What makes a good backup QB — and our ranking of all 32

The New York Post published a comprehensive ranking of all 32 NFL teams' backup quarterbacks, offering a framework for what makes a dependable fill-in and how each contingency plan stacks up entering the 2025 season. The piece, dated Sept. 19, 2025, evaluates each team's depth at quarterback and the potential impact of a short- or long-term replacement.

Focus areas include decision-making under pressure, familiarity with the offense, and the ability to manage games without asking the starter to return immediately. The ranking highlights Jake Browning's recent stretch with the Cincinnati Bengals as a case study, noting that Browning has stepped in for Joe Burrow during Burrow's toe-surgery recovery and that he owns a 4-3 record as a starter in 2023.

Jim Miller, co-host of SiriusXM NFL Radio's Movin' the Chains, told The Post that a good backup must not only execute basic plays but also raise his level of play when called upon: 'He's done it before — come off the bench and won games [4-3 in 2023]. So those guys know they need to raise their level of play to help him out, but they also know they can win with him.'

Beyond individual performances, the article uses a pop-culture reference to Varsity Blues' Jonathan Moxon to illustrate the broader lesson: even top-flight NFL starters can benefit from the right preparation and tempo, as backups must be ready to lead the offense when opportunity arises. The ranking spans all 32 teams and assesses each quarterback's readiness, system fit, and track record to determine who has the clearest path to contributing when the starter is sidelined.

Overall, the ranking represents a snapshot of quarterback depth across the league, reflecting who has the most plausible path to reliable play when the starter is unavailable and how teams plan for the season's inevitable injuries.