NFL Week 3 Backup Quarterback Rankings For 2024

Only a crazy person would rank the backup quarterbacks, so we did it! The top ten backups for NFL Week 3 of 2024. Once you see the field, you’re out.

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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. We’re in NFL Week 3 and the backups continue to excel at standing there quietly holding a clipboard.

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Another player has been elevated off the list, while one more is 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 3 Backup Quarterback Rankings

 

1. (⬆1) Jameis Winston – Deshaun Watson’s backup, Cleveland Browns

Todd Salem: Though Watson wasn’t as bad in Week 2, entertainment potential and likelihood of promotion keeps Winston ahead of better quarterbacks in the Backup QB Rankings. No one wants to root for Watson or watch him. No one really wants to root for Winston either, but at least he makes it fun to watch. Will he be the next to get the call to rise?

Dan Salem: The Browns owe Watson too much money to bench him, yet there is a caveat. Cleveland can be good and if Watson’s play stinks like week one all over again, bring on Winston! He is the most intriguing backup with a real shot at playing.

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

Todd Salem: As Rodgers rounds into form after missing nearly a full season, where does that leave Taylor? He feels like a safe bet to be near the top of the Backup QB Rankings for the entirety of the 2024 season.

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Dan Salem: Taylor is a great player and yada yada yada. Copy and paste what you said, or what we both said last week. He’s the best backup with no chance of playing.

3. (⬆1) Jake Browning – Joe Burrow’s backup, Cincinnati Bengals

Todd Salem: Burrow is getting healthier as he builds strength. Unless another injury comes, Browning is getting further and further away from game action, solidifying his spot in the rankings. Much like Taylor, he may stick near the top for a while, only being topped by backups with better positioning.

Dan Salem: He’s the second best backup with no chance of playing. Yada yada yada.

4. (⬆1) Drake Maye – Jacoby Brissett’s backup, New England Patriots

Todd Salem: Would New England be undefeated at 2-0 if Maye was their starting quarterback? The Backup QB Rankings can only wonder aloud.

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Dan Salem: I believe Maye remains on the bench for the month of September, but then things get interesting. New England has looked spunky early, but so many bad teams often do. All the Patriots want to do this year is build respect and ideally come out with a top ten draft pick. Maye will get his shot sooner than later.

5. (⬆1) Michael Penix – Kirk Cousins’ backup, Atlanta Falcons

Todd Salem: Penix is a rookie, but he seems to be in a similar position to that of veterans Taylor and Browning. The vet ahead of him may be regaining health and knocking off any reasonable chance of him seeing starts this season.

Dan Salem: This is a sit and watch season for Penix, which was the plan all along. I find it refreshing that a team actually drafted a talented QB to have him sit and learn behind a proven veteran. Green Bay has done it over and over again, but few other teams do. Penix is high on the list because of this.

 

 

6. (⬆1) Drew Lock – Daniel Jones’ backup, New York Giants

Todd Salem: As is tradition, Jones performed serviceably against Washington. Next week’s trip to Cleveland is almost guaranteed to boost Lock’s standing in the backup community though.

Dan Salem: So now it’s NOT Daniel Jones’ fault? Seems rather convenient, but also telling. I don’t see Lock getting a shot anytime soon.

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

Todd Salem: Richardson had a rough Week 2. Flacco always lingers as a calming, veteran force, but the Colts feel multiple weeks away from even considering such a switch.

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Dan Salem: Flacco will be on the bench for the entire rollercoaster ride that is Anthony Richardson’s rookie trials and tribulations. Sure, Richardson is in his second season, but he’s still playing his first full season of games. They are all in on him, so Flacco just gets to watch.

8. (NEW) Jarrett Stidham, Bo Nix’s backup, Denver Broncos

Todd Salem: Prior to the season, we thought there might be a quarterback battle in Denver. Nix won the job outright, and it doesn’t feel as though the team is looking back. However, Nix has been super shaky as a pro. He is averaging fewer than five yards per pass attempt. How many more games before the fanbase begins wondering about Stidham as an option instead? He feels like a career backup, but if a change at least offers a chance for the Broncos to push the ball down the field and open things up, it will be hard to ignore.

Dan Salem: Sean Payton doesn’t seem like a patient man, so this is a situation to watch. While very few expect the Broncos to be good, I’m not sure they will accept being rebuilding bad.

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

Todd Salem: The Bills hardly needed Allen at all in Week 2 to claim easy victory over a division rival. This team is so versatile, they should throw Trubisky out there one week just to see what happens. We’d be sorry to lose Trubisky from the rankings, but we’d be proud of witnessing his journey.

Dan Salem: Mitch is keeping his spot on the bench nice and toasty. He needs to find some heated socks and mittens that run on batteries, because it gets cold in Buffalo.

10. (–) Aidan O’Connell – Gardner Minshew’s backup, Las Vegas Raiders

Todd Salem: Minshew was good on the road against last year’s number one defense. He had no running game help and took five sacks. It is hard to imagine O’Connell delivering more with what Las Vegas has around the position.

Dan Salem: Minshew proved he is the answer for Las Vegas…for now. I think he holds the job and keeps Aidan off the field, but there’s little guarantee of me being correct.

Hath Risen (to starter, off the list): Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers

Risen Before His Time (to starter, never on list): Skylar Thompson, Miami Dolphins

 

Meet our NFL Week 3 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.

NFL Week 3 Backup Quarterback Rankings – This Is The End

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