AFC 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 AFC North teams stand at backup QB.

Baltimore Ravens

BACKUPS: Tyler Huntley, Josh Johnson, Anthony Brown | We've already seen what life without Lamar Jackson would look like the past two seasons when he missed time with injuries. It wasn't pretty, but without Huntley, it could've been a lot worse. Huntley played in 13 games from 2021-22, throwing for 1,739 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also added 431 yards and three touchdowns rushing. 

Although Huntley's numbers don't jump off the page, he kept the Ravens competitive down the stretch and made the postseason last season. That's all you can ask from a backup QB. (PANIC METER: 4)

Cleveland Browns

BACKUPS: Joshua Dobbs, Kellen Mond, Dorian Thompson-Robinson | Dobbs has the most experience of the backups, playing in eight games from 2018-22, but he might not be the QB2 come the start of the season. It was only a small sample size, but rookie Thompson-Robinson looked the part in his NFL debut, leading the Browns to a 21-16 comeback win over the Jets in the Hall of Fame Game.

"I'm just happy to be out there, be an asset to them, making sure I'm getting guys in the right spots and doing everything I can to lead this team," Thompson-Robinson told the media after the game. (PANIC METER: 2)

Cincinnati Bengals

BACKUPS: Trevor Siemian, Jake Browning, Reid Sinnett | After his training-camp calf injury, the Bengals are learning how to prepare without Joe Burrow. The injury, which will sideline him for "several weeks," spotlights Cincinnati's underwhelming backup quarterbacks.

Siemian, the favorite for QB2, is experienced, playing in 35 games from 2015-22. He has thrown for 7,027 yards, 42 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in his career. Browning and Sinnett have not appeared in any games. The team expects Burrow to be ready to go Week 1. If he isn't, Cincinnati is in trouble. (PANIC METER: 1)

Pittsburgh Steelers

BACKUPS: Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Tanner Morgan | Trubisky, who signed a two-year extension in the offseason, has an argument to be the best backup QB in the league. He lost the starting role to Kenny Pickett last season, but his struggles may have been more a factor of playcalling than anything. He has passed for 11,904 yards, 68 touchdowns and 43 interceptions and boasts a 37-27 career record.

Rudolph adds to an impressive QB room. He almost led Pittsburgh to the playoffs in 2019 after Ben Roethlisberger went down with an injury. If Trubisky were get injured as well, the team could still be competitive with Rudolph, who has probably been over-criticized since the Steelers drafted him in the third round in 2018. (PANIC METER: 5)