Football squads aren't as likely as you might assume to employ roster versatility with emergency quarterbacks on game days
In the fast-paced world of American football, the quarterback position is the heart of every team's offensive strategy. However, unforeseen circumstances can disrupt even the best-laid plans. This is where the emergency quarterback rule comes into play.
Last year, Jameis Winston stepped up as an emergency quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in a game against Cincinnati. Despite his efforts, the Browns fell short, losing by a score of 21-14. This incident underscores the importance of having a quarterback available, a view shared by Bo Hardegree, the Titans' quarterbacks coach, who stated that using a non-quarterback hurts the game and the fans.
The NFL reinstated the emergency quarterback rule in 2023, following the NFC championship game the previous season. About half of the NFL's teams had a third quarterback on the active roster last season, and the percentage is about the same now. Teams that don't have a third quarterback on the active roster, such as the Dallas Cowboys during the first two games of Brian Schottenheimer's coaching tenure, ensure they have one on the practice squad.
The emergency quarterback designation provides a free roster spot on game day. However, teams can only bring up quarterbacks from the practice squad on game day, but they must be part of the active roster. Emergency quarterbacks are not active.
The rule serves as an "insurance policy" for teams, as New Orleans coach Kellen Moore put it. This was evident during the pandemic-altered 2020 season when practice squad receiver Kendall Hinton started for Denver due to all four quarterbacks being unable to play due to COVID-19 protocols.
However, the league proposed loosening rules to make it easier for third quarterbacks to be brought up from the practice squad on game day, but the proposal was rejected by the union. This suggests a balance between ensuring team safety and maintaining the integrity of the game.
In a recent incident, Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers badly injured his elbow, and backup Josh Johnson exited with a concussion. Despite having an emergency quarterback designation, the Cowboys played their wild 40-37 overtime win against the New York Giants without one, relying on their regular quarterback, Will Grier. The emergency backup quarterback the Cowboys would use if Will Grier is inactive is Joe Milton.
The NFL, in the opinion of quarterback Will Grier, provides little opportunity for quarterback development. Trevor Siemian, a quarterback on Tennessee's practice squad, agrees, stating that quarterback development in the NFL is largely the responsibility of the individual player.
In conclusion, the emergency quarterback rule offers a safety net for teams in unforeseen circumstances, but it also presents a challenge for player development. As the NFL continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this rule and the development of quarterbacks unfold.
