NFL Week 16 Backup Quarterback Rankings For 2024

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It finally happened, Penix is in and Levis is out for Atlanta and the Titans respectively. Our backup QB rankings are on fire in NFL Week 16.

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.

 

Anyone can list the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL. Heck, one could throw together a top 32 pretty easily based on all the evidence we have of these pros and rookies coming in, how they fit in their offense, and what success they may or may not find. 

However, it takes a different mind entirely to rank QBs 33 through 42. That’s what we attempt to do at the Backup QB Rankings. NFL Week 16 brings major change, as several players finally get their chance to start and hopefully shine. Usually players on this list can only hope their name is called, but no one wants to see it happen. Meanwhile, all of our backups continue to build upon their proven track record of successfully standing there quietly holding a clipboard.

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Entering NFL Week 16, multiple players were elevated off the list and many more are now the starter without EVER making our list! So, what makes the best backup QB? It certainly isn’t NFL success.

Perhaps its the best pure passer who happens to not hold a starting gig. Or maybe its the best situation, someone primed for starts in the future. However, it’s a fine line, because as soon as that backup becomes a starter, he drops off the Backup QB Rankings until he’s back on the sidelines with that clipboard. Guys have to be careful if they want to hold their standing.

 

NFL Week 16 Backup Quarterback Rankings

 

 

1. (NEW) Kirk Cousins – Michael Penix’s backup, Atlanta Falcons

Todd Salem: Atlanta let its running game, defense, and special teams rule the day to take down Las Vegas Monday night. Cousins wasn’t needed to do much of anything, which would have to be a relief to Falcons fans, since he hasn’t been capable of doing much of anything in recent weeks. He is out for good, so it would seem. 

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Dan Salem: Penix finally gets his chance and we’ve likely seen the last of Cousins in Atlanta. That being said, if Penix looks atrocious for some reason, Cousins may be immediately whisked back into the starting role. Atlanta can’t risk ruining Penix before he even has an offseason to prepare as the starter.

2. (–) Tyrod Taylor – Aaron Rodgers’ backup, New York Jets

Todd Salem: Nothing to see here

Dan Salem: The more Taylor remains on the bench, the more Rodgers does to keep him there. Our best and favorite clipboard holder will end the season where he belongs, on the sidelines.

3. (⬆1) Joe Flacco – Anthony Richardson’s backup, Indianapolis Colts

Todd Salem: Indy and Denver played a horrendous game all around. Bo Nix was really bad, his first bad start in a bit. There was a disastrous trick play, a disastrous Jonathan Taylor play. And through it all, Anthony Richardson was bad yet again. 

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He is accumulating completion percentages we haven’t seen in a generation. Despite not falling victim to the check-down game, because he is so wild, he still isn’t offering a valuable quarterback performance with his arm. He continues to be an asset with his legs, which Flacco never will. But it has to be disconcerting for the Indianapolis brass that they made this swap back as the schedule lightened up, and Richardson continues to play poorly and lose ballgames. 

Dan Salem: I don’t know about you, but it felt obvious to me that Flacco gave the Colts the best chance to make the playoffs and win games. He makes throws, which is the primary job of a quarterback. With Flacco in, the Colts beat Denver. That said, I believe Richardson finishes the year as starter. No more Flacco time this season.

 

 

4. (⬆1) Justin Fields – Russell Wilson’s backup, Pittsburgh Steelers

Todd Salem: Don’t look now, but the shine is wearing off of Wilson. The single loss against an elite opponent isn’t the issue. Wilson has been poor for a couple weeks now, outside of a shootout against Cincinnati. He offers nothing with his legs. Despite that, he has still taken 21 sacks in eight games. 

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Of course, Pittsburgh has won a bunch, and Mike Tomlin cited Wilson’s experience as the deciding factor in making the change originally. There is not going to be another change this year if I had to guess. But Wilson seems to slowly be falling back into his Denver stage, where he was able to win some games, but he wasn’t helping them win. 

Dan Salem: As an older player, it’s no surprise Wilson has hit a wall late in the season. Fields is not taking over again, but you’re right. The distance between them is now quite small.

5. (⬆1) Andy Dalton – Bryce Young’s backup, Carolina Panthers

Todd Salem: Nothing to see here.

Dan Salem: Which team will Andy play backup for next season? He’s a solid clipboard holder and certainly helped thrust Bryce Young into the role as permanent starter.

6. (⬇3) Jake Browning – Joe Burrow’s backup, Cincinnati Bengals

Todd Salem: At no point this season, even through all the losing, was Browning going to enter as a Burrow replacement unless an injury occurred. Browning was, instead, always the line of demarcation in the Backup QB Rankings between guys who had an argument for being in a position battle and guys who were good but had no chance of playing. The rankings have become too muddled in recent weeks to keep that plateau intact. Few teams are going to realistically make a change at this point in the season unless their hand is forced. 

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We now have a large group of backups who are solid but aren’t going to see action, and a minuscule group of guys who are terrible but might be forced into action because of ineptitude in front of them. The reason the latter group is minuscule is simple. After 15 weeks, all of the previous terrible guys who had a chance of playing have already been given their chance at playing.

Dan Salem: I still view Browning as the “Mendoza Line” of backup quarterbacks, but since he isn’t going to play, perhaps Fields should take the mantle.

7. (NEW) Will Levis – Mason Rudolph’s backup, Tennessee Titans

Todd Salem: After another horrendous outing (which we expected), Tennessee finally benched Levis in favor of Rudolph (which we did not expect). It remains to be seen whether this was an Anthony Richardson situation (the team giving their young QB a chance to reset before being inserted back in) or a Daniel Jones situation (see ya kid, you’re done here). I could see either scenario playing out. Levis has enough arm talent where a coaching staff might want another crack at him. On the other hand, we have a considerably sized sample of evidence that he may not be good enough at quarterback to start in the NFL.

Dan Salem: Levis is done playing for the Titans. His downside now outweighs his upside, which means he is joining the ranks of permanent clipboard holders.

8. (⬇1) Daniel Jones – (not technically) Sam Darnold’s backup, Minnesota Vikings

Todd Salem: Nothing to see here.

Dan Salem: I want to see Jones play for another team this year, but unfortunately it will not happen.

9. (⬇1) Jimmy Garoppolo – Matthew Stafford’s backup, Los Angeles Rams

Todd Salem: Nothing to see here.

Dan Salem: I do not want to see Garoppolo play this season, and thankfully he will not.

10. (NEW) Mitch Trubisky – Josh Allen’s backup, Buffalo Bills

Todd Salem: Welcome back, Mitch! Another week of multiple starters going to the bench, whether because of injury or poor play, leads to a siphoning off of quality backups. Mitch, that’s your entrance music! Allen is likely going to finish in the top two in MVP voting this season, mostly thanks to Trubisky’s superior clipboard-holding. It is time the man gets his recognition.

Dan Salem: Mitch is back! Mitch is back! Back on the bottom…

Hath Risen (to starter, off the list): Michael Penix, Mason Rudolph (again), Sam Howell

Risen Before His Time (to starter, never on list): Carson Wentz, Spencer Rattler (again), Tim Boyle, Dorian Thompson-Robinson

 

 

Meet our NFL Week 16 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 Week 16 Backup Quarterback Rankings – This Is The End

NFL Week 16 Photo Credits: reuters.com; profootballnetwork.com via Getty Images

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