Even with the NFL implementing numerous measures to protect quarterbacks, the turnover at that position has become a given. A combination of performance issues and injuries has led to around 60 quarterbacks taking the field as starters across the league each season.

Last weekend highlighted this reality, as teams like the Browns, Colts, Commanders, Dolphins, Giants, Raiders, Steelers, and Titans were compelled to make changes at quarterback.

This week, Washington will likely rely on backup Marcus Mariota against Chicago after he stepped in for injured rookie Jayden Daniels during a win against Carolina. Daniels is currently sidelined with a rib injury. Luckily for the Commanders, Mariota’s performance—going 18-for-23 for 205 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 34 yards rushing—proved his readiness after shaking off the rust.

“You could see how much his teammates supported him. That preparation off the field—staying late to practice and staying sharp—paid off,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said on Monday, praising Mariota’s readiness when called to step in.

“I wasn’t shocked by Mariota’s performance; we’ve all seen his talent before.”

Mariota discussed his experience in the NFL and how it has shaped his understanding of offensive football—a role that is often considered one of the most crucial, yet is frequently overlooked.

“My journey through various systems has taught me a lot about offensive strategies,” explained the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and second overall draft pick. “Whether or not I felt suited for a particular system, I appreciate the experience I’ve gained. It’s made me a better player.”

However, stepping in without preparation, like Mariota did on Sunday, isn’t something that every quarterback can handle effectively, despite their NFL experience.

Given the current instability at quarterback in the league—and an inevitability of changes occurring this weekend regardless of the situation in Washington—it’s time to evaluate each team’s backup quarterback scenarios from the most favorable to least favorable.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

While the situation remains fluid, we can confidently identify Kyle Allen as the number three QB, with a total of 19 NFL starts to his name. Russell Wilson’s performance in his debut for the Steelers last Sunday shows that head coach Mike Tomlin has two strong options alongside Justin Fields, who helped Pittsburgh achieve a 4-2 start. Both quarterbacks will be free agents after this season, and it might be unwise to overlook Fields’ potential to lead in the long term, particularly given his mobility. This is an unusual case where a team possesses two unique quarterbacks rather than none at all, as the saying goes.

2. Indianapolis Colts

If you thought that 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Joe Flacco, age 39, was just a temporary solution after quickly stepping in to lead Cleveland to the playoffs, you might want to reconsider. He has significantly influenced half of Indianapolis’s victories this season while nearly clinching a third during a close loss to Jacksonville. The former Super Bowl MVP still possesses a strong arm, with impressive stats including a 102.2 passer rating and a completion rate of 65.7%, both of which exceed his career averages. Flacco’s vast experience appears to be simplifying the game for him, though it could overshadow the struggling Anthony Richardson. Sam Ehlinger remains as a backup option, but he has not yet made a strong impression in his eight appearances.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

Carson Wentz, once a Pro Bowler with 153 career touchdown passes, is two years removed from what was likely his last shot at being a regular starting quarterback. Nevertheless, he remains a valuable backup behind superstar Patrick Mahomes, much like he served as a reliable insurance plan for Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles last season. Wentz might have evolved into a more strategic game manager after learning from notable coaches Sean McVay and Andy Reid. Chris Oladokun is also available on the practice squad.

4. New York Jets

With all the attention on Aaron Rodgers, it’s easy to overlook that the Jets, despite their poor 2-5 start, may be better equipped to handle his potential absence. Although Rodgers tends to get injured, their backup Tyrod Taylor, 35, is a former Pro Bowler and offers impressive arm strength, mobility, and a cautious approach to ball handling, even to the point of sometimes being overly conservative. Having played in 58 regular-season games, his passer rating of 88.5 is actually better than Rodgers’ current performance in 2024. “His experience provides valuable insights because he views the game from a seasoned perspective,” Rodgers said during training camp, noting Taylor’s reliability as a teammate.

The Jets, traditionally in need of quarterbacks for years, have also fostered some exciting developmental talents. Adrian Martinez, who recently won a championship and league MVP honors with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions, is on their practice squad. Additionally, rookie Jordan Travis, the 2023 ACC Player of the Year, led Florida State to an undefeated regular season.

In 2023, despite the challenging season, the player is essentially taking a medical redshirt due to the leg injury he sustained in November, which caused him to drop to Round 5 in the upcoming 2024 draft.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Even though 2023 was tough for the Bengals, they discovered a bright spot in backup quarterback Jake Browning. After Joe Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury, Browning managed to secure four wins out of seven starts, leading the NFL with an impressive 70.4% completion rate. At age 28, Browning couldn’t guide Cincinnati back into playoff contention, but he helped make the AFC North the first division with all four teams finishing above .500. If he had played a full season, projections show he could have thrown for almost 4,400 yards and 30 touchdowns, along with a passer rating of 98.0, demonstrating his ability to perform at a high level consistently. Veteran Logan Woodside, with only seven passes in his career, is currently on the practice squad.

6. Washington Commanders

Quinn highlights Mariota’s main strength as “his ability to improvise” and extend plays, suggesting the offense may often utilize the shotgun formation to enhance his comfort. Now in his 10th season, Mariota is set to start for the 75th time – excluding two postseason games with Tennessee. While he may not be as uniquely dynamic as Daniels, he still moves well and usually protects the football, meaning OC Kliff Kingsbury won’t likely need to significantly alter the league’s leading scoring offense for as long as Mariota is at the helm. Jeff Driskel, currently the QB3, is available but offers less than Mariota and has 12 NFL starts to his name, while undrafted rookie Sam Hartman, who had a strong college career at Wake Forest and Notre Dame, is on the practice squad.

7. Atlanta Falcons

This is mainly a projection involving rookie first-rounder Michael Penix Jr., who possesses remarkable skills but is currently sitting behind veteran Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year contract in March. In a recent game against Seattle, Penix saw his first action, completing one pass for 14 yards. Given the substantial investment in him, Atlanta’s management clearly has faith in Penix, but it may take time before he showcases his potential. Nathan Peterman is on the practice squad, and it’s worth noting he hasn’t played a significant role since his challenging time in Buffalo six years ago.

8. Las Vegas Raiders

If you were a general manager with quarterbacks Gardner Minshew II, Desmond Ridder, and the currently injured Aidan O’Connell, you might feel okay about facing some time without a franchise quarterback. Unfortunately for the Raiders, they haven’t identified that top-tier player yet. Minshew hasn’t replicated the Pro Bowl caliber play that almost led him to playoff success with the Colts last season, while Ridder, who joined from Arizona’s practice squad, has a mixed starting record in Atlanta with eight wins and nine losses, despite a noteworthy college career at Cincinnati.

9. Carolina Panthers

Starting with experienced three-time Pro Bowler Andy Dalton as the backup isn’t a bad position, although his performance has been declining since he took over as starter in Week 3. Conversely, considering Bryce Young as the backup is a bit concerning since he was the top draft pick a year ago, and several factors have contributed to his struggles thus far. After a surprising benching following the first two games this season, Young is set to get another opportunity to play this Sunday due to Dalton’s thumb injury from a car accident. Rookie Jack Plummer may need to step off the practice squad to temporarily support Young.

10. Los Angeles Rams

After several years of mainly serving as a high-caliber system quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo’s shortcomings became apparent during his short stint as the Raiders’ starter last season. Approaching 33 in his 11th season, it’s reasonable to believe that McVay can position Garoppolo for greater success now. Moreover, he deserves respect for winning nearly 70% of his career starts, including playoffs, while maintaining a passer rating of 97.6. Stetson Bennett, a championship quarterback from the University of Georgia, is now the QB3, though he hasn’t yet appeared in a regular season game two years into his NFL career.

11. Dallas Cowboys

Cooper Rush has not been very active lately, but he played a critical role in saving the 2022 regular season, winning four out of five games while Dak Prescott was recovering from a thumb injury. Having spent most of his seven-year career in Dallas, Rush is familiar with the team’s dynamics and playbook. With Prescott now under contract through 2028, it seems likely that Trey Lance could seek a new team after this year to revitalize his career as the number three pick in the 2021 draft.

12. Los Angeles Chargers

Easton Stick performed decently during his first four NFL starts last season while filling in for the injured Justin Herbert, although the Chargers lost all four games. They revamped their depth chart in August, adding the more experienced and athletic Taylor Heinicke, who has started 25 NFL games, including one in the playoffs, from Atlanta. Nevertheless, with the new head coach Jim Harbaugh now focusing less on passing, it may not be as daunting for either quarterback if Herbert faces any further injuries.

13. New England Patriots

With Drake Maye taking over the starting role, veteran Jacoby Brissett and rookie Joe Milton III serve as backups. Brissett, in his ninth year, is a consummate professional and well-liked among teammates. However, it’s misleading to think of him as more than a temporary solution for a few weeks, especially with a roster of this caliber, as his career record reflects at 19-34. Milton is physically impressive and likely has one of the strongest arms in the league, leading to his undrafted status on the active roster rather than the practice squad, but he remains quite raw.

14. New York Giants

Tommy DeVito emerged as a surprising talent as an undrafted rookie in 2023, arguably becoming the team’s most effective quarterback while Daniel Jones and Taylor faced injuries. However, with Drew Lock now joining the team, DeVito may have to wait another year to claim the QB2 position. This lineup provides a mix of experience and potential, which could change significantly next spring. For now, Lock and DeVito can only hope for opportunities to play during blowout games, like the recent loss to Philadelphia by 25 points.

15. Tennessee Titans

As he enters his seventh season, Mason Rudolph appears to be an ideal backup for a team like the Titans – competent, yet not overwhelmingly threatening.

appears limited, leading them to give the starting role to Williams after his impressive college career. Behind them, things get even more uncertain. The Bears have a young roster and could use some time to develop their quarterbacks, but their current situation feels precarious with inexperienced players at the helm.

16. Seattle Seahawks

Sam Howell displayed considerable grit amidst challenging circumstances with the Commanders in 2023, finishing with a league-leading 612 pass attempts, although this came with 21 interceptions and 65 sacks. An underrated athlete, it would be fascinating to see how he performs with improved protection and a more balanced offense, though Seattle isn’t doing much better in that regard currently. Jaren Hall, who spent last season on the practice squad for Minnesota, was expected to make a couple of starts last year as a rookie.

17. Denver Broncos

This team is looking at a mix of veterans and possible journeymen, including Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson behind rookie Bo Nix. Stidham has a history of stepping in for veteran quarterbacks Derek Carr and Russell Wilson in recent years but struggled to secure a long-term position in either location. Meanwhile, Zach Wilson, who was the second overall pick in the 2021 draft but had a rough time with the Jets, could be an interesting project under Sean Payton, though he’s unlikely to see significant play unless Nix gets injured or doesn’t perform well.

18. Jacksonville Jaguars

Mac Jones, once a celebrated rookie and Pro Bowler for the Patriots, saw his performance decline amid coaching changes, ultimately leading to a trade to his hometown team, the Jaguars. As the backup to Trevor Lawrence—who was taken first overall in 2021, ahead of Jones—it’s unclear how much Jones can contribute after struggling with the severely limited Patriots squad last year. He clearly has talent, but whether he can bounce back remains to be seen. Rookie John Rhys Plumlee is also on the practice squad.

19. Houston Texans

Davis Mills has performed comparably to many of the quarterbacks from the recognized 2021 draft class, with a passer rating of 82.9 over 26 starts—most of which came on teams lacking in talent. Despite this, he fell to third string last season behind the currently injured Case Keenum, who filled in for rookie C.J. Stroud at times. Rookie Kedon Slovis is also present on the practice squad.

20. Green Bay Packers

It’s going to be quite some time before the Packers make the tough choice to select a new top quarterback to eventually replace Jordan Love. Presently, General Manager Brian Gutekunst seems to have made a smart acquisition by taking Malik Willis from the Titans for just a seventh-round pick. Once thought to be the top quarterback prospect in a weak 2022 class, Willis quickly adapted to his new team and has utilized his impressive running skills and strong arm to help the team win both matches Love missed earlier this season due to injury. Sean Clifford, who was drafted in the fifth round last year, is on the practice squad.

21. Minnesota Vikings

While waiting for injured first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy’s expected debut in 2025, the Vikings have turned to a lineup of veteran quarterbacks around their revitalized starter Sam Darnold. Nick Mullens showcased both the good and the bad last year while filling in for the injured Kirk Cousins; he can pass for 400 yards or throw three interceptions in the same game. Brett Rypien offers another option, although with more NFL experience (6 years) than actual starts (4), making him a less reliable fallback.

22. Buffalo Bills

The Bills might manage to endure a short-term absence of perennial MVP candidate Josh Allen. Mitch Trubisky, who has a total of 59 NFL starts and two postseason games under his belt with the Bears, has solid physical abilities, although his decision-making can be questionable. His performance has been inconsistent since becoming a backup in 2021; after two starts for Pittsburgh last season, he was benched for Mason Rudolph and later released. Mike White, another veteran, is on the practice squad, though his performances have mostly seen great fluctuations since 2021 during his time with the Jets.

23. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have seasoned veterans Joshua Dobbs and Brandon Allen behind Brock Purdy. With exposure to head coach Kyle Shanahan, one would assume they have improved as players—look at how Sam Darnold developed after a brief period with the Niners. While Dobbs is well-known for his remarkable intellect on the field, Allen had more playing time in the NFL until Dobbs took on 12 starts between Arizona and Minnesota in 2023, achieving surprisingly strong results. Rookie Tanner Mordecai is on the practice squad.

24. Cleveland Browns

The Browns’ rank would be higher if Jameis Winston, the top pick from the 2015 draft and a player who has enjoyed a 5,000-yard passing season, wasn’t stepping in for the injured Deshaun Watson. (It’s worth noting that the offense functioned considerably better after Watson’s return in 2023.) Still, Cleveland boasts a decent reserve group. Dorian Thompson-Robinson seems to hold significant promise, boasting a mix of tangible and intangible skills, needing just the right opportunities to refine and showcase them. Additionally, they have signed Bailey Zappe from Kansas City’s practice squad—though he may not strike fear into defenses with his skills, he managed to win half of his eight starts with the Patriots in his first two seasons and shows traits of a reliable backup.

25. Baltimore Ravens

There’s no way to replace two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and his unique talents. Yet history tells us he will likely miss some time on the field at some point. If that happens, Josh Johnson, at 38 years old, would likely step in. He has extensive experience across various teams, offenses, and even leagues, performing well in relief roles for both the Ravens and Jets in 2021. Nonetheless, despite being drafted in 2008—like Joe Flacco—he lacks substantial on-field time, having started only nine NFL games and completing less than 60% of his passes. If Jackson were to miss a longer stretch, it’s hard to envision this offense doing more than relying on running back Derrick Henry. Rookie Devin Leary is also part of the practice squad.

26. Chicago Bears

The Bears have indeed opted for a nontraditional route. With rookie starter Caleb Williams leading the way, his six games make him the most experienced quarterback on the roster when it comes to actual NFL game time. The second-year player Tyson Bagent—who broke multiple passing records at Division II Shepherd University—is technically the most senior member here, starting four games last season as a rookie. However, the Bears seem to have doubts about Bagent’s maturity and capability.

This was clearly showcased in this summer’s “Hard Knocks,” where a conscious decision was made to focus on a youthful quarterback group, which also features the undrafted rookie, Austin Reed. However, if disaster strikes and Williams gets injured, it’s likely that GM Ryan Poles would swiftly acquire a seasoned player from another team.

27. New Orleans Saints

Rookie Spencer Rattler and second-year player Jake Haener have not had much of a chance to shine with Carr currently sidelined, but assessing their performances is hard given the chaos within the offense. Rattler’s background as a prominent high school and college quarterback, being the first QB chosen outside of Round 1 this year, adds some interest to his prospects. Nonetheless, if the situation worsens, the Saints could always pivot back to Taysom Hill.

28. Philadelphia Eagles

It seems unlikely that they have anyone who can match Jalen Hurts’ knack for making critical plays, especially around the end zone if he is unavailable. Kenny Pickett, a former Steelers first-round pick, has the most experience with 26 NFL games but has only thrown 13 touchdown passes. Second-year player Tanner McKee hasn’t yet taken a snap in the regular season, while practice squad member Will Grier has not demonstrated the ability to transition his impressive college stats to the professional level.

29. Miami Dolphins

Navigating through HC Mike McDaniel’s offense is a challenging endeavor, which Tua Tagovailoa’s backups – Tim Boyle, Snoop Huntley, and Skylar Thompson – have collectively struggled to do. All of Miami’s quarterbacks have passer ratings below 80.0 this season, leaving the team last in scoring after they had the second-highest points total in 2023. Even with Tagovailoa nearing a comeback, McDaniel and GM Chris Grier are working on strengthening their quarterback depth, having recently signed veteran C.J. Beathard to the practice squad.

30. Detroit Lions

One of Jared Goff’s many strengths is his durability. This is crucial for the NFC-leading team since backup Hendon Hooker has only played 11 regular-season snaps, all during a late-game situation against Dallas in Week 6. Additionally, practice squad player Jake Fromm has had three unimpressive outings with the Giants back in 2021.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The situation here is largely affected by the lack of proven professional talent. Kyle Trask, a second-round draft choice in 2021, has had the chance to attempt only 10 passes while being overshadowed by Tom Brady and now Baker Mayfield. Rookie Michael Pratt is currently on the practice squad.

32. Arizona Cardinals

Clayton Tune did not perform particularly well in his opportunities last season while Kyler Murray was recovering from a knee injury, but he outperformed the more seasoned Ridder to secure the QB2 role here. Anthony Brown Jr. had minimal playing time in Baltimore two years prior when Jackson was injured and possesses a skill set that more closely resembles Murray’s compared to Tune’s; nonetheless, the drop-off from either player would be significant.

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