Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Matthew Stafford combined to throw zero pᴀsses in Week 18 last season.

In place of those resting stars, Mitch Trubisky, Carson Wentz, Tanner McKee and Jimmy Garoppolo quarterbacked playoff-bound teams. Not to mention that Marcus Mariota and Davis Mills replaced Jayden Daniels and C.J. Stroud, respectively, out of caution during games.

With apologies to the family members of backup quarterbacks everywhere, nobody wants to see preseason strategies in January games. But Super Bowl contenders often determine that the risk of suffering a key injury in Week 18 is greater than the reward for playing starters.

Is that about to change? It could be — and it should be.