All 32 teams are set to play in the 18th and final week of the 2023 NFL season. But six of them will be resting their starting quarterbacks.
According to Armando Salguero of OutKick, the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings will all be resting or benching their quarterbacks despite them being healthy enough to play.
All but the Vikings have clinched the playoffs and are looking to rest. The outlier is the Minnesota Vikings, who despite still being alive, will be switching from rookie Jaren Hall to veteran journeyman Nick Mullens.
The Rams and 49ers will be starting Carson Wentz and Sam Darnold respectively, while the Browns will go with Jeff Driskel. Over in Baltimore it’ll be Tyler Huntley under center, while Blaine Gabbert starts in place of reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes.
Bunch Of NFL playoff teams are resting their starting QBs while Vikings And Falcons (hoping to get in the playoffs) continue juggling act at the position – @Outkick https://t.co/86dLS3CZcG
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) January 3, 2024
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In the grand scheme of things, those quarterback changes will probably do more good for their respective teams than harm.
The greater benefit will be for their opponents, who will probably see their odds of winning soar without having to face them.
Which of the teams that bench their quarterbacks win this weekend?