The league keeps changing rules to protect quarterbacks, and those rules are working. We're seeing fewer quarterback injuries than in the past.
Last year an unprecented 20 teams used the same starting quarterback for all 16 games. That's never been done before.
Since 1990, on only three other occasions have half of the starting quarterbacks lasted the entire season. In six seasons in the ^aEUR~90s, we saw only 8-9 quarterbacks manage to start all 16 games.
This changes the valuing process for quarterbacks in fantasy leagues. It makes less sense to grab a backup quarterback on a powerhouse offense, hoping that an injury will make him a star. And it makes it more viable to use just one good draft pick on a high-profile quarterback, figuring that guy will start for the whole season.
NUMBER OF QUARTERBACKS STARTING 16 GAMES
Year No Tm Pct
1990 8 28 29%
1991 9 28 32%
1992 12 28 43%
1993 11 28 39%
1994 8 28 29%
1995 14 30 47%
1996 9 30 30%
1997 12 30 40%
1998 8 30 27%
1999 9 31 29%
2000 13 31 42%
2001 17 31 55%
2002 15 32 47%
2003 13 32 41%
2004 12 32 38%
2005 13 32 41%
2006 16 32 50%
2007 11 32 34%
2008 16 32 50%
2009 13 32 41%
2010 11 32 34%
2011 14 32 44%
2012 20 32 63%
^aEUR"Ian Allan
Factoid
February 28, 2013