Mac Jones, Trey Lance, Zach Wilson: NFL's Next Darnolds?

0:00It's April 23rd. I'm Corey with The Story. This is NFL News Today, driven by AI and Bill for football fans. Sam Darnold went from a one-year back-up deal with the 49ers three years back to a Lombardi Trophy winner and top-paid franchise quarterback. Now, his story tops the charts for NFL comebacks, but he's not alone. Guys like Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, and Daniel Jones all bounce back from the scrap. Heaped to starting gigs. The league loves these revival tales every few years, handing second shots to overlooked quarterbacks who grab him. Right now, eyes are on Mac Jones with the 49ers. Drafted high by New England, he's shown as a rookie with a pro-bull nod and playoffs, but things crashed after that amid coaching mess-ups and injuries. Jones set most of last season, then backed up in Jacksonville before landing in San Francisco this year. When Brock Pertie got hurt, Jones stepped up big in eight starts, over 2,000 yards, 13 touchdowns, and a 97.4 passer, rating keeping the team steady.

1:04Meanwhile, Trey Lance is with the chargers after the 49ers traded up big for him in 2021. His arm and leg screened potential from college, but injuries and Brock Pertie's rise cut his time short to just four starts there. He's balanced as a backup since, showing flashes. Zach Wilson rounds it out in New Orleans, different from the pack. He got tons of chances with the jets, but flamed out in 33 starts. Still, his rocket arm keeps earning backup deals from Denver to Miami, and now with Sean Payton. Coaches like that might unlock him yet, and these three could be the next Arnold's ready to drop bars on the league.