FOXBOROUGH — Alex Van Pelt’s career has given him the rare privilege of working alongside some of the NFL’s most legendary quarterbacks, both as a player and coach. He started his career as a rookie with Joe Montana’s Chiefs and later backed up Jim Kelly in Buffalo. Before becoming New England’s offensive coordinator, Van Pelt spent four seasons as Aaron Rodgers’ quarterback coach in Green Bay. Through these experiences, he’s identified key qualities that separate great quarterbacks from merely good ones.
“Good quarterbacks are common, but greatness is defined by attention to detail,” Van Pelt said. “The best QBs are fast processors—they understand the game in real time. They quickly read the defense, recognize where problems are, and spot open spaces before anyone else.”
Van Pelt also emphasized that competitiveness is a defining trait of elite quarterbacks. “From Montana to Kelly, to Rodgers, every one of them has a fierce competitive drive. It’s not just about winning on the field; it’s about winning anything. Whether it’s a game of darts or rock, paper, scissors, they always want to come out on top,” he said. “It’s that blend of mental sharpness, physical talent, and unrelenting competitiveness that sets the greats apart.”
As he works with rookie Drake Maye, Van Pelt sees many of these same qualities. “I definitely see the processing ability with Drake,” Van Pelt remarked. “As he grows more comfortable in his leadership role, that ability will continue to develop. He’s also incredibly competitive. The back-and-forth during quarterback drills shows just how much he enjoys the challenge. Drake has all of these qualities.”
