Playing quarterback in the NFL is touted as the hardest position in all of sports—and while people are generally referring to the starter, the 2023-2024 season showed us that the role of the backup need not be overlooked. Otherwise, a season can go up in flames in the blink of an eye.
Let’s take a look across the league and see which teams have the best second-string signal caller and who might need some help, ranking them from worst to first.
Which teams have the best backup quarterback in the NFL today?
32. Clayton Tune: Arizona Cardinals
Man, did Clayton Tune look bad during his lone start for the Cardinals last year… The Cards must see something in him since they kept him around… Or maybe the team just loves the Houston product.
But based on his 7 for 12, two interceptions, and 62-yard showing last year—he comes in dead last on our backup NFL quarterback rankings.
31. Jake Haener: New Orleans Saints
As a mid-round pick, Jake Haener has the potential to develop, but the rookie backup is still very much a project.
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With no real pedigree or experience, Haener has to be near the bottom of the list.
30. Malik Willis: Green Bay Packers
Malik Willis came into the league with a lot of hype thanks to his raw talent at Liberty University, but his struggles for the Titans are hard to overlook.
Willis looks lost on an NFL field—and, unfortunately, we saw that from him again during Week 1, filling in for Jordan Love in Brazil.
29. Hendon Hooker: Detroit Lions
Hendon Hooker was viewed as a promising dual-threat quarterback coming out of college, but a college injury slowed his transition to the NFL.
While he has the potential to be a good backup, he’s yet to take an NFL snap.
That said, Detroit is a good spot for him. Jared Goff is entrenched as the Lions’ starter, and Hooker will have a chance to gain experience behind a seasoned pro—and can leverage his athleticism if he is slotted into action by necessity.
28. Drake Maye: New England Patriots
Drake Maye was a standout in college but hasn’t yet proven himself in the pros. There’s a lot of anticipation surrounding his potential to take over as the future starter for the Patriots, but until he shows that he can handle the speed and complexity of running an NFL offense, he will have to rank near the bottom of the list.
27. Brandon Allen: San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Allen has built a steady career as a backup, spending time with multiple teams and learning different systems.
He’s shown flashes of competence when given the opportunity, but he’s more of a placeholder than someone who can push for a starting job, which is a little surprising for San Francisco—considering I’d think them to be scarred from their experience with starting QBs getting hurt.
26. Kyle Trask: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kyle Trask, a second-round pick from Florida, has had limited chances to show what he can do. Seriously… He’s only thrown ten passes in his NFL career, so the jury is still out on his ability.
That said, they weren’t particularly inspiring, so he has to be pretty low on this list.
Also Read: Ranking All 32 NFL Teams’ Starting Quarterbacks For The 2024 Season From WORST To FIRST
25. Tyson Bagent: Chicago Bears
Tyson Bagent stepped into the spotlight when Justin Fields went down last year and did well enough to satiate and even excite a few Bears fans…
But while he’s an exciting young player with mobility and a willingness to take risks, his inexperience shows, and throwing him into a live game is definitely a crap shoot.
24. Mac Jones: Jacksonville Jaguars
After a horrendous end to his tenure as the starter for New England, Mac Jones now finds himself backing up Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville.
Hard to believe the former Pro Bowler is this low on the list, but his flameout with the Pats was that bad.
23. Skylar Thompson: Miami Dolphins
Skylar Thompson was thrust into action for Miami after Tua Tagovailoa’s injuries, and while he showed some toughness, his lack of polish was evident.
Miami seems to like him, but I can’t imagine the Dolphins are super confident once he is thrust into action.
22. Jarrett Stidham: Denver Broncos
Jarrett Stidham was once seen as a potential successor to Tom Brady in New England, but his performances never seemed to live up to the hype.
Now he is backing up a rookie, Bo Nix, in Denver. Stidham has the tools to be a solid quarterback, but for whatever reason, he hasn’t been able to put it all together in the NFL.
21. Cooper Rush: Dallas Cowboys
Cooper Rush gained fans in Dallas after stepping in for Dak Prescott and keeping the team afloat… However, a lot of that seemed to have to do with his catchy name more than anything specific he was doing on the field.
In any case, he doesn’t have any elite traits, but Rush’s calm demeanor and ability to manage the offense helped the Cowboys stay competitive in a pinch—and the Cowboys and their fans have grown to appreciate him for that.
20. Aidan O’Connell: Las Vegas Raiders
Aidan O’Connell’s NFL experience remains limited, but he looked okay during his time as a starter.
His poise in the pocket and decision-making skills will serve him well if he is thrown into the fire in relief of Gardner Minshew this season.
19. Michael Penix Jr.: Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. brings a dynamic playmaking ability from his college days, but he’s still a work in progress at the professional level. His deep-ball accuracy and ability to stretch the field are promising, but until he gains more experience, it’s difficult to gauge how effective he can be.
18. Mitchell Trubisky: Buffalo Bills
Once the No. 2 overall pick, he failed to meet expectations as a starter but has found a role as a backup in Buffalo behind Josh Allen, which works well because he has a similar playstyle to Allen.
17. Jeff Driskel: Washington Commanders
Jeff Driskel has bounced around the league, providing spot starts and relief work when needed.
While he hasn’t been able to secure a starting job, Driskel’s versatility and experience in different systems make him a reliable backup option.
It is also very nice that he isn’t afraid to use his legs when necessary—as plays can often break down once the backup comes in.
16. Andy Dalton: Carolina Panthers
Dalton’s experience, leadership, and ability to step in without skipping a beat make him one of the top backups in the league.
He’s the perfect guy to help mentor Bryce Young through his growing pains in Carolina. He can teach him to be a pro—and isn’t a threat to try and take over unless the team calls on him strategically.
15. Drew Lock: New York Giants
Lock’s arm talent is undeniable—and his confidence unspeakably high, but his decision-making and consistency have always been issues.
Now serving as a backup, Lock is hoping to regain some of the promise that once made him a potential franchise NFL quarterback. And with Daniel Jones in front of him—he might just get that chance.
14. Nick Mullens: Minnesota Vikings
Nick Mullens has earned a reputation as a gunslinger during his time as a backup—and while that isn’t always what you want with a backup… he’s found a home in Minnesota!
He’s willing to take risks and push the ball downfield, which makes him exciting to watch. And the Vikings seem to like him.
Mullens isn’t the most polished passer, but he is competent and a worthwhile option to have coming off the bench.
13. Mason Rudolph: Tennessee Titans
Mason Rudolph was a serviceable backup for the Steelers before making his way to Tennessee.
While he’s never been able to fully seize a starting role, Rudolph’s proven ability to perform in multiple offensive systems and manage games makes him a steady option as a backup. You know… when he’s not getting into season-altering brawls on the field!
12. Kenny Pickett: Philadelphia Eagles
Kenny Pickett was once a first-round pick, but after a lackluster run as the starter in Pittsburgh—to put it lightly—he’s moved across the state and transitioned into a backup role in Philadelphia.
Pickett’s mobility and leadership make him a solid backup option, and he still has room to grow as a player, even if his first stint as a starter didn’t go as planned.
That said, don’t expect him to be given any serious consideration as a starter again any time soon.
11. Davis Mills: Houston Texans
Davis Mills had a tough stint as the Texans’ starter, but he showed enough flashes to remain a long-term backup option.
He wasn’t consistent enough to be a starter at the NFL level, but he’s definitely shown he can step in and perform when needed.
Though… The Texans are definitely hoping that he won’t be touching the field much this upcoming year.
10. Josh Johnson: Baltimore Ravens
To say that Josh Johnson has been around the block a time or two is an understatement. The 38-year old has been on more teams than we can count!
He obviously isn’t able to step in and do what Lamar Jackson can, but in a pinch, he has all the experience needed to do the job of a QB2.
9. Sam Howell: Seattle Seahawks
Sam Howell showed glimpses of serious potential in Washington before the team pivoted to Jayden Daniels as their “guy.”
He landed as a backup in Seattle—and there is reason to believe he still has room to grow and improve,
Howell’s ability to make plays downfield and his mobility make him an intriguing backup option. He’ll need to become more consistent to become a starter again, but the talent is there.
8. Taylor Heinicke: Los Angeles Chargers
Taylor Heinicke has had his moments in the spotlight, most notably when he nearly led Washington to an upset over Tampa Bay in the 2020 playoffs.
However, his low ceiling relegated him to a backup role, now with the Chargers.
That said, Heinicke’s grit and resilience are his calling cards, and he is a very viable second-string option.
7. Jake Browning: Cincinnati Bengals
Jake Browning was super impressive in his appearances, filling in for Joe Burrow.
While he doesn’t have the same star power, Browning’s ability to manage the offense and keep things running smoothly in Burrow’s absence has made him a household name in Cincinnati.
Obviously, he can’t replace Burrow—as we saw down the stretch last year… But he’s more than serviceable as far as backups go.
6. Tyrod Taylor: New York Jets
Tyrod Taylor has been the epitome of a reliable backup quarterback throughout his NFL career—and right on the fringe of being a legit starter.
His mobility, game management skills, and ability to step in during crunch time have made him a trusted option for teams in need.
With an aging Aaron Rodgers under center, having a guy like Taylor to turn to will be invaluable for the Jets.
5. Carson Wentz: Kansas City Chiefs
Once a potential MVP candidate, Carson Wentz’s career has been derailed by injuries, immaturity, and inconsistency. However, when healthy, Wentz has the arm talent and experience to be one of the most capable backups in the league.
He’s a high-upside option for the Chiefs and could prove valuable if he needs to slide in for Mahomes once or twice during the year.
4. Joe Flacco: Indianapolis Colts
A former Super Bowl MVP, Joe Flacco brings a wealth of experience to the Colts as a backup. He also proved his ability to be a very effective back up last season with the Cleveland Browns, as he led them to a stunning postseason run.
While his prime years are behind him, Flacco’s ability to manage games and provide veteran leadership makes him an invaluable asset in the quarterback room, and he is definitely one of the most accomplished backups in the NFL.
3. Jimmy Garoppolo: Los Angeles Rams
Garoppolo has spent much of his career as a starter, including leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance, which they were painfully close to winning.
The years since haven’t been quite as kind to him—and now he is on back up duties in Los Angeles.
Garoppolo’s injury history is definitely a concern, but his experience, leadership, and familiarity with big moments make him a valuable asset off the bench.
Not to mention his overwhelming competence compared to what you would expect from a true “backup.”
2. Justin Fields: Pittsburgh Steelers
Justin Fields isn’t the only former first-round pick on this list, but the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft may be the most physically gifted of all the quarterbacks relegated to second-string duties today.
Fields has all the physical tools to be a star in the NFL, but consistency clearly eluded him during his time as a starter in Chicago.
The Bears have since moved on to Caleb Williams—and you know what—the split may have been best for both sides.
Though Fields didn’t look great during his Week 1 spot start for Russell Wilson, there is reason to believe in him as the backup in Pittsburgh.
He still possesses game-changing mobility and a strong arm, making him one of the most dangerous backups in the league, as he’s always a threat to take over a game—and he still has long-term potential if the Steelers coaching staff can work on his mechanics and improve his game management skills.
1. Jameis Winston: Cleveland Browns
It is tough to do much better with a backup NFL quarterback than Jameis Winston… Actually—it is impossible! After all, he is sitting atop the list due to his combination of arm strength, starting experience, and the high upside the Browns could see if—and at this point… it is looking like when—they slot him into action.
While his career has been plagued by turnovers and inconsistency, Winston’s ability to light up the scoreboard when things are clicking makes him the most dangerous backup in the NFL. After all, how many backup quarterbacks have 5,000-yard passing seasons in their name?
His potential to take over a game at any moment puts him in a class of his own and an easy choice for number one.
Also Read: Grading All 32 NFL Teams Starting Quarterbacks After Week 1 Games Of The 2024 Season
