A system quarterback is an American football quarterback who excels under a particular offensive system, specifically one that focuses on passing. The term is often seen as a pejorative, implying that the quarterbacks success is due to the system rather than their individual talent. However, some argue that the label can also be applied to quarterbacks who are tailor-made for a particular offensive style.

There is no clear consensus on what makes a quarterback a "system quarterback," and the term is often used carelessly or as a proxy for other criticisms. However, some characteristics that have been associated with system quarterbacks include:

• Full knowledge of the offense
• Ability to execute basic plays at a high level
• Low turnover rate and few mental errors
• Methodical movement of the ball down the field, putting points on the board

It is important to note that every NFL team has an offensive system, and therefore every quarterback that plays for an NFL team can be considered a system quarterback to some extent. The key to success is talent, not just at the quarterback position, but at every position on the offensive squad.

In summary, a system quarterback is a quarterback who excels under a particular offensive system, but the term is often used carelessly and can be a pejorative implying that the quarterbacks success is due to the system rather than their individual talent.