Who Is NFL's Next Successful Reclamation Quarterback?
[Editor's note: The following article is from Athlon Sports' 2026 NFL Preview magazine. Order your issue online today, or grab a copy at newsstands and retail racks nationwide.]
Sam Darnold winning the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks last season is just the latest example of how reclamation quarterbacks are finding success in today's NFL. Here's a look at four veteran quarterbacks - three of whom are with new teams in 2026 - who might be next in line to have a chance at rekindling their NFL careers.
SEE ALSO: What's behind the new era of reclamation quarterbacks?
Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy is the 49ers' established starter, but he was also part of the team's unfortunate injury wave in 2025, and Jones completed 201-of-289 passes for 2,124 yards, 13 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 97.4 passer rating as Purdy's stand-in over eight starts. Jones isn't the most mobile quarterback, but he has above-average throwing traits, and he's smart enough to take command of head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive system when necessary, which bodes well for his future - a future that looked in doubt when the New England Patriots, who selected Jones with the 15th overall pick in the 2021 draft, decided to look elsewhere after three seasons.
Kyler Murray, Minnesota Vikings
The Arizona Cardinals, who selected Murray with the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, released their former franchise quarterback on March 11, 2026, despite the fact that there were precious few other options at the position on the roster. One day later, Murray signed with the Vikings, which could put him on the same Kevin O'Connell Reclamation Trail previously walked by Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones. The advantage that Murray has is that J.J. McCarthy is by no means the Vikings' established starter, and Murray has more than a puncher's chance of coming out of training camp at the top of the depth chart.
Tua Tagovailoa, Atlanta Falcons
Tagovailoa was once the great quarterback hope of the Miami Dolphins, who haven't had a true franchise guy at the position since Dan Marino retired after the 1999 season. The Dolphins drafted Tagovailoa fifth overall in 2020, but the team decided to go in a different direction after six uneven seasons. Now, the Hawai'i native resides in Atlanta, hoping to beat out fellow lefty (and eighth overall pick in 2024) Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job.
Justin Fields, Kansas City Chiefs
Fields, whom the Chicago Bears traded up to draft with the 11th overall pick in 2021, has had up-and-down performances with Chicago, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets since. And he obviously isn't challenging Patrick Mahomes for anything. But Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has a remarkable history when it comes to making the most of his backup quarterbacks, going back to his days as the Philadelphia Eagles' head coach, and that could finally put Fields on the right path to success somewhere else in the NFL.
Related: Athlon Sports 2026 NFL Preview Magazine Now Available
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 7:31 AM.