Not every quarterback redemption arc is worth rooting for. Sometimes, the league gives a guy another shot, and fans wonder who owed whom a favor.
Whether it was because of locker room issues, questionable effort, or just an all-time low ceiling, these quarterbacks managed to land back on a roster despite very little reason. From journeymen who never should’ve packed a second suitcase to drama magnets with more headlines than highlights, here are 15 NFL quarterbacks who never deserved that second shot.
15. DeShone Kizer
From the start, he looked overwhelmed and never really recovered. Yet somehow, he kept finding QB rooms to sit in.
14. Brandon Weeden
Drafted way too high and played like it. The fact that multiple teams circled back says more about desperation than talent.
13. Nathan Peterman
Everyone remembers the five-interception half. And yet, teams kept bringing him in like he had secret superpowers no one else could see.
12. Josh Johnson
He’s been on nearly half the league’s rosters without being the guy. At some point, it stops being a comeback and starts being a bizarre hobby.
11. Mike Glennon
He had the height, but not the game. Teams gave him way more runway than his performances ever earned.
10. Brian Hoyer
He knew the system, sure—but so did the interns. The league’s love for Hoyer was more about comfort than capability.
9. Jeff Driskel
Every time he faded into obscurity, another team pulled him back in. A recurring guest star on the “Emergency Backup QB” show.
8. Colt McCoy
College legend, NFL placeholder. He got endless second chances to prove he was a solid No. 2, and that’s about it.
7. John Skelton
He had the size but not the accuracy—or anything else. Yet teams kept hoping he’d magically evolve overnight.
6. Chase Daniel
Made a fortune holding a clipboard and clapping enthusiastically. His on-field value rarely matched the checks he cashed.
5. Matt Barkley
Every time you forgot about him, he popped up on another roster. The eternal QB experiment that never quite made sense.
4. Trevor Siemian
He somehow kept getting brought in like he was the next great bridge quarterback. Spoiler alert: he never actually built a bridge to anything.
3. Blake Bortles
He had a playoff run, sure. But what about the number of post-Jaguars chances he got? Generous at best, delusional at worst.
Read More: 10 NFL Quarterbacks Who Needed Literally Any Other Coach
2. Tim Tebow
Great college career, iconic moments—but the mechanics never worked. Still, teams kept trying to force what would never happen.
Read More: 10 NFL QBs Who Deserved a Second Chance They Never Got
1. Johnny Manziel
The talent was real, but the off-field chaos was louder. Giving him another chance was more about buzz than belief.
Read More: 15 Times the NFL World Crowned a Star Too Soon
