Sam Darnold is locked in as the Minnesota Vikings‘ starting quarterback now that first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy is out for the season with a torn meniscus.
Darnold, a former Round 1 choice himself, has a chance to resurrect his career in the Vikings’ inviting offensive environment. While we don’t know how Darnold will fare in Minnesota, expectations are high as he enters a unit already boasting Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, a top-10 offensive line, and creative head coach/play-caller Kevin O’Connell.
Which NFL backups are hoping for a chance like Darnold’s? Let’s run through the league’s QB2s waiting for the perfect opportunity.
Which NFL Backup QBs Will Follow Sam Darnold’s Path?
Desmond Ridder, Arizona Cardinals
Turnovers were Desmond Ridder’s issue in 2023. His 5.6% turnover-worthy play rate tied for fourth-worst in the NFL last season, per PFF.
Ridder’s ranked sixth among quarterbacks with 19 total turnovers despite taking just 439 dropbacks (23rd among quarterbacks) in 2023. His six red-zone turnovers led the NFL.
According to TruMedia, Ridder generated the league’s third-most negative EPA off interceptions and fumbles; he was second-worst on a per-snap basis.
Traded from the Atlanta Falcons to the Cardinals during the offseason, Ridder is competing with Clayton Tune to become Arizona’s QB2 behind Kyler Murray. We’re hoping the Cards’ starter stays healthy after returning from an ACL injury in 2023, but could Ridder thrive if called with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride?
Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals somehow finished 11th in offensive DVOA despite losing Joe Burrow for half the season and — per the FTN Football Almanac — facing the NFL’s eighth-most difficult schedule since 1979.
While Cincinnati’s coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for its offensive performance, the team’s production was also a testament to backup quarterback Jake Browning. From Week 11 on, Browning ranked seventh in EPA + CPOE composite, guiding the Bengals to four wins and the precipice of the AFC playoff picture.
Cincinnati gave Browning a two-year contract extension in 2024, locking him in as Burrow’s caddy through 2025.
Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns
The last time Jameis Winston started more than 10 NFL games in a season (2019 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), he led the league with 5,109 passing yards and threw 30 touchdowns.
Of course, he also tossed 30 interceptions that season, displaying a recklessness that most NFL clubs would not tolerate.
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Winston excelled in seven starts for Sean Payton’s 2021 New Orleans Saints before suffering a torn ACL; he’s made only three starts since.
The Browns hope their new spread offensive approach will cater to Deshaun Watson’s strengths, but he hasn’t been productive since playing for the Houston Texans. If Watson continues to struggle next season, Winston could get the call in a well-schemed offense designed by two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski.
Trey Lance, Dallas Cowboys
It’s almost jarring to remember that Trey Lance has still only attempted 102 passes at the NFL level. The San Francisco 49ers gave up on the North Dakota State product after moving heaven and Earth to land him in the 2021 NFL Draft, eventually trading him to the Cowboys for a fourth-round selection.
Lance is well behind Cooper Rush in the Cowboys’ backup QB battle and didn’t light the world on fire in Dallas’ first preseason game. However, it’s fair to be endlessly tantalized by Lance’s compelling physical profile.
As the NFL continues to lean into mobile quarterbacks capable of making second-reaction plays, will Lance get another opportunity?
Davis Mills, Houston Texans
Davis Mills started 26 games for the Texans from 2021 to 2022, but it’s not as if he stood much of a chance in Houston. Playing with sub-par weapons, a poor offensive line, and constant coaching turnover, Mills ranked bottom-five in QB rating in both campaigns.
While Mills might make sense as C.J. Stroud’s long-term backup, he’s only under contract through this season. He could be a trade candidate if the Texans roll with Case Keenum as their QB2. Mills will never usurp Stroud in Houston but could work as a pocket quarterback in a steady offensive scheme.
Carson Wentz, Kansas City Chiefs
Carson Wentz has more accomplishments on his résumé than the rest of this list combined. The former No. 2 overall pick earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2017 after leading the NFL in touchdown rate (7.5%) and QBR (78.6).
Wentz might’ve guided the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl title — instead of Nick Foles — had he not torn his ACL in Week 14.
Since then, Wentz’s NFL tenure has been rocky, to say the least. He wore out his welcome with the Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and Washington Commanders. Still, he might’ve landed in the league’s most welcoming offensive environment this offseason after signing with Andy Reid and the Chiefs.
Although Patrick Mahomes rarely misses time, Wentz will have an opportunity to rejuvenate his career if he sees game action.
Mac Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Mac Jones is the first of three backup quarterbacks on our list who were traded this offseason. Among that trio, he has the best single season.
In his 2021 rookie campaign, Jones led the New England Patriots to the playoffs, ranking eighth in success rate and 14th in EPA per play.
Jones’ ensuing two seasons were disasters, but it’s hard to lay all the blame on his shoulders. The former first-round pick dealt with New England’s offensive weapon and OL issues and had Matt Patricia as his play-caller in 2022.
The Jaguars hope he never plays behind Trevor Lawrence, but Jones may have remaining upside.
Sam Howell, Seattle Seahawks
Sam Howell led the NFL in interceptions (21) and sacks (65) in 2023. Even if you account for his absurd number of dropbacks (a league-leading 612), he was the only quarterback to finish bottom six in interception and sack rates.
Clearly, Howell needs to speed up his processing and improve his decision-making. He played cleaner football in Seattle’s first preseason game, completing 16 of 27 attempts for 130 yards and a touchdown. Howell didn’t throw any picks, and while he took two sacks, at least one wasn’t his fault.
The Seahawks aren’t asking Howell to compete with starter Geno Smith, who ranks 11th in passing success rate over the past two years. Still, we’d like to see what Howell could do in a few games inside new Seattle OC Ryan Grubb’s wide-open attack.
Kenny Pickett, Philadelphia Eagles
Like Wentz, Kenny Pickett may already be in a perfect offensive situation. He’s an affordable backup behind Eagles starter Jalen Hurts. Could he become more than that?
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If the former Pittsburgh Steeler had to step in, he’d be throwing to A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley while working behind one of the NFL’s best offensive lines.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman coined the phrase “quarterback factory” to describe Philadelphia’s desire to have a neverending supply of available signal-callers ready to step in or provide trade value. Pickett may not work out, but the ex-first-round choice was worth the risk.
Drew Lock, New York Giants
Drew Lock got his moment in 2023. Starting for the Seahawks in Week 15 in place of an injured Smith, Lock led Seattle on a game-winning, 92-yard drive against the Eagles at the end of the fourth quarter, culminating the victory with a 29-yard TD to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
This offseason, Lock signed a one-year deal with the Giants. Daniel Jones is New York’s starter, but Big Blue will probably be ready to move next year.
The Giants won’t want to risk Jones going down and kicking in his 2025 injury guarantees. Thus, New York could bench Jones at midseason — as the Denver Broncos did with Russell Wilson in 2023 — and give Lock a chance over the back half of the year.