yard line.<ref name="Cunningham Puts A Foot To The Fore">{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1989-12-04/sports/26156562_1_cunningham-lofted-eagles-randall-cunningham|title=Cunningham Puts A Foot To The Fore|last=Searcy|first=Jay|date=December 4, 1989|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|access-date=August 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002153/http://articles.philly.com/1989-12-04/sports/26156562_1_cunningham-lofted-eagles-randall-cunningham|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As [[Roger Staubach]]'s backup, [[Dallas Cowboys]] quarterback [[Danny White]] was also the team's [[Punter (football)|punter]], opening strategic possibilities for coach Tom Landry. Ascending to the starting role upon Staubach's retirement, White held his position as the team's punter for several seasons—a double duty he performed to [[All-American]] standard at [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State University]]. White also had two touchdown receptions as a Dallas Cowboy, both from the [[halfback option]].

===Special tactics===

If quarterbacks are uncomfortable with the formation the defense is using, they may call an audible change to their play. For example, if a quarterback receives the call to execute a running play, but they notice that the defense is ready to [[Blitz (American football)|blitz]]—that is, to send additional defenders across the line of scrimmage in an attempt to tackle the quarterback or short their ability to pass—the quarterback may want to change the play. To do this, the quarterback yells a special code, like "Blue 42" or "Texas 29", which tells the offense to switch to a specific play or formation.

Quarterbacks can also "[[Spike (gridiron football)|spike]]" (throw the football at the ground) to stop the official game clock. For example, if a team is down by a field goal with only seconds remaining, a quarterback may spike the ball to prevent the game clock from running out. This usually allows the field goal unit to come onto the field, or attempt a final "[[Hail Mary pass]]". However, if a team is winning, a quarterback can keep the clock running by [[Quarterback kneel|kneeling]] after the snap. This is normally done when the opposing team has no timeouts and there is little time left in the game, as it allows a team to burn up the remaining time on the clock without risking a turnover or injury.

===Dual-threat quarterbacks===
{{Further|Dual-threat quarterback}}
[[Image:VICKpb.jpg|thumb|[[Michael Vick]], a member of the NFC team at the NFL's [[2006 Pro Bowl]], uses his mobility to elude Hall of Fame edge rusher [[Dwight Freeney]]]]
A dual-threat quarterback possesses the skills and physique to run with the ball if necessary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingcharts.com/dictionary/nfl/dual-threat-quarterback.aspx|title=Dual-threat Quarterback Definition - Sporting Charts|website=Sportingcharts.com|access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816151529/http://www.sportingcharts.com/dictionary/nfl/dual-threat-quarterback.aspx|archive-date=August 16, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> With the rise of several blitz-heavy defensive schemes and increasingly faster defensive players, the importance of a mobile quarterback has been redefined. While arm power, accuracy, and [[Passing pocket|pocket]] presence—the ability to successfully operate from within the "pocket" formed by his blockers—are still the most important quarterback virtues, the ability to elude or run past defenders creates an additional threat that allows greater flexibility in a team's passing and running game.

Dual-threat quarterbacks have historically been more prolific at the college level. Typically, a quarterback with exceptional quickness is used in an option offense, which allows the quarterback to hand the ball off, run it themself or pitch it to a running back shadowing them to the outside. This type of offense forces defenders to commit to the running back up the middle, the quarterback around the end or the running back trailing the quarterback. It is then that the quarterback has the "option" to identify which matchup is most favorable to the offense as the play unfolds and exploit that defensive weakness. In the college game, many schools employ several plays that are designed for the quarterback to run with the ball. This is much less common in professional football, except for a [[quarterback sneak]], a play that involves the quarterback diving forward behind the offensive line to gain a small amount of yardage, but there is still an emphasis on being mobile enough to escape a heavy [[Rush (American football)|pass rush]]. Historically, high-profile dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL were uncommon—among the notable exceptions were [[Steve Young]] and [[John Elway]], who led their teams to one and five Super Bowl appearances respectively; and [[Michael Vick]], whose rushing ability was a rarity in the early 2000s, although he never led his team to a Super Bowl. In the 2010s, quarterbacks with dual-threat capabilities have become more popular. Current NFL quarterbacks considered to be dual-threats include [[Russell Wilson]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Samuel|first1=Ebenezer|title=Super Bowl XLVIII: Russell Wilson is the man on the run|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/seahawks-qb-wilson-man-run-article-1.1598867|access-date=February 11, 2017|work=New York Daily News|date=February 1, 2014|quote=If Russell Wilson can make good decisions on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium, he may finally change the NFL's perception of the dual-threat quarterback.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212092151/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/seahawks-qb-wilson-man-run-article-1.1598867|archive-date=February 12, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lamar Jackson]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/arizona-cardinals/post/_/id/32007/kyler-murray-and-lamar-jackson-pass-first-dual-threat-qbs |title=Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson: Pass-first dual-threat QBs |last=Weinfuss |first=Josh |date=September 13, 2019 |work=[[ESPN]]|access-date=October 9, 2019}}</ref> and [[Josh Allen]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://buffalowdown.com/2019/06/17/buffalo-bills-josh-allen-knows-hes-dual-threat-wants-safe/ |title=Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen knows he's a dual-threat, but wants to be safe |date=June 17, 2019 |access-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901190137/https://buffalowdown.com/2019/06/17/buffalo-bills-josh-allen-knows-hes-dual-threat-wants-safe/ |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/12/7/18129857/josh-allen-buffalo-bills-rushing-quarterback |title=Learning to Love Josh Allen, America's Most Mobile Mountain |date=December 7, 2018 |access-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901190128/https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2018/12/7/18129857/josh-allen-buffalo-bills-rushing-quarterback |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Two-quarterback system===
{{Further|Platooning quarterbacks}}
Some teams employ a strategy that involves the use of more than one quarterback during the course of a game. This is more common at lower levels of football, such as high school or small college, but rare in major college or professional football.

There are four circumstances in which a two-quarterback system may be used.

The first is when a team is in the process of determining which quarterback will eventually be the starter, and may choose to use each quarterback for part of the game in order to compare the performances. For instance, the [[Seattle Seahawks]]' [[Pete Carroll]] used the preseason games in 2012 to select [[Russell Wilson]] as the starting quarterback over [[Matt Flynn (American football)|Matt Flynn]] and [[Tarvaris Jackson]].

The second is a starter–reliever system, in which the starting quarterback splits the regular season playing time with the backup quarterback, although the former will start playoff games. This strategy is rare, and was last seen in the NFL in the "WoodStrock" combination of [[Don Strock]] and [[David Woodley]], which took the Miami Dolphins to the [[Epic in Miami]] in 1982 and [[Super Bowl XVII]] the following year. The starter–reliever system is distinct from a one-off situation in which a starter is benched in favor of the backup because the switch is part of the game plan (usually if the starter is playing poorly for that game), and the expectation is that the two players will assume the same roles game after game.

The third is if a coach decides that the team has two quarterbacks who are equally effective and proceeds to rotate the quarterbacks at predetermined intervals, such as after each quarter or after each series. Southern California high school football team [[Centennial High School (Corona, California)|Corona Centennial]] operated this model during the 2014 football season, rotating quarterbacks after every series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/la-sp-corona-quarterbacks-20141220-story.html |title=Two-quarterback system works for Corona Centennial |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 20, 2014 |access-date=May 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407130231/http://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/la-sp-corona-quarterbacks-20141220-story.html |archive-date=April 7, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a game against the [[Chicago Bears]] in week 7 of the 1971 season, [[Dallas Cowboys]] head coach [[Tom Landry]] alternated [[Roger Staubach]] and [[Craig Morton]] on each play, sending in the quarterbacks with the playcall from the sideline.

The fourth, still occasionally seen in major-college football, is the use of different quarterbacks in different game or down-and-distance situations. Generally this involves a running quarterback and a passing quarterback in an option or wishbone offense. In Canadian football, quarterback sneaks or other runs in short-yardage situations tend to be successful as a result of the distance between the [[offensive line|offensive]] and [[defensive line]]s being one yard. [[Drew Tate]], a quarterback for the [[Calgary Stampeders]], was primarily used in short-yardage situations and led the CFL in rushing touchdowns during the [[2014 CFL season|2014 season]] with 10 scores as the backup to [[Bo Levi Mitchell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/backup-quarterback-drew-tate-plays-major-role-in-limited-time-in-stampeders--grey-cup-win-045955279.html |title=Backup quarterback Drew Tate plays major role in limited time in Stampeders' Grey Cup win |publisher=Ca.sports.yahoo.com |date=November 30, 2014 |access-date=January 5, 2015 |last=Denomme |first=Ian |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105210801/https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/backup-quarterback-drew-tate-plays-major-role-in-limited-time-in-stampeders--grey-cup-win-045955279.html |archive-date=January 5, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://cfl.ca/statistics/league/stat/Rushing/year/2014/type/reg | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105210152/http://cfl.ca/statistics/league/stat/Rushing/year/2014/type/reg | archive-date=January 5, 2015 | title=Rushing - 2014 | publisher=Cfl.ca | access-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref> This strategy had all but disappeared from professional American football, but returned to some extent with the advent of the "wildcat" offense. There is debate within football circles as to the effectiveness of the so-called "two-quarterback system". Many coaches and media personnel remain skeptical of the model.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=nfldk2k12twoQBleagues|title=Fantasy Football: Two-QB league strategy|date=June 20, 2012|website=ESPN.com|access-date=January 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117134422/http://www.espn.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=nfldk2k12twoQBleagues|archive-date=January 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Teams such as USC (Southern California), OSU (Oklahoma State), Northwestern and smaller West Georgia have utilized the two-quarterback system; West Georgia, for example, uses the system due to the skillsets of its quarterbacks. As recently as 2020, Oregon, who had two quarterbacks capable of starting (Boston College transfer [[Anthony Brown (quarterback)|Anthony Brown]] and sophomore [[Tyler Shough]]), utilized a similar tactic in the [[2020 Pac-12 Football Championship Game]], giving Shough the start but inserting the dual-threat Brown on short-yardage plays, red zone situations and the final drive of the game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/oregon/Article/Oregon-Ducks-Anthony-Brown-Tyler-Shough-Ducks-Football--157299237/|title=Anthony Brown, Oregon's two-QB rotation, helps win Pac-12 title}}</ref> Teams like these use this situation because of the advantages it gives them against defenses of the other team, so that the defense is unable to adjust to their gameplan.<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Andy|title=Two Qb system working at West Georgia|url=http://blogs.ajc.com/college-football-insider-blog/2013/09/20/two-qb-system-working-at-west-georgia/|publisher=Cox Media Group|access-date=October 4, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004222324/http://blogs.ajc.com/college-football-insider-blog/2013/09/20/two-qb-system-working-at-west-georgia/|archive-date=October 4, 2013}}</ref>