Two years ago, Sam Darnold looked destined to become another cautionary tale. After stops with the Jets, Panthers and 49ers, few expected the former No. 3 overall pick to revive his career.
Now, Darnold enters 2026 as the reigning Super Bowl champion after leading the Seahawks to their second Lombardi Trophy. His journey is a reminder that quarterback careers rarely follow a straight line. Sometimes all it takes is the right coach, the right system and the right opportunity.
Who could be the next quarterback to follow that path?
Murray still possesses elite arm talent and athleticism, but injuries and organizational instability stalled his career in Arizona. Now in Minnesota, he’ll work with Kevin O’Connell and operate with one of the league’s best supporting casts, including Justin Jefferson. If he wins the starting job over J.J. McCarthy, the former Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick has the talent to rewrite his story.
Tagovailoa leaves Miami looking to reset his career in Atlanta. While he’ll have to compete with Michael Penix Jr., his resume speaks for itself. He’s already led the NFL in passing yards and completion percentage, and now joins an offense featuring many playmakers, including Bijan Robinson, with new head coach Kevin Stefanski. A healthier environment could help him regain his Pro Bowl form.
Mac Jones – San Francisco 49ers
Jones looked like New England’s franchise quarterback as a rookie before everything unraveled. After a stint backing up Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, he reminded teams of his potential by completing nearly 70 percent of his passes while filling in for an injured Brock Purdy last season. The talent is still there. He just needs another opportunity to start.
Jones appeared to revive his career in Indianapolis before injuries cut his season short. Through 13 games, he posted career-best efficiency numbers while accounting for 24 total touchdowns. If he returns from his Achilles injury without any setbacks, he could be much more than a stopgap quarterback.
Written off after a rocky start in Tennessee, he flourished in Green Bay under Matt LaFleur, displaying improved accuracy, confidence and decision-making. He has the physical tools to become a starting-caliber quarterback. He’s getting that chance in Miami with Jeff Hafley now the head coach.
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