NFL Quarterback Preseason Rotations 2024
The first full week of NFL preseason games gets underway this week. This will be the first look fans get at some of the rookie quarterbacks as well as quarterbacks in new places. Don’t expect to see much of the starting quarterbacks this week so it is important to take a look at each team’s QB depth chart and how some of the backups could impact these early games. Here’s the quarterback depth chart for all 32 teams heading into this week’s preseason games:
NFL Quarterback Depth Charts Preseason 2024
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills - Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisy, and Shane Buechele: With so much put on Allen’s plate this year, particularly with the departure of his top two receivers, I don’t expect to see him much in the preseason. Trubisky is an NFL veteran QB that has bounced around and is certainly running out of chances. Buechele is in his third season out of SMU and has yet to appear in an NFL game.
Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White, and Skylar Thompson: Ever since his concussion issues a few seasons ago, there doesn’t seem to be any reason to play Tagovailoa heavily in the preseason. White showed promised in nearly leading the Jets into the playoffs in 2022 and then signed with the Fins in 2023. He appeared in limited action as Tua’s backup last season. Thompson was last season in the regular season back in 2022 playing for the injured Tua. He was pushed to third string by White and appears locked in that spot.
New England Patriots - Jacoby Brissett , Drake Maye, Joe Milton II, and Bailey Zappe: Brissett is the projected starter and brings plenty of experience to this spot. Maye and Milton II are both rookies with Maye projected to eventually be the team’s starter. Both will get ample opportunity to play in the preseason but they’ll be prone to mistakes. Zappe is likely moving on to another team with the two rookies in front of him but he’ll be a productive preseason backup playing for his next gig.
New York Jets - Aaron Rodgers, Tyrod Taylor, Jordan Travis, and Andrew Peasley: It seems very unlikely Rodgers will see the field much in preseason other than practice where he can be protected. After last season’s disappointing injury, the Jets will likely be supremely cautious with the veteran. Taylor is a solid backup with NFL experience. Travis will likely be out for the entire preseason recovering from his ankle surgery and Peasley doesn’t have any NFL experience but will get plenty of time to show off his skills given the likely restrictions on Rodgers and Travis’ unavailability.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens - Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson, Devin Leary, and Emory Jones: Two-time NFL MVP Jackson doesn’t need a ton of preseason reps so don’t expect to see him more than a series or two for much of the preseason. Johnson is an NFL veteran who has played for seven different teams. This is the second tour with the Ravens so he should be comfortable in the system. Leary and Jones are two rookies battling for the third spot on the Ravens’ depth chart.
Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow, Jake Browning, Logan Woodside, and Rocky Lombardi: Burrow is coming off an injury so he will be handled carefully in the preseason. Browning had a great run playing for the injured Burrow last season and represents one of the better backups in football. Woodside and Lombardi are likely competing for one spot with neither having any NFL in-game experience.
Cleveland Browns - Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston,Tyler Huntley, Dorian Thompson-Robinson: The Browns had to turn to veteran Joe Flacco off the streets last season when they struggled without Watson. This year, the Browns might have the deepest foursome in the NFL with all four having ample NFL experience. Winston is a huge upgrade as backup to Watson and both Huntley and Thompson-Robinson have played in crucial games.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen, and John Rhys Plumlee: The Steelers moved on from their entire quarterback room from last season and feature two experienced starters in Wilson and Fields, both of whom could be vying for the starting job. This should lead to more playing time for each in the preseason as the duo battles for the starting job. NFL veteran Allen will try and hold off rookie Rhys Plumlee for the third spot.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans - C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills, Case Keenum, and Tim Boyle: Stroud is an MVP candidate and securely in the top spot. He’ll play sparingly in the preseason after not dressing in the Hall of Fame Game. Mills and Keenum both know the Texans’ system well and should provide a good battle for the backup spot. Boyle didn’t help his cause with a rough performance in the preseason opener.
Indianapolis Colts - Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Sam Ehlinger, and Kedon Slovis: Richardson might play more than most starting QBs in preseason as the second-year QB tries to get more comfortable in the offense. Flacco proved in Cleveland that he has more left in the tank and can still make all the throws. Former Texas QB Ehlinger has plenty of game experience and can run the offense similarly but less dynamically than Richardson. Rookie Slovis is likely playing for a practice squad spot.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones, and C.J. Beathard: The Jaguars have the most in-game experience in the QB room as any team in the division. Lawrence is the incumbent and will likely give way to former Patriots’ starter Jones and veteran backup Beathard early and often in the preseason.
Tennessee Titans - Will Levis, Mason Rudolph, and Malik Willis: This will be Levis’ first preseason as the projected starter and he’ll get plenty of action to get him ready for the season. Rudolph is a solid vet who helped the Steelers into the playoffs in 2023 after taking over at QB. Willis was a preseason darling last year but was disappointing in regular-season action.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos - Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham, and Zach Wilson: This should be an interesting preseason in Denver. QB guru Sean Peyton moved on from Russell Wilson and currently has the rookie Nix listed at the top of the depth chart. Former Jets QB Wilson is an interesting and intriguing project for Peyton to work with. I expect all three quarterback to see a lot of preseason action.
Kansas City Chiefs - Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz, Chris Oladokun, and Ian Book: Mahomes will play as much as he thinks he needs to in the preseason and don’t expect that to be much. Wentz was brought in to give him a more experienced and dynamic backup while both Oladokun and Book are young, journeymen quarterbacks hoping to earn a roster spot.
Las Vegas Raiders - Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell, Anthony Brown Jr., and Carter Bradley: Minshew and O’Connell could be in for a good old-fashioned quarterback battle throughout camp. Minshew has a longer track record while O’Connell has more experience with the Raiders’ system. Brown Jr. and Bradley don’t have any NFL experience between them and are likely fighting for a spot in the QB room.
Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert, Easton Stick, Max Duggan, and Casey Bauman: New head coach Jim Harbaugh certainly doesn’t have any loyalties to this QB room other than Herbert, who is the franchise QB. Herbert comes into camp rehabbing so he will not play in week one. Stick showed some promise playing for the injured Herbert last year but Harbaugh will likely take a long look at former TCU QB Duggan as well. Bauman is likely fighting for a practice squad invite.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys - Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush, and Trey Lance: Prescott’s contract status could overshadow the preseason and impact how much he plays. Rush has been solid when given the chance to play over the last couple of seasons and former top-three pick Lance could get a long look this preseason as the Cowboys decide about his future worth.
New York Giants - Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito: Jones can’t feel particularly secure after watching the Giants try and maneuver in the draft to get one of the top four quarterbacks available. They added veteran Drew Locke in the offseason and still have cult hero DeVito on the depth chart. None of these three quarterbacks are particularly awe-inspiring so pick your poison this preseason.
Philadelphia Eagles - Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee, and Will Grier: Hurts limped through the final half of last season including the one-and-done playoff appearance. Smartly, the Eagles tried to upgrade the backup spot by bringing in former Steelers’ starter Pickett in a trade. McKee is a big, strong-armed QB while Grier spent several years in the Patriots’ system.
Washington Commanders - Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel, and Sam Hartman: This QB room is comprised of two rookies in Daniels and Hartman and two veterans in Mariota and Driskel. Daniels has already been placed in the #1 spot and will certainly see a significant amount of game action in the preseason. Mariota should see plenty of time as well as he acclimates to an offense that will lean on Daniels’ strengths. Driskel is on his sixth NFL team in seven seasons and Hartman hopes to make the squad as a rookie with plenty of college experience at Wake Forest and Notre Dame.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears - Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Brett Rypien, and Austin Reed: Williams sat out the first preseason game but is the unquestioned starter for this team and will see some time this week. Bagent is a solid backup that can run a bit and make all the throws. Rypien’s performance in the Hall of Fame Game was solid and may have pushed him closer to a roster spot. Austin Reed is a long shot and might not see much preseason time going forward.
Detroit Lions - Jared Goff, Nate Sudfeld, and Hendon Hooker: Goff is the established starter and didn’t miss a snap last year. Sudfeld is now in his third year in the Lions’ system so should be quite comfortable. This is year two of Hooker and he doesn’t have any competition at the moment in securing the third spot. This could be a decent battle for the backup spot between Sudfeld and Hooker.
Green Bay Packers - Jordan Love, Sean Clifford, and Michael Pratt: Love had a breakout campaign in 2023 and head coach LeFleur has already indicated he will play in the first preseason game. Clifford was his backup in 2023 and will now compete with rookie Pratt to hold onto that spot. Competition is healthy and could lead to good numbers for the two backups this preseason.
Minnesota Vikings - Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall: Gone is longtime starter Kirk Cousins and in is veteran Sam Darnold to man the ship for what appears to be the short term. Darnold will get plenty of preseason reps along with rookie QB McCarthy. Mullens and Hall both got opportunities last season when Cousins went down so I don’t expect heavy minutes from either as the Vikings take long looks at Darnold and McCarthy.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons - Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr., Taylor Heinicke, and Nathan Rourke: Heinicke is the only holdover from last year’s QB room but the team could decide to move on from him if they like what they see from Penix Jr. behind Cousins. Cousins signed a big deal in the offseason and is the #1 quarterback. The decision to draft Penix Jr. despite Cousins’ presence at least guarantees Penix to get a long look in the preseason.
Carolina Panthers - Bryce Young, Andy Dalton, Jack Plummer, and Jake Luton: Last year’s #1 pick, Young, had a disappointing rookie season, especially in light of the performance from Stroud, picked right behind him at quarterback. Young will see plenty of action this preseason as the Panthers try to rebuild his confidence. Dalton starts the preseason hurt while rookie Plummer will get a chance to take the third spot from veteran Luton early in camp.
New Orleans Saints - Derek Carr, Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler, and Taysom Hill: Carr was painfully inconsistent in his first year with the Saints last year. He will likely play more this preseason as the team hopes to make him more comfortable. Haener opens week one of the preseason hurt which could give strong-armed rookie Rattler a leg up on earning the backup spot. Hill remains the team’s Swiss army knife of an RB/TE/QB.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask, John Wolford, and Zack Annexstad. Mayfield is the clear #1 this year after fighting for the spot last year. Fourth-year QB Trask will battle with former Rams’ backup QB Wolford for the backup spot with Annexstad already behind the eight-ball with an injury heading into the preseason.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals - Kyler Murray, Desmond Ridder, and Clayton Tune: Interesting the Cardinals decided to go with just three quarterbacks in camp, particularly with Murray just one year removed from major knee surgery. Even more fascinating is the Cardinals' announcement on Tuesday that Murray will not play at all in the three preseason games. Ridder is an upgrade at backup QB, coming over from Atlanta. Tune returns for a second season as a backup in Arizona. He does know the system and could be effective against defensive backups late in preseason games.
Los Angeles Rams - Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett, and Dresser Winn: Stafford will be protected this preseason so don’t expect much of the veteran quarterback. Garoppolo is suspended for the first two regular season games so the battle between Bennett and Winn for the opening game backup spot should be spirited.
San Francisco 49ers - Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Allen, and Tanner Mordecai: Purdy is healthy and ready to go for the start of camp this year. He’ll get some reps in but the majority of his work will be in practice. Dobbs comes in looking to secure a backup spot after getting major playing time in both Arizona and Minnesota last season. Allen hasn’t played since his time in Cincinnati while Mordecai arrives for his first camp behind these veterans.
Seattle Seahawks - Geno Smith, Sam Howell, and PJ Walker: New coach and new system in Seattle. Veteran Smith may get more playing time than the typical starting quarterback to get more comfortable in the new system. Howell comes over from the Commanders and brings starting experience with him. Walker has also started his share of games and those two should battle for the backup job this preseason.
NFL Coaches Preseason Records (Records from 2007 until Present) *Updated to include Hall of Fame Game
Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Gannon 2-1
Atlanta Falcons: Raheem Morris 5-7
Baltimore Ravens: Jim Harbaugh 44-14
Buffalo Bills: Sean McDermott: 14-7
Carolina Panthers: Dave Canales: 0-0*
Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus: 5-2
Cincinnati Bengals: Zac Taylor: 3-9
Cleveland Browns: Kevin Stefanski: 5-4
Dallas Cowboys: Mike McCarthy 30-30; 3-7 w/Dallas
Denver Broncos: Sean Payton: 30-33
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell 3-6
Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur 5-8
Houston Texans: DeMeco Ryans 2-2
Indianapolis Colts: Shane Steichen 2-1
Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Pederson 11-12
Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid 46-47
LA Chargers: Jim Harbaugh 10-6
LA Rams: Sean McVay 7-14
Las Vegas Raiders: Antonio Pierce 0-0*
Miami Dolphins: Mike McDaniel 3-3
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O’Connell 0-6
New England Patriots: Jerod Mayo 0-0*
New Orleans Saints: Dennis Allen 7-11
NY Giants: Brian Daboll 3-3
NY Jets: Robert Saleh 7-2
Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Sirianni 1-6
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin 40-24
Seattle Seahawks: Mike MacDonald 0-0*
SF 49ers: Kyle Shanahan 11-10
Tampa Bay Bucs: Todd Bowles 9-13
Tennessee Titans: Brian Callahan 0-0*
Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn 6-15
*First Year head coaches
By Mark Ruelle
