The quarterback position stands as the most pivotal role in professional football. NFL organizations consistently invest enormous resources to lock down dependable signal-callers, yet injuries inevitably disrupt even the most carefully crafted depth charts. Take the Dallas Cowboys—they’re paying top dollar for Dak Prescott, but still managed losing seasons twice over the past five years when their star missed extended stretches.
A solid backup can make all the difference between salvaging a season and watching it crumble. Teams blessed with elite starters aren’t automatically doomed when those players hit the shelf. Back in 2022, Prescott’s five-game absence could have derailed Dallas entirely. Instead, Cooper Rush seized the moment, guiding the Cowboys to a stellar 4-1 record during that span and helping the team reach 12-5 overall.
This breakdown examines the 10 most concerning quarterback situations league-wide, weighing both starters and their understudies—though starters carry the heavier influence in these rankings. We’ve left out teams starting rookie quarterbacks since their NFL track records remain blank slates, and starters dominate these evaluations anyway. That means the Tennessee Titans with rookie Cam Ward and Minnesota Vikings with J.J. McCarthy (who’s virtually a rookie) don’t factor into this analysis.
10. New York Giants
Russell Wilson, Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston
The Giants actually boast one of the stronger backup quarterback rooms around, but their starting situation keeps them planted on this list. Wilson, now 36, rarely flashes the brilliance that defined his Seattle peak years. Sure, late-career resurrections happen, but his Pittsburgh stint last season barely rose above ordinary. Whether his New York chapter produces anything beyond that same bland mediocrity remains an open question.
9. New England Patriots
Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs, Tommy DeVito
Rookie Drake Maye displayed encouraging flashes as last year’s No. 3 draft selection. Should he take the expected sophomore surge, New England’s quarterback depth could see meaningful improvement. But if Maye falters, the Patriots lean on veterans Joshua Dobbs and Tommy DeVito—neither exactly inspiring confidence. Dobbs often opens games strongly yet lacks the consistency needed for extended stretches. DeVito, recently claimed off waivers, brings a troubling starter record, with most wins coming against questionable opposition.
8. Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa, Zach Wilson, Quinn Ewers
Worries about Tagovailoa staying healthy for a full campaign persist year after year. His injury history reads like a medical textbook, and if he goes down again, Miami faces grim prospects with backups Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers—neither offering much in terms of reliable long-term answers.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
Geno Smith, Kenny Pickett, Aiden O’Connell
When you’re scrambling to trade for backup Kenny Pickett barely two weeks before season kickoff because Aiden O’Connell got hurt, that screams trouble. At least this year’s starting competition avoided the dreaded O’Connell-versus-Gardner Minshew showdown that had everyone worried, but the depth chart still feels paper-thin.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Sam Darnold, Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe
Whether Sam Darnold’s 2024 breakout represents genuine growth or just a lucky streak could determine Seattle’s fate. His success came alongside offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell and superstar receiver Justin Jefferson—luxuries he won’t enjoy in the Pacific Northwest. Drew Lock offers a decent short-term safety net after his surprising late-season run with the Giants, but if Darnold slides back to his old habits, Seattle’s quarterback cupboard looks pretty bare.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, Skylar Thompson
Aaron Rodgers’ disappointing 2024 season sparked debates about what’s really behind his decline—was it the Jets’ toxic environment or simply Father Time catching up, especially after that Achilles nightmare? At nearly 42, Rodgers remains Pittsburgh’s unquestioned starter when healthy. The backup cast behind him reads like a who’s-who of developmental question marks, offering little comfort if the veteran goes down.
4. Cleveland Browns
Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson
Cleveland’s training camp quarterback lineup mixes seasoned veterans with developmental prospects. Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett provide steadier backup options, while Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders represent future investments. The elephant in the room? That albatross contract representing the worst quarterback deal in NFL history. Flacco can keep the position from complete disaster, but Cleveland’s overall quarterback outlook remains decidedly bleak.
3. New York Jets
Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor
Justin Fields still carries the potential that made him a coveted draft pick, mirroring quarterback revival stories like Sam Darnold’s recent renaissance. But Fields now enters an organization where quarterbacks historically go to watch their careers stagnate. Veteran backup Tyrod Taylor, once regarded among the league’s premier reserves, is pushing 36 and hasn’t delivered noteworthy performances lately.
2. Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson, Riley Leonard
The Colts are chasing their own “Smith-Darnold” miracle, but currently show little faith in Daniel Jones, whose recent performances offer scant reason for optimism. The roster doesn’t present many advantages to boost his play either. Anthony Richardson, who lost this offseason’s starting battle, similarly fails to inspire confidence heading into the new season. Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement created a void Indianapolis still hasn’t managed to fill.
1. New Orleans Saints
Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough
Derek Carr’s surprise retirement this offseason blindsided the Saints organization. Even if they were monitoring Carr’s declining health, losing their projected starter after free agency and the draft concluded left them in full panic mode. Second-round selection Tyler Shough carries future potential, and the franchise seems hesitant to rush his development timeline. Still, the absence of clear leadership at the position creates serious concerns, particularly since Spencer Rattler couldn’t separate himself in what should have been a competitive quarterback battle.
Photos of Russell Wilson and Spencer Rattler: Sarah Stier and Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
