Ranking all 32 backup quarterbacks in the NFL: Which teams can truly rely on their QB2s if needed? — SkimNews
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- Fernando Mendoza tops the ranking as the Raiders' backup; the No. 1 draft pick's upside earns him the top spot over veterans despite no regular-season snaps, with the author comparing his situation to Drake Maye two years ago.
- Marcus Mariota lands at No. 2 in Washington after starting eight games for the Commanders last season during Jayden Daniels's injury absence (50.4 QBR), then re-signing on a one-year, $7 million deal at age 32.
- Mac Jones ranks No. 3 in San Francisco after posting a 62.7 QBR and plus-3% completion percentage over expected while filling in for Brock Purdy for eight games, though his 2022-24 QBR with the Patriots and Jaguars was just 37.6.
- Week 1 injuries forced Drew Lock into action for Seattle (79.9 QBR in a 13-10 win over New England) and Carson Wentz into action for Minnesota (58.9 QBR, including a 39-yard TD to Justin Jefferson) — both backup-led teams won.
- Tyler Huntley dropped in 2024 after bouncing among teams but returned to Baltimore in 2025 and earned a new contract with $3.5 million fully guaranteed after recording an 81.1 QBR in limited action, including two starts.
- Michael Penix Jr. is listed as Atlanta's backup for ranking purposes even though QB3 Cooper Rush started Week 1; the former top-10 pick has a 55.7 career QBR and a 4.1% sack rate but is recovering from his third torn ACL since college.
Why it matters: The article argues that Week 1 already proved the thesis — Darnold and Murray went down, Lock and Wentz delivered wins. With QB2 quality ranging from a No. 1 draft pick (Mendoza) to a 41-year-old Joe Flacco on the Bengals' bench, a single starter injury now separates playoff teams from also-rans in a way the author says is underappreciated.
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