One Snap Away: Top 10 Backup QBs In The NFL

July 31, 2023

While getting/retaining a superstar QB is the number one priority for every NFL GM, signing a reliable backup quarterback is important, too. Aidin Ebrahimi looks at some of the best backup QBs in the NFL today.

We all know that the quarterback is the most important position in football, but it could be argued that it's the single most important position in team sports, as no other position in any team sport has as much of an impact as a quarterback.

While getting/retaining a superstar QB is the number one priority for every NFL GM, signing a reliable backup quarterback is important, too. There are usually two types of backups, proven vets who can steady the ship when things go wrong, or young signal callers who might become a starter one day.

With that in mind, this article will look at some of the best backup QBs in the NFL today. As of the time of writing (before the start of preseason), everyone on this list is projected to be a backup in 2023. Keep in mind that this list is entirely subjective.

#10. Bailey Zappe (New England Patriots)

Mac Jones is under a lot of pressure this year, as he experienced a difficult season following an impressive rookie campaign that saw him getting compared to Tom Brady. Many believe that Jones has lost his confidence ever since the Pats decided to call just three passing plays in a showdown against the Bills in 2021, which is the fewest passing attempts by a team in a game since 1975. Before that game, Jones had a passer rating of 97.1, but that number has fallen to 83.6 in the 18 games since. And of course, who could forget Jones being benched for Bailey Zappe?

First on the field this morning: Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe pic.twitter.com/aURvHZVbmb

— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) July 27, 2023

After Jones suffered an injury, the rookie Zappe went head-to-head with Aaron Rodgers and more than held his own. Zappe would then start against Detriot and Cleveland, completing 74.5% of his throws and throwing for 497 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Pats to two impressive wins. Jones would return against the Bears but was benched for Zappe, who looked great before falling back down to earth as the game went on. Although he wouldn't play again in 2022, if Jones doesn't return to his rookie form, a desperate Bill Belichick might give Zappe another chance.

#9. Davis Mills (Houston Texans)

Davis Mills may never be a full-time NFL starter again, but he had some fun in his 26 games as the Texans' starter. Not much was ever expected from Mills, whose only full season as Stanford's starter was cut short due to the pandemic. However, he did just enough to convince the Texans to pick him in the third round of the draft. After Deshaun Watson requested a trade and Tyrod Taylor failed to impress, Mills suddenly found himself as the team's starter.

Yes, Mills only won just five games in his starts, but he showed that he was a solid player and will have a long and successful career as a backup or spot starter in this league. Mills threw 33 TDs to 25 INTs with a solid 83.3 passer rating in the last two seasons, and once upon a time, he was easily the second-best rookie QB in 2021 behind Mac Jones. Also, there's a chance that he might be a temporary starter early in the season, as the Texans will be looking to get CJ Stroud some more practice reps before naming him the starter.

#8. Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys)

Dak Prescott has always had many critics, which is natural for a star QB for the Cowboys, much like his predecessor Tony Romo. But now, the critics are louder than they have ever been, and there's a chance that he envies the adoration that Cooper Rush receives from Cowboys fans, who have turned Rush into a cult hero. Rush was signed by Dallas as an undrafted free agent and threw three passes that year. He would never throw a pass for the team again until his release in 2020.

What a play by #Cowboys wide receiver @jcropper_5 on the first day of camp 🔥…

BUT we’re not talking enough about how great of a throw that was from Cooper Rush 👀

He seems to be picking up right where he left off

(🎥: @behmer09)pic.twitter.com/8KVga2Qukw

— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) July 27, 2023

Rush was then signed and waived by the Giants, before returning to Dallas. In 2021, Rush was suddenly named the team's starter against Minnesota after an injury to Prescott, four years after last throwing an NFL pass. Rush looked sharp and led the team to a solid win. After another injury to Dak in 2022, Rush had to start five games for Dallas, and apart from a poor performance against the Eagles' dominant defense, he was great, winning four games and being credited with two game-winning drives.

#7. Marcus Mariota (Philadelphia Eagles)

Speaking of the Eagles, they had lots of fun calling QB runs and the QB sneak last season with Jalen Hurts, but when Hurts went down, they struggled. Gardner Minshew struggled in the Eagles' new system, failing to convert some key plays on 3rd down that cost the Eagles big time, as they went 0-2 without Hurts. It's clear that the Eagles needed a backup QB who could convert QB sneaks and break off some runs, and they signed Marcus Mariota to do just that.

The former Oregon legend was looking like the Titans' QB of the future after improvement in his sophomore season, but he regressed in his next few years and was replaced by Ryan Tannehill. After spending two years behind Derek Carr in Las Vegas, Mariota became the Falcons' starter and looked solid both as a passer (88.2 rating) and as a rusher (438 yards and four touchdowns). The Eagles now have a solid backup plan in case Hurts goes down again.

#6. Sam Darnold (San Fransisco 49ers)

The story of Darnold is a very interesting one. Picked third overall in the 2018 NFL draft by the Jets, he was expected to be the team's first good quarterback since Chad Pennington but was very inconsistent. He actually looked decent in his second season, but year three was a nightmare, as the Jets moved on from him and decided to go with Zach Wilson. After being named the Panthers' starter, Darnold started the 2021 season like a house on fire but fell off hard after a few weeks.

Brock Purdy was very rusty in his return to the practice field. Both he and Trey Lance struggled against a spirited 49ers defense today.

Purdy: 3-10, 1 INT
Lance: 2-5, dropped INT
Sam Darnold: 3-5
Brandon Allen: 4-5

Darnold made the nicest throw of practice to Deebo Samuel

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) July 27, 2023

Many thought that Darnold's time in the NFL was over after that, as he sat behind Baker Mayfield and PJ Walker until week 12, but when he got his chance, he made the most out of it. Darnold took over a 3-8 team and led them to three victories in four games while playing the best football of his career. Suddenly, the Panthers had a chance to win the NFC South with a win against Tampa, and although Darnold was great, the Panthers lost. Darnold has a chance to continue his hot streak if Brock Purdy and/or Trey Lance crash and burn.

#5. Jameis Winston (New Orleans Saints)

Picked one spot ahead of the aforementioned Mariota in the 2015 draft, the Bucs made Jameis Winston their fifth-ever number-one overall selection, and he looked very impressive early on, throwing for over 4000 yards in his rookie season. In year two, Winston became the Bucs' all-time single-season passing yards leader and looked poised to lead the Bucs into an era of greatness, but his next two seasons were marred by injuries and inconsistent play. In year five, Winston led the league in yards (5109) and threw 33 touchdowns, but he also threw 30 interceptions.

Jameis Winston on his relationship with Derek Carr and his decision to stay in New Orleans pic.twitter.com/ApTZVaKuxb

— NOF (@nofnetwork) July 27, 2023

Despite his inconsistencies, only Peyton Manning has thrown for more yards through a QB's first five seasons than Jameis. Winston was replaced by Tom Brady and he spent one year in New Orleans behind Drew Brees, before being named the starter in 2021. Jameis was having the best year of his career in 2021 before a torn ACL against his former squad ended his season. Winston looked rusty in 2022 and was demoted to backup status after three games, and is now looking to regain his form while expecting to back-up newly signed New Orleans signal-caller Derek Carr in the upcoming season.

#4. Jacoby Brissett (Washington Commanders)

Brissett has a great chance to get off this list entirely and become Washington's full-time starter, but since the team is currently very high on Sam Howell, he is projected to be the backup for now. Brissett won a ring as a rookie third-string QB behind Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo and was traded to the Colts in 2017 after Andrew Luck went down with an injury. Although the team went 4-12 with Brissett as a starter, he got better as the season went on.

Luck then returned in 2018 and had the best season of his career, and Brissett learned a lot from him. Suddenly, Luck announced that he would retire before the 2019 season, shocking the NFL world as he was one of the league's best QBs at the peak of his powers. Brissett's second season as Colts starter was much better, as the team fought for a playoff spot. After two more seasons primarily as a backup, he started 11 games for the Browns in 2022 due to Deshaun Watson's suspension, and put up solid numbers.

#3. Taylor Heinicke (Atlanta Falcons)

Similarly to Brissett, Heinicke can also become his team's full-time starter very quickly if Desmond Ridder doesn't pan out, but due to Ridder's solid performance at the end of the season, the Falcons decided to give him a chance. Heinicke was never given a fair chance by draft scouts due to his weak arm, but what Heinicke lacked in throwing power, he more than made up for it with his heart and determination. Heinicke had only ever started one game in six years as an NFL player before the 2020 playoffs, but his moment would come unexpectedly.

After an injury to Alex Smith, Heinicke was forced to start in Washington's 2020 playoff matchup against Tampa Bay, and although they lost at home, Heinicke played well against the eventual champions. In 2021 he was named the full-time starter after Ryan Fitzpatrick went down in week one, and kept the team afloat with many good performances. Heinicke did the same thing last season and his team could have made the playoffs if they didn't start Carson Wentz over Heinicke late in the season.

#2. Teddy Bridgewater (Free Agent)

Bridgewater is the only FA on this list, and that could change very soon, as the Lions have brought him in for a workout. Bridgewater was picked by the Vikings with the final pick of the first round of the 2014 draft and quickly replaced Matt Cassel as the starting QB. Bridgewater was impressive and made the Pro Bowl in his second season, as he led the Vikings to the playoffs. Bridgewater suffered a severe leg injury in the 2016 offseason, which essentially ended his tenure in Minnesota.

After going to New Orleans, Bridgewater had to start for the first time in three seasons when Drew Brees went down with an injury. In five starts, Bridgewater went 5-0 and posted some very impressive stats. He was given another chance as a starter in Carolina, playing well on a poor team. In 2021, Bridgewater had the best season of his career with the Broncos, almost leading them to the playoffs. After a season of mentoring Tua Tagovailoa, Bridgewater is looking forward to a fresh start with his next team.

#1. Andy Dalton (Carolina Panthers)

It's 2011. The Bengals have just completed a disastrous four-win season, and their star quarterback Carson Palmer wants out and is threatening to retire if he doesn't get traded. So, the Bengals draft intriguing TCU prospect Andy Dalton with the 35th overall pick and hope for the best. But Dalton exceeded all expectations, as he threw for over 18000 yards and 124 touchdowns in his first five seasons, while also winning 65% of his games and making four playoff appearances.

Andy Dalton’s arrival. pic.twitter.com/3QKYEavJfZ

— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) July 26, 2023

After that though, Dalton and the Bengals both experienced several years of mediocrity before a dreadful 2019 season caused the team to part ways with Dalton and draft Joe Burrow. After that, he was signed by the Cowboys to be the backup QB but had to start nine games after an injury to the starter, where he played well. The same thing happened the next season with the Bears and the season after that with the Saints. Is Dalton cursed? Maybe, and Bryce Young should be careful. But he is also a very accomplished player who still has a lot to offer.