The Elite Backup Quarterbacks In The NFL Entering 2024
In the NFL, a backup quarterback might be one of the best jobs to have. No expectations at all, if you play well, everybody loves you and is surprised. If you play badly, everyone expects it. A win-win scenario for the assistant to the regional manager on the offensive side of the ball. Most backup quarterbacks in the NFL aren’t anything special, but a handful are difference-makers.
5. Michael Penix
Just based on potential, Michael Penix has to be one of the top backup quarterbacks in the league. The Falcons selected him with the eighth overall pick in the draft in a head-scratching move. While it’s a weird move, it does solidify a solid backup plan for the Falcons if Kirk Cousins doesn’t return to form after his injury.
Penix set the college football landscape on fire last season, leading Washington to a National Championship appearance and leading the NCAA in passing yards in his final season. He finished second in Heisman voting and solidified his spot at 15th all-time on the NCAA passing yards leaders.
4. Jacoby Brissett
He might be getting up there in age, but Jacoby Brissett is still a solid backup to have in today’s NFL. He’s a guy who will play within the system and not make too many mistakes to lose a game. He’s spent the last handful of seasons bouncing around, now finding himself in that weird Patriots quarterback room.
The last time we got a high dosage of Brissett was in 2022 for the Browns when Deshaun Watson was out. Brissett played 16 games and started eleven for a record of 4-7, completing 64% of his passes for 2,608 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s not starting caliber, but he’d be a great backup for any team.
3. Jameis Winston
Although he might be falling short of expectations for a first-overall pick, don't get it twisted, Jameis Winston is a great backup quarterback. The colorful character has spent the last four seasons in a weird spot in New Orleans before signing with the Browns this offseason. It makes sense for the Browns to have a premium backup with Watson being banged up a bunch since his return to the NFL.
People forget that Winston led the NFL in passing yards in 2019, the same season he threw 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. The Jameis Winston experience. But as a backup, he brings an exciting energy to the room with his goofy pregame speeches, keeps it loose, and all his teammates love him. In a pinch, he’s not too bad of a quarterback either. In 2021, Winston led the Saints to a record of 5-2 when he started.
2. Jake Browning
Last season, Jake Browning got a big opportunity for the Bengals when Joe Burrow went down, and he made the most of it. Browning played in nine games last season and started seven, finishing with a 4-3 record. He had an NFL-leading 70.4% completion rate for 1,936 yards and 12 touchdowns for an average of 215.1 yards per game. Browning did a great job of playing within the system and not trying to do too much, he almost emulated Burrow in a way.
1. Justin Fields
The AFC North is just full of good backup quarterbacks. Justin Fields is kicking off his first season as a Pittsburgh Steeler, and will likely sit behind Russell Wilson for some time this season. In his three seasons with the Bears, they never really put anything around him like they already have for Caleb Williams, but that’s a discussion for another day. The best record that Fields could muster in Chicago was last season when they went 5-8 with him starting.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has emphasized letting Fields be himself and play comfortably, something he wasn’t doing in Chicago. There’s a chance that Fields is still a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL, he just has to climb back to that point in Pittsburgh.
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