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Finding the right quarterback is one of the top priorities for every NFL team. Most of the time, Super Bowls are won by elite quarterback play, demonstrating the importance of finding the right one to lead a team.
When left without a top-level quarterback, most teams are eliminated from contention before the season even begins.
The enormous impact an elite quarterback has had on the direct success of a franchise has led many teams to make extreme decisions regarding the position.
Teams rarely let go of top-tier quarterbacks, but if one ever becomes available, teams pursue them aggressively.
Teams have been forced to make tough decisions about their quarterbacks over the course of NFL history. Sometimes they have let go of a relatively good one that has been the face of their franchise in order to freshen up the squad.
Here are fives instances a franchise turned their back on their signal caller to move on to a new player they believed gave them a better chance of winning.
#5 San Diego Chargers, Drew Brees to Philip Rivers
Drew Brees had a solid run with the San Diego Chargers, especially in his final two seasons with the team, when recorded a 20-11 record while completing 65 percent of his passes with 51 touchdowns.
Brees hurt his shoulder during the final game of the 2005 season, which may have played a role in the Chargers moving on from him during the offseason.
The Chargers decided to let Brees sign with the New Orleans Saints during free agency, while they selected Philip Rivers in the 2004 NFL Draft.
While Rivers went on to have a solid career, Brees became one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time with the Saints, ranking among the career leaders in every statistical passing category.
#4 Green Bay Packers, Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers
The Green Bay Packers had one of the most notorious quarterback controversies in NFL history. Brett Favre wanted to return for the 2008 NFL season after initially retiring, but the organization had already decided they would move on to Aaron Rodgers.
The bitter Favre continued his career with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings while Rodgers took over his job with the Packers. It was probably the right decision, as Favre was aging and Rodgers was ready to go.
The two have combined for three consecutive decades of elite quarterback play for the Packers, including seven NFL MVP awards and two Super Bowl rings.
#3 San Francisco 49ers, Joe Montana to Steve Young
Joe Montana had one of the greatest careers of any quarterback in NFL history, winning four Super Bowl rings. The San Francisco 49ers also had Steve Young, who was a superstar in college and the USFL, as Montana's back-up
When Montana got injured prior to the 1991 season, Young took over as the starter.
Montana wanted his starting job back when he returned to full fitness, but the 49ers decided to stick with Young. Montana moved to the Kansas City Chiefs, while Young won two NFL MVP awards and another Super Bowl ring for the 49ers.
#2 Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo to Dak Prescott
Tony Romo is the Dallas Cowboys' all-time leading passer in many categories, but was never able to lead them to a Super Bowl win.
The Cowboys selected Dak Prescott in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft to be Romo's back-up and potentially develop into a starter a few years down the road.
When Romo got injured, Prescott was forced to step up into the starting role in his rookie season. He seized the opportunity, leading the Cowboys to a 13-3 record while being named the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
As Romo recovered from his injury, the Cowboys informed him they would be sticking with Prescott moving forward.
#1 New England Patriots, Drew Bledsoe to Tom Brady
Drew Bledsoe was one of the greatest quarterbacks in New England Patriots history and one of the best quarterbacks in the league during his prime. He led the league in passing yards during the 1994 season and helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl during the 1996 season.
He signed a massive contract prior to the start of the 2001 season, but was injured in Week 2.
The Patriots turned to his replacement, Tom Brady, a sixth-round draft pick who was never really projected to be the starting quarterback. Brady immediately impressed and the Patriots informed Bledsoe that the change in guard would be permanent.
Brady won six Super Bowl rings with the Patriots before moving to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he added another title to his collection.
