Top 10 backup QB situations ahead of the 2024 season: Chiefs, Eagles and Vikings among the best-prepared teams

Quarterbacks move the needle more than most in the NFL. This is why guys like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and even Jared Goff are among the highest-paid players in the game. But what happens if the main signal caller goes down? Injuries are inevitable in football, and sometimes the teams well-equipped for quarterback emergencies are the ones that end up in the ultimate Lombardi hunt.

So which teams have the best bench situations as the 2024 season approaches? Below you’ll find 10 of the most promising setups, representing not only the talent of the No. 2 quarterback but, perhaps even more so, the setup in which he finds himself.

Honorable mention

• Atlanta Falcons: They sparked controversy by picking Michael Penix Jr. in the top 10 just over a month after paying Kirk Cousins ​​big money as the face of the franchise. But Penix’s left arm could be invaluable if Cousins’ return from a serious injury doesn’t go as well as expected.
• Cincinnati Bengals: Jake Browning went from relative unknown to hometown hero, making seven solid starts in place of the injured Joe Burrow in 2023. But that’s his only glimpse of NFL action, and there’s a little more uncertainty built into the Bengals’ talented receiving corps.
• Indianapolis Colts: They nearly made the playoffs with Gardner Minshew replacing the injured Anthony Richardson in 2023. Now they’re banking on Joe Flacco carrying some of his unlikely Cleveland Browns magic into his age-39 season under head coach Shane Steichen.
• New England Patriots: Rookie Drake Maye may be the complete package physically, making him an intriguing alternative to experienced backup Jacoby Brissett, but the Patriots’ supporting cast remains in rebuild mode under new defensive backs coach Jerod Mayo.

The Washington Commanders wasted no time selling Howell as part of their quarterback reset, even after asking the 2022 fifth-round draft pick to throw an NFL-record 612 passes as a first-time starter. Truth be told, the young man still operates on a tightrope, displaying a brave/risky arm on the field. But on an underrated Seahawks offense with weapons like Kenneth Walker III, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, plus a new team led by Mike Macdonald, he could prove to be a low-risk, high-reward replacement behind Geno Smith.

At age 37, Dalton’s days as a regular starter are long gone, and his backup stops have been hit or miss. The Panthers don’t scream contender either, resetting the team after an abysmal offensive showing with No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. But new coach Dave Canales and top pass catchers should help, and Dalton was indeed poised to replace Young in 2023, a year after nearly helping the New Orleans Saints stay competitive. With over 160 games under his belt, he is simply a well-versed emergency arm.

8. Browns

Few teams have secured more bench investments beyond 2023 than Cleveland, which saw high-priced Deshaun Watson play just six games for the second year in a row. The bad news: Winston’s availability and reliability have also been spotty. The good: Entering Year 10, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter remains a lively character with a working arm, making him a promising choice for new coordinator Ken Dorsey’s downfield offense. A solid receiving and defensive corps could also help him if needed.

Dobbs has worn out his welcome after unlikely magical starts with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings in 2023. But his off-script tools make him a top-notch “relief pitcher” and there may not be a better home for him. a quarterback than San Francisco, where Kyle Shanahan has the blueprints and personnel to maximize his signal-caller’s strengths. The prolonged action has proven daunting for Dobbs, but if Brock Purdy needs a break, the 49ers’ physical, balanced offense should be manageable.

Garoppolo’s only post-San Francisco 49ers show went south quickly, with the Las Vegas Raiders quickly washing their hands of the streaky passer. Injuries are a bigger concern; in 10 years, he played a full season exactly once. But the Rams have some of the game’s biggest rising talent, with youngsters like Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua, as well as a beefed-up interior line. If Matthew Stafford’s injury history comes to light, Sean McVay could still get a playoff spot from his former division rival.

The Jets’ remade offensive line still has durability questions, and Taylor is aging (35 in August) with a checkered medical history, missing time due to injuries at basically every spot. But he’s a clear upgrade from Zach Wilson, behind Aaron Rodgers, displaying vintage prowess with the New York Giants in 2023 and boasting nearly 60 career starts. If he is called upon in a pinch, he will have the assets to feed playoff-caliber playmakers like Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson.

The rest of the NFL apparently agreed with the Chicago Bears that Fields guaranteed minimal trade return, with Pittsburgh acquiring the former first-rounder on the cheap despite his electric, if inconsistent, run in the Windy City. The Steelers also aren’t exactly loaded with offensive talent or philosophy to further his development. But in terms of absolute upside, you can’t do much better at the QB2 position. At just 25 years old, Fields offers a lofty position as a dynamic runner and strong-armed thrower behind the more experienced Russell Wilson.

Pickett was more scrappy than reliable in two slow seasons with the Steelers, and it’s unclear if the 2022 first-round pick has the muscle to command No. 1 duties again. But his environment is extremely superior in Philadelphia, where he will enjoy Pro Bowlers in basically every support venue. He also shares one thing in common with starter Jalen Hurts: Despite durability concerns, he has shown a knack for gutsy throws in critical spots, making him a potential fan favorite in his area.

2. Vikings

Rookies are often highly variable, and Minnesota is reportedly determined to delay McCarthy’s revelation for this reason. But the Michigan product is arguably the best suited to succeed among this year’s new NFL quarterbacks due to his setup: Coach Kevin O’Connell has previously maximized Kirk Cousins, elite weapons like Aaron Jones and Justin Jefferson headline the attack, and McCarthy has the makeup of a potential sage of playful action. He could also benefit from the slow integration behind Sam Darnold.

It’s been years since Wentz has made a difference on a regular basis, let alone as a surefire starter. But his great dual-threat ability has been underrated since he left a dysfunctional group of Washington Commanders; he was legitimately solid in a limited job as Matthew Stafford’s No. 2 in 2023. Couple that, plus his vast experience (93 career starts), with Kansas City’s championship-caliber weaponry and coaching staff, and the Chiefs They could probably remain scary even if the incomparable Patrick Mahomes misses a game or three.