CLEVELAND, Ohio —When most fans watch NFL quarterbacks on Sunday, they’re witnessing only half the story.

The dazzling throws, elusive scrambles, and bone-crushing hits make for great highlight reels, but according to Vikings veteran quarterback Carson Wentz, the true battle is often won or lost in the invisible moments before the center even snaps the ball.

“There’s a lot more than probably meets the eye,” Wentz said. “Everybody sees the physical, the performance in all of those things and the ability to throw a ball and take a hit or run fast, all those things, but I think there’s so much pre-snap that goes on.”

This mental dimension of quarterback play represents a game within the game—a strategic contest that unfolds in seconds but requires years of experience to master.

For Wentz,

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