All articles tagged with #backup quarterback
Green Bay is reportedly weighing a mid-to-late-round trade for Colts QB Anthony Richardson to back up Jordan Love, seeing Richardson’s high ceiling as a low-risk upgrade over Malik Willis, with development potential and an easy exit after one season if it doesn’t pan out (per ESPN's Stephen Holder).
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, now 41, says he’d consider playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026 if the opportunity arises, keeping the door open for a potential AFC North reunion after a career that includes a Ravens Super Bowl and stops in Denver, New York, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. In 2024 he backed up Anthony Richardson with the Colts and started six games; in 2025 he filled in for an injured Joe Burrow with Cincinnati, helping the Bengals win a primetime clash with Pittsburgh and finishing the season with 15 TDs and 10 INTs. With his age and backup status, his market may be limited, but he remains eager to play if a team calls.
The article outlines a four-step blueprint for playoff success with a backup quarterback: (1) have a Hall of Fame‑caliber coach to guide the process, (2) earn locker-room trust, (3) keep the offense largely intact and tailor it to the backup’s strengths, and (4) avoid getting emotionally tied to the backup if the starter returns. Applied to Denver’s Jarrett Stidham stepping in for Bo Nix, it argues that while rare, a championship run is possible with strong leadership, respected teammates, and a stable game plan, citing past backups who reached or won the Super Bowl.
Kyle Shanahan said he’d be very surprised if Mac Jones isn’t with the 49ers next season, noting Jones performed well when Brock Purdy was unavailable and that Jones is under contract for 2026, making a release unlikely; while a trade could be discussed, the team values Jones as a dependable backup and will likely keep him at least for next year.
With Bo Nix sidelined, Denver faces six days of questions about Jarrett Stidham stepping in for the AFC Championship. The piece frames Stidham as an unproven option behind a high-stakes matchup, notes his background and two-year Broncos deal after a standout preseason, and contrasts his limited action with CJ Stroud’s playoff difficulties, while acknowledging the difficulty of relying on a backup quarterback in a must-win game.
Lamar Jackson is inactive due to a back injury, leading to a backup quarterback battle between Tyler Huntley for the Ravens and Malik Willis for the Packers, as both teams face key players' absences in a crucial game.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bills due to an ankle injury, with progress but no certainty of playing. Andy Dalton is expected to start, with Hendon Hooker as the backup if Young can't play. Veteran Damien Lewis is returning to the lineup after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Kyler Murray is likely to miss Week 7's game against the Packers due to a foot injury, which could give Green Bay a significant advantage, especially if backup Jacoby Brissett starts for Arizona. The Packers' strong defense and fast-starting offense make them favorites, and Murray's absence could be crucial in securing a win for Green Bay.
Anthony Richardson of the Colts is sidelined for several weeks due to an orbital fracture caused by a snapped stretch band pole, prompting the team to consider adding a more experienced backup quarterback and potentially placing Richardson on injured reserve to free up roster space.
Shedeur Sanders has been promoted to the Cleveland Browns' backup quarterback position, backing up Dillon Gabriel, as the team prepares for their game against the Steelers. This move follows the Browns trading veteran Joe Flacco and reflects Sanders' progress and potential to start in the future, amid ongoing search for a franchise QB after recent setbacks with Deshaun Watson.
Shedeur Sanders has been named the backup quarterback for the Cleveland Browns for their upcoming game against the Steelers, serving as the only other QB behind Dillon Gabriel after the team traded Joe Flacco. Sanders, drafted in the fifth round this year, may have the chance to start later in the season depending on Gabriel's performance.
Rookie Shedeur Sanders will serve as the backup quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in their upcoming game against the Steelers, after initially being the No. 4 quarterback and now stepping into a backup role following team roster changes.
Shedeur Sanders has been named the backup quarterback behind Dillon Gabriel for the Cleveland Browns' upcoming game against the Steelers, making him one play away from potentially seeing live action in Pittsburgh.
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is not yet ready to name a backup quarterback, leaving Shedeur Sanders's role uncertain as Bailey Zappe and others compete for the spot, with Sanders currently the backup to Dillion Gabriel and awaiting his first NFL snap.
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski remains noncommittal about Shedeur Sanders's role as backup quarterback following Joe Flacco's trade to the Bengals, emphasizing player development and roster considerations amid ongoing team adjustments.