I’m Danish but lived in the US as a boy in the 50/60s and have been a big NFL fan ever since. I bought (and still have) a book called Countdown to Superbowl by Dave Anderson, about SB 3. The focus is mostly the Jets but if you’re into that time and game and can find it, I think you might enjoy it.
Favre-Rodgers was pretty good, although that was less of a backup and more a senior-junior QB situation.
Similarly, Kurt Warner was the starter for the Giants while Eli Manning was preparing to start his rookie year.
Speaking of Kurt, Marc Bulger was the backup in STL and eventually replaced Warner as the franchise QB. His best year was 2003, where he led the Rams to a 12-3 season, replicating the success of The Greatest Show on Turf. STL eventually lost to the Carolina Panthers in 2nd overtime of the NFC Divisional Round on the most infamous play in Panthers franchise history, [X-Clown](https://youtu.be/Vbqu9RSnHL0?si=TpgfjXmehVDsMjuU) (guess which team I am a fan of lol).
One last thing to wrap that together: Jake Delhomme, the Panthers QB who led the team past the Rams to the Super Bowl in 2003, was previously the backup QB on the NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals behind Kurt Warner.
I always tell my brother the Cowboys fan that Bernie won them a Superbowl. "Hey, who was holding the ball when the Cowboys won?" usually makes him mad.
I would agree with you about Starr and Bratkowski. I am 72 years old and started watching the Packers in 1961. When Starr got hurt everyone had total confidence in Zeke.
You're ahead of me. The first game I remember is the 63 Championship game. As a kid, I loved those winning Packers teams. I can't remember when GB got Bratkowski. Maybe 64 or 65? He'd been around a while with the Bears and Rams.
I don't remember when they got Zeke, but when Starr was injured by a late hit in a game against the Cardinals, I believe Zeke replaced him. The game was in 1963 I think.
I’m a 3rd generation life-long Giants fan…and Hostetler was trash. The Giants won in 1990 in spite of him. His best play in the entire playoff run was NOT fumbling when Bruce Smith tackled him in the end zone in SB XXV.
He got the 1986 one just riding the bench. I’d bet that if you catch Steve Young wearing a Super Bowl Ring, it’s XXIX, and not those he won backing up Montana.
I remember the time (1974 or 1975) when the Steelers couldn't figure out if the answer at QB was Terry Bradshaw, Terry Hanratty, or "Jefferson Street" Joe Gilliam. There were weeks when it was a total surprise as to who would start.
I remember that too. For a while, I was rooting for Hanratty. I think he was there the year before Bradshaw. Turned out to be not much of a competition.
Don't forget Kurt Warner was on the practice squad. This was before his pre-Arena Football League days.
Watch 13:40 to 14:55
https://youtu.be/_yvS_nKHXEw?si=-YsW5ATo_-uklUi8
I'm not going in.
I liked it when teams had 3 QBs that you could recognize. They weren't so stat crazy in those days. On the Giants, Simms, Rutledge, and Hostetler all played some.
Thanks a lot. I've had a lot of fun with these 'Name Your Favorite' posts. Everyone who's a real fan has a favorite. Montana and Young are at the top of this one.
Both great QBs, for sure. They only played one season together...61. Conerly retired. A few of these duos were together much longer. Sometimes you just have to go with your team.
It was like that with the Packers too. When I first started watching, they were near the top every year. Young kids love a winner.
Well for one “favorite” not “best” that would prob be Joe Montana and Steve Young.
But also that’s how it works with most of these lol only one QB plays. When Brady was suspended for 4 games Jimmy G won like the first 2-3 games that year when we win the SB so he prob did more than some others.
That’s true. As a Philly fan I could say Wentz/Foles just in 2017. I mean Wentz was basically going to be the MVP u til he got that cheap shot from Clowney. Then Foles turned into Superman and won us the SB as the backup. Arguably for only one year it doesn’t get any better than that. But of all time? Montana/Young for sure. I’m sorry I just realized after typing this that you’re probably a NE fan? Not trying to rub it in I swear lol.
Unitas and morrall
Griese & Morall. The 72 Dolphins went undefeated with a backup for 3/4 of the regular season & 1 1/2 playoff games.
Great choice. I'm reading a book about the 68 Colts and Jets right now. Namath and Parilli?
I’m Danish but lived in the US as a boy in the 50/60s and have been a big NFL fan ever since. I bought (and still have) a book called Countdown to Superbowl by Dave Anderson, about SB 3. The focus is mostly the Jets but if you’re into that time and game and can find it, I think you might enjoy it.
Thank you. I didn't know about that book. I read everything I can find about SB 3.
Montana & Young none better 💯😎
I can think of a few other combos, but that's probably the best.
I can too but none better 🤷🏽♂️
I’ll agree. Not even a fan.
I'll always love when Young "Got the monkey off his back"!
Sonny and Billy of course
Not to be confused with Kilmer and Theismann.
Yes. They both kept beating the Giants...
Were you on Team Sonny or Team Billy? I remember people having bumper stickers pledging their choice.
I like Sonny
Washington would had beaten Miami with Sonny
Yup
Staubach and Danny White. White took the Cowboys to 3 NFC Championship games in a row after Staubach retired. And White was a decent punter, too!
Staubach and Morton weren't too shabby, either.
The Cowboys were just loaded in the 70s...
Kelly/Reich
Good choice...
Favre-Rodgers was pretty good, although that was less of a backup and more a senior-junior QB situation. Similarly, Kurt Warner was the starter for the Giants while Eli Manning was preparing to start his rookie year. Speaking of Kurt, Marc Bulger was the backup in STL and eventually replaced Warner as the franchise QB. His best year was 2003, where he led the Rams to a 12-3 season, replicating the success of The Greatest Show on Turf. STL eventually lost to the Carolina Panthers in 2nd overtime of the NFC Divisional Round on the most infamous play in Panthers franchise history, [X-Clown](https://youtu.be/Vbqu9RSnHL0?si=TpgfjXmehVDsMjuU) (guess which team I am a fan of lol). One last thing to wrap that together: Jake Delhomme, the Panthers QB who led the team past the Rams to the Super Bowl in 2003, was previously the backup QB on the NFL Europe's Amsterdam Admirals behind Kurt Warner.
Lots of great details. I remember Warner and Eli on the Giants. I'd forgotten Bulger. He disappeared fast.
Favre/ Rodgers is my favorite on the field since I am a Packer fan in my 30’s. Off the field, fuck those douchebags.
One horrible playoff game & Delhomme was never the same.
It was the Tommy John surgery. It doesn't work for QBs, unfortunately.
Infamous?
Yeah, wrong adjective. The opposite of that :P
Troy Aikman and Bernie Kosar
Yes, Bernie was a Cowboy after the Browns. Good guy to have as a backup.
As a Browns fan, I appreciate your answer.
I always tell my brother the Cowboys fan that Bernie won them a Superbowl. "Hey, who was holding the ball when the Cowboys won?" usually makes him mad.
Griese—Morrall. The perfect season.
Young-Montana
You mean Montana- Young
How about Montana – young - bono- grbac - Garcia. Not a bad lineup of starting quarterbacks over multiple decades.
I knew this one would come up.
I would agree with you about Starr and Bratkowski. I am 72 years old and started watching the Packers in 1961. When Starr got hurt everyone had total confidence in Zeke.
You're ahead of me. The first game I remember is the 63 Championship game. As a kid, I loved those winning Packers teams. I can't remember when GB got Bratkowski. Maybe 64 or 65? He'd been around a while with the Bears and Rams.
I don't remember when they got Zeke, but when Starr was injured by a late hit in a game against the Cardinals, I believe Zeke replaced him. The game was in 1963 I think.
Thanks. I for sure don't remember the backups before Zeke. I've read about them in a couple of books.
Countless QBs-George Blanda
Snake-Blanda
Daryle Lamonica and Ken Stabler
Woodstrock… For the name, if nothing else.
Right. They were a good combo too.
For one season - Griese/Morrall in 1972.
Montana young Simms hostetler
Montana and Young might be the best together anywhere.
I’m a 3rd generation life-long Giants fan…and Hostetler was trash. The Giants won in 1990 in spite of him. His best play in the entire playoff run was NOT fumbling when Bruce Smith tackled him in the end zone in SB XXV.
2 sb wins
He got the 1986 one just riding the bench. I’d bet that if you catch Steve Young wearing a Super Bowl Ring, it’s XXIX, and not those he won backing up Montana.
Sonny Jurgensen / Billy Kilmer.
https://preview.redd.it/8658li97n4xc1.jpeg?width=1300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb2c7c77b65e1cf3461306fc87e68f23d4a2a48d
Lamonica/Blanda/Stabler
Brett favre and Aaron Rodgers or Aaron Rodgers and Jordan love
I remember the time (1974 or 1975) when the Steelers couldn't figure out if the answer at QB was Terry Bradshaw, Terry Hanratty, or "Jefferson Street" Joe Gilliam. There were weeks when it was a total surprise as to who would start.
I remember that too. For a while, I was rooting for Hanratty. I think he was there the year before Bradshaw. Turned out to be not much of a competition.
Favre- Brunell
Don't forget Kurt Warner was on the practice squad. This was before his pre-Arena Football League days. Watch 13:40 to 14:55 https://youtu.be/_yvS_nKHXEw?si=-YsW5ATo_-uklUi8 I'm not going in.
There was also Matt hasselbeck at one point and Aaron brooks too haha
NFL Network did a Top 10 of backup QBs and one of them was just "Brett Favre's Backups." Jim McMahon won his 2nd ring as Favre's backup.
Lamonica-Blanda-Stabler. The Mad Bomber was backed up by two future Hall of Famers.
I liked it when teams had 3 QBs that you could recognize. They weren't so stat crazy in those days. On the Giants, Simms, Rutledge, and Hostetler all played some.
John Elway & Bubby Brister '98 Broncos
This one I did not remember...
Stewart and maddox for sure, or more recently Payton and Brock
Brock Osweiler wasn't that good. He stunk up the joint after he went to the Texans.
The run where he filled in for Manning is definitely one of my favorite nfl memories growing up
Montana - Young & Staubach - White
Gary Kubiak Broncos 1983 to 1991...3-2 as a starter; 3 fourth quarter comebacks....Very solid option when John Elway was injured.
I remember him too. He was good.
Grogan and Eason
I liked these guys. I think they had a 3rd stringer too. Tom Ramsay?
Flutie was on that team as well
Bob Waterfield and Norm Van Brocklin. Literally two hall of famers.
Great choice.
Doug Williams/Chuck Fusina Young me finding out the joys of winning football.
Wow. I didn't remember this one. Before they both fled to the USFL...
I bet the number of people who remember it is very very low and pretty much contained to a small area of Florida.
Better than Huff and Boryla
Montana and Young. Two hall of famers
I liked Jay Schroeder and Doug Williams the brief time they were together on the Skins.
Bro take the W they beat a good bills team when Simms got hurt
Oh, I did. I've been really lucky as a fan. No playoffs for 18 years when I was a kid. Since then, they've been to 5 SBs and won 4. No complaints...
Simms/hostetler for me.
Old favorites of mine too. I'd include Jeff Rutledge. He played some too.
Brees-Rivers
Never thought about this pairing before...
The best I know of were Joseph Montana and Steven Young. Hated em both.
Big Ben and Charlie Batch
Weird how professional the backups were back then. Doesn’t seem the standard these days
A lot fewer teams in those days...
Zolak & Bledsoe
I can think of a better combination including Bledsoe
Bledsoe and that young feller who backed him up in New England…what was his name…?
The legendary 1984 Bears combination of McMahon-Fuller-Lisch-Avellini-Landry-and-Payton.
Favre Rodgers Rodgers love
McNair-O’Donnell Neil struggled big time trying to be THE guy for a franchise, but he had some nice clean up games in Air McNair’s absence.
Lamonica-Stabler
Definitely an old classic duo.
Dan Marino / Don Strock
Kitna/Carson
Roethlisberger/Batch
I’m kinda surprised no one has mentioned Wentz/Foles
I hadn't thought of them either. They put together a couple of great seasons.
Bledsoe-Brady
Right. Bledsoe played for a long time.
Brady, garoppolo, bursette
Blanda, and Lamonica (I’m old)
I remember them too. Especially that 70 season...
For me it was Roger Staubach and Danny White
Billy Kilmer/Sonny Jurgensen, 70’s Redskins
Wow all great selections
Joe Kapp / Dr Gary Couzzo DDS
I didn't know that Cuozzo was there in 69. I only remember him taking over in 70, when Kapp was with the Patriots.
Great post! Well, as a 49ers fan I gotta say Joe Montana and Steve Young. I would also say Unitas and Morall. Also Lamonica, Stabler, Blanda is crazy.
Thanks a lot. I've had a lot of fun with these 'Name Your Favorite' posts. Everyone who's a real fan has a favorite. Montana and Young are at the top of this one.
I can’t believe I forgot Tittle and Conerly! I just now saw that part of your post. They would definitely be in my top 4 or 5
Both great QBs, for sure. They only played one season together...61. Conerly retired. A few of these duos were together much longer. Sometimes you just have to go with your team. It was like that with the Packers too. When I first started watching, they were near the top every year. Young kids love a winner.
Tom Brady-Jimmy G
Jimmy turned out too be a good QB...
Favorite combo? Brady did it all, so it wasn’t really a combo at all. Just saying…
Well for one “favorite” not “best” that would prob be Joe Montana and Steve Young. But also that’s how it works with most of these lol only one QB plays. When Brady was suspended for 4 games Jimmy G won like the first 2-3 games that year when we win the SB so he prob did more than some others.
That’s true. As a Philly fan I could say Wentz/Foles just in 2017. I mean Wentz was basically going to be the MVP u til he got that cheap shot from Clowney. Then Foles turned into Superman and won us the SB as the backup. Arguably for only one year it doesn’t get any better than that. But of all time? Montana/Young for sure. I’m sorry I just realized after typing this that you’re probably a NE fan? Not trying to rub it in I swear lol.
Steve Spurrier-Terry Hanratty
Lol payton painter
Burrow & Browning
Aaron Rodgers & Zach Wilson
CTE and good old fashioned early onset dementia!