There is no “most important” position in football. At the Pro level teams are so competitive that any glaring weakness will undercut a team’s possibility for winning regardless of whether they have a great QB, center, offensive line, etc. Remember the Ravens in 2000 or the Bears in 1985. These Super Bowl champs had great defense, great special teams, good o-lines, great running backs (Lewis and Payton), and mediocre QBs (Dilfer and McMahon respectively). Dilfer and McMahon helped their teams win because they fit well within the overall system. They knew how to manage games, and to help their teams along the margins. They didn’t commit turnovers. In a different situation in Cleveland Dilfer wasn’t able to lead his team to a .500 record because of other glaring weaknesses on the offensive, defense, and special teams units. Teams work with the talent that they have. To the extent that they are able to play to strengths and compensate for weaknesses they win. To the extent that they are unable to do this they lose. Remember the Colts from two years ago. They had the most accurate kicker in the history of the game, yet in the crunch Vanderjagt choked and costs his team a shot at Super Bowl glory. A more tested kicker like Vinatieri would likely have put the team in the Super Bowl that year.

Every position counts. If we want to talk about the most important and demanding skill positions (obviously quarterback) that’s one thing. As far as “most important” position goes, there is no “most important” position at the Pro level. It is a Team sport with a capital “T”. Coaches at every level preach this for a reason.

This may sound like a cliché, but especially at the Pro level, this is true. A team is only a strong as its weakest link.