This season has been one of wonders for backups around the league, but to accurately judge our backups we need to have enough film of them doing their part. To be in consideration for this list, our QBs need to attempt a minimum of 50 passes, eliminating a solid portion of the players we watched this season. So before we get started we at 9kFootball would like to give special thanks to:
Anthony Brown (BAL), Nick Foles (IND), Bryce Perkins (LAR), Trevor Siemian (CHI), Nick Mullens (MIN), Nathan Peterman (CHI), Jordan Love (GB), Jeff Driskel (HOU), Chris Streveler (NYJ), C.J. Beathard (JAX), Tyrod Taylor (NYG), Case Keenum (BUF), Brian Hoyer (NE), Jacob Eason (CAR), Chad Henne (KC), Chase Daniel (LAC), Blaine Gabbert (TB), Kyle Trask (TB), Tim Boyle (CHI), Davis Webb (NYG), Sam Howell (WSH), & Saquon Barkley (NYG).
These QBs while not in my final rankings will still be eligible for the Next Man Up! Awards in the coming week.
The Final Rankings
28. Trace McSorely, ARI 1-5
Season Totals: 54.2%, 412yds, 0 TD, 5 INT
The Mcsorely meme is over and so should his NFL career. McSorely was benched as a QB3 which should mean something about his uselessness. Five picks and nothing to show for it is not a good way to go about finding a job as a professional quarterback.
27. Malik Willis, TEN 3-5
Season Totals: 50.8%, 276yds, 0 TD, 3 INT
It's no secret, I hate Malik Willis. If it weren't for slightly more useless QBs qualifying he would be dead last. This QB was hailed as the most high-upside project there had ever been, and here he is getting grossly outplayed by Josh freaking Dobbs. Not once have I even seen a glimmer of hope out of him on the field and I would blame him solely for the Titans missing the playoffs. I desperately hope the Titans do not continue to dump resources into him and cut him at their earliest convenience.
26. Brett Rypien, DEN 1-3
Season Totals: 61.5%, 778yds, 4 TD, 8 INT
Brett did his best this season. To follow up the disappointment of Russell Wilson, Rypien threw TWICE as many interceptions as he did touchdowns. Somehow in four appearances, he managed to get the third-most INTs this season amongst the fellows on this list.
25. Kyle Allen, HOU 0-2
Season Totals: 59%, 416yds, 2 TD, 4 INT
The Texans attempted to bench Davis Mills in favor of Kyle Allen and it went south-er fast. Allen is part of the younger generation of backups who are more suited for QB3, but somehow always end up starting a game due to crazy circumstances.
24. Sam Ehlinger, IND 0-4
Season Totals: 63.4%, 537yds, 3 TD, 3 INT
Ehlinger was benched twice this season for both Matt Ryan and Nick Foles. His first game was promising, but that seemed to be a fluke. Either that or it is impossible for any QB to perform on this team. Among an MVP and Super Bowl MVP, Ehlinger did not perform much worse than either so there's that...
23. Joe Flacco ⭐️, NYJ 1-4
Season Totals: 57.6%, 1051yds, 5 TD, 3 INT
Flacco is at the very end of his career and most of his play looks really bad, but every once in awhile you'll see a glimpse of the Dragon. Flacco was the veteran presence for the Jets having to help coach up Wilson, White, and Streveler this season. I feel like Robert Saleh leaned too much on Flacco this year as playing Mike White initially after Wilson's injury could have resulted in a playoff berth for Gang
Green.
22. Desmond Ridder ⭐️, ATL 2-2
Season Totals: 63.5%, 708yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
Ridder was another failure rookie QB. Surprisingly, he was able to earn his first and only "Gold Star Performance" in Week 18 by defeating the Buccaneers, destroying Tom Brady's legacy, and scoring his first two NFL touchdowns. The Falcons are in a deep hole and now with Mariota on the fast track out of Atlanta and a terrible QB in Ridder they must do whatever is needed to get a competent signal caller in 2023.
21. David Blough, ARI 0-2
Season Totals: 65.5%, 402yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Blough is just one of those guys you forget about. The Cardinals were desperate for QBs and he was next on the call sheet.
20. John Wolford, LAR 1-2
Season Totals: 61.3%, 390yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Wolford, like Colt McCoy, was hurt early into his stint this season which held back any attempt from him being a solid option. After being overshadowed by Baker Mayfield it is hard to see him back in action if the Rams decide to roll with Mayfield as their backup in 2023.
19. Colt McCoy ⭐️, ARI 1-3
Season Totals: 68.2%, 780yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
The veteran backup was a spot starter for the cardinals until multiple injuries of his own. McCoy historically is a good locker room guy and knows his plays. His prowess in this field of play showed in his lone "Gold Star Performance".
18. Teddy Bridgewater, MIA 1-4
Season Totals: 62%, 683yds, 4 TD, 4 INT
Bridgewater was one of the Dolphins' spot starters during the frequent absences of Tua Tagovailoa. When not being injured himself, Teddy looked like his usual self being a clean QB and doing what was needed to allow his team to work around him. He is a great mentor on the roster and I hope he can call Miami home just a little longer to aid in the progression of Thomps..... I mean Tua.
17. Mike White ⭐️, NYJ 1-3
Season Totals: 58.9%, 1192yds, 3 TD, 4 INT
White came off a hot 2021 season and was expected to take on the QB2 role again this year. He was able to finally shine once the Jets gave up on Zach Wilson late this year. White's run as QB1 swiftly came to an end when he broke multiple ribs in a game against the Bills. Despite his heroic efforts he was not able to lead New York to the promised land and it is unlikely they hand him the reins next season.
16. Tyler Huntley, BAL 3-3
Season Totals: 67%, 658yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
I once describe Tyler Huntley as Lamar Jackson-lite. Huntley looked to be the prototype to help the Ravens fine-tune their offense in a role once held by RGIII. This year he has been lackluster and has been thrown to the wolves (or Bengals in this case) by Lamar Jackson as he holds out via injury designation in his mission for a new contract. While Lamar may prove his point, Huntley looks to be losing out on any positive auditions he may have had by playing poorly in big moments.
15. Skylar Thompson, MIA 3-4
Season Totals: 57.1%, 534yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Skylar Thompson joins Brock Purdy as the first 7th-round QBs to start a playoff game. Thompson, like Teddy Bridgewater was a spot starter for Miami in lieu of persistent injuries in the QB room. Thompson is not an impressive starter by any means and has probably overstayed his welcome on the field.
14. P.J. Walker ⭐️⭐️, CAR 2-4
Season Totals: 59.4%, 731yds, 3 TD, 3 INT
The former XFL star was fun to watch, but also had a lot of issues that led him to poor decision-making, oftentimes leading the Panthers further into darkness. One of many fresh faces in Carolina this season, Walker proved that he has the right to be on a roster. The raw talent is there, if he can learn to reel it in he will throw a lot of teams for a loop in future starts.
13. Joshua Dobbs, TEN 0-2
Season Totals: 58.8%, 411yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Dobbs came in as a late-season addition in a last-ditch effort to win the AFC South and make the playoffs. Dobbs was not amazing, but he was a huge upgrade over Malik Willis whom he eclipsed all of his stats in a quarter of the appearances. Dobbs is obviously not the answer in a post-Ryan Tannehill era, but he has more than earned a spot as a backup QB in this league.
12. Jarrett Stidham ⭐️, LV 0-3
Season Totals: 63.9%, 656yds, 4 TD, 3 INT
Stidham marked the end of the Derek Carr era in Las Vegas after HC Josh McDaniels elected to finish their season by evaluating the young QB. Stidham, while not a world-beater, managed to put on one of the games of the year in a matchup against San Francisco's Brock Purdy in an overtime thriller, but did not do much else to shift the vibe of the Raiders. At worst, Stidham put on a solid free agent showcase for this offseason where he could earn a nice contract as a backup in this league.
11. Gardner Minshew ⭐️, PHI 2-2
Season Totals: 57.9%, 663yds, 3 TD, 3 INT
I had a lot of hope for Minshew after his gutsy stint in Jacksonville and this season was flip-floppy with the Eagles. One game Minshew is competing with an amazing Cowboys team and the next he is getting shown up by the sad New Orleans Saints. Minshew reminds me of Ryan Fitzpatrick in the fact that he has high highs and low lows. This swaggy QB has a long career ahead of him, but I believe that every game will be a coinflip on his performance.
10. Cooper Rush ⭐️⭐️⭐️, DAL 6-3
Season Totals: 58%, 1051yds, 5 TD, 3 INT
The world fell in love with Cooper Rush in the first quarter of the season. Rush managed to go 4-1 as a starter and had many calling for Dak Prescott to never return. Rush also earned a GSP in nearly every one of his victories to add to his impressive run as a starter.
9. Bailey Zappe ⭐️⭐️⭐️, NE 2-2
Season Totals: 70.7% 781yds, 5 TD, 3 INT
Zappe was the AFC equivalent to Cooper Rush. A young passer that surprised the masses with how decent he actually was. I believe that Zappe could develop into a starter if the Patriots give up on Mac Jones earlier than expected. Granted he is not there yet, but just wait on it.
8. Baker Mayfield ⭐️⭐️, LAR 2-3
Season Totals: 63.6%, 850yds, 4 TD, 2 INT
Mayfield started this season ineligible for my list after being the starting QB for the Panthers. After a disastrous start to the season and a back-and-forth QB carousel, the Panthers decide to release Baker midway through the season. After shutting down Matt Stafford for the season, the Los Angeles Rams decided that he was better than any other QB on their roster and ended up being the only team to put a waiver out for him. Baker came in immediately and played in a Thursday night game two days after signing with the team and led them to a victory over the Raiders. Baker had strange up-and-downs with the Rams that included dropping a 50-burger on Denver on Christmas Day and with free agency looming, Mayfield looks to find another shot at redefining his career.
7. Jacoby Brissett ⭐️⭐️⭐️, CLE 7-9
Season Totals: 64%, 2608yds, 12 TD, 6 INT
Brissett was technically the starter this season, but we all knew who the QB1 was and Brissett was there to guide a team through a lengthy suspension. It took a while for Brissett to heat up and his first few games were slow and boring. We saw all facets of him this year safe play, bad play, good play, a true backup after my own heart. I love watching Brissett come off the bench in games and I hope he is able to journeyman around for a long while.
6. Sam Darnold ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, CAR 4-2
Season Totals: 58.6%, 1143yds, 7 TD, 3 INT
The Carolina Panthers traded for Sam Darnold to be their starter in the 2021 season. After a very poor season, they looked to greener pastures while still having to keep Darnold's rookie contract on the books. The Panthers looked to his draftmate, Cleveland QB Baker Mayfield as his replacement. Another failure and a coach firing later, Carolina turned back to Darnold has their savior. immediately the Panthers looked like they had a pulse in a weak NFC South. Despite Darnold's heroics, Carolina was too far gone and fell to the Buccaneers in Week 17 and was eliminated from playoff contention.
5. Andy Dalton ⭐️⭐️⭐️, NO 6-8
Season Totals: 66.7%, 2871yds, 18 TD, 9 INT
The Red Rifle joined his fourth team in as many years looking to enjoy a backup career in his later years as a professional football player. With the younger and more talented Jameis Winston in line to lead the Saints, Dalton was more of an insurance policy, but this one actually paid out. Dalton won the starting job after a Winston injury and subsequently outperformed him in practice as he recovered. Dalton was able to keep the Saints afloat until a Green Bay victory in Week 17 eliminated them via tiebreaking procedures. Dalton managed to become a top 10 QB in completion percentage and showing that he still maintains the operational mediocrity he was known for as the leading man in Cincinnati.
4. Kenny Pickett, PIT 7-6
Season Totals: 63%, 2404yds, 7 TD, 9 INT
Pickett was the lone QB taken in the first round of the draft. The Steelers elected to lead off with QB Mitch Trubisky until a halftime meltdown led to Tomlin switching to Pickett. In 13 appearances, Pickett managed to not earn a single "Gold Star Performance", this stat aside I have been truly impressed by his visible improvement over the year and the ability to win when it counts, and keep his team in contention until a bad luck tiebreaker in Week 18 after the Miami Dolphins defeated the New York Jets.
3. Taylor Heinicke ⭐️⭐️⭐️, WSH 5-3-1
Season Totals: 62.2%, 1859yds, 12 TD, 6 INT
"Him"nicke was one of my favorite backups this year and often one of our top performers. He was able to create a legitimate QB controversy and took Carson Wentz's starting job before it was unfairly stripped from in a matchup against San Francisco. As per usual Heinicke did not disappoint and was very fun on the field leading him to be near the top of this list.
2. Jimmy Garoppolo ⭐️⭐️, SF 8-3
Season Totals: 67.2%, 2437yds, 16 TD, 4 INT
The most accomplished of all of our backups was re-signed with the Niners after they decided to move on with Trey Lance. Lance was hurt in the second game of the season and Garoppolo returned for the remainder of the year. That is until Jimmy G came down with his own season-ender on a very impressive backup season. The Garollercoaster is now set to be one of the hottest free agents this offseason looking to find another full-time starter position.
1. Brock Purdy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, SF 6-1
Season Totals: 67.1%, 1374yds, 13 TD, 4 INT
Brock Purdy, as we all now know, was the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and is now slated to be one of the first 7th-round rookie QBs to start a playoff game. Purdy came to the forefront after 49ers QB2 Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a season-ending foot injury in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins. He then finished the game and already exceeded expectations by finishing the game with a win. Since entering that Week 13 matchup Purdy has been undefeated as a starter heading into the postseason. In every start, Purdy has earned our signature "Gold Star Performance" and become our one and only 5⭐️ QB. Mr. Relevant has worked is way into our hearts and earned the number one spot based on his elite play under center.
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