Think about strolling into work on Sunday, decked in full pads, understanding there is a 99% probability you will not break a sweat – however you will nonetheless acquire a hefty paycheck. That is the lifetime of the NFL backup quarterback.
It would simply be the perfect gig in sports activities: minimal enjoying time, infinitesimal damage threat, and a front-row seat to each recreation, all whereas making a fortune. In reality, some backup QBs have made careers (and tens of tens of millions) out of holding a clipboard.
Under, we spotlight a number of present and former quarterbacks who exemplify simply how profitable long-term backup obligation may be, full with eye-popping earnings, modest stat strains, and humorous anecdotes exhibiting how little they really performed.
Chase Daniel – $42 Million for five Begins
Chase Daniel has grow to be the poster baby for the profession backup QB. Spanning 14 seasons with 5 NFL groups (Saints, Chiefs, Eagles, Bears, Lions, Chargers), Daniel backed up stars like Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes with out ever being a long-term starter. He solely had 5 profession begins and tried simply 274 passes within the NFL. That is lower than some QBs throw in a single season.
Regardless of the sparse enjoying time, Chase Daniel has banked round $42 million over his profession, which ranks him among the many high 65 highest-paid QBs ever. That comes out to roughly $8.3 million per recreation began. By 2018, he had simply two profession begins and 78 go makes an attempt, whereas punters like Johnny Hekker had thrown extra passes. Every of his 9 landing passes is value over $4.6 million in wage. Daniel is hailed as the final word con man — incomes extra per throw than most individuals make in a decade.
Drew Stanton – $32 Million to Be a Mentor
Drew Stanton spent 14 seasons within the NFL because the consummate backup. He held the clipboard for Matthew Stafford in Detroit and Carson Palmer in Arizona. He had a quick beginning stint in 2014 when Palmer obtained harm, going 5–3, however that was the exception. After 2014, he solely began 5 extra video games.
Regardless of simply 17 profession begins, Stanton earned practically $32 million, or about $1.9 million per begin. His lifetime stat line features a 20:24 TD:INT ratio and simply 38 whole video games performed. The Cardinals and Browns paid handsomely for his management and preparedness, not his efficiency. He represents the kind of backup who sticks round for his veteran presence greater than anything.
Brock Osweiler – $41 Million and a Ring
Brock Osweiler is greatest referred to as Peyton Manning’s apprentice in Denver, who stepped in for a 5–2 run in 2015. That cameo earned him a four-year, $72 million cope with the Texans. However he underperformed, going 8–6, and was traded after only one season. Cleveland paid him practically $16 million to not play a single down. He bounced to Miami and had a quick stint with the Dolphins, however his beginning days have been principally over.
With 30 begins and a 15–15 profession document, Osweiler earned about $41 million. That works out to round $1.38 million per begin. In the long run, he was paid famous person cash for common outcomes, all stemming from one good run in Denver. It was the final word instance of “flash within the pan” resulting in money within the financial institution.
Kevin Kolb – $29 Million for a Flash of Promise
Kevin Kolb was as soon as seen as Donovan McNabb’s successor in Philadelphia. He confirmed flashes of potential, sufficient for the Cardinals to provide him a $63 million contract in 2011. However accidents and inconsistency plagued his Arizona tenure. He began simply 14 video games over two seasons earlier than concussion points ended his profession.
Kolb performed in 34 video games whole (21 begins) and earned about $29 million, which breaks right down to $1.38 million per begin — the identical as Osweiler. In hindsight, he obtained wealthy off a half-season of promise. It is a reminder that being in the precise place on the proper time can result in generational wealth within the NFL.
Charlie Whitehurst – $17.5 Million With out Breaking a Sweat
Charlie Whitehurst, aka “Clipboard Jesus,” is known amongst backup QBs. He spent his first 4 years in San Diego with out throwing a single go. Seattle nonetheless gave him a two-year, $8 million deal in 2010. He made a couple of spot begins however by no means impressed. Later stints in San Diego, Tennessee, and Cleveland adopted the identical sample.
He ended his profession with simply 9 begins throughout 11 seasons and earned about $17.5 million. At one level, the Chargers paid him over $5 million with out him trying a single go. He went greater than 2,000 days between being drafted and throwing his first NFL go. If there is a Corridor of Fame for doing the naked minimal on the sphere whereas getting wealthy, Whitehurst is first-ballot.
Matt Flynn – $19 Million for One Wonderful Sport
Matt Flynn had one good recreation — 480 yards and 6 touchdowns in Week 17 of 2011 — and it modified his life. Seattle signed him to a three-year, $19.5 million contract primarily based nearly solely on that efficiency. However rookie Russell Wilson beat him out in coaching camp. Flynn threw simply 9 passes for Seattle.
He went on to begin a couple of video games for the Raiders and Packers, however the shine had worn off. Nonetheless, he earned about $19 million for simply seven begins, making him one of the overpaid backups in NFL historical past primarily based on whole enjoying time. That one recreation alone set him up for all times.
Matt Flynn (Chris Graythen/Getty Photographs)
Luke McCown – $17.3 Million and a Industrial Deal
Luke McCown spent 14 years within the NFL with simply 10 profession begins. His 2–8 starter document did not scream long-term potential, however groups liked his professionalism and angle. He backed up Byron Leftwich, Josh Freeman, and Drew Brees, and barely noticed the sphere.
McCown could be higher identified for starring in a Verizon business evaluating himself to a backup generator. It was a intelligent little bit of self-awareness. He earned greater than $17 million in his profession, largely by staying wholesome and holding a headset.
Chad Henne – $39.7 Million and Two Rings
Chad Henne began off as a starter in Miami and Jacksonville, however his second act in Kansas Metropolis was pure backup bliss. He served as Patrick Mahomes’ security web, hardly ever coming into video games besides in blowouts or preseason. From 2014 to 2020, he did not begin a single recreation, however saved getting paid.
He ultimately made a playoff look, subbing in for Mahomes and main a game-clinching drive in 2021. Henne retired after profitable two Tremendous Bowls and incomes near $40 million throughout 15 seasons. He performed good, stayed prepared, and obtained rewarded.
The Enviable Lifetime of the Backup QB
These quarterbacks earned effectively over $250 million mixed, and most of them barely performed. Whereas followers debate starter stats and playoff wins, these guys quietly collected tens of millions by being good teammates, finding out movie, and being prepared for emergencies that normally by no means got here.
Backup quarterback may simply be the perfect job in America. No hits, no blame, loads of money, and perhaps even a Tremendous Bowl ring or two. They did not get the glory. However they obtained one thing higher: an extended, rich profession with nearly zero harm to their our bodies or reputations.
Being the second-string by no means regarded so good.