Quarterback is the most important position in professional sports, which means backup QBs are critical, too.
While some teams are reticent to devote resources to a player they hope never sees the field, others realize the value of rostering a competent signal-caller in reserve.
How do the NFL‘s QB2s stack up this season? Here’s how we rank the league’s 32 backup quarterbacks in 2024.
Ranking All 32 NFL Backup QBs in 2024
1) Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts
Joe Flacco probably thought his NFL career was over when the Cleveland Browns called last November. After coming off the couch, Flacco went 4-1 as Cleveland’s starter, tossing 13 touchdowns in five starts before a disastrous Wild Card performance against the Houston Texans.
He’s 39 years old, but Flacco is doing it again for the Indianapolis Colts this season. After Anthony Richardson suffered an injury in Week 4, Flacco threw two touchdowns and held on for a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started in Week 5, completing 75% of his passes for 359 yards and connecting on two more TDs in a tight loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
FLACCO TO PIERCE FOR A 65-YARD TD TO TIE IT.
JOE FLACCO MAGIC.
📺: #INDvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/8Ce2qHZYMw— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
Flacco ranks fifth in expected points added (EPA) per dropback (0.16) among quarterbacks with at least 100 dropbacks this season; Richardson is 26th (-0.11).
The Colts knew Richardson needed reps when they drafted him fourth overall in 2023, and there’s been no indication that head coach Shane Steichen is ready to turn to Flacco. But the veteran is ready and willing to step in if Richardson continues to struggle.
2) Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
Although he’d never taken an NFL snap before 2023, Jake Browning thrived after relieving Joe Burrow in November. From Week 11 on, Browning ranked seventh in EPA + CPOE (completion percentage over expected) composite, guiding the Cincinnati Bengals to four wins and the precipice of the AFC playoff picture.
Cincinnati has Browning under contractual control for two more seasons after giving him an extension during the 2024 offseason. Burrow has remained healthy this year, but Browning has proven he can keep the Bengals afloat if called upon.
3) Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
While Justin Fields protected the football and ranked near the middle of the pack in quarterback efficiency through his first six starts with the Steelers, head coach Mike Tomlin opted to roll with veteran Russell Wilson against the New York Jets in Week 7.
“I don’t think I played good enough, if I’m being real with you,” Fields said after being benched. “If I’m being real with myself, I think if I did play well enough, I don’t think there would be any sort of who should be playing, who should not.”
Wilson was excellent in a Week 7 win over the Jets, tossing two touchdowns and no picks while finishing third league-wide in PFN’s QB+ metric. Fields may not get his job back any time soon, but he’s one of the NFL’s most valuable backup quarterbacks.
4) Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
Jameis Winston could make his first start for the Browns as soon as Week 8.
Starter Deshaun Watson is out for the season after tearing his Achilles in Week 7. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, promoted to Cleveland’s QB2 role ahead of Sunday’s game, replaced Watson but suffered a finger injury. DTR’s injury is not severe but could sideline him for next week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Yes, Winston threw 30 interceptions the last time he was a full-time NFL quarterback (2019). But he also posted a 55.7 QB rating that year at the age of 25.
Winston ranked in the top 10 in QBR through seven games in 2021 before suffering a torn ACL. He’s never gotten another shot, and that’s a shame.
5) Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. is the most unique quarterback on our list. The Atlanta Falcons shockingly made the Washington product the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft despite signing fellow QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal in March.
Cousins has steadily improved after a dismal Week 1 performance. In Week 5, he became the first NFL quarterback to pass for 500+ yards in nearly three years. Barring an injury, Penix won’t see the field in 2024, but he’s valuable insurance if Cousins goes down.
6) Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams
Jimmy Garoppolo had to serve a two-game PED suspension before officially becoming the Los Angeles Rams’ backup QB, but he’s giving L.A. depth behind Matthew Stafford.
While Garoppolo has dealt with his fair share of injuries, he’s already familiar with Sean McVay’s offense. Of course, if asked to step in, he probably wouldn’t be as efficient for the Rams as he was for the 49ers. Still, Garoppolo could manage L.A.’s offense, especially if currently injured wideouts Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua were on the field.
7) Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots
Jacoby Brissett has always been a steady backup and has experienced some success as a starter. He ranked eighth in QBR after making 11 starts for the Browns in 2022 while Watson was suspended.
But the New England Patriots’ 2024 offensive environment wasn’t nearly as inviting as Brissett’s situation in Cleveland. Through five weeks, he ranked third-worst in EPA per play and sack rate, forcing head coach Jerod Mayo to pull the plug on Brissett and turn to No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye.
8) Sam Howell, Seattle Seahawks
Sam Howell looked like a potential long-term starter early in the 2023 season, but he threw four touchdowns against 12 interceptions over the Commanders’ final seven games and was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.
Although the 2022 fifth-round pick’s upside keeps him in the top 10 of our rankings, Howell has major red flags. He led the NFL in interceptions (21) and sacks (65) with the Commanders in 2023.
9) Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets
The New York Jets didn’t mess around at QB2 after watching Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Siemian in relief of an injured Aaron Rodgers in 2023.
Tyrod Taylor made five starts for the New York Giants last season, showing off the traits that generally make him one of the league’s most coveted backups: ball security, a willingness to take deep shots, and mobility inside and outside the pocket.
10) Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
Although Malik Willis consistently appeared overwhelmed while making starts for the Tennessee Titans in 2022, he looked like a seasoned pro upon being traded to the Green Bay Packers and starting two games in place of an injured Jordan Love.
Head coach and offensive play-caller Matt LaFleur deserves credit for building a game plan around Willis’ strengths. The former third-round pick won both his starts, averaged 9.5 yards per pass attempt, added 114 yards on the ground, and avoided turnovers. It doesn’t get much better than that for a backup QB.
11) Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Everything fell apart for Mac Jones and the Patriots over the last two years. However, let’s not forget that he was an above-average quarterback in his rookie season, helping New England to 10 victories and a playoff appearance.
Now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jones may yet have high-end backup/low-end starter capabilities.
12) Taylor Heinicke, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has been playing coy with his club’s backup quarterback situation. While Harbaugh indicated Easton Stick would start in Week 3 if Justin Herbert (ankle) couldn’t play, Taylor Heinicke took over under center when Herbert couldn’t finish the game.
Los Angeles acquired Heinicke from the Falcons in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick in August. Known as a gritty gamer, Heinicke put up his best campaign in 2021, when he passed over 3,400 yards and went 7-8 in 15 starts for Washington.
13) Carson Wentz, Kansas City Chiefs
As Patrick Mahomes’ new backup, Carson Wentz is continuing his NFL career under Andy Reid. The 2016 No. 2 overall pick started the Rams’ meaningless regular-season finale in 2023, throwing two touchdowns and posting an 89.9 QBR against the San Francisco 49ers’ backup defense.
Mahomes rarely misses time, but Wentz will have an opportunity to resurrect his career with the Kansas City Chiefs if he sees game action.
14) Nick Mullens, Minnesota Vikings
With Minnesota Vikings first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy sidelined for the 2024 season by a torn meniscus, Sam Darnold has been Minnesota’s locked-in QB1 — leaving veteran Nick Mullens as the backup.
Vikings QB2 Nick Mullens to Aaron Jones (Week 5) pic.twitter.com/QoTX3j40gr
— DRClips (@DRFootballClips) October 21, 2024
Mullens remains one of the NFL’s most high-variance backups. He passed for over 300 yards in all three of his 2023 starts. He also threw multiple interceptions in all three games, including a four-pick performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 15.
Mullens has attempted one pass this year, connecting with Aaron Jones on a 24-yarder in Week 5 when Darnold missed a snap.
15) Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys
Cooper Rush went 4-1 after relieving Dak Prescott as the Dallas Cowboys’ starter in 2021, putting the ball in the hands of Dallas’ playmakers and letting them get to work.
Rush always looks composed when asked to enter a game in Prescott’s place and led several comeback victories during his five-game run three years ago. Trey Lance is the Cowboys’ QB3.
16) Mason Rudolph, Tennessee Titans
Mason Rudolph went on an absolute heater after taking over as the Steelers’ starter in December 2023, leading Pittsburgh to three straight wins while sealing a Wild Card berth. He played the best football of his career, and his 70.6 QBR would’ve ranked third in the league if he’d had enough attempts to qualify.
Rudolph stepped up again this season, taking over when Titans starter Will Levis went down in Week 4. He started in Week 7 while Levis dealt with a sprained shoulder, completing 25 of 40 attempts for 215 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a loss to the Bills.
We still consider Rudolph the Titans’ QB2 for now, but we’ll adjust these rankings if he turns into the club’s multi-week starter. Tennessee elevated practice-squad quarterback Trevor Siemian in Week 7.
17) Tyson Bagent, Chicago Bears
Tyson Bagent made four starts in 2023, and if you didn’t know his biography, you wouldn’t have known you were watching an undrafted rookie free agent out of Division II Shepherd University.
Bagent looked supremely comfortable in the Chicago Bears’ offense, displaying quick processing and a willingness to take off when no throws were available.
18) Drew Lock, New York Giants
Daniel Jones’ contract may eventually lead to his benching, and the Giants’ starting quarterback hasn’t done himself any favors in recent games. Over the past two weeks, Jones has thrown for just 304 scoreless yards and taken nine sacks. He’s 28th in passing success rate (38.9%) and 29th in EPA per dropback (-0.40) during that stretch.
Drew Lock is next in line. While Lock has prototypical size and arm strength for an NFL quarterback, his accuracy and decision-making are often frustrating.
19) Davis Mills, Houston Texans
When C.J. Stroud suffered a concussion near the end of last season, the Texans rolled with veteran QB Case Keenum instead of Davis Mills, who started 26 games in Houston from 2021 to 2022.
Keenum beat the Titans in Week 15 but threw two picks in the following game before being benched in favor of Mills. Keenum suffered a season-ending injury before Week 1, leaving Mills as the standalone backup.
20) Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders
Marcus Mariota missed the first four weeks of the season with a chest injury. Jeff Driskel backed up Washington Commanders rookie starter Jayden Daniels to begin the year, but he’s been bumped back to QB3 now that Mariota is back from injured reserve.
Mariota finds Ertz for the TD!
📺: #CARvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/0KeQ82Kbw6— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
Mariota, like Daniels, is a former No. 2 pick. However, he never achieved the highs that Daniels reached through his first few NFL starts. Still, Mariota’s mobility should keep him among the backup ranks for a while.
He replaced Daniels after the rookie suffered a Week 7 rib injury, completing 18 of 23 attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Carolina Panthers. Mariota added 11 carries for 34 yards.
While Daniels’ injury isn’t considered serious, Mariota would start against the Bears in Week 8 if the reigning Heisman winner can’t play.
21) Kenny Pickett, Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles bought low on Kenny Pickett this offseason, picking up the former first-round pick whose response to the Steelers’ acquisition of Wilson ultimately ended his Pittsburgh tenure.
Philadelphia wants to build a “quarterback factory,” an approach that landed them Jalen Hurts in 2020. Pickett won’t become the next Hurts, but landing him for two seventh-rounders and a pick swap represented solid value. Still, it’s hard to overlook Pickett’s repeated struggles during the 2024 preseason.
22) Mitchell Trubisky, Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills must have liked having Mitchell Trubisky in their building in 2021 — because they brought him back this offseason and handed him $2.71 million in guaranteed money.
Trubisky offers something as a mobile threat, but his production with the Steelers in 2023 wasn’t worth anything but a league-minimum salary.
23) Josh Johnson, Baltimore Ravens
Josh Johnson isn’t the highest-upside QB2 in the NFL, but he’s a reliable veteran who can operate an offense when needed. The 38-year-old seems to have more career inertia than any player in the league. If anything happens to reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, Johnson will take over an explosive Baltimore Ravens offense.
24) Hendon Hooker, Detroit Lions
The Lions released veteran quarterback Nate Sudfeld at final cutdowns while anointing Hendon Hooker as Jared Goff’s new backup. Hooker was the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, but a late-season ACL tear forced him to slip to the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Hooker spent most of his rookie campaign on the non-football injury list and didn’t play a single snap. However, he drew rave reviews during training camp and shined while starting Detroit’s preseason finale, completing 12 of 20 attempts for 114 yards, one touchdown, and an interception while adding 93 yards on the ground.
25) Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints
While New Orleans Saints starting QB Derek Carr (oblique) probably won’t return in Week 8, head coach Dennis Allen said he’s “very likely” to face the Panthers in Week 9.
That means Spencer Rattler should receive one more start when the Saints play the Chargers in Week 8. He’s undoubtedly struggled over the past two weeks (30th in EPA per dropback), but Rattler was up against veteran defensive coordinators Todd Bowles (Buccaneers) and Vance Joseph (Broncos).
The Chargers, who rank No. 1 in points allowed per game (13.2), won’t be an easy matchup, either. Still, it’s far too early to write Rattler off.
26) Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
It almost feels wrong that a former No. 1 overall pick is ranked this low among backup quarterbacks, but the results are the results.
Bryce Young was a disaster during his rookie campaign, but you could get away with ascribing his poor production to a terrible Panthers situation. After all, Young didn’t have many weapons, his offensive line couldn’t protect, and Carolina head coach Frank Reich was fired midway through the season.
However, Young didn’t improve even after the Panthers augmented his offensive environment entering 2024. He ranked dead last in EPA per dropback (-0.44) through two starts before first-year head coach Dave Canales called it quits.
27) Jarrett Stidham, Denver Broncos
Jarrett Stidham is becoming the quarterback you turn to when you bench your starter for financial reasons.
In 2022, he started the Raiders’ final two games after Josh McDaniels and Co. sat Carr to avoid any injury guarantees kicking in. Last year, Stidham played the same role for the Denver Broncos, stepping in when Sean Payton sat Wilson.
That won’t happen this season, but Stidham is next in line if anything happens to Broncos rookie starter Bo Nix. Former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson is also in Denver as the club’s QB3.
28) Brandon Allen, San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Allen surprisingly won the 49ers’ QB2 job ahead of Joshua Dobbs, one of the NFL’s most impressive backups with the Vikings and Arizona Cardinals in 2023.
Allen started nine games for the Broncos and Bengals from 2019 through 2021 but doesn’t have much of a track record. In 2023, he was San Francisco’s third-string QB behind Brock Purdy and Darnold, so his familiarity with Kyle Shanahan’s offense may have given him a leg up.
29) Tyler Huntley, Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins’ backup quarterback situation is TBD.
With Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) on IR, the Dolphins have deployed Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley, and Tim Boyle under center. Thompson got hurt in Week 3, while Huntley suffered a shoulder injury in Week 7.
Huntley finds Jonnu Smith! @MiamiDolphins TD!
📺: #MIAvsIND on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/tjido3d8wb— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
Tua is expected back in Week 8, while we’re projecting Huntley as Miami’s QB2 if he’s healthy. Otherwise, Boyle will probably back up Tagovailoa for the time being.
30) Kyle Trask, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite being selected with the 64th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Kyle Trask has never started an NFL game. He’s only attempted 10 career regular-season passes, nine of which came against the Falcons in a meaningless 2022 Week 17 game after he followed Tom Brady and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup Blaine Gabbert into the game.
31) Clayton Tune, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals gave Clayton Tune one start before Kyler Murray returned in 2023, and it could have hardly gone worse for the fifth-round rookie.
Tune completed 11 of 20 passes for just 58 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. His 18.5% passing success rate was the NFL’s fourth-worst single-game mark last season.
32) Carter Bradley, Las Vegas Raiders
Technically, the Las Vegas Raiders don’t have a backup quarterback on their active roster.
Aidan O’Connell broke his right thumb in his second start as Gardner Minshew II’s replacement in Week 7. Minshew is back in the starting chair, and the Raiders don’t have another quarterback on their 53.
Las Vegas will presumably elevate 2024 undrafted rookie free agent Carter Bradley from its practice squad ahead of Week 8. Bradley, the son of Colts DC Gus Bradley, averaged nearly 3,000 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions over his final two seasons at South Alabama.