This NFL season, a whopping seven quarterbacks have suffered season-ending injuries, with others missing much time due to injury and some simply playing badly. Joe Burrow, Aaron Rodgers, and Kirk Cousins, to name a few. Nearly a third of NFL teams are now led by a former backup quarterback, and the results have been mixed. So here are the rankings for the 2023 NFL season's backup quarterbacks:
No. 8: Zach Wilson
Considering that there is a lower standard for backup quarterbacks, when one gets benched for the third string due to poor play, that is a very bad sign. But that is precisely what happened with Jets' quarterback Zach Wilson. After Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles tear on the fourth play of the season, Zach Wilson's 59.2 completion percentage, 73.8 passer rating, and six touchdowns to seven picks through 10 games was not enough to keep his starting role, with it replaced by Tim Boyle. Wilson often doesn't look at multiple reads before throwing the ball, thus defenders know exactly where the ball is going.
No. 7: Tyson Bagnet
Bears' starting quarterback Justin Fields missed five games due to a wrist injury, leaving a hole in the offense. That hole was not fixed by backup quarterback Tyson Bagnet. Despite the Bears' defense allowing just 18.4 points per game during that stretch, the offense led by Bagnet averaged a mere 17.8 points per game. The Bears' offense revolves around Justin Fields's ability to extend the play and run the ball. However, Bagnet's pocket passing and progression playstyle doesn't work with few versatile players and a subpar offensive line. His 71.4 passer rating and 3-6 interception-to-touchdown ratio aren't enough to capitalize on an opportunistic defense.
No. 6: Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Browns' quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is tasked to replace Deshaun Watson, who suffered a season-ending injury a few weeks ago. Playing better than Deshaun Watson this season is not difficult, but Thompson-Robinson doesn't quite fit into this offensive scheme. The only impactful receiver on this roster is Amari Cooper, who relies on deeper passes thrown over defensive backs. However, Dorian Thompson-Robinson doesn't check many reads before throwing the ball, resulting in Cooper getting the ball less than he should and less overall offensive production. Thompson-Robinson's playstyle would be more effective on the Lions, Falcons, or Chiefs.
No. 5: Jake Browning
The Bengals season could be salvaged sitting at 5-5 after the loss of starting quarterback Joe Burrow. Second-string Jake Browning has only played one full game since Burrow's injury, but his performance didn't give fans much to be excited about for the rest of the season. Browning threw for 227 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the week 12 loss to the division-rival Steelers. Not a terrible outing, but mediocre considering the amount of weapons on that offense, and it was only enough to score 10 points in a 16-10 loss.
No. 4: Aidan O'Connell
Unlike the other backup quarterbacks on this list, Aidan O'Connell did not receive the starting job due to injury, rather Raiders' starting QB Jimmy Garappalo was having an underwhelming season. O'Connell's performance has been very similar to Garapollo's, with a 63.5 completion percentage, a 4-6 touchdown to interception ratio, and a 76.4 passer rating. The Raiders also have a 2-3 record with O'Connell starting and a 3-4 record with Garappollo starting.
However, Aiden O'Connell will keep the starting job because he puts more trust in his receivers to get open and catch passes downfield, especially Davante Adams. The Raiders are paying Davante Adams $28 million per year, but Jimmy Garappolo barely targeted him, despite Adams being a 6-time pro bowler. So even though both quarterbacks have played the same, the Raiders are getting their money's worth with Aidan O'Connell.
No. 3: Joshua Dobbs
When starting quarterback Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in week 9, the Vikings made a quick decision by trading for Cardinals' QB Joshua Dobbs to keep their season alive. Dobbs has done exactly that, going 2-2 as the Vikings' starter, with both losses decided by less than three points. Dobbs has completed 66.4% of passes, throwing five interceptions to five picks, and a passer rating of 84.3 as a Viking. With Kirk Cousins at quarterback, the Vikings' offense had a progression-based scheme, as Cousins is a traditional pocket passer. But Josh Dobbs has given this offense a refreshing change of pace with his improvisational and run-heavy playstyle.
No. 2: Tommy Devito
The main job of a backup quarterback is to be a game manager and let the talent around him win the team games. However, Tommy Devito has next to zero playmakers to give the ball to, and an atrcious offensive line. Despite this, Devito has recorded some impressive stats, with a 92.4 passer rating, a 7-3 touchdown to interception ratio, and completing 62.9% of passes. Not only is this impressive despite the Giants' top receiver having just 265 yards, Devito has also played significantly better than the former starter, Daniel Jones.
No. 1: Gardner Minshew:
Gardner Minshew has been one of the NFL's most reliable and talented backup quarterbacks throughout his career, and he is proving it again this season. Minshew's solid performance has led the Colts into playoff contention, even though this was supposed to be a rebuilding year. After rookie dual-threat quarterback Anthony Richardson endured a season-ending ACL tear, Gardner Minshew's veteran presence allowed the offense to run smoother and more efficiently. A 63% completion percentage, eight touchdowns to 7 interceptions, and 281 yards per game make Minshew the best backup quarterback this season and a borderline bottom-10 starter.
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