Why the backup QB market will be key during the Spring portal window

The spring transfer portal window opened on Tuesday and there is sure to be plenty of activity over the next couple of weeks. The quarterback position in particular will be interesting to monitor as players and teams search for the right fit.

On3’s Andy Staples and Pete Nakos spoke Tuesday morning about the portal window opening and what could transpire next with quarterbacks.

Staples believes it makes sense for some QBs to stay put, even if they’re not set to be a starter in 2024.

“I still think there’s a lot of value in being the backup quarterback at a Tiffany-type program, especially in this day and age of the quarterback running so much,” Staples said. “There’s a very good chance you’re going to start games. We saw that last year with Texas. You are probably going to be called upon, you are probably going to be needed. So if you think there’s a chance that you could be the No. 2 guy, like a Devin Brown situation, do it.”

Nakos agrees with Staples and pointed out that it makes sense for quarterbacks to stay put for other reasons, too, now that spring practices are wrapping up.

He used the Ohio State situation as an example.

“I view it a little differently, too… maybe they don’t want to get thrown into a situation where they’re not comfortable. Maybe they don’t wanna go learn a playbook in three months,” Nakos said. “Maybe they think the best situation is to go through another offseason with Chip Kelly and Ryan Day, two of the brightest quarterback minds in the game, and then go evaluate what their future is in December when there’s going to be more starting jobs open.”

Staples feels that Nakos makes an excellent point and agrees that there’s no need to rush into a situation that might not be a good long-term fit.

If a quarterback does leave now and go somewhere to start over, it could hurt their stock for the future.

“I think that’s the right way to talk about it… when you pull that quarterback in post-spring, that person is behind the eight ball. They’ve got to learn the offense. You brought them in presumably to play, and that’s a lot of pressure on them,” Staples said. “It also creates a weird situation with the rest of the quarterback room where you may end up running off some other quarterbacks who are already on the roster. So coaches have to tread very, very carefully right now with the quarterback position.”