Backup quarterbacks in the NFL should not be taken lightly. At the blink of an eye, a team could lose their starter and have to rely on its backup crew to lead the club.
Just ask the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings, who are already in the backup boat.
Thus, it is worth noting some backup quarterbacks who have shined in the preseason. A couple of these guys are already slated to cover for their starters beginning Week 1.
Matt Schaub, Atlanta Falcons
There is a Matt performing quite well in Atlanta, and unfortunately for the Falcons, it is not Matty Ice.
So far in the preseason, Schaub, a former third-round pick by the Falcons in 2003, has looked far from washed up.
To date, the veteran has completed 73.7 percent of his passes for a total of 366 yards. He has been amazingly accurate and currently has a quarterback rating of 103.6. We cannot say quite the same for Ryan, who has looked like a disaster and has completed only 18-of-37 passes with no touchdowns and an interception.
While it would take a lot for Schaub to oust Ryan from his starting job, wackier things have happened. Ryan’s struggles with getting picked off in the end zone have not gone away. On the other hand, Schaub — the pick-six king of kings — has yet to commit a turnover.
With quarterback situations in the NFL literally changing on a daily basis, a team in need of better depth might just look to Schaub, based on his preseason sparkle.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys took a ton of heat earlier this year when they failed to sign veteran help for Tony Romo.
Though, their gem in fourth-rounder Dak Prescott has spun heads this offseason. With backup designation as his mindset up until Romo’s injury, Prescott has truly stunned.
He currently is the league’s highest-rated quarterback at 137.8 after three preseason games. The former Mississippi State product has completed 38-of-50 passing attempts for a total of 454 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Furthermore, Prescott has tallied two scores on the ground and rushed for 53 yards.
With yet another freak accident to Romo occurring that will keep him sidelined multiple weeks, Prescott will now start for the Cowboys.
Considering Prescott’s elite preseason success, the Cowboys should hardly be worried. We cannot say the same for Romo who might have to fight to assume his starting job once he returns.
Stephen Morris, Indianapolis Colts
Morris has looked pretty sharp this preseason. If the Colts decide to cut him as they whittle down to their final 53-man roster, the young quarterback would surely draw interest from other teams in need.
So far, Morris has completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 314 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. His quarterback rating stands at 127.6. Plus, Morris makes for a dual-threat given his 46 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
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With that said, the Colts might be wise to hang on to the Florida State talent considering the dumpster of bad luck they were dealt last year.
Besides Morris, the Colts only have Scott Tolzien behind Andrew Luck in depth. Morris’ fate with the Colts should be decided soon enough.
In any event, it was worth noting that Morris has performed at a level far superior than some of the league’s starting quarterbacks over the past month.
Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots
Preparing for starter Tom Brady to sit out his four-game suspension, the Patriots have given Garoppolo much time under the limelight this preseason.
The third-year quarterback has so far been quite impressive, completing 66.7 percent of his passes for 406 yards and one touchdown. He has also not thrown an interception in 54 attempts.
As a result, the Patriots would appear to be in fine hands.
While it is going to be strange not seeing Brady under center after 112 consecutive starts, it will give fans a dose of what the franchise’s future holds by watching Garoppolo in action.
A.J. McCarron, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals’ backup that helped lead the team through once series of playoffs last season is looking quite stunning so far.
McCarron has completed 67.4 percent of his passes for a total of 327 yards, three touchdowns. and zero picks.
Overall, McCarron has proved he can handle life in the NFL as a starting quarterback. With the recent rash of quarterback injuries and some teams still unsettled at the position, McCarron could attract suitors.
The Bengals would surely not be willing to let him go. Although, at some point in his career, McCarron will command starting status either in Cincinnati or with another club.
Ryan Mallett, Baltimore Ravens
Mallett seems to have found his niche in Baltimore after a tumultuous stretch with the Houston Texans.
He performed decently late last season when called to fill in as a starter. And, it looks like Mallett is blossoming into quite a handy backup by the looks of her preseason output.
So far Mallett has established a 104.1 quarterback rating after completing 71.1 percent of his passes. He has also scored four combined touchdowns compared to only one interception.
Earlier reports prior to the Ravens’ third preseason game indicated that Mallett could lose the No. 2 role to Josh Johnson.
Though with his stock on the rise, Mallett, or Johnson, could make for intriguing trade bait to a quarterback-needy team.