Second chances in the NFL: Which QBs can bounce back? 

Geno Smith has followed a similar path. The Jets selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft with high hopes, but following two lackluster years, he was relegated to a backup role for the remainder of his tenure. 

After his stint with New York, Smith spent the next five seasons as a backup before finally getting another starting opportunity in Seattle following the Russell Wilson trade in 2022. In his first year as a starter, Smith threw for a career-high 30 touchdowns, won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award and has since been regarded as a viable starter.

The recent success of Darnold and Smith raises the question: Can other backup quarterbacks turn into legitimate starters? For these two, it likely came down to landing with a coaching staff that could effectively develop and maximize their talents.

There may be intriguing young stars who may have been written off too soon that could earn a second chance.

Former first-round pick Zach Wilson has had a rough start to his career. After serving as the Jets’ starter from 2021-23, he now finds himself on his third NFL team as a reserve. Wilson recently signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins, sitting behind Tua Tagovalioa.

Wilson has had time to develop outside the spotlight after spending last season learning under Sean Payton and now Mike McDaniel. Given Tua’s injury history, Wilson may get the chance to prove he’s worthy of another starting opportunity.

Another project a team may consider taking on is Trey Lance. The former No. 3 pick has had limited chances to prove himself after suffering an ankle injury in his second game as a starter in 2022. By the end of the season, Purdy had firmly established himself as the Niners' quarterback of the future, leading to Lance being dealt to Dallas the following season. 

Since then, Lance has appeared in four games and started in only one. It's unlikely he'll get the opportunity to try for a starting role anytime soon, but if he can land a backup position with the right team, he could gain valuable reps that may help him prove he still has what it takes to be a starting quarterback.

While Darnold and Smith have proven that some quarterbacks can revive their careers, they are special cases. Not every struggling quarterback will get this luxury, as success often depends on finding the correct combination of coaching, scheme fit and personal development.