In a season packed with unexpected developments, Sam Darnold emerged as one of the biggest stories in the NFL. Securing a Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks in 2026, Darnold became the first quarterback to win the championship after playing for five different teams, underscoring the dramatic resurgence of his career. His journey from being labeled a bust to a champion highlights the potential for quarterbacks who find the right fit later in their careers.
The Seahawks, led by coach Mike Macdonald and the league’s top scoring defense, capitalized on Darnold’s resurgence. After Seattle traded away Geno Smith and signed Darnold, initial skepticism surrounded the move. Still, Darnold’s impressive performance, including a 14-3 season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, silenced many doubters despite faltering down the stretch. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell’s philosophy that
Organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations,
speaks to how Darnold’s career trajectory reflects not only personal growth but the value of opportunity and environment.
Throughout his career, Darnold became one of only two quarterbacks to post back-to-back 14-win seasons, joining Tom Brady in elite company. His 67.7% completion rate, 4,048 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and ability to limit turnovers in the postseason prove his instrumental role in Seattle’s title. Darnold’s unique accomplishment as the first quarterback from the 2018 draft class—including stars like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Baker Mayfield—to win a Super Bowl is telling of his perseverance and growth.
Emerging Quarterbacks on the Rise After Early Struggles
As Sam Darnold’s career revival captures the NFL’s attention, several other quarterbacks who faced career hurdles now show promising signs. These players, much like Darnold, may redefine their narratives as they transition to new teams or embrace fresh opportunities.
Daniel Jones: Redemption in Indianapolis
At 28 years old, Daniel Jones is demonstrating remarkable improvement with the Indianapolis Colts after a turbulent tenure with the New York Giants. Despite a serious Achilles injury in Week 14 of 2025, Jones managed career highs in several statistical categories, including a 68% completion rate and averaging 238.5 passing yards per game. His 19 touchdown passes against just eight interceptions helped secure a strong 7-1 start for the Colts before injuries and setbacks disrupted momentum.
Jones’s early efficiency gained notice when he became just the third quarterback since 1950 to start a season 3-0 with over 9 yards per attempt and zero turnovers. Though his five seasons with the Giants featured mixed results and injuries—including a torn ACL—Jones appears to have found a better fit in Indianapolis. With his free agency approaching, there is curiosity about whether the Colts will retain him and at what cost.
Mac Jones: A New Chapter in San Francisco
Mac Jones, now 27, surfaced in the 2025 season with the San Francisco 49ers as a capable backup-turned-starter, showing strong potential. Initially drafted in 2021 by the New England Patriots at No. 15 overall, Jones had a promising rookie year but struggled in subsequent seasons amid coaching changes and team instability. In 2025, Jones completed nearly 70% of his passes, led the 49ers to five wins in eight starts, and earned praise for overcoming injuries and a thin supporting cast during key games.
His performance in a Week 5 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Rams, despite missing key receivers and tight ends, illustrated his capability to manage games effectively. Although signed to a short-term two-year contract with San Francisco, Mac Jones remains a potential trade target for teams seeking a quarterback who can lead immediately if given the right environment and support.
Malik Willis: Athleticism Meets Opportunity
Malik Willis, 26, has generated buzz as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, particularly during his brief but electrifying stints with the Green Bay Packers after a mid-season trade in 2024. Recognized for his remarkable efficiency, Willis made NFL history by completing 85% of his passes while averaging 13 yards per attempt and 60 rushing yards in one game. This rare combination of passing and rushing performance highlights his explosive potential.
After little trust and limited playing time with the Tennessee Titans, Willis’s arrival in Green Bay under the coaching of Matt Lafleur revitalized his career. He led the Packers to a pair of wins immediately upon taking over and produced top NFL marks in yards gained per attempt and per rush over a two-week stretch. As a free agent, Willis is a hot commodity with teams likely weighing his unique athletic ability against questions about his passing volume and consistency.
Zach Wilson: Untapped Talent Seeking a Breakthrough
Former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson, 26, has struggled to find stability after four seasons with the New York Jets and brief stints with the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. Known for his exceptional arm strength and versatility, Wilson’s challenges have stemmed from inconsistent decision-making, a lack of pocket comfort, and slow processing of defensive schemes. Despite these setbacks, his physical tools suggest a quarterback capable of significant growth if paired with the right coaching and development time.
Wilson’s tenure in New York featured a poor completion rate and touchdown-to-interception ratio, ranking at the bottom among quarterbacks from 2021 to 2023. Miami’s choice to start rookie Quinn Ewers over Wilson in 2025 reflects ongoing concerns, but Wilson’s ability to throw accurately from various arm angles keeps him in the conversation as a potential rebirth candidate.
Anthony Richardson: Raw Athleticism with Room to Grow
Anthony Richardson, 23, is widely viewed as an extraordinary physical talent despite limited experience and inconsistent play early in his career. The Colts selected him fourth overall in 2023 based largely on his elite combine metrics, including a standout 4.43-second 40-yard dash and impressive vertical and broad jumps. However, Richardson entered the NFL with just 13 college starts and the lowest completion percentage among recent first-round quarterbacks.
In his rookie season, he showed glimpses of potential before injuries hindered his development. By 2024, his completion percentage had fallen to a league-worst 44.4%, with off-field issues and occasional self-substitution during games drawing criticism. Despite intense criticism, Richardson’s rare athleticism and strong arm keep him on the radar, though he must overcome durability and decision-making issues to fulfill his promise.
Will Levis: A Talent in Search of Consistency
Will Levis, 26, gained early NFL attention as a quarterback with physical tools but inconsistent results. After a rocky start with the Tennessee Titans, despite flashes like tying an NFL record with four touchdown passes in his debut, Levis struggled under a coaching regime intended to maximize his abilities. Even a major offseason investment in weapons around him did not translate to on-field success during the 2024 season, culminating in a disappointing 3-14 record for Tennessee.
Levis’s turnovers and poor decision-making are reminiscent of past highly touted prospects, but his raw arm strength offers hope if he lands in a system with the right coaching. Currently a trade candidate, Levis could be revitalized in franchises led by innovative offensive minds like Kyle Shanahan, Kevin O’Connell, or Sean McVay.
Trey Lance: Limited Opportunities and an Uphill Path
At just 25, Trey Lance’s professional journey has been hampered by limited playing time. Drafted third overall in 2021 by the San Francisco 49ers after only 19 college games at North Dakota State, Lance struggled to seize the starting role, appearing in just 16 games with six starts over five seasons. After a trade to the Dallas Cowboys and time behind Dak Prescott, Lance joined the Los Angeles Chargers as a backup.
His 2025 preseason offered signs of progress, completing over half his passes with no turnovers, but a lackluster regular-season finale start dampened expectations. Lance’s sparse experience places him behind others on this list when projecting a Sam Darnold-like resurgence, making him a longer shot to reclaim a starting position quickly.
Implications for the NFL Quarterback Landscape
Sam Darnold’s comeback story underscores a vital lesson in the NFL: talent and potential can flourish when paired with the right situation and coaching. His rise from a struggling young quarterback to a Super Bowl champion has invigorated discussions about other quarterbacks who might follow a similar path. Players like Daniel Jones, Mac Jones, and Malik Willis demonstrate that early career setbacks do not define a player’s future.
Moreover, the 2026 season saw record-breaking performances by first-round quarterbacks who were not originally drafted by their current teams, as noted by CBS Sports researcher Doug Clawson. This trend emphasizes that opportunity and environment often matter more than draft pedigree. As free agency and trades unfold, teams will be keenly focused on identifying which quarterbacks have untapped potential and can become franchise leaders.
With several young quarterbacks like Zach Wilson and Anthony Richardson still searching for consistency, the NFL landscape remains ripe for surprises. How these quarterbacks respond to new challenges and mentorship will likely shape the league’s quarterback narratives in the years to come, following in the footsteps of Sam Darnold’s inspiring comeback.
Anthony Richardson's ranks among QBs at the 2023 NFL Combine:
Height: 6' 4 1/4" (1st)
Weight: 244 (1st)
40-Yd: 4.43 (1st)
Vertical: 40.5" (1st)
Broad: 10'9" (1st)💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) March 4, 2023
Only 1st-Round QB to run a faster 40 time at the Combine since 2006 than Justin Fields’ unofficial 4.44 today was Robert Griffin III, who ran a 4.41 at the 2012 Combine. https://t.co/dDLMkPgtwA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 30, 2021
Mike Tomlin says he told the team to keep Anthony Richardson in the game last season
"Keep Richardson upright. Don't put Joe Flacco in the game."
(Via @steelers) pic.twitter.com/kWzdHOsycf
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 25, 2025
