No, the NFL Does Not Need to Bring Back the Third-Quarterback Rule
Following the blow out in the NFL Title Game, which saw the San Francisco 49ers forced to play an injured Brock Purdy at quarterback in the second half, a lot of media outlets are suggesting reinstating the 3rd-quarterback rule. I disagree with that suggestion. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the rule, from 1991 through 2010 NFL teams were allowed to dress a third quarterback at games. That quarterback would not count against the 45-man gameday roster limit but could be activated during the course of the game as an injury replacement. There were some restrictions as part of that rule, including the first- and second-string quarterbacks not being allowed back in the game if the third-string player was substituted before the fourth quarter. While the situation that unfolded in the NFC Title Game may seem to make this rule relevant again, those who are asking for it are forgetting a very important detail - the NFL technically didn't get rid of it to begin with. The original r...