NFL: 4 backup quarterbacks who became stars

In the wake of recent injuries to Tony Romo and Teddy Bridgewater, will it pave the way for the next great quarterback to emerge from reserve duty?

Whether we look back at this time as the start what was the Dak Prescott Era in Dallas or whomever surfaces after newly acquired Sam Bradford goes down in Minnesota (you know it’s happening), there is at least a precedent for a play caller to emerge from deep on the bench to ultimately becoming his team’s future franchise QB.

The following are four examples where the loss or departure of a valued starting quarterback had ultimately turned into a blessing in disguise, with the year their worthy replacement took the reigns and took off.

Disclaimer: Context matters for this list. For example, it does not include the likes of a Randall Cunningham in 1998 with the Vikings when he filled in for Brad Johnson, as he was already a star in a previous incarnation with the Eagles. Nor does it include Jeff Hostetler or Doug Williams in the late 1980s, who took over and later led the Giants and Redskins, respectively, to Super Bowl titles, as neither could be really considered a “star” after those runs.

Instead, this is relegated to those who took both their teams and their own careers to greater heights.

Nov 26, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers former quarterback Brett Favre hugs Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) at half time for a NFL game against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

4. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers

It’s near impossible to successfully replace a legend. But that’s exactly what the initial two quarterbacks on this list accomplished. The first, Aaron Rodgers, had the unenviable task of taking over for Brett Favre, who became as indigenous to Wisconsin as beer, cheese and Happy Days.

But as sure as a discount double-check, a seamless handoff from one legendary Packer QB to another had led to pay dirt. And when all is said and done, the latter may just surpass the former as the best in franchise history.

Although his emergence as a top quarterback was not entirely out of the blue, Rodgers certainly underwent his share of detours in order to get there. The first bump in the road was on draft day when he took a surprising tumble to 24th overall to ultimately land in Green Bay’s lap.

However, after three years of holding a clipboard, Rodgers has seamlessly picked up where Favre left off, matching him in Super Bowl victories, adding an MVP in 2011 and another in 2014 to go along with his predecessor’s three, plus five Pro Bowls and a ridiculous 104.1 career passer rating.

And with no signs of tailing off at 32 years old, and an NFC that remains up for grabs, the accolades should continue to pile up for State Farm’s best pitch man.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh talks to quarterback Joe Montana (16) and backup quarterback Steve Young (8)–all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame–during the NFC Divisional Playoff, a 34-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on January 1, 1989, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Arthur Anderson/Getty Images)

3. Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers

Like Rodgers, Steve Young was a highly-touted pick out of college (in fact, he went No. 1 overall) who had to wait years for his chance to shine. Also like Rodgers, it took the trade of a future Hall of Famer to finally make that happen.

In Young’s case, some of that detour was self-imposed, as he began his professional career with the USFL’s Los Angeles Express for two seasons. This is followed by two forgettable seasons—only one as a full-time starter—with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he was officially deemed a bust and traded to the San Francisco 49ers, paving the way for the Bucs to draft another well-regarded college QB: Vinny Testaverde.

Wrong move, guys.

Young assumed a backup role to none other than Joe Montana, who set the bar astronomically high in San Francisco. However, good things come to those who wait, and Joe Cool’s heir apparent certainly paid his dues, as it wasn’t until his age-30 season that Young took the reigns.

What followed were seven consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, two MVPs (1992 and 1994), a Super Bowl victory and enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.

27 Jan 2002: Quarterback Kurt Warner #13 of the St. Louis Rams delivers a pass over the defense of the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC Championship Game at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Eagles 29-24 to advance to the Super Bowl. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

2. Kurt Warner, St. Louis Rams

One day, someone like Disney will produce a movie about Kurt Warner, and it will be a box office smash. Because, as Rocky, Rudy, and The Blind Side have taught us, everyone loves an underdog. And there may have been no more successful tale than Warner’s.

Undrafted out of the football mecca known as Northern Iowa, he toiled around in obscurity for years after being cut by the Green Bay Packers in 1994, spending time in the NFL Europe and Arena Leagues—and even famously bagging groceries at a local Hy-Vee—before latching on with the St. Louis Rams as their third-string quarterback in 1998.

The following season, Warner finally got his chance as a starter when prized free-agent acquisition Trent Green went down with a devastating knee injury in preseason. Needless to say, Green never got another chance in St. Louis.

What resulted was one of the greatest single season performances for one of the greatest offenses in NFL history—aptly named the Greatest Show on Turf—leading the Rams to an unlikely Super Bowl win and another appearance, while racking up two MVPs (1999 and 2001) to go along with four career Pro Bowl selections.

Then, nearly a decade later, Warner added yet another chapter to his Cinderella story, as he reinvented himself once again for the Arizona Cardinals, leading an entire team of underdogs to a narrow loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.

NEW ORLEANS, UNITED STATES: New England Patriots quarterbacks Tom Brady (L) and Drew Bledsoe (R) celebrate their team’s victory over the St. Louis Rams 03 February, 2002 in Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17 for the NFL championship. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)

1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Love him or hate him (and he has plenty on both sides), this one was a no-brainer.

Most of us know by now the story. The 199th overall pick after beginning his career at Michigan as seventh on the depth chart. An afterthought for the middling Patriots until former top pick Drew Bledsoe went down. And faster than you can say “Wally Pipp,” Brady hasn’t looked back.

Now arguably the greatest quarterback to play the game and perhaps the most successful athlete of the 21st Century, the accolades continue to pile up.

Brady has four Super Bowl wins in six appearances, three Super Bowl MVP’s, two regular season MVPs (2007, 2010), 11 Pro Bowls and has an insane career .771 winning percentage and several single season and career NFL records.

Five years after Brady retires, he will be in the Hall of Fame and at the center of any discussion about the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. Not too bad for a former sixth round pick.