Who’s the Backup Quarterback? Complete List of Every NFL Reserve QBs
Pauly McGuire
No one ever cares about a backup quarterback until it’s too late. After a devastating wave of injuries hit the NFL in Week 2, many fans are wondering which quarterbacks were held back in reserve or are riding the bench. Do you know who your backup quarterback is? Good thing we compiled a handy list of all the backup QBs in the NFL.
LA Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is one of the few backup QBs who saw action in Week 2. (Image: Getty)
Having a good backup is often a catch-22. You want someone who is competent and who can fill in at a moment’s notice. At the same time, they can’t be too good, otherwise you’ll have a QB controversy on your hands. Whenever the media gets a whiff of a QB battle, it’s a proverbial zoo. It’s difficult to retain a perfect backup, because if they’re good or want a contract bump, they’ll quickly move on to another team.
Some backup QBs know their role as a perpetual understudy. Career backup QBs never ascend to the ranks of a traditional starter, but they’re just smart enough and talented enough to hold down one of the 30 or so backup jobs in the NFL.
Third stringers are a motley crew of quarterbacks who are about to age out of the NFL, injured QBs fighting to regain their foothold as a starter or backup, or inexperienced noobs who have yet to earn the trust of their coaching staff. Not every team carries a third-stringer on the roster.
Week 2: Herbert, Driskel Backup QBs Called to Action
A couple of backup QBs like Justin Herbert and Jeff Driskel were already tapped to relieve starters. Even Andy Dalton stepped onto the field in Week 2 after Dak Prescott missed a few plays against the Atlanta Falcons.
Herbert didn’t find out he would start until less than five minutes before the kickoff of the LA Chargers and KC Chiefs game. Herbert, a rookie out of Oregon, earned his first start against the Super Bowl champions. To his credit, he did an excellent job with the Chargers holding a lead heading into the fourth quarter. Tyrod Taylor, the Chargers’ starter, suffered a punctured lung during warmups when the team doctor made a huge error while administering a painkiller injection.
Drew Lock of the Denver Broncos went down with a shoulder injury, so Jeff Driskel stepped into action. The Broncos recently added Blake Bortles to bolster the bench If Lock is out for any significant time.
Last season, Ryan Tannehill came off the bench to replace a struggling Marcus Mariota. Tannehill led the Tennessee Titans to the AFC Championship game.
Alex Smith: Back in Washington
The feel-good story of the season so far is the return of Alex Smith to the Washington Football team.
Smith suffered from a compound leg fracture during a game in 2018. He had numerous surgeries and nearly died from an infection. He almost had his leg amputated, but persuaded the doctors to let him keep the limb. His road recovery baffled his doctors, but he battled back and recovered. Everyone thought his career was dunzo, but Smith defied the odds with a heck of a comeback.
Smith is currently the third-stringer at Washington behind Dwayne Haskins and Kyle Allen.
Backup QBs – AFC
AFC EAST
STARTER
BACKUP
3RD
Buffalo
Josh Allen
Matt Barkley
Jake Fromm
New England
Cam Newton
Jarret Stidham
Brian Hoyer
NY Jets
Sam Darnold
Joe Flacco
James Morgan
Miami
Tua Tagovailoa
Ryan Fitzpatrick
AFC NORTH
STARTER
BACKUP
3RD
Baltimore
Lamar Jackson
RG3
Trace McSorley
Pittsburgh
Ben Roethlisberger
Mason Rudolph
Josh Dobbs
Cleveland
Baker Mayfield
Case Keenum
Garrett Gilbert
Cincinnati
Joe Burrow
Ryan Finley
AFC SOUTH
STARTER
BACKUP
3RD
Tennessee
Ryan Tannehill
Logan Woodside
Alex McGough
Indianapolis
Philip Rivers
Jacoby Brissett
Jacob Eason
Jacksonville
Gardner Minshew II
Mike Glennon
Jake Luton
Houston
DeShaun Watson
AJ McCarron
Logan Woodside
AFC WEST
STARTER
BACKUP
3RD
Kansas City
Patrick Mahomes
Chad Henne
LA Chargers
Justin Herbert
Tyrod Taylor
Easton Stick
Las Vegas
Derek Carr
Marcus Mariota
Nathan Peterman
Denver
Brett Rypien
Drew Lock
Jeff Driskel
Backup QBs – NFC
NFC EAST
STARTER
BACKUP
3RD
Washington
Alex Smith
Dwayne Haskins
Kyle Allen
Dallas
Andy Dalton
Dak Prescott (OUT)
Ben DiNucci
NY Giants
Daniel Jones
Colt McCoy
Philadelphia
Carson Wentz
Jalen Hurts
Nate Sudfeld
NFC NORTH
STARTER
BACKUP
3RD
Green Bay
Aaron Rodgers
Tim Boyle
Jordan Love
Chicago
Nick Foles
Mitch Trubisky
Detroit
Matt Stafford
Chase Daniel
Josh Johnson
Minnesota
Kirk Cousins
Sean Mannion
Nate Staley
NFC SOUTH
STARTER
BACKUP
3RD
New Orleans
Drew Brees
Taysom Hill
Jameis Winston
Tampa Bay
Tom Brady
Blaine Gabbert
Ryan Griffin
Atlanta
Matt Ryan
Matt Schuab
Carolina
Teddy Bridgewater
PJ Walker
Will Grier
NFC WEST
STARTER
BACKUP
3RD
Arizona
Kyler Murray
Chris Streveler
Brent Hundley
Seattle
Russell Wilson
Geno Smith
San Francisco
Jimmy Garoppolo
CJ Beatherd
Nick Mullens
LA Rams
Jared Goff
John Wofford
Bookmark this link and come back throughout the season. We will update this page week to week.
