Who Will Make Up the Next Batch of Late-Bloomer NFL QBs?
Just three years ago, Sam Darnold signed a one-year deal with San Francisco in a backup capacity, where he started just one game. A good backup, tolerable spot starter, draft bust, the perception of Darnold’s career was that his meaningful playing days were behind him. Three years later, Darnold has ascended to a Lombardi-owning, highly paid, franchise quarterback.
While a case can be made that Darnold holds the biggest career turnaround in NFL history, the QB revival movement didn’t start with him. The league is full of these stories. Geno Smith , Baker Mayfield , and Daniel Jones are all still starters in the league, even though there was a time it was widely believed their careers as starters were over.
Second chances are rare in the NFL, but there always seems to be a batch of forgotten QBs every generation who turn it around in a major way when receiving that second chance. It’s time to look to the future and predict who that next group will consist of. Mac Jones , San Francisco 49ers In what seemed like destiny, the pro-ready, refined, and cognizant prospect out of Alabama slid down the board to the recently QB-needy New England Patriots in 2021.
Mac Jones impressed out of the gate, earning a Pro Bowl nod and leading the Pats to a playoff berth in just his rookie season. The smooth sailing ended there. In his sophomore season, with Joe Judge and Matt Patricia splitting playcalling duties, Jones struggled mightily, both in his ability on the field and in his ability to stay on it.
The 2023 season saw his time with New England end quietly. Jones didn’t take another snap after a Week 12 benching. After spending an insignificant year in Jacksonville, Jones signed in a backup role with the 49ers in 2025.
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