Connect 4: The NFL’s 4×1 Quads Renaissance

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Four strong passing concepts are nothing new in the NFL–the Chiefs have been using them for several years. But 4×1 (Quads) sets have taken the NFL by storm in 2021, with over half the league using these sets to create defensive displacement and matchup problems. There are several advantages for lining up or motioning to Quads. Four strong concepts force defenses to commit enough players to the overloaded side. Meanwhile, motion to 4×1 sets can create confusion and force defenses to communicate quickly. They also create one on one matchups on the backside. Finally, because most defenses use a lighter box, the offense often has a numbers advantage in the QB run game. Let’s take an X’s & O’s look at how offenses have used Quads:

Below, the Panthers line up in a trips set with their best Wide Receiver, D.J. Moore, on the backside before they motion the back out to 4×1 against a 2-high safety look. QB Sam Darnold reads Linebacker Micah Parsons (#11); if Parsons stays in the box, he’ll throw the swing screen. If Parsons vacates the box, Darnold has a numbers advantage for the QB draw:

Later in the season, Joe Brady dialed up an old play from his LSU days. The Panthers line up in trips and motion out the running back out again. This time, the QB draw is paired with a glance route from D.J. Moore. When the weakside Linebacker and Safety fly up to the QB draw, Cam Newton throws it over their heads for a Touchdown:

Motioning to Quads from the backfield forces defenses to communicate quickly and can be difficult to sift through. Below, the Texans motion to Quads and 3 Panthers go with the motion man–leaving the original outside WR #3 Anthony Miller wide open for an easy Touchdown:

In another example, the Jets simply do not react to the motion and the Titans get an easy score:

Offenses have also effectively used the 4 strong side as eye candy to target the single pass catcher side. Below, the Saints are in a Trips Nub formation and the RB goes in fast motion. Multiple Green Bay defenders over shift to the motion, and the Saints throw a delayed Tight End screen to take advantage:

The Packers then run the very same play the next week!

Sean McVay and the Rams have been quite creative in window dressing in their Quads sets to execute simple plays. Below, Cooper Kupp lines up in the backfield and fast motions out to the trips side in an attempt to draw defenders away from the backside Tight End tunnel screen:

Here, because defenses often lock up the backside of 4×1 sets in man to man, the Rams are able to exploit defensive rules with a mesh concept. The goal is to allow speedster DeSean Jackson (#1), who is the second inside most WR, to attack a vacated area and catch the ball with a ton of space in front of him:

Quads also forces defenses into tough choices and punishes double teams. Below, the Bears decide to commit two defenders to #19 Deebo Samuel, who is on the backside of the 4×1 set. The Bears have a 5 man box and 4 DBs over 4 WRs. #11 Brandon Aiyuk is able to take advantage of the matchup for a TD:

Teams can even play with personnel to get playmakers in space. Below, the Cowboys have multiple tight ends and an extra OL out wide to escort CeeDee Lamb:

NFL offenses have finally adopted 4×1 sets as a regular part of their offenses. Offensive coordinators are creatively using 4×1’s structural advantages to get their playmakers in space and exploit matchups. 

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