Review: “Quarterback” on Netflix

Netflix’s behind-the-scenes docu-series starring three NFL quarterbacks ranks among the best sports television shows you’ll ever see

If you thought you knew what the NFL is really like, well…you probably don’t; For fans and bettors alike, this is must-see sports television

Takeaway: Playing NFL quarterback is the most challenging job in sports

For any serious football fan, there’s an extraordinary moment of epiphany at the very start of Episode 3 of the popular new docu-series currently running on Netflix, titled Quarterback. Full stop. I had to freeze the remote and hit the rewind button, and then re-watch the opening minutes of that segment a second time.

Yes, it is that riveting.

The moment features three veteran NFL quarterbacks each captivated during what might very well be the most important few seconds of any game. From the time the players on offense break the huddle until the quarterback barks out signals for the ball to be hiked to start a new play, he has only 15 to 20 seconds to evaluate the defense, read the schematics in opposing personnel, and then yell out the cryptic commands of the next play to the rest of his teammates – that is, if he doesn’t make a last-second adjustment and changes the play in those final seconds before the ball gets snapped. This all takes place while a 25-second time clock is ticking down and 80,000 fans are screaming and millions are watching on TV. After pondering these moments before every play and deciphering how top NFL quarterbacks explain what goes into an offensive play just before the action explodes, you may never see a pro game quite the same way.

WHAT IS “QUARTERBACK?”

I have a ton of healthy respect for pro quarterbacks. And this envy has nothing to do with any team allegiances, nor my betting interest. We are watching science evolve, strategy in motion, humans under intense pressure and it’s a fascinating opportunity to learn and appreciate what has become a gridiron chess game with players as the prized pieces for conquest and capture. It is a complex game of many moving parts and mandatory synchronicity, but it’s never been so artfully deconstructed for the average fan.

Showing my age, I’ve probably watched 5,000 NFL games over the course of the last half century (I first started watching football at age 8, in 1970). Arrogance goes along with football expertise, and I thought I knew the game. Wow, was I wrong! For me, Quarterback – which includes seven one-hour episodes in Season 2 – exposed the glaring reality of just how much I didn’t know, and likely still don’t know. Though I can’t make any promises, I’ll never look at quarterbacking and coaching quite the same way, again. I’ll certainly try to control my rage when quarterbacks inevitably make mistakes and cost me money. In short, there is so much more to the NFL than the few seconds of a play in the relatively small window of a television screen. In reality, it’s a much bigger game played over a far lengthier span, physically and certainly mentally, speaking – than we’re exposed to on a typical Autumn Sunday. This revelation is all thanks to Quarterback, and these three NFL stars we get to meet, follow over the course of a full season, and even come to root for, regardless of our team allegiances.

Inevitably, comparisons will be made to HBO’s popular sports reality-TV series, Hard Knocks, which follows a similar storyline. That show premiers Aug. 5th and focuses on the Buffalo Bills and training camp. However, with Hard Knocks we never quite feel that we’re watching purely unfiltered drama. Many situations and dialogue seem forced. Players and coaches appear to be more guarded in their interactions and they’re always aware that cameras and microphones are recording everything. By contrast, Quarterback looks and sounds more authentic. That said, I have to wonder what scenes were cut by both shows, because they were too incendiary or unflattering.

Quarterback gives viewers exclusive access to three quarterbacks throughout the 2024-25 season — both on and off the field. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati), Jared Goff (Detroit), and Kirk Cousins (Atlanta) star on the show this season, which runs during the summer of 2025 on Netflix. This is an ideal mix of football personalities. Burrow is a flashy individualist, and displays overt confidence–deservedly so. Goff is far more reserved and seems more a team player. Cousins (who frankly, I didn’t like going into this show, but changed my mind) is an aging vet on his third team and good family man, desperately trying to stay among the NFL elites at his position in what might be a last shot at glory. Of course, Cousins ends up getting benched during midseason, which only adds to the drama and makes this show an intriguing mix of many ups and downs, wins and losses, ecstasies and disappointments.

TEN THINGS I LEARNED – MY LIST

Here are ten things I learned while watching this year’s series. Note that last year’s series (Season 1 in 2023) included Patrick Mahomes, Marcus Mariota, and Kirk Cousins. It’s interesting that Cousins was featured again in 2024 and we get to witness him with a new team (Falcons, rather than the Vikings), this time learning a new system in a new city, with new players.

NOTE: TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE WITH TEN REVELATIONS, PLEASE CLICK HERE.