After spending time as backups, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold have reignited their careers. Perhaps Zach Wilson can do the same.
Four years after being selected by the Cleveland Browns with the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, quarterback Baker Mayfield was labeled a bust.
Mayfield spent time with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams in 2022 and was expected to perhaps spend the rest of his career as a backup. Then he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023 and reignited his career.
After making the Pro Bowl last fall, Mayfield has started the 2024 campaign hot with five touchdowns against one interception through two games.
“It’s happened maybe three or four times with first rounders and three or four times with second rounders,” Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Mayfield’s career resurgence. “I remember doing that study prior to signing Zach [Wilson]. [Mayfield]’s tough and he’s competitive. He loves playing football.
“I’ve gotten to know him in the offseason on one trip just at a place that we ended up being at the same place. [He’s a] good person, he’s very competitive and he’s playing very well.”
Sam Darnold has had a similar career arc. Darnold was the third overall pick in 2018 and he was labeled a bust after failing to find success with the New York Jets. Darnold went on to spend time with the Carolina Panthers from 2021-2022 and he was a backup with the San Francisco 49ers last fall.
Darnold joined the Minnesota Vikings this offseason and he’s helped them start 2-0 with four touchdowns against two interceptions in 2024.
Mayfield and Darnold could provide inspiration to Wilson, a second overall pick in 2021 who was dubbed a bust after struggling with the Jets.
“It’s happened a lot over the years,” Payton said of QBs bouncing back later in their careers. “When I was first coordinating at the Giants, we had Kerry Collins who was a first-round pick and had kind of [been] reborn — or if you will, found new life in his career. History shows that it can happen.
“It happened with [Drew] Brees actually. Obviously, it’s an important position. A lot of energy, effort and resources goes into drafting and acquiring quarterbacks. It’s something that’s important for your franchise.”
Denver acquired Wilson in a trade with the Jets this spring. He’s currently listed as the third-string quarterback, but Payton and Broncos general manager George Paton have made it clear that they believe Wilson still has a future as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
Mayfield and Darnold spent time as backups before relaunching their careers. Perhaps Wilson will follow a similar path.
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