The NFL is a league of attrition, even as it pertains to the quarterbacks whom so many have suggested are encased in bubble wrap as the modern game's rules have evolved to protect them.
And yet several are banged up entering in Week 3, some heading to the bench or injured reserve to lick their wounds. And so the spotlight shifts in several cities to the position some consider the second-most important on any NFL roster: the second-string quarterback. Teams manage it differently, some pairing a veteran backup with a young starter or vice versa. Many teams carry two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, others opt for more. It's a fascinating dynamic in a "next man up" game ... even if it's generally folly to think the next man, as it pertains to quarterbacks, will capably replace the guy atop the depth chart.
With that as a backdrop – and heading into Thursday night's game as the Texans make a change under center – let's rank all 32 teams by their backup QB options:
1. Chicago Bears
It's a group in flux, rookie first-rounder Justin Fields set to make his first start – precisely what many of the team's fans have been begging for – Sunday at Cleveland as veteran Andy Dalton recovers from a knee injury. Matt Nagy said he plans to restore Dalton to QB1 status once he recovers, though Fields, who's got traits in spades that could equate to greatness, might change his coach's mindset if he consistently exhibits the same brilliance he flashed in preseason. Oh, and Da Bears also have Super Bowl 52 MVP Nick Foles in reserve (for now). Any way you cut it, pretty tough trio to beat.
2. New Orleans Saints
They're the only team carrying four QBs on the active roster and what an eclectic mix behind starter Jameis Winston, a pocket passer who's already perpetuated his boom-or-bust reputation through two weeks. QB2 Taysom Hill went 3-1 in place of injured Drew Brees in 2020, but his skill set – has there been a more bruising runner classified as a quarterback since Tim Tebow? – necessitates an entirely different game plan. Fourth-round rookie Ian Book has been compared to Brees, both for his physical stature and reputation as a sharp football mind, which explains why the Saints are unwilling to put him on the practice squad and expose him to other teams. Sixth-year veteran Trevor Siemian offers 25 starts' worth of NFL experience, including a 13-12 record.
3. Buffalo Bills
Mitchell Trubisky took plenty of flak in Chicago, much of it justifiable – and unavoidable when you're drafted second overall (2017). But he also played well enough (29-21 record, 64 TDs, 37 INTs, more than 1,000 career rushing yards) to get one Pro Bowl nod and helped the team to two playoff berths even though he wasn't exactly surrounded by a wealth of offensive talent. The supporting cast Trubisky would have in Buffalo if Josh Allen goes down is certainly good enough to help him thrive and allow the 2020 AFC East champs to survive for an extended period if need be. Jake Fromm and Davis Webb are on the practice squad.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Plenty of rumors they could be in the market for a new QB1 if second-year starter Jalen Hurts doesn't put a hammer lock on the job this year. But if he's forced off the field prematurely, Philly also has a former Super Bowl MVP (Joe Flacco) waiting in the wings – he showed the tank wasn't empty while toiling for the Jets in 2020 – along with recently acquired Gardner Minshew, who performed pretty admirably (37 TD passes, 93.1 QB rating) over 23 appearances in Jacksonville the previous two seasons under less-than-optimal circumstances of his own.
5. Cleveland Browns
Veterans Case Keenum and Nick Mullens, who currently resides on the practice squad, aren't going to step in if Baker Mayfield goes down and take Cleveland to a long-awaited Super Bowl berth. But either is capable of keeping a team afloat for six or eight weeks, especially given this offense doesn't rely nearly as heavily on the pass as so many around the league do.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Marcus Mariota arguably has more upside than any backup in the league. Problem is, no telling when he'll be available after injuring a quadriceps on a 31-yard run on opening night. Nathan Peterman arguably has the least amount of upside among reserve QBs in the league, though his putrid 34.0 career passer rating was mostly compiled during his first two years with Buffalo. But if Derek Carr's ankle issues flare up, it will be Peterman who gets the call for the foreseeable future, and Raiders fans will have to hope he's been rehabilitated by Jon Gruden. Practice squad member Kyle Sloter could also get into the mix.
7. Washington Football Team
If they let Taylor Heinicke run with this job – which is probably the correct strategic move for this organization – then the WFT is left with a pair of backups, Kyle Allen and Ryan Fitzpatrick, who have both shown the ability to be spectacular or unsightly spectacles depending on the week. The hip injury Fitzpatrick suffered in Week 1 is expected to keep him shelved for a significant chunk of the season.
8. San Francisco 49ers
Trey Lance, the No. 3 pick of this year's draft, hasn't played much football in the past two seasons but only needs Jimmy Garoppolo to struggle or get injured again in order to get his shot to lead a potential powerhouse – maybe for the next decade-plus if the Niners' pre-draft gamble to get in position for Lance proves justified. Nate Sudfeld, formerly a backup in Washington and Philadelphia, is currently on the practice squad.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Chad Henne is a journeyman but also owns 54 career starts and has been in Andy Reid's system since 2018. There may not be a human alive who can replicate Patrick Mahomes' magic, but Henne capably came out of the bullpen in last season's divisional playoff round, when Mahomes went out with a concussion, and enabled the eventual AFC champs to survive a stiff challenge from the Browns.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
Mason Rudolph has won five of nine career starts and shown he's efficient enough to keep this team on track when everything is working well enough around him. Dwayne Haskins, the 15th overall pick by Washington two years ago, provided reminders in preseason for why he was drafted so high ... and others that suggest he needs more seasoning. Regardless, intriguing options for coach Mike Tomlin if Ben Roethlisberger's recently revealed pectoral injury relegates him to the sideline.
11. Denver Broncos
A shame third-year player Drew Lock doesn't currently have the opportunity to refine his prodigious talent in regular-season game action. But his inconsistency through 18 career starts and least season's league-high 15 interceptions suggest Denver (2-0) made the right choice opting for game manager Teddy Bridgewater as QB1 for now.
12. Green Bay Packers
Welp, 2020 first-rounder Jordan Love better be as good as Pack brass thinks he is ... though no real evidence provided (so far) at the NFL level to vindicate that hope.
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13. Miami Dolphins
Jacoby Brissett is one of the league's better backups even if he didn't show it Sunday when he was thrust into the lineup after Tua Tagovailoa fractured his ribs in a game the Fins lost 35-0. Expect Brissett to perform much better in Las Vegas after a week of first-team reps in practice.
14. Arizona Cardinals
Twelfth-year vet Colt McCoy is a total pro and a great asset for Kyler Murray to lean on. Chris Streveler helped the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers win a Grey Cup before joining the Cards, but he's a be