NFL: 5 Franchise QBs Who'll Never Hoist a Lombardi Trophy

As the 2011 NFL playoffs rapidly approach, familiar faces at the most important position in the league are making their annual run at a Lombardi trophy. Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers are once again leading their respective franchises into the postseason.

The names listed above are no surprise, and will likely win more championships before all is said and done.

There are, however, many quarterbacks in the league who will never win a title. Franchise quarterbacks are a dime a dozen, and there are five in the league right now that will never hoist a Lombardi despite their talents.

These quarterbacks may be in a horrible situation, or may just choke away opportunities once a game is on the line. These five quarterbacks are on the cusp of greatness, but are missing that “it” factor that will prevent them from ever adding a Lombardi to their resume.

Tony Romo

Tony Romo is one of those quarterbacks that fans love one week, and the next they wish he wasn’t on the team at all. Romo has all the physical tools to be an elite NFL quarterback, but he seems to lack the mental capacity to be one.

Romo’s statistics this year are impressive with 29 touchdowns and 3,895 yards for an outstanding 102.2 average. But that’s the issue. Romo is great in the regular season, but chokes in games that matter.

Romo lacks something quarterbacks like Rodgers and Brees have. When the pressure is on, he seems to fade rather than thrive. Some may argue that Romo does the Cowboys more good than bad, but that is simply not true.

Romo’s inability to find open receivers and take unnecessary sacks hold the Cowboys back—especially with weapons like Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. Romo is responsible for the success of the offense, and too many times his offense is kicking field goals instead of scoring touchdowns.

At age 31, with this season being his ninth in the NFL, Romo’s time is running out. If you place a quarterback like Rodgers or Brees on the Cowboys, the team would be a surefire lock to make it to the Superbowl.

With Romo at the helm, the Cowboys are mediocre at best, with a playoff appearance sprinkled in at times.

Jay Cutler

If Jay Cutler were still a member of the Denver Broncos, he wouldn’t make this list. However, Jay got his feelings hurt and wanted out of Denver.

Now Cutler finds himself a victim of one of the worst front offices in the NFL. The Bears organization has done a horrible job of surrounding Cutler with the talent needed to win a championship. Matt Forte is one of the best in the league, but it’s not enough with a horrible offensive line and no targets at wide receiver.

Of course, Cutler is to blame as well. His habit of turning the ball over doesn’t help the team. Cutler is a similar mold to Romo, in that he records decent statistics but fails in big games.

Cutler also lacks the demeanor to win championships. His horrendous off-the-field attitude and lack of emotion or leadership on the sidelines of games simply reinforces the fact he isn’t an elite quarterback.

While Cutler pouts, leaders like Brady and Brees are motivating and leading their teams to titles. The Bears front office may think Cutler is the answer, but soon that misstep can be added to the growing list of mistakes.

Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford is a young quarterback with a bright future. Unfortunately for Stafford, that future isn’t bright enough to win a title.

Stafford is having a marvelous season with 36 touchdowns and 4,518 yards with a 96.6 rating. He has led the Detroit Lions to the playoffs, and is the undisputed leader of one of the youngest teams in the league.

Stafford has most of the traits a team needs in a franchise quarterback. He has even seemed to shake the injury bug that has plagued him for most of his NFL career. He appears to be a decent enough leader, and is blessed to play with the best receiver in football, Calvin Johnson.

The problem for Cutler is simply circumstance. The Lions are a good, not great, football team in a stacked conference. More importantly, Stafford will have to play Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers twice a year for as long as he remains in Detroit. Historically, the two franchises are polar opposites, and that won’t change any time soon.

Sometimes quarterbacks have all the intangibles to win a championship, but simply fall victim to circumstance. Stafford falls into this category quite nicely.

Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan is a strange quarterback. He is now 26 and has played four seasons in the NFL. Despite being a starter from day one, Ryan has appeared to max out in his development.

Not to imply that’s a horrible thing, but it isn’t enough to win it all. His gaudy regular season statistics have continued this season to the tune of 27 touchdowns on 4,071 with a 90.7 rating. However, Ryan has failed to win games of any significance.

The point of Ryan’s development is interesting because it likens him to other recent first-round picks drafted near him such as the Jets’ Mark Sanchez and the Ravens’ Joe Flacco.

What’s the difference between these players? Ryan puts up better numbers, but the other two consistently have better teams around them. Flacco and Sanchez have yet to win a championship as well, but have come much closer.

Ryan isn’t the type of player to put a team on his back and win important games. He can’t make up for a horrible defense like Peyton Manning can. Ryan isn’t in the “elite” quarterback status, he is right under it. For some quarterbacks, like Eli Manning, that is fine. For Ryan, it’s not.

Philip Rivers

Phillip Rivers is easily the most talented quarterback on this list. That’s a similar honor to being a great quarterback on an average team. Oh, wait.

The San Diego Chargers are simply not a great team. Feasting on inferior competition in a horrible division year after year does not make a team great.

As a matter of fact, Rivers has made the Chargers much, much better than they should be.  He’s done that consistently since he arrived, case in point being the 2010 season when Rivers made backups look like Pro-Bowlers.

However, Rivers isn’t good enough to take the team to a Super bowl. Yes, Rivers has flashy numbers, and yes, Rivers makes the players around him much better, but it’s just not enough.

Rivers’ performance this season has been one of his worst. Rivers has actually regressed, and has thrown a career high 19 interceptions. His team has been eliminated from playoff contention despite the annual performing at an elite level in December.

For Rivers, his time is running out. He is 30, and the Chargers haven’t been improving at a dramatic rate since his arrival. Add in this season’s performance and the chances of Rivers winning a Lombardi are fading.