NFC 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 one to five, with one being the highest level of panic, here's where NFC South teams stand at backup QB.

Atlanta Falcons

BACKUPS: Taylor Heinicke, Logan Woodside | Heinicke is the quintessential backup. He was well-liked in Washington, starting 24 games over the past two seasons. He isn't trying to start a quarterback controversy with starter Desmond Ridder. In fact, when he signed this offseason, he said he chose Atlanta to "try to be the best backup I can to [Ridder]. Try to help him in any way I can." 

If thrust into a starting role in 2023, Heinicke would most likely keep Atlanta afloat. He exceeded expectations as a starter in Washington's 2020 wild-card appearance, and from 2021-22, Heinicke was one of 27 quarterbacks with at least 24 starts. He was 12-11-1 in those games, and his five fourth-quarter comebacks were tied for the seventh most with Jared Goff, Daniel Jones and Joe Burrow. (PANIC METER: 5)

Carolina Panthers

BACKUPS: Andy Dalton, Matt Corral, Jake Luton | By some statistical measures, Dalton was much better than the replacement level for the Saints in 2022. So, why does it seem like Dalton starting for Carolina in 2023 would be a cause for great concern? What it means for rookie Bryce Young, for starters. His season would have to go sideways for Dalton to supplant him on the depth chart. 

Young made up for his small frame (5-foot-10, 204 pounds) in college by avoiding QB pressures turning into sacks. Among the 87 college quarterbacks with at least 300 dropbacks last season, Young had a 12.1 percent pressure-to-sack rate that ranked 17th (h/t Pro Football Focus). By comparison, Dalton was sacked on 21.2 percent of his pressures, 12th most of 40 qualified quarterbacks. Last season, former Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold was pressured on 37.7 of his dropbacks, the eighth-highest mark in the league. (PANIC METER: 2)

New Orleans Saints

BACKUPS: Jameis Winston, Jake Haener | Winston is the only backup in the division to start in Week 1 the past two seasons. His familiarity with teammates and the offense are benefits should he play. However, a disappointing three-game sample size last season might be cause for concern. His passer rating (79.5) was only slightly above average and the worst of his career. He had an interception rate of 4.3 percent, the second highest of his career, only trailing his 30-interception season with the Bucs in 2019. 

In 2021, his first year as a starter in New Orleans, Winston had an interception rate of 1.9 percent, the lowest of his career. A former No. 1 overall pick, he offers more upside than any other backup in the division. That gives New Orleans reason for hope, but there's also plenty of concern considering his talent hasn't led to a strong NFL career. (PANIC METER: 3)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

BACKUPS: Kyle Trask*, John Wolford | Trask gets an asterisk considering the Bucs haven't named an official starter. Baker Mayfield is in pole position, however, so Trask gets the nod here. His nine career pass attempts make it impossible to tell what kind of shape the Bucs will be in if he sees significant action. That should send Tampa's panic meter through the roof.

Trask, however, spent two seasons backing up Tom Brady, who is the best quarterback a young player can learn from entering the league. Reports indicate Trask has looked good during training camp, a sign that he isn't as far from being a serviceable quarterback as it might seem. However, losing the starting job to Mayfield — one of the worst quarterbacks in the league last season — would throw that narrative out the window. (PANIC METER: 1)