Which NFL teams are set at backup QB? Who's in trouble? We rank them 1-32Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports November 19, 2015
(Photo: Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports)Either by chance or choice, NFL teams have gone to the bullpen frequently in 2015.Twelve quarterbacks who did not begin the season in the lineup have combined to start 28 games this season. That number could grow to 17 Sunday if the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans are forced to turn to backups Geno Smith, Mark Sanchez and T.J. Yates, respectively. Brock Osweiler of the Denver Broncos and Case Keenum of the St. Louis Rams have already gotten the call for Week 11.Teams approach the quarterback depth chart in various ways. Some, like the Broncos, favor a seasoned starter like Peyton Manning ahead of a promising developmental talent like Osweiler. Clubs with younger franchise quarterbacks, like the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck and Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton, tend to employ veteran understudies who can mentor the starter. Of course, many teams are just scrambling to field serviceable arms.Most NFL rosters feature three quarterbacks, with the third often residing on the practice squad. Only the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans currently have just two.With those tidbits in mind, we rank the backup QB situations for all 32 clubs:1. Indianapolis Colts: There isn't a more decorated No. 2 than Matt Hasselbeck, a three-time Pro Bowler who was good enough to lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl. He's 2-0 filling in for Andrew Luck so far, but how many starts can his 40-year-old body endure?2. Arizona Cardinals: We're not sure about Drew Stanton's dance moves, but we know he was a major reason the Cards reached the postseason last year after winning five of his starts in place of injured Carson Palmer.3. Carolina Panthers: People forget Derek Anderson was a Pro Bowler in Cleveland. They also forget that without the pair of wins he notched last year in emergency duty, the Panthers don't win the NFC South.4. Philadelphia Eagles: Streaky Mark Sanchez was as vexing as ever Sunday. But despite a tough role, he also seems to have made strides the past two seasons under Chip Kelly. (And some teams would pay handsomely for streaky.)5. Seattle Seahawks: Teammates love Tarvaris Jackson. And don't forget Pete Carroll preferred him to Matt Hasselbeck, and Jackson justified that faith as an effective starter in 2011, the year before Russell Wilson arrived.6. Cleveland Browns: At this point, apparently we need to regard Josh McCown as the wind beneath Johnny Manziel's wings. Not bad. Don't fault McCown, who's often been scintillating this season, for the Browns' demise. He does have the perfect demeanor to tutor Manziel going forward.7. Pittsburgh Steelers: They appear to have something in Landry Jones, who earned his first NFL win by playing four minutes Sunday. Michael Vick may be at the end of the road.8. Denver Broncos: Brock Osweiler may get to ditch the "unproven" label this weekend. But his demeanor and tools have earned high marks, which is why he was drafted before Russell Wilson.9. Minnesota Vikings: Shaun Hill has been a quintessential backup for 14 years and still good enough to start for the Rams in 2014.10. New York Jets: Yes, Geno Smith has been a disappointment, but he does have 29 starts under his belt, making him a serviceable stopgap. The Jets won't break the seal on rookie Bryce Petty this year.11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Glennon has a big arm and bigger frame and probably could be starting for some teams.12. Tennessee Titans: A lot of people love second-year QB Zach Mettenberger's talent. It hasn't translated into victory yet — he's 0-8, though his 79.0 passer rating isn't awful for a young player — but may eventually liberate him from Nashville for a starting gig elsewhere.13. Kansas City Chiefs: Despite his relative inexperience, the Chiefs like Chase Daniel enough to pay him nearly $4 million this season. Aaron Murray remains an intriguing prospect.14. Green Bay Packers: Scott Tolzien progressed enough for the Pack to part with longtime Plan B QB Matt Flynn. Brett Hundley is an exciting rookie who might be tantalizing trade bait in the future.15. San Francisco 49ers: Let's assume Blaine Gabbert's QB1 ride is temporary ... his hitch in Jacksonville would suggest as much, but maybe he's turned a corner.16. St. Louis Rams: We'll see how long Case Keenum holds the job. He's long on intangibles but lacks physical talent.17. Washington Redskins: Colt McCoy's physical limitations are obvious. But he was highly effective last year, so much so that coach Jay Gruden preferred him to Kirk Cousins and Robert Griffin III.18. Miami Dolphins: Matt Moore has 25 starts but none since 2011. And he tends to play his best when the games mean the least.19. Dallas Cowboys: Matt Cassel's been on three teams in the last year, so don't judge him too harshly for the Dallas fiasco. But he brings a steady presence and still played capably as the Vikings' starter in 2013.20. Houston Texans: Before he rode to the rescue Monday night, T.J. Yates had resembled a fringe player since his heroics as a Texans rookie in 2011. He still may have to fend off Brandon Weeden for the No. 2 job.21. New England Patriots: Jimmy Garoppolo remains an unknown, but Bill Belichick did have enough faith in him as a rookie in 2014 to make him Tom Brady's exclusive backup. Predecessors who have escaped New England — Matt Cassel, Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett among them — have proved a mixed bag at best, so it can't be assumed the Patriot Way has magically rubbed off on Garoppolo.22. Detroit Lions: Dan Orlovsky has squeezed out a 10-year career and come a long way from the guy who helped underwrite Detroit's infamous 0-16 season.23. San Diego Chargers: Kellen Clemens has shown he can win a few games in a pinch.24. Buffalo Bills: Former first rounder EJ Manuel displayed again this season why the franchise lost faith in him.25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Chad Henne has a whopping 53 starts to his name, though that's basically provided ample proof he shouldn't be starting.26. Oakland Raiders: Matt McGloin's intangibles may allow him to carry a clipboard for many years. But his tools dictate that's probably his best role.27. New Orleans Saints: Journeyman Matt Flynn has never managed to stick anywhere except Green Bay. But rookie Garrett Grayson may be the future for this team.28. Baltimore Ravens: Matt Schaub has two Pro Bowls on his resume but hasn't looked physically capable in about three years.29. New York Giants: Ryan Nassib has thrown five passes in three seasons. Your guess is as good as ours.30. Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton's play has essentially disbanded the AJ McCarron fan club in Cincinnati. The former Alabama star won big in college but has yet to throw an NFL pass.31. Atlanta Falcons: Sean Renfree, who's taken one knee in three years, is yet another mystery.32. Chicago Bears: Hate to knock a guy, but it's hard to justify Jimmy Clausen's continued NFL employment. He's earned every bit of his 1-11 NFL record.
