In the opening weeks of the 2026 NFL season, teams missing their starting quarterbacks posted an unblemished six wins across six opportunities during Weeks 2 and 3, according to a report from rds.ca. While losing a franchise signal-caller typically spells disaster for a roster, backup and returning quarterbacks stepped in to defy early projections and keep their respective franchises in the win column.
Atlanta Falcons Welcome Back Michael Penix
Michael Penix serves as the primary exception to the early-season backup surge, having missed the first two games of the year due to lingering recovery from an injury sustained last season. Cooper Rush filled in during those opening weeks for Atlanta. Penix returned to the starting lineup for a Thursday matchup against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay. Following a sluggish opening sequence, Penix found his rhythm to help guide the Falcons to a 35-14 victory over the Packers, rds.ca reported.
Seattle Seahawks Turn to Drew Lock After Sam Darnold Exits
Seattle supporters faced immediate anxiety when starter Sam Darnold departed the season opener against the New England Patriots after playing just a handful of snaps. Career backup Drew Lock stepped off the bench to steady the offense. Lock secured a win over New England and followed up with a clean performance the subsequent week in a 31-7 victory against the Arizona Cardinals, according to rds.ca.
An intriguing statistical quirk governs Lock’s official record from that stretch. Although Lock handled the bulk of the snaps against New England in Week 1, official league scoring rules assign wins and losses to the quarterback who takes the first offensive snap of the game—meaning Darnold absorbed the decision for the opener. Consequently, only the Week 2 triumph over Arizona officially sits on Lock’s starting record. The irony deepened when Darnold returned to action in Week 3, resulting in Seattle’s first defeat of the campaign.
Minnesota Vikings Extend Win Streak with Carson Wentz
Minnesota found itself scrambling early in Week 1 when Kyler Murray suffered a head blow that knocked him out of the contest. Veteran backup Carson Wentz entered in relief, spearheading a comeback victory against the Green Bay Packers. With Murray remaining sidelined, Wentz earned the start for Week 2, grinding out a defensive victory over the Chicago Bears under heavy rain. That early surge contributed to a 3-0 start for the Vikings.
The roster maneuvering surrounding Minnesota’s quarterback room also triggered personnel shifts. With Wentz cementing early wins, J.J. McCarthy was traded to the New York Giants in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick earlier in the week, rds.ca noted. Wentz subsequently helped the Vikings secure a 23-16 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Washington Commanders Weather Jayden Daniels Injury with Marcus Mariota
When Jayden Daniels re-dislocated his left elbow during Washington’s second game, analysts initially projected a derailed season for a team facing an 0-2 hole without its offensive centerpiece. However, Daniels’ recovery timeline tracked faster than anticipated; he returned to limited practices ahead of a scheduled matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in London. In the interim, backup Marcus Mariota delivered one of the finest performances of his career during Week 3.
Mariota orchestrated a 33-31 victory against a formidable Seattle Seahawks defense—the very same Seattle squad that had just reinstated Sam Darnold under center. The win showed how effectively backup units compensated for high-profile absences during the league's opening month.
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