NFL Week 9 Backup Quarterback Rankings For 2024

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Will they or won’t they…make a quarterback change in NFL Week 9? If you’re on top, you’re about to see the field. The top ten backups for NFL Week 9 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. Change is blowing in with the wind for NFL Week 9, but which teams will pull the proverbial trigger? Many backups continue to build upon their proven track record of successfully standing there quietly holding a clipboard, so we’ve got that going for us too.

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Entering NFL Week 9, two players were elevated off the list (again) this week, and one is now the starter (again) 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 9 Backup Quarterback Rankings

 

 

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

Todd Salem: Daniel Jones was…fine on Monday night. Fine, meaning he didn’t lose the game for the Giants. However, he also wasn’t capable of making plays to win the game either. Is Drew Lock that guy? Probably not, with a chance he’s actually worse than ‘fine.’ But at some point, there’s no downside to giving him an extended look.

Dan Salem: Jones will get benched when he starts to hurt his own value by playing. New York is not currently performing well enough to be in the playoff hunt, so there isn’t much reason to keep Jones on the field, besides the fact that you are paying him way too much money. Lock will get his time very soon.

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

Todd Salem: It seems all so obvious that Aaron Rodgers, at this point in his career, does not elevate teammates. However, Taylor wouldn’t either. Tyrod is more about keeping a high floor, which wouldn’t help this Jets team anyway.

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Dan Salem: Rodgers is dealing with one or two nagging injuries, which can truly take you down at his age. If he gets one more ding, then Taylor will be in. No amount of losing will force the move otherwise.

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

Todd Salem: Another really bad Anthony Richardson game has made Flacco the starter, but for how long? What would this team’s record be if Flacco had started every week? Indianapolis is 2-3 with Richardson behind center, with all three losses coming by six points or fewer. All eight of the Colts’ games thus far have finished within one score; it makes you wonder if Flacco could have made a play here or there to push the record. It also makes you wonder if Flacco can play well for a sustained period of time.

Dan Salem: Flacco is back, which puts Richardson in his spot on our list. This is because Joe Flacco has always been able to put one to three good games together, but no more than that at this point in his career. Will he be mistake free? Unlikely, but he certainly can make throws. Once the season is lost for the Colts, Richardson will be ushered back into the starting role.

4. (⬇1) Jake Browning – Joe Burrow’s backup, Cincinnati Bengals

Todd Salem: Nothing to see here.

Dan Salem: The Bengals are bad. Much like the Jets and Giants, I’m counting the days until it’s a liability to allow Burrows to keep playing.

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

Todd Salem: Cousins was slinging it on Sunday. He is rounding into shape for sure. Penix is holding firm at five because of his intrigue; an unknown ceiling is more fun than the veteran we’re familiar with. But, as Cousins gets healthier and healthier, Penix is not at all in consideration for taking over the QB1 job in Atlanta.

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Dan Salem: Everything is proceeding according to plan in Atlanta. Why are things suddenly going right for this team?

 

 

6. (–) Jimmy Garoppolo – Matthew Stafford’s backup, Los Angeles Rams

Todd Salem: That’s what a Matthew Stafford-led offense can look like with actual, NFL-caliber weapons. Garoppolo’s placement on the Backup QB Rankings is secure for as long as Stafford stays healthy.

Dan Salem: Garoppolo is trade fodder for a playoff team in need, but nothing more. He’s on the Rams bench forever more.

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

Todd Salem: Wilson wasn’t as electric in his second start as he was in his first. And yet, it is obvious that he can unlock something in the passing game that Fields wasn’t able to; spreading the ball around, pushing it down the field. He takes just as many sacks, without the added benefit of the ground game, but the offensive ceiling is so much higher.

Dan Salem: Fields would be last on this list if not for the dregs beneath him. Barring injury, he has no shot at seeing the field. Things change quickly in the NFL, don’t they.

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

Todd Salem: Stidham is only on our rankings because of a shaky depth chart. He doesn’t make it by talent. That depth chart is still somewhat shaky. Bo Nix isn’t good all of a sudden. He simply played against the Carolina Panthers. Let’s see a few more performances like this before dropping Stidham off the rankings.

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Dan Salem: Bo Nix has never been good, but that isn’t stopping his team from winning. This keeps Stidham off the field. Now imagine if they had a really good QB like… Russell Wilson? Oh wait… I said that last week.

9. (NEW) Sam Howell – Geno Smith’s backup, Seattle Seahawks

Todd Salem: The last time we saw Howell was as Washington’s starting quarterback in 2023. He threw for nearly 4,000 yards, led the league in pass attempts, and also interceptions thrown and sacks taken. He was a volume mess, which is the worst type of mess to be. If you squint, though, he was able to make plays with both his arm and legs. This season, Geno Smith currently leads the league in pass completions, attempts, and yards. Seattle is a volume passing team that is not finding all that much success with it. Would Howell offer something better if a change were made? No, probably not, but it could be something more interesting.

Dan Salem: Smith is looking a lot like Geno Smith, meaning he has come down to earth a bit and evened out his play. He’s still good, but sustained greatness always felt a bit out of place. Another bad game or so and perhaps a change will be in order for the Seahawks.

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

Todd Salem: If your backup is backed up, do you back up or back up a backup? Also, Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

Dan Salem: I was wrong, Mitch keeps a spot on our list. Truly a shame, because he’ll never play and isn’t all that great. Who should replace him at the bottom? Anyone?

Hath Risen (to starter, off the list): Joe Flacco (again), Jacoby Brissett (again)

Risen Before His Time (to starter, never on list): Malik Willis (again)

 

 

Meet our NFL Week 9 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 9 Backup Quarterback Rankings – This Is The End

NFL Week 9 Photo Credits: theconversation.com; seattletimes.com and seahawks.com via Getty Images

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