---
slug: qbr
title: QBR
depth_tier: entry
side: OFFENSE
category: Analytics
source_id: "ANA-0008"
created: 2026-04-19
updated: 2026-04-19
canonical: https://learningfootball.xyz/terms/qbr
aliases:
  - Total Quarterback Rating
  - Total QBR
  - ESPN QBR
---
# QBR

## Short Definition

ESPN's Total Quarterback Rating scaled 0–100 (50 = league average), incorporating EPA, rushing value, receiver credit adjustment, and clutch weighting.

## Definition

QBR is ESPN's Total Quarterback Rating, a comprehensive quarterback efficiency metric scaled from 0 to 100 (with 50 representing league average) that attempts to capture everything a quarterback contributes—not just passing statistics. Unlike passer rating, QBR incorporates rushing contribution, scramble value, the clutch-weighting of high-leverage situations, and an adjustment for the offensive skill around the quarterback.

The metric divides credit for plays between the quarterback and his receivers and blockers, based on where EPA was generated. A 60-yard completion where the receiver caught a short pass and ran 50 yards assigns most of the credit to the receiver; a 60-yard completion on a deep ball attributes the credit to the quarterback. This receiver-credit adjustment is the most analytically significant feature of QBR versus simpler metrics.

QBR also weights plays by game situation—late-game plays in close contests are weighted more heavily than early plays in blowouts. A quarterback who performs in clutch moments gets credit for that through the clutch index component. This makes QBR more sensitive to late-game performance than raw efficiency metrics.

Because QBR is proprietary and ESPN has periodically adjusted its methodology, it is harder to verify than public metrics like passer rating. The adjustments also make it less intuitive than CPOE or EPA, but among broadcast-accessible metrics, QBR provides the most complete picture of quarterback value available without subscription analytics databases.

## Example

"He has a 94 passer rating—looks great. But his QBR is 54, barely average. The difference: his receivers are doing most of the work after catch. QBR strips that out."

## Common Confusion

QBR and passer rating use different scales and inputs. Passer rating scales to 158.3 using four passing stats. QBR scales to 100 with 50 as average, incorporates rushing and clutch weighting, and adjusts for receiver credit. A 70 QBR and 70 passer rating are not equivalent.

## Related

- passer-rating
- cpoe
- epa-expected-points-added
- air-yards
- yac-yards-after-catch

---
Source: https://learningfootball.xyz/terms/qbr