After discussing rape scandals surrounding university football teams in recent years, the co-writers made the decision to pursue a darker storyline.

It was not passed along to her, however, as one of her associates suggested that Underwood recording the song would be inappropriate due to her romantic history with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

"Quarterback" tells the story of a vulnerable "no name" girl who gets publicly taken advantage of by the eponymous football star and the embarrassment she feels in a small town where everybody knows about it.

"[5] A country ballad, "Quarterback" begins with a "delicate" guitar,[5] while the main melody is built around a string arrangement and ominous cello score.

[10] He praised the "concisely-written, unexpected" plot, the production ("every musical element complements the story masterfully," writes Aaron), and Isabella's performance ("[her] effortless, sly quaver is transfixing").