In this week’s Cover 3, we’re breaking down the rising role of backup QBs in the NFL.

We’ve got:

• Jameis Winston with the Browns

• Cooper Rush with the Cowboys

• Desmond Ridder with the Raiders

Jameis Winston’s Rollercoaster Return to the Spotlight

We're at the halfway point in the NFL season, and if there's one storyline that’s catching my attention…

It’s the critical need for backup quarterbacks to be ready to perform at a high level, often in challenging, high-stakes situations.

We’re not just talking about No. 2 quarterbacks here, but true backups—guys who weren’t expected to take a snap this season.

This year, we’re seeing backups rise to the occasion and showing just how essential it is to stay ready.

I want to highlight a few situations that really show this dynamic, and we're starting with Jameis Winston.

He Started At The 3

Jameis wasn’t even the primary backup for the Cleveland Browns this season.

When Deshaun Watson went down with a season-ending Achilles tear, it was Dorian Thompson-Robinson who initially stepped in.

But after DTR hurt his finger, Cleveland called on Winston, their third-string QB.

And despite the odds, he delivered one of his best performances in a game against the Baltimore Ravens—a team that was red-hot coming in and favored by nine points.

For Jameis to not only compete but to take down a top AFC team was impressive.

It goes to show the value of preparation - even if you’re third on the depth chart.

The Flip Side

This past week, against the Chargers, Jameis struggled, making some questionable decisions and playing some rough football.

It’s a reminder of the rollercoaster reality backup QBs face.

The pressure to perform is intense, especially when you’re coming off a big win, and the stakes are high for the Browns.

With Amari Cooper traded, a shakeup in play-calling, and an offense still finding its identity, Cleveland is asking a lot from its quarterbacks right now.

The Browns are a prime example of why staying ready is so important for backups. Jameis is being counted on to play at his best every game.

But if he struggles again, don’t be surprised to see the Browns go back to Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

The team needs stability, and they’ll do what it takes to get it.

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Cooper Rush Steps In for the Cowboys

How about those Cowboys?

It’s no secret that Dallas has been a lightning rod for drama this season, and things just took another twist.

Dak Prescott, after battling injuries in the past, finds himself sidelined again—this time with a new one: a hamstring injury that even caught him off guard.

Dak mentioned he didn’t even know what he was feeling initially, which says a lot.

This isn’t the type of injury you see a quarterback deal with unless they’ve taken an awkward hit or a bad landing.

But here we are, and that means it’s time for Cooper Rush to step up.

Let’s Be Real

Let’s be real—the Cowboys are not in an ideal spot right now.

The offense has been struggling, the defense ranks dead last, the coaching staff is on the hot seat, and the fan base is getting restless.

Add in a lineup of nationally televised games, and there’s nowhere to hide.

All eyes will be on Dallas, and now, all eyes will be on Cooper Rush.

An Undrafted Story

Cooper Rush’s story is remarkable on its own.

This is a guy who went undrafted, fought tooth and nail to make the roster, and last year, when given the chance, he didn’t just fill in—he delivered.

He rattled off a 4- or 5-game win streak, proving he could win games at the highest level.

But unlike Dak, Cooper’s not carrying the weight of franchise expectations on his shoulders.

He’s not worried about the Cowboys' future cap space or whether Mike McCarthy will still be around next year.

His only focus right now is preparing himself to play—and play well—for as long as he’s needed.

The Need For Stability

It’s actually a pretty unique opportunity for Rush.

He spent the offseason solidifying himself as the clear No. 2, ready to step in if his moment came.

Well, that moment has arrived.

And with the way things are going in Dallas, this could turn into more than just a one- or two-game fill-in.

There’s a decent chance we could see Cooper Rush finish out a significant part of this season.

The Cowboys need stability, and they need it now.

Rush has shown before that he can be a stabilizing force.

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Desmond Ridder’s Unimaginable Challenge with the Raiders

Sometimes, the toughest situations in football come when you're thrown into a game with next to no preparation, and that’s exactly what Desmond Ridder faced stepping in for the Raiders against the Bengals.

If there’s a tougher setup for a quarterback in the league right now, I haven’t seen it.

A Rollercoaster For Ridder

Just last year, he was the starting quarterback for the Falcons.

But after a coaching change and a rough season, he ended up in Arizona, where he had to battle it out with rookie Clayton Tune.

Tune won the job—not because Ridder played poorly, but because Tune has genuinely shown he can hang at this level.

So Ridder found himself on the Arizona practice squad, waiting for his next shot.

Then, just eight days before this game, he got the call from Las Vegas.

He signed with the Raiders, barely had time to unpack his bags, and suddenly, he was thrown into the game against the Bengals when Gardner Minshew was benched.

This wasn’t just a “next man up” moment. This was entering a football war zone.

The Raiders were down to just five healthy offensive linemen, meaning every snap, Ridder was facing pressure.

Trey Hendrickson and that Bengals defensive front were coming at him with full force, and Ridder was taking hit after hit.

On top of that, the Raiders had just moved on from Davante Adams, their only real weapon at wideout.

So, Ridder was stepping in under-manned, under-prepared, and under-protected.

A Tough Draw

Ridder barely knew the offense.

He had been there just over a week, learning only the basics and trying to get comfortable with his teammates. But comfort goes out the window in the NFL when your number is called.

The Raiders coaching staff knew it was a long shot, but they decided to see what Ridder could do under extreme pressure.

And it doesn’t stop there.

The Raiders’ front office is making big changes—they fired the offensive coordinator, the QB coach, and the offensive line coach.

Talk about a shake-up.

Now, Ridder’s staring down the rest of the season, likely with some new coaches, in an offense he’s just learning, with limited weapons around him.

If he gets the nod again after their bye week, he’s going to need every ounce of mental toughness he has.

There’s no sugarcoating it: this is as tough as it gets for a quarterback.

But Ridder has one thing going for him—he’s resilient.

He’s been knocked down before, and he’s fought his way back.

He’s got the mental fortitude to handle this, but it’ll be a test like no other.

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