Starting quarterbacks tend to be the most popular players on NFL teams. Until they struggle and then all of sudden, their backup QBs become a lot more well known.
Because fans of teams who aren't getting quality quarterback play are irrational, when a No. 1 passer is slumping with turnovers and inefficiency, there's impatience for a change.
But there's a reason starters are starters and backups are backups — expecting a No. 2 to be a savior and game-changing understudy is often unreasonable. However in some cases, there's merit to explore benching a QB.
Take the 2024 Panthers. They made a bold move to sit Bryce Young, their No. 1 overall pick in 2023, after an 0-2 start. They had veteran Andy Dalton see some action while Young used the time with the clipboard to further learn and develop before re-emerging as Carolina's unquestioned starting QB.
There's one quarterback who might be in a similar situation in '27. Here's looking at that team and nine more of the most interesting cases in a game that Howie Mandel would love.
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Bench or not to bench? NFL starting QB edition
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The quarterback: Cam Ward, Titans
The call: Bench!
Ward, like Young in 2024, is struggling in a new offense in Year 2 after being drafted No. 1 overall in the previous year. Brian Daboll's system has delivered one of the league's worst passing games with Ward having ball-security and decision-making issues.
The key to benching a QB is having a viable backup. The Titans have won in notable former Bear, Bill and Steeler Mitchell Trubisky, who knows Daboll's offense from their shared time in Buffalo working with Josh Allen. Ward needs some time to settle and develop, much like this year's No. 1 overall pick, the Raiders' Fernando Mendoza.
The Titans need a win after starting 0-5 with Ward. With the Colts and Browns next, Trubisky needs to get out there ASAP to make their attack more respectable in the short term.
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The quarterback: Malik Willis, Dolphins
The call: Not to bench!
Willis hasn't played well since signing a 3-year, $67.5 million contract to be their bridge quarterback. The Dolphins are also 0-5. But they don't have a seasoned Trubisky-type behind Willis, only Kyle McCord, a 2025 sixth-rounder from the Eagles. Willis' running ability is still helping replacement running back Ollie Gordon II and Miami is knocking on the door of a win.
The quarterback: Justin Herbert, Chargers
The call: Not to bench!
Herbert is making $52.5 million per season on his current contract and is already locked into $36 million in base salary for 2027. Backup Trey Lance (groin) is on injured reserve, leaving only DJ Uiagalelei, known from some turnover troubles from college at both Clemson and Florida State.
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The quarterback: Geno Smith, Jets
The call: Bench!
It's time to free buzzy rookie fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik. The Jets are 2-3 and Smith is playing OK, but overall they are getting it more done with running game and defense. It will be tough for coach Aaron Glenn to make the move given the recent much better vibes in New York, but it would behoove Frank Reich and the rest of the offensive stuff to get a long look at Klubnik soon.
The quarterback: Bo Nix, Broncos
The call: Not to bench!
Nix didn't improve his play much going from former quarterbacks coach Davis Webb calling plays back to head coach Sean Payton in that capacity. Nix hasn't played well, but he's still got that clutch fourth-quarter mojo going that backup Jarrett Stidham (see last year's AFC championship game) just doesn't have.
The quarterback: Daniel Jones, Colts
The call: Bench!
Whoa. Jones is playing on a two-year, $88 million deal and it might seem he's not playing too badly with go-to wide receiver Alec Pierce on IR and Josh Downs being the best option with co-starters Keenan Allen and Laquon Treadwell. At this point, tight end Tyler Warren and running back Jonathan Taylor are the team's only two reliable offensive skill assets.
Shane Steichen is a longshot to save his job with his team at 2-3 and not playing well overall. He might as well give Anthony Richardson one more shot to spark the team.
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The quarterback: Deshaun Watson, Browns
The call: Bench!
Wait, what? What about the game-winning rallies he delivered against the Buccaneers and Panthers and shocking dominance against the Steelers? Oh right, all those good feelings crashed when he was sacked eight times and stunk in a low-scoring game against the Jets. He's now had two awful games, the other being in Week 1 against another decent defense, the Jaguars. The Browns are false contenders at 3-2. They need to give Shedeur Sanders a shot soon to have their best possible on-field QB evaluation for rookie coach Todd Monken.
The quarterback: Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals
The call: Bench!
Brissett chucking for a high volume and meaningless passing yards and TDs is good for those who own him in fantasy quarterback and invest a lot in his weapons, led by tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Michael Wilson. But we've already seen plenty of this in the offensive era pre-dating coach Mike LaFleur. With Arizona at 1-4, let's please get a look at rookie Carson Beck, also known as Klubnik of the West.
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The quarterback: Kirk Cousins, Raiders
The call: Not to bench!
Captain Kirk hasn't suddenly lost it in losses to the Chiefs and Patriots after wins over the Dolphins, Chargers and Saints. That is however, an indication the Raiders might not be true playoff contenders at 3-2. The competition stays stiff with the Bills and Rams next. Cousins can keep holding the pocket warm for Fernando Mendoza now that the latter has gotten a little taste of rookie action in Week 5. Whenever Las Vegas sees its wild-card hopes fade, then it will be Mendoza's time in 2026.
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The quarterback: Sam Darnold, Seahawks
The call: Not to bench!
Drew Lock remains the highest-rated quarterback this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Lock was exceptional relieving an injured Darnold (glute) in Week 1 against the Patriots and ripped the Cardinals in his lone start in Week 2.
Although Darnold has been bad the past three weeks with five interceptions, including losses to the Commanders and 49ers and an escape vs. the Chargers, it's too rash for Mike Macdonald and Brian Fleury to demote the Super Bowl 61-winning QB.
Darnold losing Klint Kubiak to Cousins, Mendoza and the Raiders has been an underrated development, especially given the results with the replacement Fleury. Seattle will stick with Darnold as long as he's healthy. But given the Seahawks are the least dependent team on star quarterback play to win games, at some point they won't tolerate the turnovers that turn potential wins into losses.
