Mac Jones leads backup QB rankings in NFC West
The Arizona Cardinals are expected to roll with Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback in 2026. In the NFC West, he would rank fourth out of the four starters. But they have Gardner Minshew as their backup quarterback. Where does he rank among the backups in the NFC West?
The Arizona Cardinals are expected to roll with Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback in 2026. In the NFC West, he would rank fourth out of the four starters.
But they have Gardner Minshew as their backup quarterback. Where does he rank among the backups in the NFC West?
SI.com's Gilberto Manzano ranked all 32 teams' backup quarterbacks . Let's see where the four backups in the NFC West fall.
Jones kept the 49ers afloat last season when Brock Purdy was out. Being under contract for 2026 meant that he wasn't going anywhere, otherwise, he could have been targeted as a possible starter for a QB-needy team this offseason. The Cardinals were perhaps a team who could have used him.
Minshew could end up the starter if the Cardinals don't get things squared away with Brissett. But he has started 47 games in his career and, when he plays well, he is exciting. But it has been a bit since he was impactful. He is a solid backup, though.
He has 28 career starts, but hasn't been particularly good as a starter. He is turnover prone, but much like Seattle starter Sam Darnold , he doesn't have to do much to be able to succeed with the team around him.
Simpson hasn't taken an NFL snap. He is perhaps the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford . There were plenty of questions about his experience, having started only 15 games in college.
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