The quarterbacks who’ll take the field in 2024’s NFL conference championship games are all familiar faces. Patrick Mahomes and Jared Goff have each been to the Super Bowl. Lamar Jackson is headed to his second MVP. Brock Purdy went from Mr. Irrelevant at the 2022 NFL Draft to 20-5 as a starting quarterback and finished 2023 as the regular season’s most efficient passer.
Each will have a massive effect on how their title games turn out and whether or not they make it to Super Bowl 58. That weight won’t be solely on their shoulders — and some players can expect a heavier load than others.
These players are too well known to be X factors, but don’t rise to the level of obvious importance as their quarterbacks. Let’s talk about the guys who could swing the Super Bowl matchup with a single play or, more likely, a whole bunch of them.