Can These Backup QBs Lead A Playoff Run In 2024? A Ranking.

David

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Post on May 12, 2025

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Can These Backup QBs Lead a Playoff Run in 2024? A Ranking

The NFL is a league of unpredictability. One snap, one injury, can completely alter a season's trajectory. With the 2024 season looming, many teams are quietly assessing their backup quarterback situations, wondering: Could their number two lead a playoff push if needed? The answer, in many cases, is a complex one, filled with potential and significant risk. Let's rank some of the league's backup quarterbacks most likely to successfully guide their team to postseason success.

The Top Tier: Proven Commodities

This category features quarterbacks who've already seen significant NFL action and demonstrated a capability to win games.

1. Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers): Purdy’s late-season surge in 2022, culminating in a dominant playoff run before injury, catapults him to the top. His arm talent, composure under pressure, and familiarity with Kyle Shanahan's system make him a uniquely valuable backup. The 49ers are betting big on his recovery, and rightfully so. His potential to replicate, or even exceed, his 2022 performance makes him a formidable asset.

2. Cooper Rush (Dallas Cowboys): Rush has consistently proven himself a capable game manager for the Cowboys. While not a flashy player, he’s efficient and understands the system. His experience within the Cowboys' offensive scheme is invaluable, offering a degree of seamless transition should Dak Prescott face injury. His reliability makes him a safe bet in a high-stakes situation.

The Second Tier: High Potential, Unproven in the Playoffs

This group boasts promising quarterbacks, but their playoff experience is limited or non-existent.

3. Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons): Ridder showed flashes of potential in his limited starts last season. His athleticism and arm strength are intriguing, but he needs to prove his consistency and decision-making at the NFL level. The Falcons' offensive system should help him, but a playoff run would represent a steep learning curve.

4. Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers): Love finally gets his shot as the Packers’ starter in 2024. However, if injury strikes, his backup could significantly impact Green Bay's playoff chances. This situation highlights the inherent risk – the depth chart may not be as robust as it appears.

The Risky Bets: High Reward, High Risk

These quarterbacks present an intriguing possibility but also carry significant uncertainty.

5. Will Levis (Tennessee Titans): Levis, a high draft pick, represents a significant long-term investment. However, his transition to the NFL needs to show significant progress. His raw talent is undeniable, but translating that into consistent on-field performance remains a question mark. Leading a playoff run would be a massive step.

The Bottom Line: It's All About Context

The success of any backup quarterback hinges on several factors: the quality of the surrounding roster, the offensive scheme, and the coaching staff's ability to adapt. While the quarterbacks listed above offer varying degrees of potential, their ability to lead a playoff charge ultimately relies on a confluence of factors beyond just individual talent. This 2024 season will provide critical insight into just how capable these understudies truly are.

What do you think? Who will surprise us and lead their team to unexpected playoff success? Share your predictions in the comments below!