Quarterbacks are the most scrutinized position in professional sports. At Sportsnaut, we evaluate NFL QBs on a weekly basis, but we mainly only focus on the starters. Yet, that list has been heavily infiltrated by backups in 2023.
Many NFL teams haven’t placed a large enough emphasis on ensuring they have a strong backup QB situation on their roster. It’s been a common issue, not just in the past but especially so this year.
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It’s created this misconception that there aren’t enough ‘good’ QBs to supply all 32 NFL teams, but that may not be true. Could it be that the NFL does actually have several other capable QBs, we just don’t get to see the best backups play?
More QBs have made a start in 2023 than any other season, even with two undrafted rookies getting a chance. This has shown an ugly side of the lack of depth on some teams around the NFL, but we’re ready to make the case that there actually are several capable backups. They just haven’t been thrust into action yet this season.
But which backup QBs are the best? In putting this list together, we eliminated players like Ryan Tannehill and Jimmy Garoppolo, who are typically viewed as starters and are only acting as backups in lost seasons for their respective teams.
Without further ado, here are Sportsnaut’s NFL backup quarterback rankings for the 2023 season.
Honorable mentions:
- Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts
- Drew Lock, Seattle Seahawks
- Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens
- Mitch Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Taylor Heinicke, Atlanta Falcons
- Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys
10. Davis Mills, Houston Texans
If C.J. Stroud hadn’t landed into their laps with the No. 2 overall pick back in April, we might still be seeing Davis Mills as the Houston Texans’ starter. He wasn’t particularly great in his two seasons as their starter, but the Texans didn’t exactly provide him with a No. 1 receiver or a top-notch offensive line either. Still, Mills did enough to show that he deserves to get another chance to play eventually, it just won’t happen in Houston.
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9. Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers
Do the San Francisco 49ers have a hidden gem with Sam Darnold? Everyone in New York shout no, but we’ve seen Kyle Shanahan work his magic with less before. The 49ers chose Darnold over Trey Lance for a reason, and let’s be fair, no one who has stepped foot into the Jets’ QB cleats has performed well, so are the struggles entirely on Darnold? We’ll never root for injuries, but Darnold is in a phenomenal situation in San Francisco, and if he’s forced into action, we just might see the best version of the former No. 3 overall pick yet.
8. Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers
One of the most experienced backup QBs in the NFL today, Andy Dalton likely knew what he was getting into when he signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Carolina Panthers this past offseason. He’ll be tasked with helping No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young prepare each and every week. Who knows where Dalton would be had the Bengals not drafted Joe Burrow in 2020? Dalton left town the next year and has bounced around ever since. But how quickly we forget the Red Rifle leading the Bengals to five consecutive playoff appearances from 2011-15. For the most part, Dalton always took care of the football while also being one of the more accurate QBs in the NFL. We bet he’d still provide similar results today.
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7. Carson Wentz, Los Angeles Rams
How can a player who’s only been back in the NFL for less than a month be one of the best backup QBs today? Carson Wentz shouldn’t have been available in free agency all year long. One could argue the Falcons, Browns, and Bengals would be in better scenarios had they just signed Wentz in the offseason. While he flamed out quickly in each of his past three stops, Wentz is at least a capable QB who can occasionally pop off for a big game. That’s better than several others we’ve seen this season.
6. Zach Wilson, New York Jets
While Wilson may rank as one of the worst starting QBs in the NFL today, he also ranks as one of the best backup QBs too. If Aaron Rodgers was healthy, Wilson is a backup. Operating as a starter in this current Jets offense hasn’t gone well. Like others on this list, Wilson does not lack arm strength, but a lack of consistency often leads to turnovers. Still, we’d be very curious to see him behind a stable offensive line plus a deep group of pass-catchers, like the next player on our list.
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5. Joshua Dobbs, Minnesota Vikings
Isn’t Joshua Dobbs a starter? Right now, ‘The Passtronaut’ is a starting QB for the Minnesota Vikings, but only out of necessity. The same story was true in Arizona when Kyler Murray was hurt. While Dobbs is playing well, the truth is, he’d be a backup if everyone were healthy. Yet, that doesn’t mean he couldn’t parlay this opportunity into a starting role once he becomes a free agent this offseason. Having shown his smarts translate to the field, Dobbs’ ability to move the chains with his arm or his legs makes him a dynamic option that tailors to any offense since he seems to be able to learn them practically overnight.
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4. Marcus Mariota, Philadelphia Eagles
A year ago, Marcus Mariota was the starting QB for the Atlanta Falcons. Now he’s the top backup QB on a strong Super Bowl contender with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s the perfect emergency plan for Jalen Hurts since he should be able to operate the exact same offense featuring plenty of read-options that take advantage of his quickness. Mariota has an excellent TD:INT ratio of 92:54, and when we add his 17 rushing touchdowns, the numbers look even more impressive. If he’s given a chance to play in Philly, expect Mariota to thrive.
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3. Jacoby Brissett, Washington Commanders
One of the popular names mentioned ahead of the NFL trade deadline, Jacoby Brissett landed with the Washington Commanders this past offseason in a primary backup role. Sam Howell’s playing well enough to keep the starting gig long-term, but let’s be real, Brissett was brought on to push Howell, and act as a safeguard in case things went awry. The former Super Bowl champion stepped up last season in a big way for a Cleveland Browns team without Deshaun Watson, leading to career-best numbers. With the second-best interception rate in NFL history, Brissett is certainly a candidate to land in a different role next year where he has a better chance of seeing the field.
2. Teddy Bridgewater, Detroit Lions
While Winston is ranked as our best backup NFL QB in 2023, Teddy Bridgewater isn’t far behind. They’re not the same QB at all. Unlike Winston, Bridgewater doesn’t have a cannon for an arm. Yet the former first-round pick does have a track record for throwing an accurate ball while also keeping it out of harm’s way, which is a must for all QBs, especially backups. Bridgewater even has a winning record as a starter at 33-32, but for now, he’s holding the clipboard behind one of the most productive scoring offenses in the NFL this season.
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1. Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have the best backup QB in the NFL with Jameis Winston. He’s a glorified starter, operating as a QB2 in the bayou. He clearly has the arm talent to be a starter. His deep ball is one of the best in the NFL. Yet, his 3.4 percent interception rate ranks highest among all active NFL QBs, which is why teams aren’t willing to entrust him with the full-time starting role. Still, if a backup’s needed in a pinch, there is none better than the former No. 1 overall pick today.
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