Replacing Quarterbacks

As sports fans, we recognize that injuries continue to play a significant role in the NFL season, and despite the protection of quarterbacks, they aren't immune to getting hurt.

So far this season, we've seen Joe Burrow go down with a major turf toe injury, Brock Purdy hurt his shoulder, and J.J. McCarthy injure his ankle. Jayden Daniels is banged up with a knee sprain, and Justin Fields has been out with a concussion.

That means teams have turned to their backups: Burrow's replacement is Jake Browning, Purdy's replacement is Mac Jones, and McCarthy's replacement is Carson Wentz. Marcus Mariota has taken over for Jayden Daniels, and Tyrod Taylor is filling in for Fields. Jones, Wentz, and Mariota all won their games on Sunday.

Based on poor play or teams being blown out, in week 3, we also saw additional backup quarterbacks enter the game under center temporarily, including Kirk Cousins, Tyler Shough, and Joe Milton. Will any of them eventually be given the reins of the offense moving forward?

Meanwhile, in New York, fans absolutely wanted to see backup rookie QB Jaxson Dart take over and replace Russell Wilson. They've gotten their wish, as he's set to start in Week 4. Will he be the permanent replacement and be the better option?

The NFL is all about the quarterback, and with different backup QBs playing on teams across the league, coaches must be wondering how long they're going to replace their injured starter with an inferior player...or if they need to make a QB change and replace their starter moving forward because it's clear now that someone else makes their team better.

Of course, multiple factors come into play, so we'll have to wait and see how things turn out for these teams.

As we consider teams replacing quarterbacks, I want to unpack our mindsets and behaviors that need to be replaced. I also want to challenge us on the inferior things that replace God as our greatest passion and Lord ("starter") of our lives.

For some of us, our "starter" has become work, money, success, and busyness, and these things have taken over as our primary focus in life.

However, in Matthew 6:24 (AMP), Jesus says, "'No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].'"

Who or what have we given the “reins of our offense?”

We also need to be aware that we may be replacing joy, peace, hope, and faith with worry, fear, stress, and anxiety. Let's not allow that negativity to come in and lead our thoughts and emotions because they are better off "left on the bench."

We don't want to fill our minds and hearts with sinful things, but instead permanently hand over the reins to the One who clearly makes us better.

Romans 8:5-6 (NLT) explains, "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace."

We must also be careful not to replace obedience, holiness, faithfulness, and perseverance with lust, impurity, worldly pursuits, and pride. Those "backups" don't lead to victory and can't be trusted. We need to get them "off the field" as quickly as possible!

We must take this seriously, as Colossians 3:5 (NLT) tells us, "So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world."

Instead of allowing the world and culture to lead our "offense," let’s allow God and His Word to lead us. Let's choose to replace our selfishness with sacrifice and our doubt with faith.

Ultimately, we want to experience a change by replacing that which is inferior with the One who is best.

Let's remember there is only One who can step in and fill the "giant hole" in our soul and who is worthy to be our Lord ("starter"). Everything else is a weak "backup" that only temporarily satisfies.

With Jesus remaining as our "starter," He will help us replace our former life with our new life as He challenges us to "...throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy" (Ephesians 4:22-24; NLT).

I'm Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for replacing You with things that don't truly satisfy. Please replace the negative and sinful mindsets and behaviors in my life with obedience and holiness. I desire to be led by the Holy Spirit, and I thank You for being Lord of my life. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.