Fact check: The seven step drop is increasingly rare in modern NFL offenses.

1. Summary of the results

The original statement about seven-step drops being "increasingly rare" presents an oversimplified view of a more complex reality. While there are changes in quarterback mechanics and playing styles, evidence shows that seven-step drops remain an important tactical element in professional football. This is demonstrated by Lamar Jackson's high PFF passing grade of 86.3 on such plays in the current season ^{[1] [1]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial pieces of context are missing from the original statement:

• Usage varies by level of play: Seven-step drops are indeed rare at youth and high school levels but are used more frequently in college and professional football ^{[2] [2]}
• Tactical specificity: These drops are specifically employed for:
• "Shot plays" requiring long-developing routes
• Situations involving maximum protection schemes ^[2]
• Plays requiring deep downfield attempts ^[2]
• Evolution rather than disappearance: While traditional quarterback mechanics are evolving, with players like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray introducing more dynamic approaches ^[3], this represents an expansion of quarterback techniques rather than a wholesale abandonment of traditional methods.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement's bias appears in several forms:

• False dichotomy: The statement suggests an either/or scenario, when in reality, modern NFL offenses are incorporating both traditional and innovative techniques. Aaron Rodgers' "Foot Pop" technique exemplifies how traditional and new approaches are being merged rather than replaced ^[4]
• Infrastructure considerations: The statement fails to acknowledge that the use of seven-step drops is heavily dependent on having a solid offensive line ^[2], which might influence its usage rate more than any trend toward "modern" offenses
• Beneficiaries of this narrative:
• Equipment and training companies might benefit from pushing "modern" techniques that require new training methods
• Media outlets might benefit from portraying dramatic changes in the sport rather than acknowledging the more nuanced reality of tactical evolution