Brady Quinn and 4 NFL Backups Least Likely to Push Current Starters

All across the NFL, there are plenty of quarterbacks who are struggling to win football games.

Oftentimes, when a quarterback struggles, we quickly look to the backup for some hope. However, most backup quarterbacks are not capable of providing hope.

There are only a handful of backup quarterbacks that have a legitimate shot of replacing the current starter. Of course, this isn't accounting for injuries, as that would mean even Tom Brady could be replaced. I am talking about the several situations where the current starter is struggling to perform well.

In order to replace the current starter, a backup needs to have a perfect storm of certain situations. They need the current starter to really struggle and be at the point of their career where they are no longer seen as an up-and-comer.

The backup needs to have a coaching staff willing to shake up the rotation and chemistry of his football team. They also need the entire team to be struggling and in a downward spiral.

The fact is that it isn't fun being the backup quarterback of an NFL football team.

John Skelton, Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals' backup quarterback is John Skelton, a young quarterback unlikely to push the current starter.

Skelton is the backup to the newly acquired Kevin Kolb. During the offseason, Arizona paid a heavy price to bring Kolb in from Philadelphia.

Skelton may actually get the start today, due to an injury to Kolb.

However, the fact is that Skelton has no shot of becoming the long-term starter. The cost of the trade and the amount of money spent on Kolb ensures him the starting role.

Arizona will give Kolb every opportunity to develop into a successful quarterback.

The backup quarterback spot in Arizona is kind of a dead-end job, as you almost have no shot at pushing Kolb for the starting role.

Seneca Wallace, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns' Seneca Wallace is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL.

However, it appears that Wallace will never be more than a career backup.

The situation in Cleveland is not one that is friendly to older backups.

Cleveland is in rebuilding mode and looking to find young building blocks. One of these building blocks is quarterback Colt McCoy.

The Browns appear committed to giving McCoy a shot to lock down the long-term starting job. This makes it very unlikely that Seneca Wallace will push for the starting role.

Even if McCoy fails, Wallace will be considered nothing more than a backup in Cleveland.

The Browns would likely look to bring in a young stud rather than turn it over to Wallace.

Brady Quinn, Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos' quarterback situation is a lightning rod for media coverage and controversy.

There has never been a situation where a one-win team's quarterback situation has received this much attention.

Lost in the Tebow mania is Brady Quinn, who is currently sitting third on the Broncos' depth chart.

Quinn is a former first-round selection who was supposed to be the Cleveland Browns' franchise quarterback.

However, Quinn was never able to play well enough to keep the starting job. His failure led to a trade, landing Quinn in Denver.

I have to believe that Quinn would have welcomed a trade to any team, but the situation in Denver isn't pretty.

Quinn has no shot of seeing playing time in Denver. He is dealing with a team that needs to give Tim Tebow an opportunity to prove himself.

Even if Tebow struggles, Denver will go back to Kyle Orton as their starting quarterback.

John Kitna and Stephen McGee, Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys and Tony Romo have been one of the most disappointing teams this season.

They were expected to have a good season and even contend for the NFC East championship.

However, the season has been plagued by mistakes.

Tony Romo has taken a lot of criticism for his play at the end of the games versus the New York Jets and Detroit Lions.

His late-game turnovers allowed both the Jets and Lions to mount comeback victories. Romo's struggles have brought up questions about his future in Dallas.

However, these struggles will not allow either John Kitna or Stephen McGee to push for the starting job.

Dallas may very well move on from the Tony Romo era, but it will not happen in the middle of this season. Romo is the most talented quarterback on the roster, and he gives Dallas the best chance to win.