12 forgotten backup quarterbacks of the NFL

On the other hand, being a backup quarterback is a completely different world. You’re just one of the guys, a faceless helmet and shoulder pads on the sidelines as the warriors battle it out on the field.

Even when you get your opportunity, there is no guarantee you keep your job unless you do something spectacular every time you’re on the field. And if you don’t, it is right back to the bench where you will languish behind a superstar, a rising star or a fingers-crossed star.

There are forgotten quarterbacks that are languishing on the sidelines not because of their talent, but because of their circumstances. Some have had enough success to be a starter, but there’s hope for something better from most teams.

Here are the forgotten backup quarterbacks of the NFL.

Landry Jones: Ben Roethlisberger’s rough and tumble style of play is entertaining, but it also puts the Pittsburgh Steelers in a bind because it’s tough to stay healthy competing like that. It was fortunate that the Steelers have a dependable backup that could be a quality starter elsewhere.

Jones started two games this year for Pittsburgh, and he put up impressive numbers. The former Oklahoma Sooner completed 62.3 percent of his passes en route to 558 yards. His decision-making has been impressive, throwing four touchdowns against two interceptions. Don’t expect him to stick in the 2017 unrestricted free agent pool too long.

Jimmy Garoppolo: Being Tom Brady’s backup is a blessing and a curse. You get paid a pretty penny, but you’re permanently on the bench unless Brady goes down. That leaves a lot of talent wasted.

The former Eastern Illinois quarterback finally got his shot with Tom Brady suspended for his role in Deflategate, and he excelled. In the two games that he started, Garoppolo threw for nearly 500 yards and four touchdowns. Oh yeah, and he won both games. It seems that Brady will never retire, but when his contract is up after 2017, he will make a team very happy.

EJ Manuel: The 2013 first round draft pick was supposed to the franchise quarterback, but fizzled out by his second year in the league. But aside from his terrible outings this year, Manuel had been improving in some parts of his game. His completion percentage jumped from 58 percent to 61.9 percent between 2014 and 2015, and he has drawn rave reviews for his work ethic from Rex Ryan.

He is only 26 years old and he may not be the star that the Bills hoped, but he may still develop into a good backup or even serviceable starter like Case Keenum if a team gives him a chance.

Bryce Petty: Some early mock drafts have the Jets taking a quarterback in the first round, but they already have a decent young quarterback. The Baylor Bear got his first bit of NFL action this year had looked every bit as raw as you would think, but there are some signs that he could be a good quarterback.

In his first three starts, Petty completed 60 percent of his passes for 655 yards. He has had trouble with interceptions, but that’s to be expected. If he makes a full recovery from his torn labrum, don’t be surprised if he wins the starting job next year.

Ryan Mallet: Another unrestricted free agent that could compete for a starting job depending on the team could be the former Arkansas Razorback. Every year he has been asked to start he has improved.

In 2015, he had two starts where he completed about 60 percent of his throws and averaged 283 yards per game. He wasn’t able to start this year in Baltimore, but with free agency coming up, he could see a little more action next year.

A.J. McCarron: When Andy Dalton went down in 2015, a lot of people assumed that the national championship-winning quarterback would be fed to the wolves of the AFC North. Instead, McCarron showed fans how he thrived at Alabama.

While throwing in relief of an injured Dalton, McCarron managed to throw six touchdowns and two interceptions during the regular season. He was unable to carry that consistency over in the playoffs where he fumbled his way to a postseason loss, but he proved that when he isn’t behind a good quarterback, he can hold his own in the NFL.

Tom Savage: Brock Osweiler got all of the attention with the Houston Texans for the wrong reasons, and that overshadowed the potential coming out party that could have been for Tom Savage. He actually took over the starting job before being knocked out with a concussion.

Savage didn’t register a touchdown, but he threw over 60 percent in three straight games and showed a little stability that Houston fans craved. Osweiler might have the big contract, but it may be Savage that ends up with the starting job next year.

Nick Foles: People like to remember the Nick Foles that struggled with the St. Louis Rams, but people forget that he is three years removed from throwing 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He may be a couple years older, but he is wiser.

With Kansas City, he was able to fill in for Alex Smith for two games and started one. In those two games, Foles threw three touchdowns and completed 65 percent of his passes. There is this air of stink around Foles after his time with the Rams, but Foles still hasn’t lost his accurate arm and could be an asset to most teams.

Colt McCoy: With Kirk Cousins giving the media quote after boisterous quote, it is easy to forget that Colt McCoy was at one point competing with Kirk Cousins for a starting job. Although he has not shown the ability to win consistently, but the ability to make the throws are still there.

Cousins stayed healthy this year, but for his career McCoy has completed 60 percent of his passes and tallied 26 touchdowns over six seasons. While he may not have won a starting gig, there’s nothing wrong being a dependable backup.

Sam Bradford: Vikings fans are clamoring for the return of Teddy Bridgewater for good reason, but people act like Sam Bradford didn’t step into a completely new offense and throw for 20 touchdowns against five interceptions this year. After injury plagued and unsuccessful seasons, Bradford has become a forgotten because of the expectation a number one overall pick demands. However, after having one of his best seasons under circumstances beyond his control, he bought another couple of years of intrigue and maybe a potential starting job.

Mike Glennon: Before Jameis Winston, there was the red head everyone was rooting for. Mike Glennon might not have won many games, but it definitely wasn’t because of him. From 2013-2014, Glennon threw for 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions and showed he belonged in the pros.

After Winston was drafted, Glennon fell into obscurity despite some productive years. Welcome to the NFL.

Case Keenum: Be on pace for a career year, and still get your job taken away from you – that’s life in the NFL. Case Keenum wasn’t have a record breaking year, but he was showing why he beat out number 1 draft pick Jared Goff out of training camp.

In ten games, Keenum threw 2,201 yards and nine touchdowns only to be replaced by the aforementioned Goff. Keenum will be an unrestricted free agent this year and he may have at least gotten another shot at competing for a starting job elsewhere.