I was talking to a friend of mine and we got into the discussion of the importance of O-Lines. I’m of the opinion that an amazing top-5 O-Line props up nearly any QB enough to be a great QB. He’s of the opinion an amazing top-5 QB helps inflate O-Line stats.
Who is right - or is it a little of both?
A little of both is true.
In theory, a Top 5 line is gonna keep your guy protected e Long enough for someone to eventually get open, or find a hole to pick up some yards.
Conversely, a Top 5 QB finds the plays in spite of his line sometimes. See the 2021 Bengals for a good revenge of this.
However both have their detriments. A bad QB still makes bad reads, gets picked off, can’t move the ball. A bad line doesn’t allow your guy to have time to make the game winning plays, again, see the 2021 bengals, last play of the SB :(
I think there’s a 3rd element which is the supporting cast. A good supporting cast will get open fast and so you don’t really have to have a great line to give the QB time and Vice versa.