Imagine judging every football player by how well they throw a spiral. Some very good linemen would suddenly be having a difficult job interview.
So why judge a guitarist by their solos?
In plenty of songs, a guitarist spends far more time playing rhythm than taking a solo. The solo gets its moment, but there’s a song happening before and after it. Keeping that song feeling good is a fairly important job.
The solo is a bit like the quarterback’s perfect spiral. It’s impressive, easy to notice and only part of what the team needs. You wouldn’t want everyone on the field trying to be the quarterback. A band can get crowded in much the same way.
Then there’s practice. Quarterbacks work on their spirals. Soloists work on their solos. The rhythm guitarist is practising too, just at a different part of the job.
Of course, you can work on soloing if you want to. Getting good at rhythm doesn’t close that door. But you don’t have to wait until you can produce a dazzling solo before counting yourself as a good guitarist.
A perfect spiral is lovely. The quarterback still needs someone who can block.