Jones leads NFC West backup quarterback rankings for 2026

Mac Jones has been identified as the premier backup quarterback in the NFC West for the 2026 season, according to an analysis by SI.com’s Gilberto Manzano. The assessment evaluates the four projected reserve signal-callers across the division, positioning Jones of the San Francisco 49ers at the top of the hierarchy.

The ranking covers the specific depth charts of the division’s teams, including Jones, Gardner Minshew of the Arizona Cardinals, and two other players. One of these reserves is described as the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford, a player who has yet to take an NFL snap. The evaluation underscores the varying levels of experience and potential within the division’s backup tiers.

Jones’ position is bolstered by his performance during the previous season, where he kept the 49ers competitive while starter Brock Purdy was injured. His status as a player under contract for 2026 ensured he remained with San Francisco, preventing him from being targeted as a starter by other teams during the offseason. The analysis notes that the Arizona Cardinals, in particular, might have benefited from acquiring Jones given their own quarterback uncertainties.

In Arizona, the Cardinals are expected to start Jacoby Brissett in 2026, with Gardner Minshew serving as the backup. Minshew, who has started 47 career games, is viewed as a solid reserve despite a recent lack of impact. The analysis draws a comparison between Minshew and Seattle Seahawks starter Sam Darnold, suggesting that both players can succeed when supported by a strong team structure, even if they are not considered elite starters. Minshew is noted as being turnover-prone, having started only 28 games with limited success in those roles.

The report also highlights the inexperience of the unnamed Stafford heir, who started only 15 games in college. This lack of professional and collegiate starting experience contrasts sharply with Jones’ proven ability to manage a game under pressure. The assessment provides a snapshot of the NFC West’s quarterback depth as teams prepare for the upcoming season, with the 49ers facing separate contract impasses with Brandon Aiyuk that remain distinct from the quarterback evaluations.

Additional coverage of the Cardinals’ roster decisions is available through Cards Wire’s Jess Root on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. The original analysis was published on Cards Wire, sourced from Yahoo Sports, and details the specific rankings of all 32 teams’ backup quarterbacks.