Ranking the NFL's backup quarterbacks for the 2026 season

Bennett finally made his NFL debut, mopping up during the Rams' stunningly one-sided loss to the 49ers (hell of a travel plan there, L.A.) in Week 1. But the two-time Georgia national champion spent his first season on the Rams' reserve/NFI list and played behind Jimmy Garoppolo for the next two years. The Rams are grooming Ty Simpson, who seems likely to leapfrog Bennett during his rookie season. Despite being in his fourth NFL season, the long-running Bulldogs student will turn 29 in October. Here is betting that the Rams would call Garoppolo if something happened to Matthew Stafford, rather than try Bennett with a Super Bowl frontrunner. 

Daniels beat out free-agent addition Jake Browning and holdover option Connor Bazelak to become the only Baker Mayfield backup on the Buccaneers' 53-man roster. Daniels impressed in preseason play and certainly brings considerable experience to Tampa. Daniels played parts of six seasons at Kansas and did not transfer during his lengthy college career. He did not post a statistical season like McCord or Klubnik in college, but 

Ohio State discarded him in 2024 when transfer Will Howard replaced him; McCord then transferred to Syracuse and teamed up with future NFL skill players Oronde Gadsden II and LeQuint Allen. McCord put up big numbers with the Orange, throwing 34 TD passes and setting a program record with an NCAA-leading 4,779 passing yards as a senior. The Eagles saw enough to draft him in Round 6 last year, but after Philly traded for Andy Dalton and drafted Cole Payton in Round 5 this offseason, McCord became the odd man out. He has yet to throw a regular-season pass but certainly has big-game experience from his 2023 as C.J. Stroud's Buckeyes successor.

A five-star recruit who arrived at Clemson not long after Trevor Lawrence left, Klubnik overtook D.J. Uiagalelei with the Tigers. While other passers eclipsed Klubnik in his class -- as Clemson began to decline -- he put together a strong junior season (36 TD passes, six INTs). After not coming especially close to replicating that form in 2025, as Clemson finished 7-6, Klubnik was a sixth-round afterthought. He did beat out 2025 Jets UDFA Brady Cook to become Geno Smith's backup. New York waived the ineffective Cook, who was part of Miami's seven-claim day on August 31.

A CFP championship game starter who fell to the seventh round last year, Ewers became a trade chip for a rebooting Dolphins team. Miami sent the Texas product to Jacksonville for a 2028 sixth-round pick. After holding off Arch Manning for the Longhorns' job, Ewers usurped Zach Wilson as a Dolphins rookie and replaced Tua Tagovailoa in Week 16. While the Dolphins endured two blowout losses, Ewers was at the controls when they beat the freefalling Buccaneers. He enters Year 2 as Trevor Lawrence's backup, carrying a 66.3% completion rate on 83 throws.

This is Year 9 for Allen and Buffalo's stint No. 2 for Allen, who has changed teams in each of the past six offseasons. A former Panthers undrafted free agent, Allen last played for the Bills in 2023. The Panthers traded Allen to Washington in Joe Brady's first weeks as Carolina's OC, and he has bounced around (later moving to Houston, Pittsburgh, and Detroit) since. Most of Allen's work came as Cam Newton's replacement with the 2019 Panthers. He is a career 62.5% passer who holds a 26:21 TD-INT ratio. Fortunately for the Bills, starter Josh Allen has not missed a game due to injury since 2018.

Somehow, after already being traded three times (Steelers to Eagles to Browns to Raiders) before his fourth season, Pickett ended up replacing three-year backup Bryce Young and Andy Dalton in Carolina. Considering the former first-rounder's inconsistency, that is a curious strategy. Pickett showed promise as a rookie in 2022 but hasn't been viewed as a starter since a 2023 injury (and messy Pittsburgh exit). Pickett carries a 16:16 TD-INT ratio, with the TD number rather suspect, as this is a 27-start player. The Pitt product does supply the Panthers with experience, but it is far from certain he is an upgrade on Dalton.

The Patriots released Josh Dobbs, their 2025 Drake Maye backup, and promoted DeVito. This isn't the first time "Tommy Cutlets" has been promoted, as he previously usurped Tyrod Taylor and Drew Lock with the Giants. DeVito suffered an injury that shelved him shortly after New York's Daniel Jones' release in 2024, and he has not played since. DeVito's high-water mark came as a rookie, leading the Giants to a Monday-night win over the Packers; his 8:3 TD-INT ratio comes entirely from that season. You could do a bit worse as a backup, though.

Sanders' Pro Bowl selection may have factored into the declining (and since-scrapped) all-star game alternate invites. And while the two-year Colorado starter has a legion of fans largely because he is the son of Deion Sanders, the Browns' decision to start the embattled (and wildly ineffective) Deshaun Watson over him -- despite Watson having no post-2026 future in Cleveland -- is rather telling about Todd Monken's view here. Not overly mobile or possessing a particularly strong arm, Sanders was accurate at Colorado. It would be surprising, based on Watson's career trajectory, if he did not receive a starting opportunity again soon.

Lance parlayed a dominant freshman season at the Division I-FCS level into a top-three selection. The one-year North Dakota State starter saw the pandemic nix a second QB1 season, but teams' immense interest in the dual threat allowed for a No. 3 overall selection in one FCS season. Lance proved unready for the 49ers' job and is now on team No. 3. The elusive project QB is still just 26, but he has not earned much playing time. Injuries have limited Lance, and losing the 2023 49ers QB2 job to Sam Darnold looks much better now, but even Matt Cassel had more post-high school experience than Lance by Year 6. He beat out Uiagalelei for the Chargers' QB2 gig, at least.

Trubisky reunited with Brian Daboll this offseason, doing so after playing for him in Buffalo five years ago. The former No. 2 overall pick is one of this generation's signature busts, but he has managed to reach Year 10. Being a worthwhile backup has extended the ex-Bears draftee's career, though the North Carolina product appears far off the top tier among QB2s. Trubisky, 32, has made 57 starts but has not been especially relevant since leaving Chicago. A 78:48 TD-INT ratio is notable here, but Trubisky will only see Titans action if something has gone terribly wrong for Cam Ward.

A 17-game starter for the Commanders in 2023, Howell joins Kenny Pickett as a thrice-traded quarterback from the 2022 draft class. Venturing from Washington to Seattle to Minnesota to Philly (and then Dallas, as a free agent), Howell has been on the backup tier since his one-and-done Washington starter season. He beat out cannon-armed Joe Milton for the Cowboys' backup job in training camp. Howell has thrown just 19 passes over the past two years, after sporting a 21:21 TD-INT ratio in his Commanders QB1 season. Dak Prescott's injury history makes Howell a player to monitor, as he is on a rather popular team.

Like McKee, we have little evidence here. The Bears sure believe in their fourth-year backup, who made the rare climb from Division II undrafted free agent product to a 53-man roster as a rookie. Each of Bagent's four career starts came as a rookie, as Caleb Williams has not missed a game since arriving in Chicago. Bagent has three touchdown passes and six interceptions, but his progress has convinced the Bears (via a two-year, $10 million extension) and invited some other teams to check in on him in trades. 

Talent-wise, it is hard for anyone in this tier to beat Richardson. His awesome 2023 Combine performance led the Colts to land at No. 4 overall. Everything since, however, has revealed the mistake Indianapolis made. A sub-54% passer at Florida, the one-year college starter has been raw, injury-prone, and less than a good soldier. Richardson requested a trade this offseason, but the Colts did not budge; the tools-heavy QB then beat out Riley Leonard for the backup job. Richardson completed 47.7% of his passes -- among this century's worst marks -- when he last started (2024), but his athleticism at least gives the Colts options if Daniel Jones goes down again.

Not close to Richardson in talent, Dobbs might just be the better bet to manage and win a game if his team needed him. Jared Goff is among the NFL's most durable players, but Dobbs has been a frequent short-notice starter. Preferred over Malik Willis as a late-season Titans option despite being just signed off the Lions' practice squad, Dobbs was then traded from Cleveland to Arizona days before the 2023 season. After opening that year as the Cards' starter, he became a quick-fix Vikings option after Kirk Cousins' Achilles tear. Dobbs is just 3-12 as a starter, but teams keep calling on the experienced option as a backup.

In Stidham's defense, the Broncos held an early lead against the Patriots after historically unusual circumstances thrust him into a difficult spot. The Bo Nix overtime ankle fracture brought in his backup for his first relevant action since Week 18 of the 2023 season. Stidham's poor first-half decision on a fumble came before a blizzard grounded both teams, but the veteran backup still had good moments that day. Stidham has made only four career starts in seven seasons, though one featured a 365-yard showing in a Raiders overtime loss to the 49ers in 2022; his $6 million salary reflects the league's view here.

Struggling with the 2024 Titans may not be the indictment it once was, seeing how quickly that unstable franchise bailed on overmatched head coach Brian Callahan. And Rudolph has certainly enjoyed good moments in his Steelers career. The ninth-year veteran is 9-9-1 as a starter, most notably emerging as the most effective Pittsburgh option in 2023 despite starting the season as a third-stringer. The Steelers vaulted Rudolph past Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky, and the overlooked vet piloted them to the playoffs. Now 31, Rudolph would likely get the call over Will Howard if Aaron Rodgers goes down.

Another dubious Pro Bowler who likely factored into the offseason demise of the alternate distinction, Huntley joins Rudolph in being on a second stint with an AFC North team. "Snoop" deserves considerable credit for keeping the Ravens on track for a 2022 playoff berth, and Baltimore nearly stunned Cincinnati with its backup in that wild-card game. Huntley is 7-9 as a starter, though his career 5.9 yards per attempt is unimpressive. He helped stabilize a Ravens backup situation that had drifted off course, returning to fill in for Lamar Jackson once again last year. 

No one seems likely to catch Josh Johnson as the NFL's premier QB nomad, but Taylor has been well-traveled and has been asked to play frequently. The former Bills starter is now on team No. 8. He has made 62 career starts and remains a coveted reserve at age 37. Taylor has an impressive 73:34 TD-INT mark, and last year's struggles with the Jets don't ding him too much. Age is now an issue for the mobile option, but it is arguable that he is a lower-variance Packer backup than Malik Willis, who just fetched a $45 million guarantee based on six career starts. 

Mills was saddled as the regular starter on two terrible Texans teams. He went 5-19-1 during the David Culley and Lovie Smith seasons, when GM Nick Caserio was biding his time as the franchise recovered from the Deshaun Watson mess. However, Mills went 3-0 as a starter on a better Texans team last season, including wins over the playoff-bound Jaguars and Bills. Mills enters a fourth season as C.J. Stroud's backup, and after showing he can keep the Texans out of trouble last season, the former third-round pick deserves some credit as at worst a middle-class backup. 

Yes, Rattler is a 1-13 starter. He also played for mediocre-at-best Saints teams, one of which lacked Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed -- for the most part -- during his 2024 stretch. Showing noticeable improvement in 2025, Rattler completed 67.7% of his passes during his eight-start stretch to open last season. The Saints benched Rattler for Tyler Shough but will probably field more calls about trades -- now that Zach Wilson (gulp) is rostered -- before the November deadline. 

Streaky but experienced, Lock showed in the Seahawks' season-opening win he can deliver in spots. He is fine as your backup quarterback; just don't ask him to make too many starts (as the Broncos found out years ago). Lock delivered the Seahawks a key win over the Eagles on a Monday night in 2023, and his shootout win over the Colts in 2024 cost the Giants Cam Ward (good or bad?). The eighth-year vet will be called upon once again by the Seahawks, with Sam Darnold on the shelf for a bit. The 28-game starter still makes questionable decisions with the ball, but he's shown enough to not give up hope when he's in there.

One of the position's great rollercoaster players, Winston has shown no signs of dialing back his aggressive style. The 32-year-old backup will provide action in the form of sizzling stretches and high-risk decisions that result in INTs. Winston has 113 career interceptions, famously throwing 30 during his 30-touchdown pass in 2019. The Saints turned to Winston as a starter in 2021, but he's been a charismatic backup for hire since. Jaxson Dart's running style will likely open the door to more Winston work this season. That's always a fun time.

Fields has never been consistent as a passer, hence his drop to the QB2 level. But he is one year removed from commanding a $30 million guarantee at signing from the Jets. That situation proved terrible for the former first-rounder, who does have one of the three 1,000-yard QB rushing seasons (along with Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick) on his resume. Andy Reid's past work with Matt Moore and Chad Henne puts Fields in an interesting spot, especially with Patrick Mahomes coming off ACL rehab. Flashing at points in Chicago, Fields is the most intriguing backup option to come through Kansas City in the Mahomes era.

Despite major injuries, Wentz still outplayed J.J. McCarthy for as long as he could this season. Apparently, the journeyman did so again this summer, considering the Vikings have demoted McCarthy -- who had been "competing" with Kyler Murray for the starting job -- to the third-string tier entering the season. Wentz probably deserved MVP honors in 2017 but hasn't come close since. The 33-year-old has settled in as a worthwhile backup. If/when Murray misses more time due to injury, Wentz's next start will be his 100th.

We can't really judge Minshew too harshly based on starts with a 2024 Raiders team coached by Antonio Pierce -- and one that barely had Davante Adams' services. Minshew struggled in that environment, one that featured two play-callers, but has been more than serviceable in other spots. Minshew nearly quarterbacked the Colts to the 2023 playoffs, proving a major upgrade over Anthony Richardson after the rookie's injury. Minshew was also streaky on terrible Jaguars teams, though he is mostly this high for his Colts showing. He is a trade candidate now that the Cardinals gave Jacoby Brissett a raise after drafting Carson Beck.

Pairing well with Jayden Daniels' skill set, Mariota is in his third year with Washington. The former No. 2 overall pick never panned out as an upper-crust starter but has made good money as a backup. The 32-year-old option is on a third one-year Commanders deal and will run his Washington earnings to $21 million after this season. Still a mobile option, though obviously not on Daniels' level, Mariota remains a valuable backup. His career 7.5 yards-per-attempt number is quite respectable, and his run-oriented game had the pre-Bijan Robinson Falcons ranking third in rushing during a 2022 season -- admittedly one that featured a curious ending for the veteran QB.

As the Panthers became the latest team to name Kenny Pickett their backup, Dalton relocated to Philadelphia in a trade, bringing back only a 2027 seventh-round pick. Now 38, Dalton beat out incumbent Tanner McKee for the Eagles' QB2 job. The former Bengals franchise QB has made 169 career starts. Dalton's most recent starter run ended after a car accident brought minor injuries and ushered Bryce Young back into Carolina's lineup. This is Dalton's 16th year, and while he is past his prime, the Eagles likely upgraded by bringing in the experienced option. 

After seeing his 2008 first-round classmate Matt Ryan retire three years ago and already make a major career pivot, Flacco is still going at 41. Essentially discarded by the NFL after some rough Jets seasons, Flacco made one of the most stunning re-emergences in QB history, leading a depleted Browns offense to wins en route to a 2023 playoff berth and a still-strange (given Damar Hamlin's existence) Comeback Player of the Year honor. Last season, Flacco showed he could still sling it, outplaying Jake Browning on short notice as Joe Burrow's replacement. The Bengals, who have another 2008 draftee (Josh Johnson) in their QB room, gave him a raise (to $6 million) to serve in that role again.

Possibly an Anthony Richardson redux, only even more injury-prone, but it is too early to definitively declare Penix a bust. The lefty should have a chance to reclaim his job from Tua Tagovailoa, whose concerning preseason work left Kevin Stefanski to hold off on naming him the starter until days before the regular season. This came as Penix barely resurfaced for 11-on-11 work. Not on Richardson's level in terms of inaccuracy, Penix still has plenty of work to do there. But he'll likely graduate from this tier once healthy, given Tagovailoa's health and performance issues.

This might be overreaching, but we have a No. 1 overall pick who will be the Raiders' starter before the season's end. Mendoza is the first No. 1 QB draftee to begin a season as a backup since the Browns parked Baker Mayfield in 2018. Mayfield was playing by September. Kirk Cousins will likely keep Mendoza on the bench a bit longer, but the 38-year-old is highly unlikely to hold the job all season. Mendoza powered Indiana of all teams to a national championship, elevating Curt Cignetti's rise to a previously unthinkable level, and was the clear-cut top pick available. That is enough for second billing on this list. 

Not as talented as Mendoza, but Jones showed in his current circumstances that he can thrive. Kyle Shanahan's offense did the heavy lifting for the formerly disappointing Patriots first-rounder—though Jones did finish as Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up behind Ja'Marr Chase five years ago—but questions emerged about Brock Purdy's status in 2025. Jones went 5-3 as a 49ers starter, mostly without George Kittle, and approached a 70% completion rate at 7.4 yards per pass. The 49ers may have the best contract value (excluding rookie-deal players) in the NFL, as Jones is on a two-year deal worth $7 million.