The NFL Backup QB Tiers

Not all backup quarterbacks are the same, but they can all fall into one of 5 tiers. What are those tiers?

I’m a sucker.

I love a good backup quarterback, and I love a good story.

This season has been ripe for backup quarterback stories.

Aidan O’Connell and Will Levis started the season as backups, but now they’re starters. Jake Browning and Gardner Minshew have kept their teams competitive and in the hunt for a playoff spot.

And, of course, Tommy Devito is the Italian Sensation.

The thing about backup quarterbacks is that not every backup is the same. Some are better than others, playing different roles for their respective teams.

Some should be starters, some are young and potential developmental options, and others (looking at you, Sean Clifford) should probably not be on a roster.

Ultimately, I believe every backup quarterback can fall into one of six tiers. Here are those tiers.

The Adults

Explanation: These veterans have been in the league for a while. Some have been former starters, while others have remained in the NFL because they bring good vibes.

These guys won’t be starters by choice anytime soon, but they are good to have around, especially with younger quarterbacks. If they want to, they’ll stick in the league even longer.

The Players:

Andy Dalton (Carolina Panthers); CJ Beathard (Jacksonville Jaguars); Blaine Gabbert (Kansas City Chiefs); Teddy Bridgewater (Detroit Lions)

Most of these guys are babysitters. Andy Dalton babysits Bryce Young, and Bridgewater babysits Goff. They’re the vets and the vibe guys.

Game Managers

Explanation: These guys aren’t in the league to throw for 400 yards and four touchdowns, but sometimes, you want a player who will run your offense.

These are the game managers. They aren’t going to cause chaos, and they aren’t going to make as many backbreaking mistakes, but they have roles.

There are sub-tiers in this category for effective game managers and not-so-effective ones, but I won’t break this tier for you. Do that yourself, you’re an adult.

The Players:

Mitch Trubisky (Pittsburgh Steelers); Jarrett Stidham (Denver Broncos); Kyle Allen (Buffalo Bills); Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys); Carson Wentz (LA Rams); Davis Mills (Houston Texas); Marcus Mariota (Philadelphia Eagles); Nick Mullens (Minnesota Vikings); Aidan O’Connell (Las Vegas Raiders)

Some of these players are better game managers than others. Mitch Trubisky has struggled for the Steelers, while Cooper Rush has had some big moments for the Cowboys. Again, there are levels to this.

Author’s Note: I’m aware Aidan O’Connell is technically the starter. I’m not changing it until we see what the Raiders do this off-season.

The Conductor(s)

Explanation: These are the better game managers. Some think they should be starters in the NFL, but they’ll likely only become low-level starters.

Despite that, these are normally the highest-paid backups because they have the most value. They’ll win you a spot start, come in in the middle of a game to help you pick up a victory, and also be the mentor to your young quarterback.

There aren’t many quarterbacks in this tier because the talent dispersion in the NFL doesn’t allow for it. Don’t like it? Get better quarterbacks or something.

The Players:

Jacoby Brissett (Washington Commanders); Sam Darnold (San Francisco 49ers); Jameis Winston (New Orleans Saints)

Jameis Winston isn’t a game manager by definition, but he’s better than most backup quarterbacks in the NFL and could become a starter again soon. That’s why he’s in this tier, okay? Don’t yell at me.

There will be chaos (The Gamers)

You know when you go to a new food place and, outside of maybe reading the reviews, don’t know what the food will taste like?

Yeah, the gamers are exactly that. Sometimes, they’re incredible players who will make some incredibly big-time players. Other times, they’ll throw four interceptions and be the sole reason you lose a game.

This is the life of a gamer. It won’t always be pretty, but these are the guys you want when you need to pick up a win you don’t deserve.

Unfortunately, only one Italian-American makes this list, so the mafia won’t control this section… yet.

The Players:

Mike White (Miami Dolphins); Gardner Minshew (Indianapolis Colts); Jake Browning (Cincinnati Bengals); Taylor Heinicke (Atlanta Falcons); Tommy Devito (New York Giants); Drew Lock (Seattle Seahawks); Josh Dobbs (Minnesota Vikings)

This is my favorite tier of backup quarterbacks because it’s never consistent, but it’s always fun. Also, here’s a GIF of Drew Lock because I thought we needed it.

Young, Dumb, Probably Broke

I think the name is pretty self-explanatory, right?

These young quarterbacks haven’t found themselves in any tier yet. They may become gamers, they may develop into conductors. Until that happens, they’re in this tier.

Most of these guys aren’t first-round picks, so they’re broke. Well, broke compared to NFL standards. The rookie minimum is still $750,000, and I would quite like that money because I don’t make that much.

Regardless, this tier gets replenished every season as players graduate and other young quarterbacks replace them.

The Players:

Bailey Zappe (New England Patriots); Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Cleveland Browns); Malik Willis (Tennessee Titans); Tyson Bagent (Chicago Bears); Kyle Trask (Tampa Bay Buccaneers); Clayton Tune (Arizona Cardinals)

I grappled with moving Zappe and Bagent into the gamer tier, but neither has proven themselves yet. The rest of this list is self-explanatory, though.

On a roster, I guess?

Look, I had some players left over, and I didn’t know where to place them, okay?

This is the list of backup quarterbacks who are certainly on a roster. At least, that’s what a quick Google search tells me.

There are only two players on this list — Easton Stick and Sean Clifford — and frankly, neither are young (Sean Clifford is a rookie, but he’s older than Jordan Love) or have played a lot.

Easton Stick has an audition period to find himself in a tier, as he’s the starter while Justin Herbert recovers from his injury. Clifford, however, may stay in this tier for another reason.

The Players:

Easton Stick (Los Angeles Chargers); Sean Clifford (Green Bay Packers)