ESPN spoke with 30 coaches and evaluators to put together the yearly four-tier model of quarterbacks.
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While it's no surprise that Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady remain in the first tier as players whose team wins because of them, there was a surprising addition this year — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Even more surprising was that Roethlisberger was selected over NFL MVP Cam Newton, Drew Brees and Tony Romo (all in tier 2) as the last player in tier 1 (can carry his team each week/team wins because of him).
Roethlisberger is a fine quarterback, but to put him as a more important player over Newton, Brees and Romo is laughable.
Newton took the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl with an electric defense and Ted Ginn Jr. as his top wideout. Drew Brees lost his best weapon, was injured most of last season and still put together a competitive 7-9 record.
The Dallas Cowboys went 1-11 without Romo at the helm.
Pittsburgh finished 5-2 in games Roethlisberger didn't play last season.
