Five NFL backup QBs who could see significant playing time in 2024

Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns

The Watson era in Cleveland is off to a roaring start. Two years in, and the Browns have 12 games, 2,217 yards, 14 touchdowns, nine interceptions, two injuries and one suspension to show for their $230M investment. Watson hasn’t been able to stay healthy since being traded from Houston, and he hasn’t played a full season since 2020. 

If his body continues to break down on him, Winston, who stated earlier in the offseason he signed with Cleveland because of opportunity, could find himself on the field sooner rather than later. 

Winston has 80 games of starting experience under his belt, and with a playoff-caliber roster, the Browns might not hesitate to move to him if Watson struggles next year.

Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts

Richardson had surgery to fix the torn AC joint in his throwing shoulder, and though he says his recovery is going well, the Colts had him throwing left-handed during the last day of mandatory minicamp because of soreness in his shoulder. With Richardson’s dual-threat ability and propensity for taking unnecessary hits, having a solid backup QB was a must for Indianapolis.

Richardson made it to Week 4 before suffering a season-ending injury against the Tennessee Titans. If he doesn’t tone down his recklessness, Flacco could end up starting a decent number of games in 2024. 

After signing with the Browns off the street toward the end of last season, Flacco showed he still has plenty left in the tank. He threw for over 300 yards in five of his six starts, including the playoffs, and he’d likely put up similar numbers with the Colts’ cast of playmakers including Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and rookie Adonai Mitchell.

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

Despite what the Steelers continue to tell everyone, there’s still plenty of people who aren’t sold on Russell Wilson’s ability to fend off Fields for the starting job. Wilson’s decision making isn’t what it used to be, and his passing yards per game has dipped over the last two seasons.

Fields is 10 years younger, more athletic, has a bigger arm and can escape the pocket and make plays with his legs that Wilson simply can’t anymore. Fields also has a chip on his shoulder after being jettisoned out of Chicago. 

Wilson may be given the starting role out of camp, but few would be surprised if Fields was the Steelers’ starter by their first primetime game against the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 5.

Sam Howell, Seattle Seahawks

Geno Smith’s career revival in 2022 was a nice story, but he clearly regressed last season despite having much of the same team around him. The Seahawks outbid their division rival Los Angeles Rams for Howell earlier in the offseason, and some believe that he could even unseat Smith as Seattle’s starting QB heading into Week 1.

Howell had a solid season with the Washington Commanders in 2023, passing for 3,946 yards, 21 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Many feel he was victimized by Washington’s porous offensive line, which surrendered 65 sacks, 252 pressures, 177 hurries and 37 QB hits, per Pro Football Focus, and a receiving corps that had 26 drops throughout the year. 

With a strong showing during training camp and the preseason, Howell just might pass Smith on the depth chart.