Playing quarterback in the NFL is one of the most challenging and important jobs in all of sports… But it is often the starter that gets all the shine, which, generally speaking, makes sense… After all—it isn’t like other positions where you typically see the guys splitting time or getting subbed in for one another.
But what people overlook is that it takes a serious level of commitment to the team to be a backup to ensure that you are prepared to slot in when your team is in a pinch and needs you.
Heading into this season, there are a # guys, who definitely should make sure that they are prepared—because we are confident that they are going to end up starting games in 2024 for one reason or another.
Which quarterback backups are due for a starting role in the NFL in 2024?
Mike White, Miami Dolphins
Mike White might be the backup on paper, but anyone who watched the Miami Dolphins last season knows that Tua Tagovailoa’s injury history makes White one of the most likely backups to see significant playing time in 2024.
You know… assuming he is able to beat out Sklyar Thompson for QB2 duties, which most folks in and around the Dolphins organization expect him to do!
In any case… Yes, there are times when Tagovailoa has looked stellar, but his multiple concussions and ailing body have raised serious concerns about his long-term durability.
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White has proven himself to be not just a capable NFL quarterback but also one whose put-on-display flashes of brilliance.
During his time with the New York Jets, White showed he has the arm talent and the moxie to step in when things go wrong with the starter—whether it is injury or performance.
And if he gets slotted into Miami’s high-octane offense when Tagovailoa inevitably misses time, he may end up turning some heads!
Given the way things have gone for Tua health-wise, don’t be surprised if White finds himself starting more than a few games this season.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams
The rise and fall of Jimmy Garoppolo as a starting face of the NFL franchise kind of quarterback has been a spectacle to behold.
He parlayed a Deflategate-induced starting stint in New England and became anointed as “the guy” for the San Francisco 49ers. But once it was clear that the team had gone as far as they could with him at the helm—he was jettisoned out of town.
Garoppolo, however, still had enough friends in the industry. And Josh McDaniels scooped him up off the scrap heap and handed him the starting gig with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The rekindling of that partnership didn’t bode well for either Garoppolo or McDaniels, as both were chased out of Sin City in prompt fashion.
Garoppolo now finds himself in Los Angeles, finally as a backup.
But here’s the thing—Matthew Stafford’s health is a big question mark. He’s been battling a series of injuries over the past couple of seasons, including a lingering elbow issue that limited his effectiveness at times last year.
And with Stafford’s durability in question, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Garoppolo take the reins in LA—even if it is for a few games.
And who knows… maybe the team gets hot behind him and we see him start for an extended period of time. Jimmy G may not be the flashiest quarterback, but he’s proven he can manage a game and keep a team in contention, which might be exactly what the Rams need if Stafford can’t stay on the field.
Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders
Gardner Minshew has made a career out of being the scrappy underdog with more than enough moxie to go around who can step in and make things happen when called upon.
We first saw it in Jacksonville when he entered the league as a sixth-round pick out of Washington State. Then, last year, he had a solid run with the Colts, where he stepped in for the injured Anthony Richardson.
Minshew has since found a new home in Las Vegas, which, I must say—really fits his aesthetic!
With the Raiders’ quarterback situation in flux, he should have a very good opportunity to overtake the incumbent Aidan O’Connell, who is talented but hasn’t proven himself as a bonafide NFL QB1.
Minshew could very well find himself starting games in 2024. Minshew’s gunslinger mentality and ability to make plays down the field, paired with his knack for winning games, make him a prime candidate to step in if O’Connell falters or gets injured. We may even see him get bumped up to starting duties during the preseason—so just don’t be surprised if we get another rousing series of Minshew Mania this year.
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
J.J. McCarthy is one of the most intriguing backup quarterbacks in the league right now—in part because, truthfully, he won’t be a backup for long!
Drafted in the first round out of Michigan by the Minnesota Vikings, McCarthy is viewed as the heir apparent to Kirk Cousins, who set sail for Hotlanta after reaching the end of his contract in Minnesota.
The Vikings have made it clear that McCarthy is the future, and with only Sam Darnold, who is in town on a one-year, $10 million dollar contract standing between him and QB1 responsibilities—it is hard not to envision a world in which he ends up starting some games for the Vikes this year.
Minnesota is a team that has been on the cusp of serious contention, and, really, was only held back by Cousins struggles during crunch time and his lack of durability…
So, if it becomes painfully obvious that Darnold is holding back the team like many expect him to, there is a significant chance that the Vikings might turn to McCarthy sooner than expected to see if he can spark a playoff run.
Sam Howell, Seattle Seahawks
Sam Howell’s path to potentially starting in Seattle is interesting.
After being drafted by Washington, Howell was quickly named the starting quarterback of an NFL team that was very much in flux—by a head coach in Ron Rivera, who was very much a lame duck.
Howell showed some serious potential early on but seemed to struggle to keep his level as the season went on—in part due to injury—and, well, likely because he was trying to steer the rudderless ship that is the Washington Commanders.
In any case, he has now found himself in a backup role with the Seahawks behind the aging Geno Smith. Smith, who, despite a recent career resurgence last season, is still 34 years old and not a true “franchise quarterback” … Plus, there are questions about how long he can keep up that level of play.
Howell, on the other hand, is young and brimming with potential.
If Smith ends up regressing in his first season without Pete Carroll as his head coach in Seattle or has the misfortune of suffering an injury, Howell could be the next man up.
Considering that the Seahawks are very much heading into a rebuilding phase post-Carroll era… and their investment to date in young talent, Howell starting games in 2024 is definitely on the table.
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Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
It feels like Joe Flacco has had several different “careers” jumbled up into his NFL tenure. He started off as a high-upside gunslinger who people were entertained by but had their doubts about. Then he pulled off that ridiculous Super Bowl run and became known for his clutch antics.
It has been a little bit up and down since then, but he’s still hanging around and very firmly now in his “journeyman era” and just enjoying the twilight years of his career.
After a very impressive turnaround with the Browns during Deshaun Watson’s absence last year—not to mention a bevy of other quarterback injuries—he has landed in Indianapolis, and he could see the field as a high-profile backup once again.
The Colts have been searching for stability at quarterback, and while they’ve put their hopes in a talented second-year guy in Anthony Richardson, Flacco’s NFL experience could come into play if things go south.
After all, the Colts are a team with playoff aspirations, and if Richardson struggles, Flacco’s veteran presence might be what they need to steady the ship. Don’t be shocked if the former Super Bowl MVP ends up under center in Indy at some point this season.
Especially when you factor in how injury-prone Richardson proved to be during his rookie campaign.
Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
Crazy to say considering he is a former number one overall pick, is beloved by his teammates seemingly everywhere he goes —and threw for 5000 yards in a season not too long ago, but Jameis Winston is viewed as a backup quarterback by NFL execs… A very talented, high-upside backup, but a backup nonetheless.
That said, he is one of those quarterbacks who’s always just one play away from getting back into the starting lineup.
Now, with the Cleveland Browns, Winston is backing up Deshaun Watson, who has been inconsistent and injury-prone since joining the team.
Winston’s gunslinger mentality obviously has its drawbacks, but he’s also capable of putting up big numbers in a hurry. If Watson struggles or goes down, the Browns could turn to Winston to try and salvage their season. Given the uncertainty—and, frankly, negative sentiment surrounding Watson, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Winston starting games this year!
Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets
Tyrod Taylor has been the ultimate “bad break” guy throughout his career…
Whether it was turning the Bills from perennial cellar dwellers into a playoff-contending team—then promptly getting chased out of town by the fans and ultimately replaced by Josh Allen…
Or getting picked up by Cleveland, where he ended up playing in front of Baker Mayfield, the number one overall pick in the draft, and an injury forced him out of play and ended his time as the starter there.
Or the horrible malpractice injury he suffered when he got the chance to start for the Chargers—only to then lose his job to Justin Herbert—few guys have suffered the misfortune to their career trajectory like T-Mobile.
After a couple of good starts last year for the Giants, which, of course, were derailed by injury… he’s now with the New York Jets, backing up Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers is obviously still elite when healthy, but he’s also 40 years old and has had his share of injuries in recent years.
Taylor is a proven veteran who has started and won games in this league, and if Rodgers goes down, Taylor could find himself leading the Jets’ offense. Given Rodgers’ age and the physical toll of playing quarterback—and the high expectations for the team, which could result in a few non-essential games down the stretch of the season, Taylor starting games for the Jets at some point isn’t out of the question.
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
Justin Fields has been through a lot in his young NFL career enduring the trials and tribulations of playing quarterback for the Chicago Bears… but he now finds himself in Pittsburgh and expected to backup Russell Wilson to start the season, which could prove to be a great opportunity for fields.
The Steelers are rolling the dice on Wilson in a big way… Yes, he was a Super Bowl champion, but he has looked like a shell of himself in recent years, and Fields offers a different dimension with his mobility and playmaking ability.
Not to mention that his teammates actually seem to like him—unlike the aforementioned Wilson, who has made enemies all over the league…
If Wilson struggles, the Steelers might turn to Fields to jumpstart their offense. There is no doubt that the dual-threat QB has the talent to be a starter in this league, and a fresh start in Pittsburgh might be exactly what he needs. This one could end up being a big win-win for him and Pittsburgh—and another embarrassment for the Chicago Bears!
Drew Lock, New York Giants
Drew Lock is one of those quarterbacks who’s always had the confidence and the physical tools to be a starting quarterback in the NFL but has struggled with consistency.
Now, with the New York Giants, Lock is backing up Daniel Jones, who has had his own issues with staying consistent.
If Jones falters or goes down with another injury, Lock could get another shot to prove he can be a starter in this league. After all, the Giants can cut Jones after this season with a very limited impact on the cap.
If things don’t go according to plan with Danny Dimes, which, let’s face it—is a very real possibility… Lock might find himself leading the G-Men’s offense at some point this season!
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