NFL Analysis

9/20/24

8 min read

Andy Dalton and NFL's 10 Best Insurance QBs in League Today

By Ian Valentino

NFL/NFL Draft Analyst
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) rolls out in the first quarter of the NFL Preseason Week 1 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Miami Dolphins (Skylar Thompson) and Carolina Panthers (Andy Dalton) have already turned to their backup quarterbacks entering Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season, upending seasons that were supposed to produce better results. Despite the setbacks, good backup quarterbacks can keep the ship steady until an injured starter can get back onto the field. The best backup quarterbacks can even go win games on their own.

We've ranked the best 10 backup quarterbacks across the NFL. Each of these passers has shown at least some potential as a starter but hasn't consistently performed well enough to lock down a full-time lead man. Which backups would you trust the most if they had to play?

10 Best Backup Quarterbacks in the NFL

Let's start with five of our favorite backups who just missed the cut. Each quarterback has some level of ability to keep an offense moving or create explosive plays. 

Honorable Mentions

  • Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
  • Carson Wentz, Kansas City Chiefs
  • Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys
  • Nick Mullens, Minnesota Vikings
  • Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers

10. Sam Howell, Seattle Seahawks

The Washington Commanders were a dumpster fire in 2023 before cleaning house, producing the NFL's worst defense and one of the least efficient running games. Despite this, second-year QB Sam Howell took a lot of the blame for a bad season. While Howell has his faults, taking a league-leading 65 sacks and throwing a league-high 21 interceptions, he had an awful situation.

Better suited as a backup due to his all-or-nothing play style, Howell was at least able to put together some efficient and explosive performances in his lone season as a starter. His lack of field vision and consistency will keep him as a backup for the foreseeable future, but he can win a game or two if he needs to.

9. Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas Raiders

It's not a shock Aidan O'Connell didn't win the starting job in Las Vegas in Year 2. While he won five of his 10 starts as a rookie, completing only 62.1 percent of his passes while averaging 6.5 yards per attempt is well below what a quality starter should produce.

O'Connell is a safe backup who can manage a game just enough to give his team a chance to win if the defense is great. 

8. Davis Mills, Houston Texans

Davis Mills is in the same vein as O'Connell, but he's done it for longer. With three seasons of playing experience, Mills is as average as it gets as an NFL quarterback. That's not a slight, as Mills kept the Houston Texans from being a complete disaster before C.J. Stroud arrived, throwing 31 touchdowns to 25 interceptions in 2021 and 2022.

Mills takes a lot of check-downs and doesn't effectively throw receivers open. His passiveness, though, can keep the chains moving when he has quality receivers. It's enough to win games for a strong roster, which Houston finally has.

7. Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Judging rookies is difficult, and there's no doubt we're more excited about Drake Maye's and Michael Penix Jr.'s future as starters than as a backup. However, if Maye had to play right now, there'd be lumps for the rookie to take that could ruin New England's chances to win. Superbly gifted, Maye also offers an upside that few others on this list can replicate.

We saw signs of Maye's bright future in his preseason finale. His ability to climb within the pocket or escape pressure to find a clean launch point and then deliver accurate passes is special. We're excited to see Maye later this season.

6. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. was selected after Maye in the 2024 NFL Draft, but it's not because he's any less ready to see the field right now. Penix played in 18 more collegiate games than Maye, which showed in the preseason. His lone preseason performance highlighted an advanced rookie who sees the field well and can operate a functional offense.

The concerns with Penix are more about his upside and physical traits as a starter. Can he become a top-10 quarterback? Time will tell, but the Falcons have a trusty backup for now.

5. Tyrod Taylor, New York Jets

We haven't seen much of Tyrod Taylor since his three-year starting stint in Buffalo came to a close, and that's a shame. Taylor, now 35, was one of the league's more interesting quarterbacks at one point. His athleticism allowed him to evade pressure and scramble, but he carefully blended elite deep-ball passing with ball security.

Alas, Taylor is now asked to manage a game and push the ball downfield occasionally. If he had to play, there's a good chance he could give his team a jolt of energy and big plays en route to a win. 

4. Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts

Joe Flacco deservedly won Comeback Player of the Year for his 2023 performance with the Cleveland Browns. The dropback passer brought life back to the Browns when their season seemed ruined, producing a career-high 6.4 percent touchdown rate and 3.9 percent interception rate. Despite the turnovers, Flacco made far more good plays than bad, and the Browns won four of his five starts.

While the moment was amazing, could Flacco replicate that play again? I have doubts, given he hasn't been an effective starter since 2017. But he doesn't have to be as good as he was for the Browns to still rank this high, given the caliber of backup play league-wide.

3. Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams

Known as one of the best system quarterbacks in the NFL, Jimmy Garoppolo enjoyed a terrific run with the San Francisco 49ers from 2017 through 2022. He won 38 of 55 games, completing almost 68 percent of his passes and throwing 82 touchdowns to 42 interceptions. Injuries and struggles to transcend the scheme led to his departure, but Jimmy G brings a baseline of talent to the right situation.

Las Vegas sure wasn't that situation in 2023. If he's behind a bad offensive line and stagnant offense, Garoppolo doesn't hold as much value. But it's hard to dismiss Garoppolo, given his 43-20 career record and ability to take care of the ball. 

2. Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns

Best known for throwing a league-high 5,109 yards and 30 interceptions in 2019 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, injuries derailed what seemed like a promising run with the New Orleans Saints. When he won the job in 2021, Jameis Winston cut down the turnovers significantly, throwing 14 touchdowns to three interceptions. However, a torn ACL and back fracture in 2021 and 2022, respectively, essentially ended his time there.

Now, Winston is a high-end backup with intrigue as to whether he could cut it as the full-time guy. His rocket arm, aggressive passing tendencies, and gamer mindset are rare, but he plays an old-school game that puts caution to the wind. We hope we see Jameis again eating Ws as a starter one day. 

1. Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals

One of the most productive collegiate quarterbacks of the 2010s, Jake Browning, didn't see an NFL regular season game until 2023 at age 27. He immediately helped the Cincinnati Bengals stay afloat in the AFC playoff race while Joe Burrow was out. Browning won four of his seven games and was much more effective than anyone expected.

Completing 70.4 percent of his passes while averaging eight yards a throw, Browning wasn't just a check-down merchant. He played with more poise and aggressiveness than seasoned veterans with less to lose, making him a rarity amongst backups.  

Powered By  

At Root, we believe that better drivers deserve better rates. So we’ve created a new kind of car insurance that rewards good drivers, all in an easy-to-use app. While you drive, we gather and analyze data from your smartphone’s sensors.* After a few weeks, you’ll get a car insurance quote based primarily on your driving. The Root app makes it easy to edit your coverage, update your policy, or file a claim in just minutes. Get started today at root.com.


* Smartphone sensor measurement is not available in California.

Tags: Aidan O'Connell, Andy Dalton, Davis Mills See More

Ian Valentino

NFL/NFL Draft Analyst

Ian Valentino is an NFL and NFL draft contributor for The 33rd Team. He has covered all aspects of the NFL since 2013. He's previously provided scouting services to the NFL, XFL and CFL. He also has written for Bleacher Report, Complex Sports and Pro Football Network.

RELATED