Quarters coverage is taking then NFL by storm. Split safety looks have been gaining momentum for some time now and the Cowboys aren’t just getting in on the action, they’re leading the pack in many ways.
In a recent analysis, NFL defenses are employing quarters (Cover 4) coverage an average of 13.1 percent of the time (per PFF data). It’s the fourth consecutive year the scheme has grown in prevalence and speaks to the direction NFL defenses are trending.
NFL defenses like the Cowboys have grown weary of getting gashed for big plays. They’d rather slow things down and get dinked and dunked than open themselves up for the victimhood of explosive plays.
Led by Vic Fangio (the trunk of the modern-day split safety coaching tree) and popularized by Brandon Staley (current Chargers head coach), split safeties can offer a variety of looks, including the multidimensional quarters defense we see today.