NFL Playoffs Backup Quarterback Rankings For Wildcard 2025

We all know who has the best QB, but WHO has the best backup QB in the NFL Playoffs? Its the Wildcard round and some clipboards will be put down.

Prepare for the intense sports debate that only sibling rivalry can conjure. Seesaw Sports, where Dan Salem and Todd Salem throw down on the NFL, MLB, NBA and more. Only on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate sports.

 

Welcome to the NFL postseason. Teams’ futures will hinge on a smattering of small plays nudging their fortunes in one direction or the other as they attempt to win the Super Bowl. Either that, or their star player will get hurt and end their season early in the NFL Playoffs.

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However, if said injury were to happen to the starting quarterback, not all backup QBs offer their teams the same chance of surviving. Should something happen to the man in charge, here is the definitive order of who you would feel most comfortable having come in as replacement. Twelve teams in six wildcard games, but not all are created equal.

 

NFL Playoffs Backup Quarterback Rankings

 

 

1. Marcus Mariota – Jayden Daniels’ backup, Washington Commanders

Todd Salem: Mariota never sniffed the Backup QB Rankings during the season because he had zero chance of playing. Daniels was handed the keys from day one and never looked back. However, following the exercise in the playoffs, if Washington was forced to turn to Mariota, I think they’d be able to come up with a workable offense. Mariota can move in the pocket and pick up yardage with his legs. He is accurate with time to throw, and he is one of the most experienced backups in the league. 

Dan Salem: Being a former starter certainly elevates Mariota, but this is a sad group of players when he is on top. I do feel as though he gives Washington a chance to win, not a good chance, but a chance. First place backup!

2. Justin Fields – Russell Wilson’s backup, Pittsburgh Steelers

Todd Salem: I don’t feel confident that the current version of Wilson can lead a team to a playoff win. I feel less confident that Fields would be able to, which means Pittsburgh must’ve made the right choice at quarterback. If Fields was forced into action, though, I’d be oddly happy about it. I know his legs would add a dimension the defense would hate to deal with. Fields would be better served entering during the middle of a game and turning the tide as opposed to garnering a start. A mid-game replacement Fields ranks first on this list for me, while a full starter Fields would rank third, so I split the difference.

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Dan Salem: The Steelers are exactly who we thought they’d be this season and I’m pretty sure they would be in the same spot with Fields as starter. That said, he isn’t a great backup because he doesn’t throw consistently. He is however the second best backup of the playoff teams, because he was the starter earlier in the season due to injury.

3. Jimmy Garoppolo – Matthew Stafford’s backup, Los Angeles Rams

Todd Salem: Garoppolo is known for his underneath throws and game control. He doesn’t push the ball down the field or take big chances. In other words, he seems like a terrible fit for this Rams offense. If they need him to come in, I suppose he can work the middle and sides and hope the LA receivers can rack up YAC, but it would feel like wasting the potential of this offense.

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Dan Salem: If not for the conflict in throwing style versus offensive style, Jimmy G. would be top on our list. He can likely hold the fort and maybe put his team in position to win. Maybe.

4. Jarrett Stidham – Bo Nix’s backup, Denver Broncos

Todd Salem: We must give credit where credit is due. Nix had a heck of a rookie season. Everything was stacked against him, and he got so much better throughout the season. Every week, we assumed Stidham was going to steal his job, and it never happened. Stidham didn’t throw a single pass this season. He was completely sealed to the sideline (except for a few carries and handoffs in mop-up duty). It remains to be seen if Stidham could have performed in this offense or not.

Dan Salem: I don’t trust the Broncos and I certainly don’t trust them with Stidham. Things get ugly from here on out.

 

 

5. Taylor Heinicke – Justin Herbert’s backup, Los Angeles Chargers

Todd Salem: A veteran with starting experience, a team could do worse than being forced to turn to Heinicke in a pinch. He has some wheels too, adding a dimension that Herbert rarely turns to.

Dan Salem: I don’t know how to feel about Heinicke, but experience counts for something.

6. Malik Willis – Jordan Love’s backup, Green Bay Packers

Todd Salem: The fact that Willis has gotten three starts this year and not embarrassed himself helps catapult him up the rankings. They didn’t really ask him to do much in those starts because he doesn’t have the processing speed or confidence to run a full offense yet. But he does have athleticism and arm talent, which could turn the tide in a pinch.

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Dan Salem: We agree that his experience starting this season is helpful, yet simply not embarrassing yourself is not much to lean on.

7. Mitchell Trubisky – Josh Allen’s backup, Buffalo Bills

Todd Salem: The man, the myth, the Mitch.

Dan Salem: Mitch isn’t last! Mitch isn’t last!

8. Nick Mullens – Sam Darnold’s backup, Minnesota Vikings

Todd Salem: During the end of the regular season, we played the fun game of slotting Daniel Jones into the Backup QB Rankings. However, if forced to turn to their actual backup QB, Minnesota would be giving the ball to Nick Mullens. He would not offer Jones’ element of bruising running, but he should be more efficient with the football.

Dan Salem: I just learned who Darnold’s backup is. Can I vote for Daniel Jones over Mullens? Is that allowed?

9. Kenny Pickett – Jalen Hurts’ backup, Philadelphia Eagles

Todd Salem: Pickett joined Philadelphia after flaming out spectacularly in Pittsburgh. Everyone thought he might be kind of good entering 2023, found out he wasn’t, and immediately forgot about him by 2024. He has the pedigree of a first-round pick, but even at the time, it felt forced.

Dan Salem: Pickett is not about to help Philadelphia in any capacity. It’s amazing to me who shows up as a backup quarterback on playoff teams.

10. Josh Johnson – Lamar Jackson’s backup, Baltimore Ravens

Todd Salem: If Tyrod Taylor is the perfect backup, Johnson is the median backup. He’s 38 years old, been in the league on and off for 10 seasons, and has 358 career pass attempts. Lamar threw the ball 474 times this season alone.

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Dan Salem: Now we’re talking! Truly scraping the barrel here.

11. Kyle Trask – Baker Mayfield’s backup, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Todd Salem: Trask was a second-round pick in 2021. Tampa Bay thought he might be their future after Tom Brady. Luckily, they stumbled into Baker. Trask has thrown 11 career passes in the NFL. He might be awesome, and we have no idea. More likely, he’s terrible, and the Bucs have hidden him for a reason.

Dan Salem: Another instance of a person holding a position on a team not good enough to compete if he had to play.

12. Davis Mills – CJ Stroud’s backup, Houston Texans

Todd Salem: Mills won the midseason superlative for worst backup QB. It was slightly tongue-in-cheek, but he also might be the worst. On the plus side, he has a ton of starting experience from his days being Houston’s starter. On the down side, Mills starting is what led the Texans to be bad enough to draft Stroud.

Dan Salem: See above.

Risen Watch (to starter): Entering wildcard week, Jordan Love is questionable; Jalen Hurts is questionable

 

 

Meet our NFL Playoffs Writers:

Dan Salem is Lead Editor and Co-owner of BuzzChomp. He’s an award winning Actor, Director and Producer. Visit M Square Productions for his film work, or get lost in his old-school comedy on Pillow Talk TV. You can follow him on X, TikTok and Instagram. His latest film ‘Alone’ is now on Amazon.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer and Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp. He’s also a champion of fantasy football and fantasy baseball, dominating leagues for over two decades. Comment below on his unfiltered opinions.

The NFL Playoffs Backup Quarterback Rankings – This Is The End

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