The most reassuring and confidence-inducing development for any NFL team and its fan base almost always is the affirmation that you have found your franchise quarterback.

There is nothing more important in the modern-day NFL, and that never has been more true than this season, with a slew of injuries and several instances of poor play turning the position from a “Who’s Who” to a “Who’s He?” on a weekly basis.

The top-tier teams in the league’s hierarchy are all settled for the long haul at the quarterback spot, starting with the NFL-leading Eagles with MVP candidate Jalen Hurts and on down through first-place teams such as the Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes), Ravens (Lamar Jackson) and Dolphins (Tua Tagovailoa) and several other playoff contenders.

Of course, there always are exceptions. The Jets’ defense largely has kept them in the playoff hunt in the absence of four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.