There is no doubt that being an effective offensive coordinator or QB in the NFL takes a combination of talent and intelligence. In other words, testing well on the Wonderlic obviously does not guarantee success as an NFL QB, but testing low on it puts one's effectiveness in doubt in today's NFL. Today's NFL QB needs to be smart and talented. Some are super smart and somewhat talented (Ryan Fitzpatrick), some are somewhat intelligent and super talented (Cam Newton). The best are both super talented and super smart. Here are Wonderlic scores of today's top QB's:
Tom Brady - 33
Aaron Rodgers - 35
Drew Brees - 28
Matt Ryan - 32
Carson Wentz - 40
Jared Goff - 36
Phillip Rivers - 30
Andrew Luck - 37
Russel Wilson - 28
Dak Prescott - 25
Mahomes - 24
Cam Newton - 21
Deshaun Watson - 20
It looks like the all-time greats, the ones who have proven themselves over the course of a long career, scored at least in the upper 20's. Cam Newton is the outlier. He may be the most athletically talented person to ever play QB (he was unstoppable in college), but his lack of accuracy and intelligence seems like it will keep him from ever being a top-tier QB. It'll be interesting to see how the careers of Wentz and Goff compare to Mahomes and Watson, considering the differences in their Wonderlic scores.
Having said all that, an offensive coordinator's effectiveness would obviously lean more heavily toward intelligence. Kellen Moore scored a 26. Listening to him talk, he doesn't strike me as particularly bright. I do not have confidence in him as an OC. If he becomes our OC, I really hope I'm wrong.