A Review of Spring League QBs in the NFL

by Patrick Rifino

The USFL is coming back in less than sixty days, and with that being said some new QBs will once again have a chance to showcase their skills in front of live competition. These reps against higher caliber players will not help them possibly extend their professional careers, but could also help them solidify the existence of the USFL and allow it to place the league in high esteem with not only fans but also investors and networks. That all starts with solid quarterback play and in alternative football leagues have been hit or miss when it comes to the most important position on the field. That being said, seven quarterbacks were able to make and maintain roles on NFL teams.

Washington Football Team - Garrett Gilbert 

The most prolific passer in the AAF cut his teeth last year with the Dallas Cowboys playing valiantly in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. After getting cut by the Cowboys at the conclusion of the 2021 training camp, Gilbert was able to sign with the Patriots until the COVID bug hit the Washington Football Team. With Kyle Allen, and Taylor Heinicke both sidelined due to the virus, Gilbert was able to step in and start over Kyle Shurmur on less than a week’s notice. Despite losing against the Eagles, in his lone start of 2021 Gilbert continued to show he is a capable player in the NFL and should continue to garner work in 2022.

Baltimore Ravens - Josh Johnson

Josh Johnson has played for almost half of the NFL and may have another opportunity to play for a couple more. The 35-year-old journeyman quarterback is now stranger to alternative leagues after having stints with the UFL, AAF, and XFL. Due to injuries, COVID Johnson played in four games in 2021 and despite losing his only start, threw five touchdowns to two interceptions. Due to Johnson’s experience and recent success in 2021 he will most likely find himself employed for one more year in the NFL. Maybe we will see him in the XFL in 2023? Who knows.

Chicago Bears - Ryan Willis

Many might not know about Ryan Willis as he was a late season pick up by the Chicago bears in 2021. After going undrafted in 2020, a Spring League championship win garnered him some credibility as a professional quarterback. With Andy Dalton and Justin Fields sidelined, Willis was signed to the practice squad to back up Nick Foles in December. The Bears must have liked Willis enough to re-sign him as he will break into camp in 2022 with them vying for a roster spot.

Carolina Panthers - PJ Walker

The former XFL star has never lost a professional game in his career going 7-0 between his time in the XFL and NFL. Though his NFL experience doesn’t live up to his stats in the XFL Walker once again filled in and played well enough to lead the Panthers to a victory in 2021. With the Quarterback room in Carolina in complete disarray the Panthers resigned Walker to come back and compete with Sam Darnold to hopefully bring some stability to a franchise seeking their first playoff appearance since 2017.

LA Rams - John Wolford

The former Hotshot QB made waves in the AAF winning the player of the week twice before the league folded. Wolford did not play much in 2021 but the recent super bowl champ has solidified himself as a solid backup QB with his win in 2020 during his lone regular season start. With the Rams getting ready to run it back in 2022, Wolford seems to have created a niche for himself in the QB room that may need some administrative help with Offensive Coordinator going to Minnesota to coach the Vikings.

Tennessee Titans - Logan Woodside

Woodside made waves as the AAF’s San Antonio Commanders. The Titans have tried to replace him with Matt Barkley, Trevor Siemien and Cole McDonald since opting to let Marcus Maritoa leave for Oakland but Woodside has continued to outlast them both. With 2022 on the forefront and Woodside a free agent his NFL future may remain in question however, it looks like he definitely has an opportunity to continue to play in the NFL.

Washington Football Team - Taylor Heinicke 

After going toe to toe with Tom Brady during the 2020 playoffs, Heinicke was brought back and beat out Kyle Allen for the QB2 job behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. The former XFL Battlehawk would play admirably throughout 2021 but ultimately did not have enough magic to get the WFT to the playoffs for the second straight year. Heinicke is signed with Washington for 2022 and may be in the mix to open week one as QB1 possibly. Not bad for Jordan Ta’amu’s backup.  

BONUS- Philadelphia Eagles - Tyree Jackson

Though technically not a QB anymore Tyree Jackson was Cardale Jones’s back up for the DC Defenders in 2020. After failing to get picked up during the 2020 season, Jackson would get signed by the Eagles as tight end and would catch his first touchdown in Week 18 of 2021, before tearing his ACL later that game.