This year the NFL has had a lot of starting quarterbacks get hurt leading not only to the most rookie quarterbacks to start in one season but leading to the most different number of starting quarterbacks in NFL history.
Six starting quarterbacks this season have had season-ending injuries including Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
Those are some big names and most of them are franchise quarterbacks not to mention the quarterbacks who have missed some games this year.
This includes Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (ankle), Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion, back), Bears quarterback Justin Fields (thumb), Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (ankle), Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (sort of), Saints quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder, concussion), Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (thumb), Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (knee) and most recently Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawerence(ankle). No one is safe but who are the backups that have shined given their opportunity?
Joshua Dobbs, the former starter for the Arizona Cardinals who was stepping up for the injured Cardinals franchise quarterback Kyler Murrey, was recently traded to help replace Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins who tore his Achilles. He was one of the few bright spots on a bad Cardinals team and is now helping the Vikings try to make the playoffs.
We shall see how he continues to play throughout the rest of the season.
Gardner Minshew has helped lead the Indianapolis Colts to a 4-game-win streak as Rookie quarterback and fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.
The Colts are 7-5 and looking to make a playoff push. The real question is will Minshew continue to perform well or look like a backup quarterback?
Jake Browning is stepping in for Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow who went down with a season-ending wrist injury.
Browning started a little ruff but in this last game against the Jaguars, he went off leading the Bengals to win in overtime. He seems to have found his rhythm if continues to play like he did against the Jaguars the Bengals could have a shot at the playoffs.
Honorable Mention is Giants third-string quarterback Tommy Devito who has helped the Giants win two a row recently as starter Daniel Jones and Backup Tyrod Taylor are both hurt.
Devito started rough it has started to find his rhythm in the last two games.
With all these quarterbacks who have played this year who else will perform and what teams will be able to stand the test of time and keep their quarterbacks healthy?
As teams continue to try and find solutions, more quarterbacks are gonna get opportunities to play and see if they can redeem a team’s season that is believed to have been over.
