There is a saying that if you have two quarterbacks, you have none.
The NFL is doing its best in 2026 to prove that statement is simply another relic of the past, because the backup quarterback is more valuable than ever in the NFL.
Including the postseason, a grand total of 63 different quarterbacks started games for NFL teams in 2025. Doing a little simple math (bear with me here), that averages out to 2 QBs from each team starting games last season. Now, obviously, you have to round up to 64 for that to truly be the case. And not every team used a backup last season.
But the point remains: Backup quarterbacks are essential. We're seeing that fully on display early in the 2026 season as well.
Backup quarterbacks were once again mission-critical in Week 3
There were three notable starts for backup quarterbacks around the NFL in Week 3:
- Case Keenum for the Chicago Bears
- Jameis Winston for the New York Giants
- Marcus Mariota for the Washington Commanders
Keenum was one of the biggest stories of the week, especially considering he's not even technically the backup to Caleb Williams. That role belongs to Tyson Bagent. Bagent didn't get the start for the Bears in their game against the Eagles because he missed most of the week in concussion protocol.
Keenum, who hadn't thrown a regular season pass since 2023, was absolutely phenomenal for the Bears, operating head coach Ben Johnson's offense to perfection. He completed 24-of-34 passes for 247 yards and 2 TDs. He also had a rushing touchdown.
With the Bears facing the very real possibility of falling to 1-2 and behind the 3-0 Vikings as well as the 2-1 Lions, Keenum's ability to come through against the Eagles was absolutely clutch.
Not to be outdone was Marcus Mariota with the Washington Commanders.
Mariota threw three touchdown passes against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Even though it wasn't a masterclass of a passing performance, Mariota didn't throw any interceptions, didn't fumble the ball, and made the necessary plays in clutch moments to get his team in the win column against an elite opponent.
Jameis Winston's first start with the Giants was not nearly as "impressive" from a statistical perspective, but it's easy to forget with all of the other things going on with that franchise: The Giants are 2-1.
That's tied for the best record in the division, by the way.
We've seen the importance of the backup quarterback beyond just Week 3, as well. Carson Wentz held things down in the absence of Kyler Murray for the 3-0 Vikings. Drew Lock helped lead the Seahawks to two wins to start the season while Sam Darnold was out.
It's going to be in focus once again in Week 4 as well. The Buccaneers have backup and rookie UDFA Jalon Daniels taking over this week for the injured Baker Mayfield.
It's not exactly a matter of having multiple quarterbacks on the roster, and you can't decide which one you'd rather throw out there. Teams need clarity at the top of their depth chart at quarterback, but depth is as important as ever, if not more so.
The days of the Curtis Painters are long gone.
Sorry, Curtis. Your name was just the first that came to mind.
The bottom line in the NFL is always going to be winning. The reality of an 18-week season -- plus the playoffs -- is that having someone who can step up in case of emergency is now a mission-critical, non-negotiable aspect of building a roster.
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