NFC North backup quarterback panic meter

"Next man up" During the 2023 season, some NFL head coaches will need to heed that motto at quarterback, the most important position in the sport. If a team doesn't have an adequate backup when a starter goes down, a season can implode.

On a scale of one to five, with one being the highest level of panic, here's where NFC North teams stand at backup QB.

Chicago Bears 

BACKUPS: P.J. Walker, Nathan Peterman | Walker said he came to Chicago to "help the guys in the quarterback room," and he should have plenty of wisdom to share with Fields, having risen from being undrafted to starting seven games over his first three seasons in the NFL. The shifty and athletic QB has a 4-3 in those starts, but in his first extended action for the Carolina Panthers in 2022, his weaknesses showed. Only Kenny Pickett (76.7) and Zach Wilson (72.8) had a lower passer rating than Walker (78) among quarterbacks who started five or more games last season. Nevertheless, Chicago is perhaps the best fit for Walker, who already has familiarity with head coach Matt Eberflus and former teammates D.J. Moore and D'Onta Foreman. So, as far as backups go, the Bears could do worse. (PANIC METER: 3)

Detroit

BACKUPS: Nate Sudfeld, Hendon Hooker, Adrian Martinez | Hooker, the 2023 third-round pick, may very well be the future at QB. However, he is coming off a severe knee injury and is still on the non-football injury list, so Detroit can't expect much from the rookie, even in a backup role. That leaves Nate Sudfeld and undrafted rookie Adrian Martinez behind starter Jared Goff. Sudfeld has played only 78 snaps over a four-year NFL career, but it appears to be his job to lose for now. OC Ben Johnson likes the backup QBs, saying they can win games and support Goff "if all things go right." However, the Lions have shown interest in a potential upgrade, recently bringing in former Minnesota Viking Teddy Bridgewater for a visit. (PANIC METER: 1)

Green Bay Packers

BACKUPS: Sean Clifford, Danny Etling, Alex McGough | In April, head coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers would be "open" to adding a veteran to back up Jordan Love. However, with training camp underway, the depth remains thin at the position. 2023 fifth-round pick Clifford, practice-squad journeyman Etling and reigning USFL MVP McGough backup Love. Only eight quarterbacks started all 17 games in 2022, so having a viable backup is an asset worth securing. But the Packers seem content having a group with zero combined NFL starts waiting behind their first-year QB. While the Packers could make changes between now and Week 1, LaFleur maintains that whoever does the "best job" among the trio will be the No. 2. (PANIC METER: 1)

Minnesota Vikings 

BACKUPS: Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall | Kirk Cousins has been remarkably durable for the Vikings, missing only one start over five seasons. The Vikings have a legitimate backup behind Cousins in Mullens. The 28-year-old has made 17 career starts in the NFL, and while his win-loss record (5-12) is poor, he has posted decent numbers, throwing for 4,552 yards and 24 touchdowns. A five-year veteran, Mullens has also proven he can carry the load, making eight starts as a rookie in 2018 and again in 2020. However, Mullens might have competition in 2023 fifth-round pick Hall. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler called him the "ideal development QB" after the draft. And Cousins has come away impressed, saying Hall has a "good feel for the position." (PANIC METER: 3)