Sam Darnold’s improbable glow-up (and why we love a good comeback)
Remember when Sam Darnold was the guy everyone sighed about? Yeah, the same guy who somehow turned into a Super Bowl starter. That kind of turnaround makes NFL fans do weird things — like imagining every quarterback who ever threw an interception as the next undiscovered legend. This piece pokes around seven quarterbacks who’ve been labeled “busts,” “projects,” or “what-were-they-thinking picks,” and asks a spicy little question: who’s actually one scheme change or coach away from a miracle season?
Daniel Jones (28)
Daniel’s story is weirdly wholesome: big-arm, big-ticket contract, and injuries that made his career look like it hit the snooze button a few too many times. He showed sparks after landing in a more comfortable situation — better completion rate, more yards per attempt, and generally cleaner decision-making. If he comes back healthy, and if a team values mobility plus conservative playmaking, Jones could be the steadier-than-you-think veteran who quietly leads a decent team deep into January.
Mac Jones (27)
Mac’s resume reads like a sitcom plot: high expectations, public benchings, a trade parade, then suddenly finding himself in a smart offense that treats him like a chess piece instead of a cannonball. He’s precise, calm under pressure, and shockingly efficient when the playbook fits him. He won’t wow you with Houdini scrambles, but put him behind a sound line and with reliable receivers and he becomes the kind of mean, efficient quarterback coaches love. Trade value? Maybe. Low-key starter? Definitely possible.
Malik Willis (26)
Malik is the human surprise package: part laser arm, part sprint-on-ice. Few flash performances have shown he can light up coverage and run like a cheetah who found rocket skates. The trick for him is consistency — coaching that encourages his playmaking without forcing him into tiny-pocket panic mode. Give him a shot in a system that embraces improvisation, and Malik could turn from intriguing bench bat to “oh, that guy again” starter.
Zach Wilson (26)
Zach’s had a rough audition tape: jaw-dropping throws followed by facepalm decisions. Still, the arm talent is undeniable. The missing ingredient has been comfort and experience — the game simply moved too fast for the early version of him. If a team pairs him with a patient quarterback guru and gives him time to learn behind a vet, Wilson might evolve into a boom-or-bust starter who surprises exactly when defenses start to sleep on him.
Anthony Richardson (23)
Anthony is the athletic highlight reel personified. He runs like a freight train and throws like he’s auditioning for a space program. The catch? He’s had injuries and not enough snaps to turn raw athleticism into quarterback craft. He needs reps, patience, and a playbook that won’t make him read the Rosetta Stone under fire. If he stays healthy and focuses on fundamentals, he could morph into a Cam Newton–style thunderbolt with smarter decisions.
Will Levis (26)
Levis has been meme fodder and occasional magic acts. He’s got the kind of arm that makes highlight reels and the kind of turnovers that make GMs nervous. Many believe he simply needs better structure: clearer reads, cleaner mechanics, and a coach who doesn’t try to reinvent his personality. Drop him into a disciplined offense with smart play-calling and Levis could become a high-upside starter who wins games by sheer arm talent — once the brain catches up with the cannon.
Trey Lance (25)
Trey’s the quietest name on this list because he’s barely been allowed to play. Drafted high on potential rather than tape, he’s bounced around, collected practice reps, and waited for a real shot. That lack of wear-and-tear could be a hidden advantage: fewer miles on the engine, more room to grow. If Trey finally lands in a program that builds him up slowly and doesn’t expect him to be the savior overnight, he might surprise people who forgot he was once a top-three pick.
So who’s most likely to become the next Sam Darnold?
Short answer: Mac Jones and Daniel Jones are the closest bets because they’ve already shown they can play at a high level when things click. Long answer: any of these guys could pull a Darnold if the stars align — the right coach, the right scheme, a clean bill of health, and a sprinkle of stubborn confidence. In the NFL, redemption arcs are delicious and rare, and we’ll happily watch every audition until one of these quarterbacks turns their blooper reel into a championship montage.
