According to Jackson himself, it's person. Singular. A scout from the LA Chargers. Bill Polian is an outside television analyst and not, "in the league," in that regard.
It seems ludicrous with the benefit of hindsight regarding Jackson, but it's not as if other (theoretically) lifelong QBs did not or were not asked to change positions at a higher level than where they played QB. Eric Crouch, Scott Frost, Tim Tebow to name a few. I read in SI (IIRC) years ago that Joe Pa wanted to make Jim Kelly a linebacker. He went to Miami instead.
I have no clue whether Polian's stated reason (throwing accuacy) had merit at the time. I'm not his biggest fan and don't follow him very closely. Whether it did or didn't, luckily the Ravens didn't put too much stock in it and traded up to get Jackson in the 1st round.
Everything else (i.e. my realizations) is an incorrect inference. I gave no opinion in that regard.
All rationalizations notwithstanding, there’s always been a history of racist perceptions in the nfl.
Middle LB used to be a whites-only position by default. Was that simply because blacks were better suited to and being steered to play other positions, or was it something else?
Qb was considered a whites-only position, and for years, we had good black qbs immediately relegated to other positions because they were seen as better “athletes”, and not qbs. Implication being, they couldn’t, ahem “handle” the intellect behind the positions, where the player is required to coordinate the offense or defense.
HC’s and Front office positions, again, far and few between. Why? And what’s the excuse for that?
Racist beliefs have longevity and history and don’t always have to be directly stated or expressed. The good old boy network is alive & well, this latest HC coaching search being a prime example.