Sam Darnold has well and truly turned the script on his NFL career, going from New York Jets draft bust to Super Bowl champion while laying the blueprint for quarterbacks bouncing back
12:40 ET, 13 Feb 2026
Sam Darnold is a Super Bowl champion
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Sam Darnold is a Super Bowl champion(Image: Getty Images)
Sam Darnold has forever silenced the doubters, etching his name in NFL history by winning the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.
For the first five years of his professional career, Darnold was seen as one of the biggest busts ever in the NFL Draft. The New York Jets selected him with the third overall pick, only to let him go just three years later after a number of infamous performances, including his "seeing ghosts" game against the New England Patriots.
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A quarterback with clear talent, Darnold spent time with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers before getting an opportunity to start once again with the Minnesota Vikings in his sixth year in the league. He would go through a remarkable season with the Vikings, earningthe opportunity to sign with the Seahawks, bringing the organization its second-ever Super Bowl championship after winning 14 regular-season games.
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And now, while teams have been looking for the next Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow, they may instead want to find the next Darnold.
A quarterback on significantly less money than those aforementioned players, Darnold's deal allowed the Seahawks to max out their roster elsewhere, while giving them more money this offseason to strengthen even further. In recent years, we've seen quarterbacks outside the league's best take their teams to Super Bowls, including Jared Goff and Brock Purdy.
And while teams will also be looking for the next Darnold, quarterbacks can take confidence that they can follow in his footsteps in turning their careers around and, eventually, winning it all. Mirror U.S. Sports has looked into five NFL quarterbacks who are currently considered draft busts but could develop into Super Bowl-winning stars if they fall into the right system and situation.
Malik Willis (free agent)
A former third-round pick, Willis lost his place as the starting quarterback at the Tennessee Titans before being shipped off to the Green Bay Packers for just a seventh-round pick. And while he's only made three starts ever since being Jordan Love's backup, he's impressed enough to be seen as the best available quarterback heading into free agency.
Malik Willis could be cashing in this offseason
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Malik Willis could be cashing in this offseason(Image: Getty Images)
Willis has thrown for six touchdowns and no interceptions in that time, looking to have made incremental improvements as a pocket passer while having the game-breaking ability to make plays with his legs as an elite rushing threat.
The likes of the Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Arizona Cardinals are being linked with Willis. While his potential is exciting, teams will need to proceed with buyer beware when considering a big contract for him. His sample size of strong play is small, while he has had real struggles as a passer throughout his career.
Mac Jones (San Francisco 49ers)
Jones looked every bit the player that the New England Patriots thought they had after his Rookie of the Year season while with the 49ers in 2025. He had a career-high 96.7 quarterback rating (QBR) while throwing for 13 touchdowns and six interceptions, winning five of his eight games.
The 49ers want to keep Jones for the 2026 season, but he will be an option for a team to consider should they look to make a trade offer or wait until he becomes available as a free agent the following year.
Jones has limitations. He's not going to keep plays alive with his legs, and he doesn't have a cannon of an arm. But in the right offense, he can be a great conductor of a scheme, getting the ball where it needs to be, on time and accurately.
Spencer Rattler (New Orleans Saints)
While rookie Tyler Shough impressed after coming in for Rattler during the halfway point of the season, the decision to bench the former Oklahoma star looked to be a harsh one. All the statistics point toward Rattler's production being almost identical to Shough's, who, despite being in the league for two years longer, is younger than the rookie.
Rattler threw for eight touchdowns and five interceptions in an offense that was brutal, while having an impressive QBR of 86.5.
Spencer Rattler's numbers and tape are more impressive than one may think
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Spencer Rattler's numbers and tape are more impressive than one may think(Image: Getty Images)
A former five-star recruit, Rattler has shown glimpses of why many thought he'd be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft just a few years ago. He has all the talent, with a cannon of an arm, touch throwing, and poise in the pocket. If he can cut down on his mistakes, he could be a big addition to a team.
The Minnesota Vikings or Miami Dolphins could be an intriguing landing spot, as both teams will add a quarterback this offseason.
Will Levis (Tennessee Titans)
Levis had missed his entire third season after undergoing surgery on his shoulder, but had always been likely to lose his starting spot after the Titans selected Cam Ward with the first overall pick. Levis won the starting spot in his second season, but was heavily inconsistent.
He threw for 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while fumbling the ball 10 times and losing six of them. His turnover issues saw him benched for Mason Rudolph, but he got his chance back before the end of the season.
Will Levis will get another shot elsewhere from the Titans
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Will Levis will get another shot elsewhere from the Titans(Image: Getty Images)
As a second-round pick, Levis clearly has all the talent. He might have the strongest throwing power in the league while being able to make plays with his legs.
He's unlikely to get a starting position right now, but going to a team with the right scheme would be ideal for him. The Los Angeles Rams would be the perfect spot.
Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts)
The fourth overall pick just three years ago, Richardson has always been seen as a prospect who would take time. He made just 13 starts in college and had a lot of development to do as a passer, while having an incredible ability to run the football.
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After an encouraging rookie year, Richardson had really struggled in year two. He had been missing throws that NFL quarterbacks just cannot make, while making bizarre decisions in the pocket. While the potential is there with Richardson, he needs to truly refine his game if he's ever to be a reliable starting quarterback.
For this to happen, he needs to fall into the right system, one that will lean on his rushing abilities heavily while throwing out of play action.
Being in the Rams' offense would be ideal for Richardson, given the year to sit behind Matthew Stafford and a shot and taking over once he retires. The Las Vegas Raiders would also be intriguing, though, should they not select quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick.