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The NFL recently announced the re-introduction of the emergency quarterback rule. The rule states that teams are allowed to have a third quarterback on the roster without burning up a roster spot.
The rule was implemented by the NFL following the San Francisco 49ers' NFC Championship defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles. In that game, Brock Purdy was injured and relieved for backup Josh Johnson. However, Johnson too was injured, so Purdy came back in, despite clearly being unable to perform.
Many teams will benefit from this new rule change, which states a third quarterback can only come in if both the starting and the backup quarterbacks are injured, rather than being benched.
Here are five teams that will benefit from the rule:
#1 - Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders made a splash during the 2023 NFL free agency period when they ditched long-time quarterback Derek Carr in favor of Jimmy Garoppolo.
Garoppolo may be an excellent game manager at quarterback, but he's also a health risk. He has suffered a torn ACL and high ankle sprain in recent years, and if he's unable to play, attention turns to backup Brian Hoyer.
Hoyer has been a career backup, so he may not be match fit when called upon. This rule could therefore easily benefit Las Vegas.
#2 - Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens made it to the playoffs in 2022 despite a slew of injuries at quarterback. Both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley suffered injuries last year, leaving rookie Anthony Brown as the team's starter.
Jackson's fitness was a huge talking point last season, as his 1-3 timetable for return never materialized, and he missed the rest of the campaign. Had this rule been in place earlier, the Ravens wouldn't have had to waste a roster spot to keep Anthony Brown active.
#3 - Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa's health was arguably the biggest talking point across the NFL for a period last season. Tagovailoa suffered multiple head injuries and concussions, with some speculating that the 24-year-old should end his career early.
Both Tagovailoa and backup Teddy Bridgewater suffered concussions in 2022, meaning third-string rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson was sent into the game on multiple occasions. This included the Dolphins' narrow wild card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The new rule change will come as a welcome relief to a quarterback room that's struggled to stay healthy for a prolonged period.
#4 - Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are without starting quarterback Kyler Murray for the start of the 2023 season, so the emergency quarterback rule will be music to their ears.
Murray tore his ACL last year, leaving Arizona with a host of backup quarterbacks including Colt McCoy and Jeff Driskel. The issue is that these quarterbacks haven't played substantial reps, so there's no guarantee their bodies can keep up with the NFL's grueling schedule.
#5 - San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers were the reason this rule was implemented, so they will definitely benefit from it in 2023. All of their quarterbacks in 2022 suffered injuries, namely Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo, Brock Purdy, and Josh Johnson.
It's unlikely this unlucky streak will befit San Francisco again, but Lance, Purdy, and recruit Sam Darnold have had a history of injuries during their short NFL careers.
