This NFL season has seen numerous backup quarterbacks stepping up impressively when called upon, amidst a season marked by an unprecedented amount of quarterback injuries, emphasizing the ‘next man up’ mentality in football’s most crucial position.

Let’s explore how these NFL backup quarterbacks have performed after taking over for the original starters.

Indianapolis Colts: Gardner Minshew 

Gardner Minshew, a former sixth-round draft pick from Washington State, has demonstrated his capability to make plays in the NFL. Over his career, Minshew has caused analysts and teams to take closer look at his success on the gridiron. Minshew took over for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson in week five and will remain the starter for the conclusion of the 2023 season.

The Colts are one game away from tying the Jacksonville Jaguars and are currently on a four-game winning streak. Here are Minshew’s numbers and record this season.

Completions: 213

Attempts: 339

Completion %: 62.8

Yards: 2,284

Touchdowns: 10

Interceptions: 7

Win to Loss Record: 5-3

Minnesota Vikings & Arizona Cardinals: Joshua Dobbs 

Cardinals Journey:

Robert Joshua Dobbs, also known by his new nickname “the Passtronaut”, has been a journeyman in the NFL but has escalated his role this season after being in three different cities – Cleveland, Arizona, and Minnesota. Dobbs was named the starting quarterback for eight games in Arizona while Kyler Murray was recovering from an ACL tear. Dobbs’ only highlight during the entire Arizona stay was his victory against the very solid Dallas Cowboys in week three. Arizona was looking for their first win and the Cowboys were 2-0. After that game, Dobbs’ Cardinals did not produce enough and he finished his tenure with a 1-7 win-to-loss record.

Cardinals Stats: 

Completions: 167

Attempts: 266

Completion %: 62.8

Yards: 1,569

Touchdowns: 8

Interceptions: 5

Win to Loss Record: 1-7

Vikings Journey: 

Following a season-ending Achilles injury to franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acquired Dobbs before the NFL trade deadline. The goal was to slowly bring Dobbs up to speed with the offense but an injury to quarterback Jaren Hall prompted an immediate decision by Kevin O’Connell.

Cardinals Stats: 

Completions: 85

Attempts: 128

Completion %: 66.4

Yards: 832

Touchdowns: 5

Interceptions: 5

Win to Loss Record: 1-2

Chicago Bears: Tyson Bagent

Bagent was more than serviceable winning two out of four games. The Bears currently have four wins on the total season; therefore, Bagent won half of their games.

Completions: 94

Attempts: 143

Completion %: 65.7

Yards: 859

Touchdowns: 3

Interceptions: 6

Win to Loss Record: 2-2

Cleveland Browns: PJ Walker, DTR, Joe Flacco: 

The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation after the loss of Deshaun Watson is beyond unique. The organization has started three individuals over the last month, including former Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens signal-caller Joe Flacco.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 

Completions: 58

Attempts: 109

Completion %: 53.2

Yards: 429

Touchdowns: 1

Interceptions: 4

Win to Loss Record: 1-2

PJ Walker: 

Completions: 54

Attempts: 111

Completion %: 48.6

Yards: 674

Touchdowns: 1

Interceptions: 5

Win to Loss Record: 1-1

Joe Flacco: 

Completions: 23

Attempts: 44

Completion %: 52.3

Yards: 254

Touchdowns: 2

Interceptions: 1

Win to Loss Record: 0-1

Las Vegas Raiders: Aidan O’Connell 

Shortly after Raiders’ head coach Josh McDaniels was fired, interim Antonio Pierce named rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell the full-time starter.

Completions: 113

Attempts: 178

Completion %: 63.5

Yards: 1,194

Touchdowns: 4

Interceptions: 6

Win to Loss Record: 2-3

New York Jets: Zach Wilson & Tim Boyle 

Boyle’s stay in New York was short lived after proving that the challenge was far too difficult. He was recently released prompting the Jets organization to sign Brett Rypien to the active roster.

The injury to Aaron Rodgers to start the 2023 NFL season gave former first round selection Zach Wilson an opportunity to improve from the lackluster performance a year prior. Wilson struggled greatly and the Jets turned to Tim Boyle. After Boyle struggled as well, the Jets released him and signed former undrafted Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien to the active roster.

Rypien has NFL starting experience and his statistics are below average. 98 completions out of 168 for 950 yards and four touchdowns to nine interceptions. Will Rypien be the next failure under the offensive leadership of Nathaniel Hackett?

Zach Wilson was once again named the starter on Wednesday, December 6th and will start their week 14 game versus the Houston Texans.

Zach Wilson: 

Completions: 190

Attempts: 321

Completion %: 59.2

Yards: 1,944

Touchdowns: 6

Interceptions: 7

Win to Loss Record: 3-6

Tim Boyle: 

Completions: 48

Attempts: 77

Completion %: 62.3

Yards: 360

Touchdowns: 1

Interceptions: 4

Win to Loss Record: 0-2

New England Patriots: Bailey Zappe

The 2-10 Patriots will matchup against the Steelers on Thursday Night football and will be with their backup quarterback in Bailey Zappe instead of former first-round and hopeful franchise quarterback Mac Jones.

Jones has not been the answer and was benched due to poor play. He has a 2-9 record this year and threw 10 touchdowns to 12 interceptions with a 64.9 completion rating. As the starting quarterback since 2021, Jones has complied a 18-24 record and the Patriots are not nearly as close to the playoff contention as they hope for.

Bailey Zappe is 0-1 as the starter and his statistics are not something to jump up and down for.

Completions: 32

Attempts: 64

Completion %: 50.0

Yards: 299

Touchdowns: 0

Interceptions: 2

Win to Loss Record: 0-1 (As Starter)

New Orleans Saints: Jameis Winston 

The Saints are facing challenges at the most crucial position on their football team: reliability and health. Derek Carr has been prone to injuries in 2023, and his performance has been questionable. In a division where the Falcons are currently in first place with just a 6-6 record, the Saints need to improve their production rather quickly.

Jameis Winston, a former first overall pick, is a very bold athlete known for his deep throws and risky passes that sometimes pay off. His ability to not be afraid has both hurt his team but also has provided a much-needed spark at times.

Completions: 25

Attempts: 47

Completion %: 53.2

Yards: 264

Touchdowns: 2

Interceptions: 3

Win to Loss Record: N/A

New York Giants: Tommy Devito

Tommy DeVito became an internet sensation when his comments regarding his living situation went viral in November.

#Giants QB Tommy DeVito still lives with his parents and loves it:

"I don't have to worry about laundry, what I'm eating for dinner, chicken cutlets and all that is waiting for me when I get there."

"My mom still makes my bed. Everything is handled for me."

😄

(h/t… https://t.co/QMYAnp1ixC pic.twitter.com/FY0jZBQ1yj

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 11, 2023

Confidence is something that DeVito does not lack and he has been a solid backup for the 4-8 New York Giants.

Completions: 66

Attempts: 105

Completion %: 62.9

Yards: 697

Touchdowns: 7

Interceptions: 3

Win to Loss Record: 2-1

Like the Bears and Tyson Bagent, DeVito also has accumulated half the number of wins for his football team. His recent success has prompted coach Brian Daboll to keep him as the starter.

Brian Daboll said Tommy DeVito will start this week.

— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) December 5, 2023

Tennessee Titans: Will Levis 

Levis started the season as the third-string quarterback behind both Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis before jumping ahead and eventually becoming what the Titans believe to be their franchise quarterback.

Completions: 107

Attempts: 185

Completion %: 57.8

Yards: 1,266

Touchdowns: 7

Interceptions: 2

Win to Loss Record: 2-4

Final Thoughts: 

There are a few other NFL teams that have backup quarterbacks who have started this season. The ultimate goal was to provide you with backups who have either performed at a high level or are winning multiple games for their team.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a backup situation brewing with the loss of Kenny Pickett. Mitch Trubisky and/or Mason Rudolph would be the ones who can start in his absence. The addition of Trace McSorley also gives the Steelers another option in the future but he must get caught up to speed with the playbook.

Ultimately, numerous franchises have had to rely on their backup quarterbacks, and in some cases, even their third-stringers, to ignite a spark or sustain their season’s success. In these games, the majority of these backups have fulfilled their roles, keeping the momentum going. As the playoffs approach, watch for these quarterbacks to increasingly step up their game in the crucial weeks ahead.