Solely 9 NFL beginning quarterbacks performed in all 17 regular-season video games in 2023, per The Florida Instances-Union, so having a succesful backup or two on a roster is important.
Heading into the 2024 season, some groups have good backup plans (Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams) whereas others are flirting with catastrophe (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders).
We requested Yardbarker’s NFL writers to judge the backup QB conditions for all 16 NFC groups, assigning every a ranking from “1” (terrific) to “5” (horrible).
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS | Backups: Cooper Rush, Trey Lance | Score: 2 | Lance hasn’t performed badly in two preseason video games (40-of-64 for 339 yards, one TD move), however he hasn’t provided the leverage the crew hoped for when it comes to contract negotiations with beginning quarterback Dak Prescott, a free agent in 2025. Rush gave the Cowboys 4 straight wins when Prescott sat out with a thumb harm in 2022, leaving the crew in good condition ought to the No. 1 quarterback miss time in 2024.
NEW YORK GIANTS | Backups: Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito | Score: 3 | A second-round choose of the Broncos in 2019, Lock has 28 TD passes, 23 interceptions and 13 fumbles in 28 video games with Denver and Seattle. He missed Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Texans with an indirect harm suffered within the crew’s first preseason recreation, however DeVito — who went 3-2 in reduction of starter Daniel Jones final season — couldn’t take benefit, averaging 3.9 yards per try.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | Backups: Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee, Will Grier | Score: 4 | Pickett went 14-10 in 24 begins over two seasons with the Steelers, throwing for 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. On Thursday night time in opposition to the Patriots, he was completely outplayed by third-stringer McKee, who went 15-of-19 for 140 yards. Final preseason, McKee bought the higher of No. 2 quarterback Marcus Mariota, however as a result of he has no regular-season expertise, the backup quarterback place behind starter Jalen Hurts seems to be in Pickett’s famously small palms.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | Backups: Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel, Sam Hartman | Score: 5 | Mariota, a nine-year veteran and a former starter, had solely 15 makes an attempt with the Eagles final season. Driskel, who performed one recreation for the Bengals final season, is enjoying for his sixth crew. Hartman, an undrafted free agent from Notre Dame, missed Saturday’s recreation in opposition to the Dolphins with a shoulder harm suffered in Washington’s first preseason recreation. — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | Backups: Desmond Ridder, Clayton Tune | Score: 4 | All backup quarterbacks should defend the ball, however Ridder was so turnover-prone in Atlanta (12 interceptions and 15 fumbles in solely 19 video games) that the Falcons gave up on him simply two years after choosing him within the third spherical. If starter Kyler Murray misses prolonged time, the Cardinals are doomed.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | Backups: Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett | Score: 2 | Bennett is extraordinarily unproven and a significant wild card given he missed his rookie season, however Jimmy G. is a succesful backup who has proven he can win video games as a starter. He’ll miss the primary two video games of the season due to a suspension, however he’ll be a robust backup behind starter Matthew Stafford.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS | Backups: Brandon Allen, Joshua Dobbs | Score: 2 | Allen and Dobbs are seasoned veterans who shouldn’t have any downside filling in for a recreation or two if they should exchange starter Brock Purdy. Dobbs is an particularly intriguing possibility due to his athleticism and talent to make performs together with his toes.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | Backups: Sam Howell, PJ Walker | Score: 3 | Howell threw for 3,946 yards as a starter for the Washington Commanders in 2023 but in addition tossed a league-leading 21 interceptions. If he cuts down on the turnovers, he may very well be an efficient backup behind starter Geno Smith. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien | Score: 3 | Though a backup hasn’t been named but behind rookie starter Caleb Williams, the Bears have first rate choices with Rypien and Bagent. Rypien has 4 NFL begins in 4 NFL seasons, and Bagent turned just a few heads in his 4 begins as a rookie final season.
DETROIT LIONS | Hendon Hooker, Jake Fromm, Nate Sudfeld | Score: 3 | Although he missed his rookie season whereas recovering from an ACL harm, Hooker has a variety of potential as a backup behind starter Jared Goff. He was one of many high QBs within the nation at Tennessee throughout his senior season, and if his left knee is totally healed, he may very well be one of many extra under-the-radar backups within the league.
GREEN BAY PACKERS | Sean Clifford, Michael Pratt | Score: 5 | Clifford hasn’t finished a lot of something in both of the previous two preseasons to encourage confidence from the teaching employees. He appears to be like erratic at instances, his decision-making is questionable and he doesn’t have the arm expertise or intangibles to be something aside from an NFL backup. If starter Jordan Love misses prolonged time, the Packers are in bother.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | Nick Mullens, Jaren Corridor, Matt Corral | Score: 3 | When it comes to expertise, Mullens is about pretty much as good because it will get for a backup QB. Although he’s 5-15 as an NFL starter, he bought a variety of enjoying time in his three seasons in San Francisco (16 begins). He has the arm and soccer IQ to maintain the Vikings in video games if starter Sam Darnold misses prolonged time. — Michael Gallagher
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | Michael Penix Jr., Taylor Heinicke | Score: 3 | Primarily based on head coach Raheem Morris’ odd choice to sit down Penix Jr. in Week 2 of the preseason, the Falcons already imagine the rookie is able to take over for starter Kirk Cousins within the case of harm. However Penix is just too younger (24) and inexperienced to know whether or not he’d be a seamless slot in Atlanta’s offense.
CAROLINA PANTHERS | Andy Dalton, Jack Plummer, Jake Luton | Score: 4 | Dalton lately returned to follow after struggling a quad harm in early August. The 13-year veteran affords minimal upside, however after Jack Plummer and Jake Luton mixed for 61 yards passing in Week 2 preseason’s 15-12 loss to the Jets, he’s by far Carolina’s best choice behind starter Bryce Younger.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler | Score: 4 | The battle to be Derek Carr’s backup continued in Week 2 with neither Haener nor Rattler showing ready to guide the first-team offense. Haener, getting into his second yr, and Rattler, a rookie, have by no means tried a move within the common season. The Saints shall be finest off if that development continues.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Kyle Trask, John Wolford | Score: 5 | Trask, the Bucs’ 2021 second-round choose (No. 64 total), has solely performed 13 snaps in his profession (3-of-10 passing for 23 yards). Regardless of making spectacular performs throughout the preseason — together with this one with a defender charging at him in opposition to the Bengals and this one in opposition to the Jaguars whereas throwing on the run to extensive receiver Cody Thompson for a six-yard landing — Trask is not the man to guide the Bucs to a fourth straight division title if starter Baker Mayfield misses time. — Eric Smithling
