He was labeled a bust. Written off. Benched. Traded. Forgotten.

Now Sam Darnold is a Super Bowl champion.

And the NFL is scrambling to find the next version of him.

The League Is Hunting for the Next “Sam Darnold” After Seahawks’ Stunning Title Run

The NFL has always been a copycat league.

One team finds a formula that works — the other 31 start taking notes.

Right now, that formula has a name:

Sam Darnold.

Once cast aside and branded a disappointment, Darnold resurrected his career in Seattle and helped deliver the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy. The same quarterback who was questioned at every stop is now the face of one of the greatest redemption arcs in recent NFL history.

And front offices across the league are asking one big question:

Who’s next?

From “Bust” to Lombardi Trophy

Darnold’s story flipped the narrative around failed first-round quarterbacks.

He proved something that many organizations quietly feared to admit:
A young quarterback can flame out early — and still become elite in the right system.

In Seattle, Darnold found stability. Structure. Coaching. Belief.

The result?

A championship.

Now, teams are re-evaluating every “discarded” quarterback sitting on another roster.

Rich Eisen Points to the Next Candidate

Football analyst Rich Eisen recently floated a name that’s already turning heads:

Mac Jones.

The comparison isn’t crazy.

Jones’ tenure in New England ended awkwardly, filled with benchings and frustration. He later went 2-5 in Jacksonville while throwing eight touchdowns and eight interceptions.

But then something interesting happened.

In San Francisco, under Kyle Shanahan’s system, Jones went 5-3 as a starter while filling in for Brock Purdy. He threw for:

2,151 yards
13 touchdowns
Just 6 interceptions

Efficient. Controlled. Productive.

Sound familiar?

It’s not the same collapse Darnold endured — but the redemption blueprint is there.

Why Teams Are Watching Closely

Jones is under contract for one more year with the 49ers.

That makes him incredibly intriguing.

A team could:

Trade for him
Give him a real opportunity
See if the magic translates
Then lock him into a short-term extension if it works

Low risk. Potentially massive reward.

And after what Darnold just pulled off? That gamble looks a lot less scary.

The Domino Effect Is Real

Darnold’s success is bigger than Seattle.

It’s a message to every front office:

Don’t give up too soon.
Scheme matters.
Development matters.
Confidence matters.

There are “cast-off” quarterbacks around the league who may now get second — even third — chances because of what happened in Seattle.

The stigma of being labeled a bust just lost some power.

The NFL’s Next Redemption Story Is Coming

Maybe it’s Mac Jones.

Maybe it’s someone else quietly waiting for the right system, the right coach, the right locker room.

But make no mistake — teams are hunting.

Because if one overlooked quarterback can turn into a Super Bowl champion…

Why not another?