Projecting Which Backup QBs Will See Most Playing Time in 2025 NFL Season

In the NFL, backup quarterbacks must be ready to play in any given week because of injuries and the need to replace underperforming starters.

Every year, head coaches run out of patience with their starting QBs because of a lack of development or costly turnovers. And injuries are just a reality in a 17-game season.

This year, several signal-callers will start as primary backups but may finish the season as starters.

Looking at the aging, struggling or injured QBs across the league, here are six backups who could see the most playing time in 2025.

Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Panthers QB Andy Dalton

Dave Canales has shown he's willing to sideline Bryce Young when the offense stalls for stretches, and it didn't take long last year.

The Carolina Panthers benched the young signal-caller in Week 3 of the previous campaign and inserted Andy Dalton into the starting lineup.

Remember, Young only reclaimed the starting position because Dalton sprained his thumb in a car accident.

Canales believes Dalton injured his elbow in the Panthers' second preseason game. If that's the case, the veteran could be ready for fill-in duty for the regular season. If not, Carolina can turn to Jack Plummer or Bryce Perkins.

As the No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 draft, Young enters a crucial year that will impact his short-term future in Carolina. Though he played his best football in the final three weeks of the 2024 term, throwing for 612 yards and seven touchdowns with a 65 percent completion rate, another slow start to the season could jeopardize his job security.

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants

AP Photo/Noah K. Murray

Giants QB Jaxson Dart

On multiple occasions, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll has said Russell Wilson is the team's quarterback.

He reiterated that statement following Big Blue's Week 2 preseason game in which Jaxson Dart completed 14 out of 16 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a score.

Despite Dart's impressive play in two exhibition games, Wilson will open the season under center, but he's going to finish it on the sideline with a clipboard in his hand.

The Giants face a brutal schedule. Outside their division, they will play the AFC West and NFC North, two divisions that sent three teams to the playoffs last season.

The AFC West will be even tougher with head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Geno Smith leading the Las Vegas Raiders. In the NFC North, the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings have new play-callers or a new starting quarterback, but they all have strong rosters.

Furthermore, Big Blue went 0-6 in its division last season. The Giants' NFC East battles won't get any easier against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys with a healthy Dak Prescott.

Wilson should be good enough to keep the Giants competitive, but once the losses pile up, the team will likely take a look at its future quarterback. At the latest, Dart could see the field after the team's Week 14 bye.

Jimmy Garoppolo, Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea

Rams QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Matthew Stafford's status for Week 1 is unclear because of a back injury. A Los Angeles Rams spokesperson declined to comment when asked if the quarterback went through a scheduled practice at the weekend, per ESPN's Sarah Barshop.

Head coach Sean McVay told reporters the team will be "flexible and fluid" with Stafford's recovery process.

The 37-year-old has played through injuries and performed well despite those issues in his career. However, his inability to practice this late in the offseason opens up the possibility of Jimmy Garoppolo starting the season under center.

Even more troubling for the Rams' quarterback situation, McVay said Stafford is dealing with pain tolerance and functional issues because of the injury.

If Stafford isn't able to function optimally now, the Rams could be extra cautious with his return this year.

Daniel Jones/Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Colts QB Daniel Jones (left) and Anthony Richardson Sr. (right)

The Indianapolis Colts haven't named a starting quarterback, but don't be surprised if both Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson log several starts in the upcoming season.

Richardson has been an unreliable starter who has missed 19 games in two seasons, mostly because of injuries.

Furthermore, he's an inefficient passer, throwing for 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with a 51 percent completion rate. Last year, head coach Shane Steichen benched him for Joe Flacco.

On the other hand, if Jones wins the starting job, he could eventually lose it because of poor performance. He has also struggled for form over the last two years, throwing for 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His completion rate dropped about four percent between 2023 and 2024.

The Colts offense has a low ceiling because of the two underwhelming former first-round quarterbacks competing for the lead job. With an extended stretch of offensive stagnation, one will be benched for the other.

Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders

In Week 1 of the preseason, Shedeur Sanders flashed his potential, completing 14 out of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He also showed more mobility than critics gave him credit for, with four carries for 19 yards.

The Colorado product didn't have an opportunity to build on that momentum because he suffered an oblique injury in the following week during practice.

The rookie signal-caller missed the Browns' second exhibition game, but head coach Kevin Stefanski "hopes" to have him available for the team's preseason finale.

Sanders had a more impressive debut outing than Dillon Gabriel, who completed 13 out of 18 passes for 143 yards and an interception against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2 of the preseason.

Kenny Pickett hasn't played in the preseason, and he's missed a lot of time on the practice field because of a hamstring injury. He may be a potential cut or trade candidate.

Joe Flacco will lead the offense in Week 1, but he's a 40-year-old quarterback on a team that won three games last year and, based on DraftKings' odds, is projected to be one of the worst clubs in 2025.

Assuming the Browns' season goes off the rails well before Thanksgiving, we're going to see Sanders or perhaps Gabriel under center while Deshaun Watson recovers from a torn Achilles.

Spencer Rattler/Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Matthew Hinton

Saints QB Spencer Rattler (left) and Tyler Shough

The New Orleans Saints have an open competition for the starting quarterback position. Based on the preseason games, Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough may be even in this battle, while Jake Haener is the third-stringer.

Shough outplayed Rattler in the Saints' first outing, but he threw an interception that the Los Angeles Chargers defense turned into a pick-six.

In New Orleans' second exhibition game, Rattler outplayed Shough, throwing for 199 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also tied the game with a run for a two-point conversion.

New Orleans would make a big mistake starting Shough over Rattler for Week 1, and it could result in an early benching.

Remember, Shough only started for one full collegiate term because of multiple injuries. The Saints could open the season with Rattler, who started six out of seven games in place of the injured Derek Carr last year, and allow the rookie signal-caller more time for development.

Though Rattler may show improvement with his top receivers being healthy this year, first-time head coach Kellen Moore isn't tied to his success, having inherited the roster from the previous coaching staff.

If Rattler struggles with a team coming off a five-win season, Moore may give him the quick hook for Shough, who was drafted in the second round this year.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.