Cheat Sheet to Every NFL Team's Backup QBs for 2025 Season After Roster Cuts

It's often said that the backup quarterback is the most popular player on an NFL team because they represent the unknown, at least in their particular situations.

Starting QBs often get too much credit or blame for a squad's trajectory. If an organization doesn't have a top-flight starter, there's always a thought the next guy in line can do something differently.

Conversely, there's always the old Tom Moore adage of not worrying about a backup quarterback since a team will fail without its starter (to put it nicely).

Backup quarterbacks are essentially insurance plans. They're in place to ensure a team can keep its head above water in case of emergency.

A good backup tends to fall into one of three categories: Former starter; high-upside, developmental option; or smart but limited passer with a strong understanding of the offensive system.

As the 2025 campaign looms, let's take a look at how teams are set up if their starters go down at any point during the season.

Arizona Cardinals

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QB2: Jacoby Brissett

Jacoby Brissett has been the quintessential backup quarterback throughout his nine-year career, because he's been often asked to step into situations where the unexpected has happened.

In his second season, he was forced into the lineup after being acquired by the Indianapolis Colts because of injuries to Andrew Luck.

Two years later, Luck abruptly retired, which placed Brissett in the lineup again. Three years after that, he became the Cleveland Browns' primary starter after the team acquired Deshaun Watson, who was then suspended for the majority of the season.

Prior to last season, Arizona Cardinals starter Kyler Murray had missed at least three games during each of the previous three campaigns. Brissett is as solid an option as they can have as their backup option.

Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

QB2: Kirk Cousins

The Atlanta Falcons are paying big money to keep Kirk Cousins on the roster as their backup quarterback. In fact, the 37-year-old holds the sixth-highest salary-cap charge among all QBs this fall, per Over The Cap.

Obviously, the veteran came in as the starter only to be benched during his first season in Atlanta. As the Falcons transition to new starter Michael Penix Jr., Cousins moves into a different phase of his career, where he's a major benefit to the team.

"It's never going to be the same as it was," passing game coordinator TJ Yates told ESPN's Marc Raimondi, "but it's different in a different way. But I think it's better just because Kirk has been an absolute pro in every part of the process so far in how much he helps Mike and helps all the other quarterbacks in the room and at the same time getting himself prepared to go out there and perform. It is not an easy task for him to do and it's foreign to him, but he's handling everything like a pro and we're lucky to have him in the room."

Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez

QB2: Cooper Rush

Cooper Rush is an example of a backup bringing a drastically different skill set when compared to the starter.

To be fair, no one else is quite like Lamar Jackson. If the two-time league MVP goes down for any reason, the Baltimore Ravens will be forced to take a drastically different approach with whatever option they have.

In this particular case, the Ravens went out and signed Rush as a free agent this offseason because he's a longtime, established backup quarterback, with 14 career starts in seven seasons—the majority of which came last season, where he completed 61 percent of his passes with a 12-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio while filling in for an injured Dak Prescott.

Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

QB2: Mitchell Trubisky

Mitchell Trubisky is entering his third season as Josh Allen's backup, albeit with a stint as part of the Pittsburgh Steelers sandwiched between.

The eight-year veteran is long removed from being the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. His time with the Steelers again proved he's not a legitimate starting option, but he's still striving to achieve that goal.

"That's tough sometimes, I think, cause you always want to stay in the moment and take it day by day," the 31-year-old told reporters, "but, I mean, the long-term goal is definitely to be a starter and a franchise guy somewhere again. I think if you have that mindset and strive for that, but also take it one day at a time, everything else will kind of take care of itself in the meantime."

Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Rusty Jones

QB2: Andy Dalton

If Andy Dalton hadn't injured the thumb on his throwing hand during a car accident last October, he may still be the Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback.

At the time, the veteran had been leading the Carolina offense after head coach Dave Canales benched Bryce Young, despite being the No. 1 overall pick a year prior.

Instead, Young rejoined the lineup and showed enough promise to keep building around him going into the 2025 campaign.

Dalton, 37, is the most experienced backup in the NFL, with 168 career starts and 39,500 passing yards. If Young doesn't show marked improvement in Year 3, the Panthers coaching staff can again call upon the Red Rifle to retake the reins.

Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

QB2: Tyson Bagent
QB3: Case Keenum

The Chicago Bears have a nice mix at quarterback right now, with expectations of last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Caleb Williams, ascending in Year 2.

Behind him, Tyson Bagent offers another young option who isn't an immediate threat to Williams but still presents upside. Finally, Case Keenum is the veteran journeyman, who can help mentor both.

Bagent is very grateful for his standing with the team after the organization signed him to a two-year, $10 million contract extension last week. He may be content for now, but he's still striving for more.

"That was the hard part," the 25-year-old said about waiting for a potential starting job. "We all still think that can happen with this deal. After this deal is over with, I will be in a much better place and much more ready to play a lot of games if I keep learning from this staff for as long as I can. That's what went into it."

Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

QB2: Jake Browning

Jake Browning already showed his value to the Cincinnati Bengals. During his first season with the franchise, he started seven games, completed 70.4 percent of his passes, threw for 12 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions and helped the team keep a record over .500 during that stretch.

Joe Burrow is a top-five quarterback. and another injury to him is the worst-case scenario for the Bengals. Browning can help mitigate the damage, though, because he can orchestrate the offense, be relatively efficient and take advantage of the immense talent found among Cincinnati's skill positions.

"He has a full grasp of the offense," offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher told reporters. "He knows what we're asking out of him. He's one of the best teammates I've ever been around. He'll be a phenomenal coach if he ever decides he wants to do it. He's an important part of what we do here."

Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/David Richard

QB2: Dillon Gabriel
QB3: Shedeur Sanders

What the Cleveland Browns feature among their backup quarterbacks is far more intriguing than the team's current starting setup.

In the best-case scenario, Joe Flacco recaptures the magic from the 2023 season and helps lead the Browns to the postseason again. At that point, the team doesn't stack up well with the AFC's elite.

Some may even say the previous projection may be the worst-case scenario, because it doesn't allow the organization to get a look at either of its rookie QBs.

Dillon Gabriel showed through two preseason contests how efficient and timely he can be in the Browns offense, while Shedeur Sanders still presents significant upside with some flashes of brilliance.

At some point, Cleveland needs to get a look at both to understand what it has at the game's most important position going into next offseason.

Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez

QB2: Joe Milton III

The Dallas Cowboys are taking a shot at raw upside by keeping Joe Milton III as their primary backup quarterback.

"We know Dak's our starter and Joe's the backup," head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. "[The preseason performance] wasn't perfect, but we feel very good about Joe and his direction and where he can go."

Previously, the Cowboys usually featured limited backup options. Milton is the exact option, which likely played a significant factor in trading for the second-year signal-caller.

The 25-year-old has all the necessary physical tools, with the size (6'5", 235 lbs), movement skills and cannon-like arm to eventually succeed in the NFL. However, he's far from a polished passer, which is why having him alongside a longtime established starter like Prescott is an ideal setup.

Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Kelley L Cox

QB2: Jarrett Stidham

Last season, the Denver Broncos experienced clarity at the quarterback position for the first time since Peyton Manning retired. Bo Nix is now the face of the franchise.

This offseason, the picture cleared even more, with the Broncos re-signing Jarrett Stidham as their primary backup, while Zach Wilson joined the Miami Dolphins.

"[Stidham] brings a veteran presence, but also a young presence about him," head coach Sean Payton told reporters in March. "I know how he feels about his own abilities. We had a great room a year ago. You guys know that. It was probably unrealistic to think that we were going to have both Zach and Jarrett back. So I want to see those guys obviously have success. They're both talented players, and I think that process… I think the experience from Jarrett is helpful to Bo."

The chance to go into Year 3 with the same system and same play-caller is always beneficial, especially for a backup quarterback trying to help a younger starter.

Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

QB2: Kyle Allen

Kyle Allen had no small feat in front of him by having to overcome the inherent bias of trying to beat out a former draft pick and claim the backup quarterback spot for the Detroit Lions.

Two years ago, the Lions drafted Hendon Hooker in the third round. He didn't get much from his rookie year while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during his final collegiate game. From that point forward, he didn't develop a comfort level working in an NFL offense.

Meanwhile, Allen bounced around the league. He's now with his sixth organization in eight seasons. He understands how to absorb information and translates that onto the field when needed.

"I thought he was on point with the checks...he operated the offense at a high level," head coach Dan Campbell said after an Allen preseason performance. "I was fired up."

Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

QB2: Malik Willis

Malik Willis was a significant developmental project when he entered the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. The Green Bay Packers helped turn him into one of the league's better backup options.

For Willis, his issues came down to consistency with his pre- and post-snap reads, specifically where to go with the ball after the defense showed him something else. Yet he had presented exceptional athleticism to incorporate into an offensive scheme.

Under Matt LaFleur's supervision, Willis showed marked improvement, because the Packers coaching staff tailored the offense around his skill set. In return, the former Tennessee Titans draft pick completed 74.1 percent of his passes, with a three-to-zero touchdown-to-interception ratio during his seven appearances.

If the 26-year-old builds on last year's improvement and continues his development, he may even have starting potential down the road.

Houston Texans

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

QB2: Davis Mills
QB3: Graham Mertz

The Houston Texans are one of the rare teams in today's NFL to keep three quarterbacks on the active roster, but the idea of doing so makes sense for their particular situation.

Davis Mills is entering fifth season with the team. He went from being the Texans' top draft pick in 2021 and being pressed into the starting lineup far too soon to regaining his confidence as a backup.

"Davis has had the best camp he's had since I've been here," said DeMeco Ryans, who became the Texans' head coach prior to the 2023 season.

Graham Mertz, meanwhile, is a rookie, whom the organization drafted in this year's sixth round. He provides a developmental option and quality depth after a strong training camp and preseason.

Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

QB2: Anthony Richardson
QB3: Riley Leonard

The Indianapolis Colts failed Anthony Richardson and vice versa.

The team drafted Richardson with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft because of his awesome physical tools. Then, they rushed him into the lineup before he really knew what it meant to be an NFL quarterback.

Conversely, the 23-year-old didn't put in the time and effort to be a high-profile professional, which is exactly why he's no longer the starting quarterback.

"You guys heard me talk about the consistency, and that's really what I was looking for, and really the operation at the line of scrimmage, the checks, the protection, the ball placement, the completion percentage," head coach Shane Steichen said after naming Daniel Jones the Colts' starting quarterback. "I think all that played a factor in it."

Maybe Richardson gets another chance to start down the road and fully embraces the role. Or the Colts could eventually trade him, with rookie Riley Leonard stepping in the primary backup spot after Indianapolis selected him in this year's sixth round.

Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

QB2: Nick Mullens

Trevor Lawrence missed seven games last season due to a combination of a shoulder injury and a concussion. This season is critical for the 2021 No. 1 overall draft pick to finally show he can lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to the postseason and compete against the AFC's best.

The Jags brought in veteran journeyman Nick Mullens to help in the matter. He is now with his sixth team, with 20 careers starts in eight seasons. His experience on the field is only part of the importance after his signing.

Mullens spent the last three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. New Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski served on the Vikings offensive staff during that same stretch.

The two together can help Lawrence learn the Liam Coen's scheme while being on the same page so that everyone is spreading the same message.

Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

QB2: Gardner Minshew II

Gardner Minshew II is one of those quarterbacks who treads the line of not quite being talented enough to become a regular NFL starter but always seems to find his way into the lineup.

Granted, the Kansas City Chiefs hope the veteran doesn't sniff the field this fall since Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback on the planet. Even so, Minshew should fit well in Kansas City after getting chances to lead the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders.

"He's been there—he's started, so he's got that," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said at the start of training camp. "He's got the confidence of the guys around him. Patrick knows he's been in there and done it, so they can bounce things off of each other."

Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

QB2: Kenny Pickett
QB3: Aidan O'Connell

The Las Vegas Raiders had to do some quick roster shuffling near this year's final preseason cutdown date. They did so by acquiring Kenny Pickett from the Cleveland Browns to serve as the team's backup quarterback.

Originally, Pickett was supposed to compete for the starting spot in Cleveland after the Browns acquired him from the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade. A training camp hamstring injury ruined any chance of that happening and made him expendable.

When projected backup Aidan O'Connell suffered a fractured wrist in the Raiders' season finale, which will likely keep him out six-eight weeks, Las Vegas' front office made something happen.

"[Pickett] fits the profile of what we were looking for," general manager John Spytek told reporters. "He does a lot of similar things that Geno [Smith] does, with his athleticism and ability to move the pocket."

Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez

QB2: Trey Lance

The Los Angeles Chargers don't have a lot to worry about considering Justin Herbert started all but four games over the last four seasons. However, backup Trey Lance has found new life with the organization.

Lance never really had a chance to prove himself after being the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft due to other quarterbacks on the San Francisco 49ers roster and ill-timed injuries. He went to the Dallas Cowboys and basically served as their third-string signal-caller.

In Los Angeles, he's one play away from starting. He deserves to be after winning the backup job over Taylor Heinicke.

Lance is still only 25 years old, and he needed time to develop at the professional level. The four-year veteran looked more comfortable this preseason, which he can build upon under the tutelage of head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea

QB2: Jimmy Garoppolo
QB3: Stetson Bennett IV

Three quarterbacks on the Los Angeles Rams' active roster isn't a luxury; it's a necessity.

Concerns over Matthew Stafford's health and how long the 37-year-old can hold up aren't going away after dealing with a back issue throughout training camp and the preseason.

Fortunately, the Rams feature a well-established backup option in Jimmy Garoppolo. He is now in his second season with the organization after starting opportunities with the San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders.

"I look at Jimmy—he's a starting quarterback," Rams head coach Sean McVay said during an interview on Up & Adams. "Jimmy's played at a really high level. an he's going into Year 12. He's got so many things to bring to the table.

"... There's no doubt in my mind he's a starting quarterback in this league and I think he'll get a chance to be able to do that again. ... Having Jimmy has been a real blessing."

With Bennett, he played well enough during preseason to earn a roster spot and gives the Rams enough depth just in case.

Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Doug Murray

QB2: Zach Wilson

Zach Wilson may be the most important backup in the NFL considering who he is backing up this season.

Tua Tagovailoa's injury history, specifically concussions, is well-documented. The Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback has played a full regular-season slate only once during his five-year career.

Furthermore, the Dolphins offensive line is in transition. Three of the squad's front five are new starters compared to last season's lineup, including a left side with two new full-time starters in Patrick Paul and rookie Jonah Savaiinaea.

Head coach Mike McDaniel still sees growth potential in Wilson, who was the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

"What I see in Zach is the experience of being the second pick in the draft, being the starter Week 1, and then not fulfilling the rookie contract, that is behind him," McDaniel said in March. "So that, to me, that's an exciting prospect. Because you can't put a measurement on that human ability that is huge at the quarterback position."

Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

QB2: Carson Wentz
QB3: Max Brosmer

Max Brosmer deserves so much credit for signing with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted rookie and earning a roster spot, which allowed the organization to trade Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Brosmer still has a ways to go before he's in position to be J.J. McCarthy's primary backup. As impressed as Vikings brass obviously is with the rookie, the organization understands a veteran was also needed in a room where the two quarterbacks to make the roster have zero NFL starts between them.

So, the Vikings signed free agent Carson Wentz. The 2016 second overall pick has 94 career starts under his belt. Last season, he learned from Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. A season prior, he played for the Los Angeles Rams, which is the system Kevin O'Connell brought with him to Minnesota.

Wentz is a perfect addition even this late in the process.

New England Patriots

AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn

QB2: Joshua Dobbs
QB3: Tommy DeVito

Drake Maye looks every bit the part of a franchise quarterback.

Despite him being only 22 years old, the New England Patriots decided not to bring in a long-tenured former quarterback to serve as a mentor. Instead, the combination of Joshua Dobbs and Tommy DeVito will serve as Maye's backups.

Dobbs is one of the league's smartest players. He also started 15 games during his eight-year career. However, the Patriots also chose to claim Tommy DeVito off waivers.

"Again, Josh has settled down in the games, and I think that there have been some mistakes, whether that was joint practice or practice, and we're all going to have mistakes," head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters. "Then being able to settle down in the games, perform and operate. Again, I don't—each move that we'll make may not be an indication of what the players are at that position. I think it's just looking to strengthen the overall roster construction."

New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

QB2: Tyler Shough

The New Orleans Saints have a starting quarterback, but in name only.

Neither Spencer Rattler nor rookie Tyler Shough impressed enough to strongly stake their claim as the squad's offensive leader.

When the preseason competition came to a close, head coach Kellen Moore named Rattler his Week 1 starter.

"Experience is very, very valuable and Spence went through some challenging things last year, and for him to come out of that a better player, but then to be able to respond really, really well all offseason, I think was a tremendous testament to his work ethic and the way his mind works," Moore said.

The move is a blow to any momentum New Orleans hoped to build going into the regular season.

The organization drafted Shough near the top of this year's second round. With Derek Carr's retirement, he was immediately believed to be the favorite for the opening.

Instead, the Saints are ready to move forward with Rattler behind center, while the backup is a soon-to-be 26-year-old rookie with an extensive injury history.

New York Giants

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

QB2: Jaxson Dart
QB3: Jameis Winston

The New York Giants should be giddy with what they've seen so far from this year's 25th overall draft pick, quarterback Jaxson Dart. So much so, the question now revolves around how much sooner can he become the starter instead of Russell Wilson?

"Russ is our starter, and we're going to keep developing Jaxson," head coach Brian Daboll said two weekends ago.

Wilson is operating under a one-year deal. He's not the Giants' future at quarterback; Dart is. In the meantime, Giants fans can continuously check their watches and see time tick by until the rookie is finally called upon to start.

Winston is settled in as QB3. He can then serve as the primary backup once Dart is in the lineup, either at some point this season or next year since he signed a two-year contract in March.

New York Jets

AP Photo/ Jeffrey T. Barnes

QB2: Tyrod Taylor

The New York Jets wholeheartedly believe Justin Fields is a salvageable project at quarterback, much like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold previously were.

"I do believe Justin can be one of those guys," general manager Darren Mougey told reporters. "I've seen progress during this camp and look forward to seeing the progress throughout the season as they all come together."

What if the 2021 11th overall pick doesn't eventually blossom into a franchise quarterback?

Interestingly, the Jets have a strong backup option in Tyrod Taylor, who has far more experience and can do some of the same things in the offense.

Taylor, who turned 36 earlier this month, may not be the athlete he was when he entered the league, but he still presents good movement skills to incorporate into the offense, like Fields. He also has 58 starts to call upon if Fields fails to reach his potential at his third stop.

Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

QB2: Tanner McKee
QB3: Sam Howell

At this point, the Philadelphia Eagles may be preparing for life without Tanner McKee, because the team's primary backup quarterback continues to show signs he can be a starter at some point down the road.

As a result, interest around the league had been piqued.

"I think Eagles backup QB Tanner McKee is going to generate some trade interest ahead of the Aug. 26 cutdown," Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer wrote. "I also think it'd take a lot for Philly to deal him—the Eagles are excited about where their 2023 sixth-round pick is headed going into his third season."

Obviously, a trade never materialized, at least for McKee. The Eagles did acquire Sam Howell from the Minnesota Vikings in a swap of future late-round draft picks. Though Howell's acquisition feels more like insurance since McKee is still healing from a fractured thumb.

Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Matt Freed

QB2: Mason Rudolph
QB3: Will Howard

The 2025 season is all about what the Pittsburgh Steelers can do during the one-year window the franchise has with Aaron Rodgers behind center.

If Mason Rudolph is called upon to start at any point, the Steelers have a long history with the veteran backup to understand what he brings to the table. He had past opportunities to prove himself in a bigger role and didn't flourish.

Will Howard is different in that he's a rookie with legitimate upside. Yes, he's a recent sixth-round draft pick, so all expectations should be tempered, particularly with his current injury status.

Howard is recovering from a broken pinkie finger. As a result, the team placed him on injured reserve. However, they did so after the final preseason cutdown date, which means he can return this season.

Basically, it's Rodgers or bust for the Steelers this fall.

San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/John Locher

QB2: Mac Jones

For years, rumors percolated about San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan preferring Mac Jones when the team traded up to the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft and instead selected Trey Lance, who started four games in two seasons before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys.

Jones finally joined Shanahan in San Francisco this offseason after signing a two-year, $7 million free-agent contract.

"Mac's doing a good job," the Niners head coach said three weeks ago. "We've really liked what we've seen from him so far. We had an idea of what we hoped he'd be like, and he's been exactly that. He's been playing really well, and hopefully, he'll continue that."

Unfortunately, Jones suffered a knee injury a week later that cost him the rest of the preseason. Since Kurtis Rourke is the only other quarterback on the roster and is currently on the team's physically unable to perform list, the Niners must be comfortable with Jones' status as the regular season nears.

Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/John Froschauer

QB2: Drew Lock
QB3: Jalen Milroe

The Seattle Seahawks have a unique quarterback setup as they have a true backup in Drew Lock and a talented, young signal-caller who likely finds his way onto the field first by contributing in specific package plays.

Lock is an established six-year veteran. He's made 18 starts throughout his career. He's next in line if Sam Darnold becomes injured or doesn't play well for the Seahawks.

Milroe may be the most intriguing quarterback on the roster, though. This year's 92nd overall draft pick is an exceptional athlete with elite speed and a huge arm. The Seattle coaching staff understands he's not anywhere ready to take the offensive reins, but the group still wants to utilize his skill set.

"We're gonna have plays for Jalen in game plans, and he's gonna rep those with the ones," head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters. "And however we build the package for him going into games, he needs those reps in walkthrough and full speed. So that's gonna be important."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

QB2: Teddy Bridgewater

Two months ago, Teddy Bridgewater was the head coach of his high school alma mater, Miami Northwestern. He's now the lone backup quarterback on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' active roster.

Bridgewater had been suspended from his previous duties due to providing impermissable benefits to his high school players. He signed with the Bucs on Aug. 5. Three weeks later, he's the team's primary hope if Baker Mayfield goes down for any reason.

Tampa Bay's brass feels good about the situation, especially considering Bridgewater's 65 career starts.

"Well, obviously [Bridgewater] brings experience, but he brings a wealth of knowledge," Bowles told reporters. "He can command the offense right now. Him being older has a lot to do with it, but him being accurate and understanding what we're trying to do has a lot to do with it as well. We had Kyle [Trask] for four years and it was a good four-year run. We just feel like we've got a better chance with Teddy."

Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/George Walker IV

QB2: Brandon Allen

Everything with the Tennessee Titans organization now centers on this year's No. 1 overall draft pick, quarterback Cam Ward.

The front office signed veteran QB Brandon Allen before Ward's name was even announced, yet the team understood what he brings to the table.

"I don't think people have enough respect for what Brandon Allen is," head coach Brian Callahan said in March after the start of free agency. "I think Brandon is a good quarterback. I think you watch him play and what he has done in his career, he's a guy that can play. He is a good quarterback. You are judging from a pool of guys (in free agency) that are all very similar, one way or another, and everyone has opinions on who is better, this, that or the other. Ultimately, Brandon has played 10 years for a reason."

Obviously, the Titans weren't entirely sure Will Levis would choose season-ending shoulder surgery. Still, the team covered its bases, with a backup who understands Callahan's scheme and philosophies to help bring Ward along as a rookie.

Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

QB2: Marcus Mariota
QB3: Josh Johnson

The Washington Commanders are building something special with quarterback Jayden Daniels and a quality locker room environment.

Backup signal-caller Marcus Mariota serves as a barometer for the team's status.

"At the end of the day, the grass isn't always greener, and being around this league for a long time, you understand that when you have a good thing, you have a great culture, have a great room, that's not everywhere," Mariota said after re-signing with the Commanders this offseason. "So, I really, at the end of the day, somebody was going to have to really knock my socks off to leave this place. I am very happy, very blessed to be back, and I'm excited to make another run with this team."

Mariota has developed into a valuable backup since failing as a full-time starter after being the the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Though he has dealt with Achilles tendonitis throughout the summer, which is a good reason why the Commanders kept the ultimate journeyman, Josh Johnson, on the roster.