The 2023 NFL season is the 12 months of the backup quarterback.
Accidents early on, together with Aaron Rodgers’ devastating Achilles damage simply 4 performs into his debut with the New York Jets in Week 1, and lackluster performances by others have led to a busy quarterback carousel this 12 months.
Some acquainted faces have returned to the sector, whereas different, lesser recognized gamers have stepped into the highlight.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
Will Levis of the Tennessee Titans warms up earlier than kickoff towards the Miami Dolphins at Onerous Rock Stadium Dec. 11, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Cooper Neill/Getty Pictures)
Will Levis was handed over within the first spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft. Trying again, a number of NFL groups could also be coping with a little bit of remorse.
The previous Kentucky quarterback began out the season because the third-string quarterback behind veteran Ryan Tannehill. However after Tannehill left with a excessive ankle sprain within the Titans’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Levis was bumped up behind Malik Willis.
Forward of Tennessee’s subsequent matchup, head coach Mike Vrabel introduced the rookie second-round choose would take over because the crew’s beginning quarterback, a place he’s maintained via Week 15.
Levis is 3-4 as a starter and has accomplished 130 passes for 1,593 yards and eight touchdowns and thrown three interceptions. He has stored the Titans’ playoff hopes alive, most lately with an unbelievable comeback victory over the Miami Dolphins Monday evening.
Mitch Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers
Mitch Trubisky of the Pittsburgh Steelers throughout a recreation towards the New England Patriots at Acrisure Stadium Dec. 7, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (Cooper Neill/Getty Pictures)
Mitch Trubisky spent a number of years as a starter throughout his time with the Chicago Bears earlier than he served in backup roles each with the Buffalo Payments and finally the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However in his first season with the Steelers, Trubisky was named the starter over 2022 first-round draft choose Kenny Pickett. Finally, head coach Mike Tomlin benched Trubisky in favor of Pickett, however the veteran was given one other likelihood to show himself when Pickett went down with an ankle damage in Week 13 this season.
Trubisky misplaced his first recreation as a starter this season in a 21-18 loss to the struggling New England Patriots. He accomplished 22 passes for 190 yards and threw one landing and one interception.
If Pittsburgh can maintain its playoff probabilities alive, Trubisky may make his return to the postseason with Pickett out indefinitely after present process ankle surgical procedure.
FROM OUTKICK: ZACH WILSON FINISHES ROUGH WEEK WITH WHAT JETS ARE CALLING ‘BEST GAME OF HIS CAREER’
Bailey Zappe, New England Patriots
Bailey Zappe (4) of the New England Patriots celebrates throughout a recreation towards the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium Dec. 7, 2023, in Pittsburgh. (Cooper Neill/Getty Pictures)
Alternative, not damage, has Bailey Zappe again as a starter.
Drafted within the fourth spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Western Kentucky, Zappe went 2-0 in his begins for the New England Patriots rather than an injured Mac Jones throughout his rookie season.
However Jones’ repeated benching all through the season this 12 months resulted in head coach Invoice Belichick asserting earlier than a Week 13 matchup towards the Los Angeles Chargers that Zappe can be the starter. Regardless of dropping the sport, Zappe rebounded towards the Steelers the next week, which included three first-half touchdowns, to enhance to 3-1 because the crew’s starter.
Questions surrounding Jones’ talents have led to hypothesis round Zappe and the place, however Belichick has declined to call a starter past final week’s recreation.
Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals
Jake Browning of the Cincinnati Bengals throws in the course of the second half of a recreation towards the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium Dec. 10, 2023, in Cincinnati. (Andy Lyons/Getty Pictures)
The Cincinnati Bengals are hoping to make the playoffs behind former Washington star Jake Browning, who has received two straight video games because the crew’s starter.
Browning, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, wasn’t broadly recognized across the league when he made his NFL debut with a quick look within the Bengals’ Week 1 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
However a season-ending damage to franchise quarterback Joe Burrow in Week 11 allowed Browning to make a reputation for himself.
He’s 2-1 as a starter, finishing 77 passes for 924 yards and 5 touchdowns in 5 appearances.
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) of the Cleveland Browns passes in the course of the second quarter towards the Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns Stadium Dec. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. (Jason Miller/Getty Pictures)
A Tremendous Bowl champion and MVP, Joe Flacco wants little introduction.
The veteran signal-caller was a late addition to the Cleveland Browns’ roster after the crew noticed three completely different quarterbacks rotate out and in of the place. Deshaun Watson’s season-ending shoulder damage and rookie starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson coming into concussion protocol gave strategy to Flacco’s return.
At 38, his profession appears removed from over.
Flacco accomplished 26 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns within the Browns’ victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday. It was simply his second begin with the crew and sufficient for head coach Kevin Stefanski to decide to him for the rest of the season, and probably the playoffs.
TOMMY DEVITO PERFECT ON GIANTS’ FINAL DRIVE TO SET UP GAME-WINNING FIELD GOAL IN STUNNING VICTORY
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts
Gardner Minshew II of the Indianapolis Colts throws a cross throughout a recreation towards the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium Dec. 3, 2023, in Nashville. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Pictures)
Thought-about a journeyman quarterback, Gardner Minshew has confirmed he could be a starter within the NFL.
Drafted within the sixth spherical of the 2019 draft, Minshew took over because the Jaguars beginning quarterback when Nick Foles went down with an damage in Week 1 towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. He took over because the starter the next 12 months however was benched at instances as a consequence of damage and efficiency.
After serving as a backup for Jalen Hurts in the course of the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Minshew signed with the Indianapolis Colts, giving him an opportunity to show himself after rookie Anthony Richardson was dominated out with a season-ending damage in Week 5.
Minshew struggled initially, dropping the following three video games, however he rapidly turned it round to win 4 straight and assist maintain the Colts’ playoff hopes alive.
He’s accomplished 239 passes for two,524 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 3 scores in his 12 appearances this season.
Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback Aidan O’Connell (4) of the Las Vegas Raiders palms the ball off to working again Zamir White (35) within the third quarter of a recreation towards the Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium Dec. 10, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Pictures)
The Las Vegas Raiders’ tumultuous season has had modifications at each head coach and quarterback.
Sitting on the backside of the AFC West, the Raiders parted methods with head coach Josh McDaniels and common supervisor Dave Zieglar in late October. Linebackers coach Antonio Pierce was named interim head coach, and Jimmy Garoppolo was benched in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell.
O’Connell received his first two begins, however the Raiders have dropped three straight since. He’s 2-4 as a starter and has accomplished 134 passes for 1,365 yards and 4 touchdowns and thrown seven interceptions.
After the crew’s newest loss to the Vikings, Pierce stated he is persevering with to guage the quarterback scenario, suggesting the place continues to be up for grabs.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Tommy DeVito, New York Giants
Tommy DeVito (15) of the New York Giants dives and reaches for yardage throughout a recreation towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium Dec. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Michael Owens/Getty Pictures)
The New York Giants’ season went from dangerous to worse when Daniel Jones and his backup Tyrod Taylor each went down with accidents, including to the crew’s offensive woes. An unknown New Jersey native by the identify of Tommy DeVito stepped in and has given Giants followers one thing to carry on to.
An undrafted rookie out of Syracuse, DeVito took over for Taylor in Week 8 and once more in Week 9 when Jones went down with what can be a season-ending ACL tear.
DeVito misplaced his first NFL begin to the Dallas Cowboys however ha since received three straight, together with a slim victory over the Inexperienced Bay Packers Monday evening.
Head coach Brian Daboll has dedicated to DeVito for the rest of the season regardless of Taylor’s return.
Nick Mullens, Minnesota Vikings
Nick Mullens of the Minnesota Vikings yells whereas strolling off the sector after his crew’s 3-0 win towards the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium Dec. 10, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ian Maule/Getty Pictures)
Nick Mullens would be the fourth beginning quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings after head coach Kevin O’Connell introduced that the crew can be going with the veteran journeyman over Joshua Dobbs following a brutal 3-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
“There’s a reason we went out and got Nick when we did, to really solidify that position. Anytime we’re going out to try to find a quarterback that you feel like, when he’s one snap away, can win you some football games, you look for certain traits. Nick has them all,” O’Connell informed reporters.
He’ll take over for Dobbs, who went 2-2 as a starter.
Mullens, 28, was acquired by the Vikings in a commerce with the Raiders in the course of the 2022 offseason.
Easton Stick, Los Angeles Chargers
Easton Stick of the Los Angeles Chargers in the course of the fourth quarter of a recreation towards the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Dustin Satloff/Getty Pictures)
The Los Angeles Chargers will likely be with out quarterback Justin Herbert for the rest of the season after he underwent surgical procedure to restore a damaged index finger on his proper hand. The crew positioned the fourth-year signal-caller on injured reserve Tuesday, and Easton Stick was promoted.
Stick, a four-time FCS champion out of North Dakota State, was drafted within the fifth spherical in 2019 and made his transient debut with the Chargers in 2020. He performed his first NFL snap, nonetheless, in final week’s loss to the Denver Broncos after Herbert was dominated out within the second quarter.
Stick accomplished 13 passes for 179 yards.
Zach Wilson, New York Jets
Zach Wilson of the New York Jets reacts after a 30-6 win over the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium Dec. 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Sarah Stier/Getty Pictures)
From starter to backup and again to starter. That’s been Zach Wilson’s journey with the New York Jets, which took an unlucky flip in Week 1 when Aaron Rodgers ruptured his Achilles after simply 4 performs.
Wilson managed to maintain the crew afloat via their bye week. However after 5 straight loses, he was finally despatched again to the bench – this time because the third stringER. One other brutal loss to the Atlanta Falcons introduced Wilson back under center, and he placed on a stellar efficiency in Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans.
Wilson has accomplished 217 passes for two,245 yards and eight touchdowns and thrown seven interceptions in 12 appearances.
Comply with Fox Information Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
