NFL: 10 best backup quarterback situations
By Bryce Olin
Backup quarterbacks are the bullpen catchers of the NFL. They stand on the sideline, play catch, sometimes pass along hand signals to the starting quarterback, and most importantly, get paid.
Backup quarterbacks also get to live in cool cities, be part of the team, and play sports for money! Cha-ching. I can’t stress how important the money aspect of playing in the NFL is. Obviously, there’s much more to it than the team and the money, but that’s basically it.
Of course, some players are competitive and want to actually get on the field, both for competitive reasons and for the opportunity to make more money (again, it’s about the money). It must be hard for those players to stand on the sideline, waiting for an opportunity or an injury to the starting quarterback.
Regardless, backup quarterback has to be one of the best gigs in sports. Of course, every quarterback probably wants to be a starting quarterback in the league at some point, but if a player makes the same amount of money playing or standing on the sideline doing nothing, I’m going to guess standing on the sideline getting paid isn’t that bad.
Because the backup quarterback is a fascinating position and often gets overlooked for what it really is, I’ve ranked the top-10 backup quarterback situations in the NFL.
Remember, it’s not a ranking of the best backups. It has little to do with that. This is purely about the situation: the city, the fans, how likely it is for the starter to get hurt, the expectations, all of that factors into the rankings.