The NFL quarterback landscape is transitioning; there seems to be a passing of the torch from Tom Brady’s era to a new generation of signal callers. Several heirs to the passing throne come to mind: three-time champion Patrick Mahomes, league MVP Lamar Jackson, superstar Josh Allen or MHP (most handsome player) co-winners Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts all seem like viable canditates. All of these athletes have provided contributions towards this contemporary generation of quarterbacks. Each player is a franchise caliber star, capable of dazzling feats of athleticism and ever-expanding hall of fame potential.
A year ago, if you told me to include perceived QB flameouts like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield and Justin Fields onto a list of potential superstars, I would have laughed. I probably would have laughed too hard, then awkwardly said sorry for being a bit disrespectful. However, a quarter into the 2024 season, the “bust” quarterback prospect has flipped the transitionary quarterback landscape upside down. Despite being written off by their former franchises, each respective name has captained their new teams into potential playoff territory. 2024 may mark the beginning of a new NFL phenomenon, the ‘post-bust renaissance.’
Typically, highly drafted quarterbacks are given a timeframe of two to three years to succeed in the NFL. If that timeframe expires and a quarterback can’t adapt to the NFL, they’re usually cast aside as a “bust.” Being labeled bust is a career defining trait which many fail to defy, and usually banishes formerly high-touted prospects to a career on the bench or Canada. Think Johnny Manziel or Jamarcus Russel, one day the next big thing, the next day making podcast appearances lamenting what could have been. The onus of failure is usually shouldered onto the player who simply wasn’t cut out for professional football.
Yet, 2024 has seen several bust QB’s making noise in new scenery. Darnold and Mayfield, the first and third picks in the 2018 draft to the Browns and Jets respectfully, were excommunicated to football hell (Carolina Panthers) after not playing to the expected standard. After floundering in Carolina, they each took backup roles on playoff teams. Once matriculated, their current teams took risks which are playing off in spades. Darnold, originally J.J. McCarthy’s insurance policy, is leading the Vikings to an undefeated first five weeks while piloting a hyper talented offense featuring Justin Jefferson. Mayfield, who signed with Tampa Bay in 2023, surprisingly captained the Bucs to a playoff divisional round appearance. The Bucs are competitive in 2024 under Mayfield, who has shown the grit and determination promised when drafted in 2018. As for Justin Fields, who was shipped to Pittsburgh as Russel Wilson’s insurance policy, a simple change of scenery from the Chicago Bears was needed. Fields seems more refined with the Steelers, making accurate passes and utilizing his mobility to keep Pittsburgh afloat in a competitive AFC North.
Former busts outperforming their peers and steering their teams to contention poses serious questions for Quarterback development and the relevancy of the bust label. Rather than individual talent, it’s worth wondering if general dysfunctionality within a franchise a bigger factor in talent development. Despite talented rosters with “proven” veteran quarterbacks, Darnold and Mayfield’s former teams are still in disarray. Post-Darnold, the Jets failed to develop another top pick in Zach Wilson and are currently underwhelming with future hall-of-famer Aaron Rodgers. The Browns, who replaced Mayfield with then superstar DeShaun Watson, have posted historically bad offensive statistics. It’s too early to judge Field’s replacement Caleb Williams yet seeing Field’s immediate improvement under Mike Tomlin poses a similar dilemma for the Bears. The Vikings, Buccaneers and Steelers each rank in the top 15 highest winning percentages in the 2020’s with consistently talented rosters and minimal coaching turnover. Maybe a winning franchise can turn one man’s trash into another man’s treasure by providing proper development, coaching and talent for quarterbacks to succeed. Who knew? The post-bust renaissance could redefine the quarterback landscape, forcing teams to look in the mirror and see if they’re the problem.