We ranked every NFL team's quarterback situation heading into the 2018 season
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It's possible there's no position in sports is more important to a team's success than that of an NFL quarterback.
The importance of the position goes beyond the starters. Backup QBs are also vital to a team's success heading into a fresh NFL season. Look no further than the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. While Carson Wentz played like an MVP candidate for most of the season, it was backup Nick Foles who carried the team over the finish line to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
Below, we've ranked the QB situations of all 32 teams heading for the 2018 NFL season. While some teams have clearer skies ahead of them as young quarterbacks develop, these rankings were made with the upcoming season in mind. The most weight was given to starting quarterbacks while also acknowledging the strength of a team's backups.
32. Buffalo Bills
AP Photo/Adrian Kraus
Projected Week 1 starter: A.J. McCarron
Backups: Josh Allen, Nathan Peterman
2018 outlook: It's going to be a battle for the starting job in Buffalo. Josh Allen is a raw rookie with a huge arm, while A.J. McCarron has been Andy Dalton's backup his entire career. Nathan Peterman is also likely in the mix for the job, being the only one there who has experience under center in the Bills system.
In case of emergency: Hopefully, things go better than Peterman's historically lousy showing last year.
Long term plans: Josh Allen throwing balls the length of the field. Right now the Bills have two backup quarterbacks and a rookie. Hopefully, Allen develops for them into the real thing.
31. Denver Broncos
AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Projected Week 1 starter: Case Keenum
Backups: Paxton Lynch, Chad Kelly
2018 outlook: Denver when through all of last year's painful season essentially splitting time between three backup quarterbacks. This year, it all depends on if Case Keenum can carry his solid year with the Vikings out to Denver.
In case of emergency: Paxton Lynch wasn't overly impressive in his starts for the Broncos last year, but he could serve fine if called upon as a backup.
Long term plans: We can't know until we see this year play out. Keenum is only on a two-year deal, so if he thrives, the Broncos could look to keep him around, or with a middling performance could focus on continuing to develop Lynch and 2017's Mr. Irrelevant Chad Kelly.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
Projected Week 1 starter: Patrick Mahomes
Backups: Chad Henne, Matt McGloin, Chase Litton
2018 outlook: We won't know until the season starts. After a year of lying in wait, Patrick Mahomes will get his chance to lead the Chiefs. He seems prepared to succeed in an Andy Reid offense.
In case of emergency: Chad Henne is 33 years old and has not started an NFL game in over a decade, and he is likely the Chiefs best option should Mahomes get hurt. So, not great.
Long term plans: Mahomes' draft classmates Mitch Trubisky and Deshaun Watson have already established themselves as their team's focal point for the near-future. Hopefully, we'll be saying the same about Mahomes after a solid year.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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