Backup QBs shine in Week 3 as Wentz, Mariota and Jones lead teams

Backup quarterbacks Carson Wentz, Marcus Mariota and Mac Jones delivered standout performances in Week 3 as fill-in starters, each guiding his team to a win and underscoring how quickly a steadying presence at quarterback can reshape an offense.

Wentz was 14 of 20 for 173 yards and two touchdowns in Minnesota’s 48-10 rout of Cincinnati. He looked comfortable in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, avoided costly mistakes, and withstood pressure as he played more like the MVP finalist who finished third in 2017 than a journeyman starting for his sixth team in six seasons. With J.J. McCarthy sidelined by an ankle injury, Wentz had an opportunity to live out a childhood dream playing for his favorite team. He posted a 129.8 passer rating—second-highest of his career—connecting with Justin Jefferson five times for 75 yards and throwing a 12-yard TD to Josh Oliver and a 5-yard TD to T.J. Hockenson. “I don’t want to be the one making plays. I just want to get it to those playmakers,” Wentz said. “That’s always been my philosophy. We’ve got some good ones here, and that’s been fun, seeing them work and practice. It’s only been a (few) weeks, obviously, but seeing it live in a game like today … it’s fun for me to see that because my job is just 1-2-3, throw it and let them do the hard work. It’s fun to see that and see those guys come to life like that.” The Vikings (2-1) are about to hit the road for two straight abroad games, facing Pittsburgh in Dublin next week and Cleveland in London on Oct. 5. If McCarthy isn’t ready to go, Wentz will get another chance to prove himself in Kevin O’Connell’s system.

Mariota stepped in for Jayden Daniels, who has a knee injury, and was efficient in Washington’s 41-24 win over Las Vegas. He finished 15 of 21 for 207 yards and one TD, and also ran for 40 yards and a score. The veteran hadn’t started a game since Dec. 4, 2022, with Atlanta, but his familiarity with Kliff Kingsbury’s system was evident. Mariota helped the offense rack up 400 yards. His only mistake was a fumble early in the game, and his steady presence helped Dan Quinn’s defense thrive as well. “He felt very much in control of it,” Quinn said. “He’s just so steady. I was super proud of him.” Mariota’s numbers could’ve looked better if not for a touchdown pass that was dropped and another pass that resulted in a tackle at the 1. “I love this system,” Mariota said. “I really feel like I have a great connection with Kliff, (offensive coordinator) Tavita (Pritchard), and the rest of the offensive staff. When we come down and we have these moments through the week, we’re all just communicating what we like and what we don’t like. We understand there’s gonna be moments where it’s not gonna work out the way we anticipated, but we never blink. It’s such a great, healthy environment for all parties involved. I’ve just really enjoyed my time here. Every opportunity I get, I just try to make the most of it.” His big day could’ve been even bigger if not for a dropped TD and a near-miss at the goal line.

Jones made his second straight start for San Francisco because Brock Purdy is dealing with a toe injury. He completed 27 of 41 passes for 284 yards with one TD and one interception in a 16-15 win over Arizona. Jones threw a pick with the score tied in the fourth quarter and the 49ers near field-goal range. A holding penalty in the end zone on San Francisco’s next possession resulted in a safety that gave Arizona a lead. “I thought he did some really good things,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I know there’s a couple that he’d love to take back, have back. I thought his pick was just a bad play. Love for Ricky (Pearsall) to be able to break that up, but I thought it was a bad call. The way he came back on the end on that last drive, he was unbelievable. Even scrambling around when his knee was bothering him. But, he was real good today.” Jones was once seen as the long-term successor to Tom Brady after the Patriots drafted him 15th overall in 2021, but he’s now on his third team after spending last season in Jacksonville. “I really was just motivated to change the narrative,” Jones said. “This team, I feel like they have my back and I got to be able to do that when I’m stepping in the game. … don’t put too much pressure on yourself, just go out there and let it fly.”

Tyrod Taylor, another backup, had mixed results. He completed 72.6% of his passes for 197 yards, two touchdowns and, notably, a costly pick-6 in a setback that kept his team from pulling off an upset. In Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield rallied the Buccaneers to their third straight comeback win, illustrating again why a second chance can matter in this league.

Daniel Jones isn’t a backup; he’s the starter in Indianapolis after leaving the Giants. The Colts (3-0) are off to their best start since 2009, and Jones is the first player in NFL history with at least three touchdowns passing, three touchdowns rushing and no turnovers in the first three games. The early-season surge has the league watching to see how Jones’s growth and a new coaching environment translate deeper into the schedule.

Across the league, other quarterbacks who have switched teams in recent seasons—Mayfield, Darnold, Jared Goff and Geno Smith among them—have found success when the system fits and the surrounding pieces align. Jones’s performance in Indianapolis adds another note to the ongoing conversation about how much a quarterback’s fate hinges on scheme, support, and coaching edge.

As Week 3 closes, the NFL’s backup-to-starter conversation remains a focal point of talent evaluation. The coming weeks will test whether Wentz, Mariota, Jones and the other fill-ins can sustain their early-season momentum and help their teams navigate a demanding schedule ahead.