Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen have won MVPs. Baker Mayfield went No. 1 overall and has established himself too. But Darnold reached the biggest stage as a starter first. Here's a look at each player's unique ups and downs as a pro.
In the wake of the Seattle Seahawks’ NFC championship win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, Sam Darnold was asked about being the first quarterback from a fabled 2018 draft class to reach the Super Bowl.
“I actually made it in ’23 as well when I was in San Francisco,” Darnold said, humorously alluding to his one-season stint as the 49ers’ backup and drawing some laughs in the process.
He continued by crediting the defense and his offensive teammates, and all the work they’ve put in from OTAs to now.
"I actually made it in 2023 as well when I was in San Francisco." 😂
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 26, 2026
Sam Darnold on being the first QB to make the Super Bowl as a starter in a 2018 draft class that included Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield. pic.twitter.com/sjMQXLYDvW
There’s no doubt a top-flight Seahawks defense that allowed the fewest points per game this season keyed Seattle’s run, and by extension Darnold’s success. But there’s no denying Darnold’s remarkable turnaround, either, even if he’s too humble to illustrate it at the podium.
He’s just the fourth quarterback in NFL history to guide two different franchises to 14-win seasons. The others? Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Jared Goff. Now, playing for his fifth team, Darnold’s about to start in a Super Bowl, two years removed from watching one on the sidelines with no telling if he’d start in any kind of game again.
But how did we get here?
Let’s rewind to 2018, when Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen and Lamar Jackson heard their names called (in that order) in the first round of a memorable draft, and chart how their NFL careers have gone to this point.
2018 NFL season
No. 1 overall: Baker Mayfield (Browns)
The Cleveland Browns drafted Mayfield No. 1 overall out of Oklahoma, where he won the Heisman Trophy. By Week 3, Mayfield’s number was called. He stepped in for an injured Tyrod Taylor and delivered the Browns’ first win in 635 days — against Darnold’s Jets. Mayfield jolted Cleveland, but that spark wasn’t enough to save Hue Jackson’s job. Cleveland’s 7-8-1 record was its best since 2007. Mayfield’s 27 touchdown passes went down as a new rookie record.
No. 3 overall: Sam Darnold (Jets)
Darnold landed with the New York Jets, who selected the USC quarterback No. 3 overall. Still just 21 years (and 97 days) old, Darnold became the youngest QB to start a season opener since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. He threw a pick 6 on his first pass but ended up winning that first game. Darnold’s first season was a roller coaster. He tossed three touchdowns in two games and was picked off at least three times in two others. He missed three games with a foot injury, and the Jets finished 4-12.
No. 7 overall: Josh Allen (Bills)
The Buffalo Bills traded up five spots to draft Josh Allen No. 7 overall out of Wyoming, taking a big swing on the cannon-armed dual threat who once was an unknown JUCO quarterback. Allen started the season backing up Nathan Peterman, but after Peterman posted a 0.0 passer rating in Week 1, Allen got the nod. He didn’t relinquish the keys to the offense, although an elbow injury cost him four games. Ultimately, he completed just 52.8% of his passes, and the Bills went 6-10, however, his team-leading 631 yards on the ground turned heads.
No. 10 overall: Josh Rosen (Cardinals)
Rosen went to the Arizona Cardinals as the 10th pick in the draft, and he quickly announced that “there were nine mistakes” made ahead of him. That didn’t age well. Granted, the UCLA quarterback was thrust into a beyond-dysfunctional offense that season, but he threw 11 touchdowns to 14 interceptions in 13 starts and clocked out with a 66.7 passer rating. The Cardinals fired head coach Steve Wilks after the season and hired Kliff Kingsbury before drafting Kyler Murray No. 1 overall the following year. Rosen was traded to the Miami Dolphins, benched three games into the following season and never started in the NFL again.
No. 32 overall: Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
The Baltimore Ravens traded back into the first round and used the No. 32 overall pick to scoop up Jackson, who, despite winning the Heisman Trophy at Louisville, fell in the first round because of concerns about his passing ability. A midseason hip injury to Joe Flacco opened the window for Jackson. John Harbaugh stuck with the rookie when Flacco healed up. In Jackson’s first seven regular-season starts, he posted a 6-1 record and logged 556 rushing yards. When he struggled in a wild-card playoff loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Harbaugh didn’t return to Flacco.
2019 NFL season
Baker Mayfield, Browns slip up under big expectations
The Browns traded for Odell Beckham Jr. in the offseason and received plenty of hype. Mayfield became the first Browns quarterback since Tim Couch to start 16 games in a season, but despite the franchise finally finding continuity under center, his sophomore campaign was a disappointment. He threw 21 interceptions, and the Browns regressed to 6-10.
Sam Darnold ‘sees ghosts’
Darnold went viral for the wrong reasons during his second NFL season. He was diagnosed with mononucleosis, leading to this meme and a three-game absence. Then, during the first half of a 33-0 loss to the New England Patriots, the “Monday Night Football” broadcast captured a soundbite of a struggling Darnold admitting he was “seeing ghosts.” But the Jets won six of their final eight games, and Darnold posted a 13:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio in that span.
Josh Allen leads Bills back to playoffs
Although Allen increased his completion percentage to 58.8%, he ranked last among qualifying quarterbacks in that category for the second season in a row. That said, he doubled his touchdown pass total and led five game-winning drives. He brought the Bills back to the playoffs, except they suffered an overtime loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.
Lamar Jackson wins his first NFL MVP
Jackson won the first of his two NFL MVP awards. He piled up 43 touchdowns — 36 through the air and seven on the ground — and rushed for 1,206 yards, the most a quarterback has ever picked up with his legs in a single season. The Ravens secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed at 14-2. Baltimore went one-and-done again, though, bowing out to the Tennessee Titans in the playoffs after a bye.
2020 NFL season
Baker Mayfield leads Browns to winning record, playoff win over Steelers
With a win over the Titans — one in which Mayfield authored four first-half touchdown passes — the Browns improved to 9-3, guaranteeing their first winning season in 13 years. After ending a 17-year playoff drought, the Browns took down their rival Pittsburgh Steelers in wild-card competition. The win was Cleveland’s first in the playoffs since the 1994 campaign. A fumble-turned-touchback doomed the Browns against the Super Bowl-bound Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, but Kevin Stefanski’s first season as head coach was a breakthrough.
Sam Darnold’s time as Jets starter comes to an end
The Jets took a massive step back in Darnold’s third and final season as the team’s starter. Riddled by injury, they started 0-13 and wound up 2-14, including 2-10 with Darnold under center. He missed four games with an AC joint sprain, and he tallied more than 250 passing yards just once all season. New York’s 15.2 points per game were a league worst that season.
Josh Allen’s career takes off
Allen’s completion percentage rocketed up to an eyebrow-raising 69.2% in Year 3. He threw 37 touchdown passes and ran for eight more scores. Allen even caught a touchdown, too. He was runner-up for NFL MVP, and his 13-3 Bills were runner-up in the AFC, falling in the conference title game to the Chiefs. But first, they swept the Tom Brady-less Patriots and, for the first time since 1995, won the AFC East.
Lamar Jackson wins first playoff game
For the second season in a row, Jackson eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the ground. No NFL quarterback had reached that rushing milestone twice before. Jackson got the monkey off his back, notching his first playoff win in the wild-card round against the Titans. But the Ravens suffered a divisional-round exit to Allen’s Bills in a defensive battle that banged up Jackson.
2021 NFL season
Baker Mayfield’s time in Cleveland ends in drama- and injury-plagued fashion
Mayfield labored through a torn labrum on his non-throwing shoulder — an injury that eventually required surgery — and had to navigate Odell Beckham Jr. drama, which saw the star receiver's dad post an Instagram video and several comments that appeared to disparage Mayfield days before Beckham was released by the Browns. Mayfield dealt with a horde of outside noise, including questions about his job security, and even death threats as Cleveland trudged toward an 8-9 record. While it initially appeared as if the Browns would stick with Mayfield for the 2022 season, they pursued Deshaun Watson.
Sam Darnold traded to Panthers
Leading up to the draft, the Jets sent Darnold to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round pick, as well as second- and fourth-round picks in 2022. He got some immediate payback, defeating Zach Wilson and the Jets in the season opener. Darnold piloted Carolina to a 3-0 record and rushed for five touchdowns in his first four games. Except, after the Panthers’ hot start was extinguished, a fractured scapula in Darnold’s throwing shoulder caused him to miss five games. That led to Cam Newton’s brief return. Darnold didn’t win another start that season.
Josh Allen becomes highest-paid QB in NFL history, but 13 seconds doom Bills
Allen signed a six-year contract extension with Buffalo before the start of a season that saw the Bills fend off Mac Jones and the Patriots for the second of their five straight AFC East crowns. Allen emerged as an MVP favorite, particularly after he beat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. But he was up and down in the back half of the regular season. In the playoffs, though, he delivered his A game. Allen thumped the Patriots in a wild-card rout and then threw for 329 yards and four more touchdowns versus the Chiefs in a divisional-round classic. That is, before Mahomes engineered a game-tying drive in the final 13 seconds of regulation and a game-winning drive in overtime.
Lamar Jackson battles health issues amid worst season as full-time starter
Jackson’s worst statistical season included back issues and a non-COVID illness and ended with him sidelined by an ankle injury. His 3.4% interception rate was, and still is, the highest of his career. He was sacked 38 times and rushed for just two touchdowns. Early on, Baltimore strung together a five-game win streak, which featured a 19-point comeback and a banner day from Jackson against the Indianapolis Colts, but the Ravens eventually missed the playoffs at 8-9.
2022 NFL season
Baker Mayfield traded to Panthers, then spends key time with Rams
With the writing on the wall about his Browns future, Mayfield thanked Cleveland and, soon after, demanded a trade. In the summer, he got one — to the Panthers, who still had Darnold. Mayfield’s time in Carolina was short-lived, though. In fact, he was released just five months after he was traded there. But later in the season, he spent a career-reviving five-game stretch with Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams. That proved significant going forward.
Sam Darnold loses QB battle to Baker Mayfield, season ends in sputtering fashion
Following Mayfield’s arrival in Carolina and what the Panthers at least described as a quarterback competition, Darnold was relegated to backup status. Darnold began the season on IR due to a high ankle sprain he sustained in the preseason finale. By late November, well after Matt Rhule was fired, Darnold was back under center, replacing Mayfield, whom the Panthers soon released. Darnold went 4-2 as Carolina’s starter under interim coach Steve Wilks, but the Panthers missed the playoffs and moved on from Darnold in the offseason.
Josh Allen dominates in regular season again, but Bills stumble in divisional round
Allen beat the Chiefs in the regular season (again), orchestrated a 21-second game-winning drive versus a pesky Detroit Lions team and later put on a fourth-quarter clinic to top the Dolphins. Allen recorded at least 4,000 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns for the third consecutive season. That said, in a season Buffalo ultimately played for Damar Hamlin, the 13-3 Bills fell to the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Lamar Jackson’s late season knee injury kicks up contract extension drama
Jackson was bit by the injury bug again. A knee injury lingered and ended up sidelining him for the Ravens’ final six games, including the playoffs. Yes, Baltimore still made the postseason at 10-7, but lost in the wild-card round to the Bengals. Jackson played the season on the final year of his rookie deal, betting on himself after he and the Ravens failed to reach terms on a contract extension. That made for an eventful offseason (see below).
2023 NFL season
Baker Mayfield replaces Tom Brady as Bucs starter, helps win division and playoff game
After Tom Brady finally retired, the Buccaneers signed Mayfield. He beat out Kyle Trask for the starting job, and he didn’t give it up. Mayfield continued his resurgence in Tampa Bay, throwing 28 touchdowns and only 10 picks as the Buccaneers maintained their hold over the NFC South. They even unraveled a reeling Philadelphia Eagles team in the playoffs and gave a storybook Lions squad a fight in the divisional round.
Sam Darnold begins career rejuvenation — as a 49ers backup
Darnold agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers and earned the QB2 job. Although Darnold started only one game — while the 49ers rested starters ahead of a run to the Super Bowl — he developed in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and that proved important in future seasons.
Josh Allen, Bills finally get playoff home game against Chiefs … and lose again
A season marred by inconsistency on offense led to the firing of OC Ken Dorsey. Joe Brady replaced Dorsey as Buffalo’s play-caller, getting the bump from his role as quarterbacks coach and restoring balance to a unit that needed more from its run game. The Bills followed through down the stretch. Allen was a big part, naturally, rushing for eight touchdowns as Buffalo ended the season 6-1 with another division title under its belt. That helped the Bills earn homefield advantage over the rival Chiefs in the divisional round … but they ended up losing to Kansas City, again.
Lamar Jackson delivers second MVP campaign after offseason contract drama
Jackson’s contract dispute got worse before it got better. He publicly announced that he had requested a trade in March, but in April the standstill ended with Jackson inking a five-year deal. He repaid Baltimore with his second MVP season. Jackson piled up 24 passing touchdowns, ran for five additional scores and totaled 4,499 scrimmage yards. The Ravens grabbed the top seed in the AFC again after going 13-4. But they ultimately lost at home in the AFC title game to the Chiefs, who were on the verge of their third Super Bowl ring in five years.
2024 NFL season
Baker Mayfield finally secures big payday and has career year
Mayfield scored a three-year, $100 million extension with the Buccaneers and backed that up with the best season of his career. He tossed a career-high 41 touchdowns against 16 picks to go along with his 4,500 yards through the air. Mayfield also rushed for 24 first downs, then a career high, and three scores. He led Tampa Bay to its fourth NFC South title in a row. He endeared himself to his teammates and fans with his fearless play, even in a wild-card loss to the Washington Commanders.
Sam Darnold’s renaissance hits overdrive in Minnesota, but questions linger
The Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year deal in March, and then took former Michigan star J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick in the 2024 draft. But when McCarthy underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus, Darnold was up for a full season of work. He made the most of it, throwing 35 touchdown passes and guided the Vikings to 14 wins and back to the postseason. But a rough final two games of a special season, culminating in a wild-card faceplant versus the Rams, begged the question if Darnold’s success was sustainable.
Josh Allen wins first MVP award, but guess who beats Bills in playoffs
Now it was Allen’s turn to finally win MVP. He posted an impressive 28-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio, accompanied by a dozen rushing scores. Allen finished strong, throwing, catching and running for touchdowns in the snow against the 49ers, scoring six touchdowns against the Rams and continuing his superhero ways versus the Lions. In the playoffs, the Bills crushed the Broncos and squeaked by the Ravens to reach the AFC title game. That’s where Mahomes and the Chiefs denied them once more.
Lamar Jackson has another MVP-level season
Jackson really could have won MVP, too. He was surgical. In fact, Jackson led the NFL in touchdown percentage, just as he did in 2019. He accounted for 45 total touchdowns, 41 of them through the air, and he threw a mere four interceptions. Plus, he rushed for 915 yards. With running back Derrick Henry also in the backfield, the Ravens ranked third in the league in points per game. They were top 10 in scoring defense as well. But another agonizing playoff defeat threw a wrench in a potential Super Bowl run.
2025 NFL season
Baker Mayfield’s Bucs capsize, setting up important offseason
Despite injuries to key playmakers, Mayfield engineered a 5-1 start, effectively announcing himself as an MVP candidate. But the Buccaneers capsized in the back half of the season. Following back-to-back losses to start November, Mayfield suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder during a third straight defeat. He juggled more injuries down the road, and Tampa Bay missed the playoffs, losing a division tiebreaker after beating the Panthers in Week 18. Now it feels like Mayfield is looking at more competition in the Bucs’ QB room this offseason, at the very least.
Sam Darnold has Super Bowl season after signing with Seattle
Darnold signed a three-year deal with the Seahawks reportedly worth $100.5 million after the Vikings let him walk. Darnold was QB1 after Seattle traded Geno Smith right after he got there, and he spearheaded an offensive revamp under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. En route to Darnold’s second straight Pro Bowl, he threw for 25 touchdowns and 4,048 yards, establishing an impressive rapport with league-leading receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Additionally, the Seahawks cracked the top 10 in rushing yards per game. They won an NFC West that featured three playoff teams, including the Rams, whom Seattle took down in the conference title game this past weekend. Now they face the Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif.
Josh Allen’s Bills take steps backward, which prompts coaching shakeup
Buffalo’s offense was streaky. The Bills had the NFL’s leading rusher in James Cook. At times, they were unstoppable in the second half, hence some surprising comebacks, like the one against the Ravens and the one against the Patriots. But a defense that struggled against the run, a limited receiver room and, ultimately, five turnovers in a divisional-round loss to the Broncos did Buffalo in. Sean McDermott was fired after leading the Bills to seven double-digit-win campaigns in nine seasons at the helm, and Joe Brady was promoted to head coach from his position as offensive coordinator.
Lamar Jackson battles more injuries, enters new era with Jesse Minter as head coach
Say Jackson’s list of 2025 injuries 10 times fast, and you have a new take on the song “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” This season, the dual-threat quarterback was hampered by hamstring, knee, toe, ankle and back injuries. His hamstring setback forced him to miss three games. He was one of several Ravens banged up at the time, as Baltimore slumped to a 1-5 start. Huntley got Baltimore back on track, and Jackson returned to put his team in position to win the AFC North, but he was never quite right. The Ravens blew fourth-quarter leads to the Patriots and Steelers and missed the playoffs. After 18 seasons as head coach, John Harbaugh was fired, and the Ravens hired Chargers defensive coordinator (and former Baltimore assistant) Jesse Minter as the next head coach.
Category: General Sports
