NFL Backup QB Rankings: Stacking Every NFL QB2, Including Hendon Hooker, Malik Willis, and Skylar Thompson

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 entering the 2024 campaign.

Ranking All 32 NFL Backup QBs in 2024

1) Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

Having traded 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett (who will show up later on this list) in March, the Steelers will enter the 2024 campaign with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields atop their depth chart.

Wilson is on top of Pittsburgh’s unofficial depth chart and appears to be the preferred choice for head coach Mike Tomlin. The veteran played just one series in the Steelers’ preseason finale before exiting, likely signaling that he beat Fields for QB1 duties.

Still, expect to see Fields in the lineup before the season ends. He’s a decade younger than Wilson and is arguably the NFL’s most productive rushing quarterback.

2) Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns

Yes, Jameis Winston threw 30 interceptions the last time he was a full-time NFL quarterback (2019). But he also posted a 55.7 QBR that year at the age of 25.

Winston ranked 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. Given how many injuries Deshaun Watson has dealt with, Winston seems likely to see the field in 2024.

3) 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 composite, guiding the 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.

4) Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams

Jimmy Garoppolo must serve a two-game PED suspension before officially becoming the Rams’ backup QB, but he’ll give Los Angeles valuable depth behind Matthew Stafford.

Garoppolo has dealt with his fair share of injuries, but he’s already familiar with Sean McVay’s offense and should be ready to back up Stafford once his ban concludes. Until then, Stetson Bennett will be Stafford’s caddy.

5) Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts

Joe Flacco probably thought his NFL career was over when the 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 should be able to keep the Colts afloat if Anthony Richardson suffers another injury.

6) Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers

While it might feel like a lifetime ago, Andy Dalton started 14 games for the Saints in 2022 and finished 10th in adjusted net yards per attempt, ahead of quarterbacks Justin Herbert, Tom Brady, and Lamar Jackson.

Dalton made one start for the Panthers last season, attempting more passes (58) than any other quarterback in a single game in 2023.

7) Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets

The Jets aren’t messing 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 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.

8) Joshua Dobbs, San Francisco 49ers

Joshua Dobbs’ first game as the Vikings’ starter in 2023 was the stuff of legends. Acquired just days before, Dobbs led the Vikings to a dramatic 31-28 win over the Falcons in Week 9. He later struggled and was eventually benched, but the idea of the brilliant Dobbs working within a Kyle Shanahan offense is fun.

9) Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo is expected to name his club’s starting quarterback early this week. Jacoby Brissett may still be the favorite as long as his shoulder injury doesn’t linger, but even Mayo had to admit that No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye has outplayed the veteran during the preseason.

Maye shined in New England’s preseason finale, completing 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown while adding three carries for 17 yards.

10) Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. is the most unique quarterback on our list. The Falcons shockingly made the Washington product the eighth pick in the draft despite signing fellow QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year deal in March.

Penix won’t see the field barring another injury to Cousins, but he’s unquestionably Atlanta’s long-term answer.

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. He may yet have high-end backup/low-end starter capabilities.

12) Carson Wentz, Kansas City Chiefs

As Patrick Mahomes’ new backup, Carson Wentz will continue 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 if he sees game action.

13) 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 final seven games of the campaign.

Although the 2022 fifth-round pick’s upside keeps him in the top half of our rankings, Howell has major red flags. He led the NFL in interceptions (21) and sacks (65) with the Commanders in 2023.

14) 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 Bears’ offense, displaying quick processing and a willingness to take off when no throws were available.

15) Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys

Cooper Rush went 4-1 after relieving Dak Prescott as the 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) Nick Mullens, Minnesota Vikings

Now that Vikings first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy will miss the 2024 season with a torn meniscus, Sam Darnold is Minnesota’s locked-in QB1. That leaves veteran Nick Mullens and 2023 fifth-round pick Jaren Hall to compete for backup duties.

Both quarterbacks started four games for the Vikings last year, but we’re giving the edge to more experienced Mullens, who remains one of the NFL’s most high-variance backups. Mullens 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 Lions in Week 15.

17) Drew Lock, New York Giants

Offseason rumors suggested Drew Lock could compete with Daniel Jones to become the Giants’ 2024 starter. While that hasn’t happened, New York could theoretically insert Lock later in the season to prevent Jones’ 2025 injury guarantees from kicking in.

While Lock has prototypical size and arm strength for an NFL quarterback, his accuracy and decision-making are often frustrating. He suffered a hip injury in the Giants’ preseason opener but is expected to be ready for Week 1.

18) Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders

Gardner Minshew’s $25 million contract likely helped him earn the Raiders’ starting job, but it’s not as if Aidan O’Connell lit the world on fire during training camp and the preseason. Still, O’Connell came into a difficult situation as a fourth-round rookie starter for a Las Vegas team that had just fired its head coach.

He was decent given the circumstances, showing an ability to navigate the pocket and a willingness to push the ball downfield.

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. Houston staged a backup quarterback competition during the preseason. We’re projecting the 25-year-old Mills to beat out the 36-year-old Keenum.

20) Mason Rudolph, Tennessee Titans

Mason Rudolph went on an absolute heater after taking over as the Steelers’ starter in December, 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 could get a chance in Tennessee if Will Levis flails in his second pro season.

21) Kenny Pickett, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles bought low on Pickett this offseason, picking up the one-time first-round pick whose response to the Steelers’ Russell Wilson acquisition 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) Easton Stick, Los Angeles Chargers

Easton Stick had played two NFL snaps before stepping in for an injured Justin Herbert last December. The North Dakota State quarterback didn’t win a game, but he played better than expected, eclipsing a 50.0 QBR in two of five starts.

Without Mike Williams and (for the most part) Keenan Allen in the lineup, Stick was forced to develop connections with TE Gerald Everett and RB Austin Ekeler, neither of whom remain on the Chargers’ roster. Stick would’ve gotten the call if Herbert’s plantar fascia prevented him from playing in Week 1, but L.A.’s starter is already back at practice.

23) Skylar Thompson, Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins chose to promote Skylar Thompson from QB3 to QB2 while cutting backup Mike White. Tua Tagovailoa played every game in 2023, so Thompson never saw the field.

However, he reportedly had a strong summer and looked sharp in Miami’s preseason finale, competing 19 of 27 attempts for 190 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. With Tagovailoa and then-backup Teddy Bridgewater sidelined, Thompson started the Dolphins’ road playoff game against the Buffalo Bills in January 2023.

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 draft.

He spent most of his rookie campaign on the non-football injury list and didn’t play a single snap. However, Hooker 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 one interception while adding 93 yards on the ground.

25) Marcus Mariota, Washington Commanders

Although Marcus Mariota can do damage on the ground, he’s typically been inconsistent as a passer throughout his pro tenure. The No. 2 overall pick in 2015, Mariota started 13 games for the Falcons in 2022 but attempted just 23 passes behind Hurts for the Eagles last season.

He’ll sit behind another No. 2 selection, Jayden Daniels, with the Commanders in 2024.

26) 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 and will be Lamar Jackson’s primary backup, barring a late free-agent addition in Baltimore.

27) Mitchell Trubisky, Buffalo Bills

The 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. He’s week-to-week after suffering a preseason knee injury, which could force Buffalo to roll with Ben DiNucci or Anthony Brown as its QB2 behind Josh Allen.

28) Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers

Malik Willis thrived during the preseason, completing nearly 75% of his passes for 205 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Still, it wasn’t enough to unseat Mason Rudolph as Will Levis’ backup in Tennessee.

Instead, the Titans traded Willis to Green Bay, where the 2022 third-round pick will get a fresh start under Matt LaFleur. The Packers staged their own QB2 competition this summer, but neither Sean Clifford nor Michael Pratt stood out.

29) Jarrett Stidham, Denver Broncos

The Broncos will throw Bo Nix into the fire from Day 1, leaving Jarrett Stidham as the team’s likely backup signal-caller.

Denver also acquired former Jets starter Zach Wilson in an April pick-swap trade. The 2021 No. 2 overall pick never enjoyed any real success in New York but has shown promise during the 2024 preseason. Sean Payton hasn’t officially decided between Stidham and Wilson for QB2 and QB3, but both are expected to make the Broncos’ roster.

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 which came against the Falcons in a meaningless 2022 Week 17 game after he followed Tom Brady and former Bucs backup Blaine Gabbert into the game.

31) Jake Haener, New Orleans Saints

Jake Haener’s NFL career got off to a rocky start. He was suspended for the first six games of his 2023 rookie season after testing positive for PEDs.

The former Washington and Fresno State QB should succeed Winston as Derek Carr’s caddy in New Orleans. Haener didn’t play a snap last year, while the Saints added South Carolina signal-caller Spencer Rattler in Round 5 of the 2024 NFL Draft.

32) 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.