AFC South backup quarterback panic meter

"Next man up." During the 2023 season, some NFL head coaches will need to heed that motto at quarterback, the most important position in the sport. If a team doesn't have an adequate backup when a starter goes down, a season can implode.

On a scale of 1-to-5, with one being the highest level of panic, here's where AFC South teams stand at backup QB:

Houston Texans

BACKUPS: Davis Mills, Case Keenum | For argument’s sake, let’s assume rookie C.J. Stroud is named Houston’s Week 1 starter. If that holds true, the Texans have the best backup QB situation in the division. With a combined 90 starts between them, Mills and Keenum could easily hold the fort down for a few games if needed. 

Keenum’s record as a starter isn’t great (29-35), but he has two seasons of 3,500 or more yards passing and 18 or more touchdown passes. He also has playoff experience. While the results haven’t been great for Mills, he hasn’t been surrounded by much talent, either. Receivers Robert Woods, John Metchie and Tank Dell, plus tight end Dalton Schultz, are all improvements over Chris Moore, Philip Dorsett and Jordan Akins, so if Mills is thrust into a game or two, things likely wouldn’t be as bad as they were last season. (PANIC METER: 5) 

Indianapolis Colts

BACKUPS: Gardner Minshew, Sam Ehlinger | Let's assume Anthony Richardson earns the starting job over Minshew, who could serve as an additional coach/mentor for the rookie from the sideline. After a disastrous three-game stint as a starter last season, Ehlinger shouldn't be much of a factor unless something crazy happens.

Minshew, however, could be the best individual backup QB in the AFC South. Before the Colts drafted Richardson with the fourth overall pick, Minshew picked Indianapolis over several other suitors – because it presented an opportunity to start. His career numbers (6,632 yards, 44 TD passes, 15 interceptions, 93.1 passer rating) are impressive, all things considered. Minshew, who has 24 games' starting experience, doesn’t throw a lot of interceptions and fares well in game-manager situations, something every team wants from its backup quarterback. (PANIC METER: 4) 

Jacksonville Jaguars

BACKUPS: C.J. Beathard, Nathan Rourke | Beathard hasn’t had to play much during his two seasons in Jacksonville and the team hopes that trend continues, because if Trevor Lawrence goes down, the Jags won’t be in great shape.

Beathard has a 58.8 career completion percentage and doesn’t throw for a lot of yards. If Jacksonville must ride with him at QB for more than a game or two, running back Travis Etienne may not make it through the season. Not much is known about Rourke, who signed with the team after two seasons in the Canadian Football League. He was the first QB since 1980 to win the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian Award, but the number of CFL quarterbacks who have had success in the NFL is miniscule. (PANIC METER: 1) 

Tennessee Titans

BACKUPS: Will Levis, Malik Willis | With a playoff spot — and their season — on the line last season, the Titans went with Josh Dobbs, who was signed off Detroit's practice squad a few weeks earlier, over Willis. That about says all you need to know about the second-year signal-caller. Willis never showed any signs of growth or development last season, often struggling to read defenses while making too many mental errors.

The consensus seems to be that if Ryan Tannehill were to miss time,  Levis would give the Titans a better chance to win than Willis. Both have strong arms, but Levis has more experience running a pro-style offense and throws with better touch, more anticipation and accuracy. There also aren’t concerns with him developing as a pocket-passer. That said, starting the season with a rookie as the primary backup isn’t the best strategy for a team that’s convinced it’s a playoff contender. (PANIC METER: 3)