David Corenswet’s Mr. Irrelevant gets one last shot at NFL glory in the first trailer for the inspiring sports drama

Mr. Irrelevant, the upcoming biographical sports drama about NFL star John Tuggle, will release on December 25, 2026. Directed by Jonathan Levine, the film stars David Corenswet as John Tuggle. Other cast members include Isabel May, who plays Tuggle's love interest Katie, Michael Shannon, who plays coach Bill Parcells, and David Krumholtz as Julius "Whitey" Horai. Ahead of its Christmas premiere, Paramount Pictures has dropped its official trailer.

The film follows the true story of John Tuggle, the last player who was selected in the last round of the 1983 NFL draft by the New York Giants. Tuggle turned out to be an underdog and defied all odds on the field. He played one impactful season before dying of cancer at the age of 25 in 1986.

Here's more about it.

Mr. Irrelevant trailer breakdown

Mr. Irrelevant is the nickname given to the last player selected in each year's draft. In 1983 NFL, John Tuggle was the last player who was selected by the New York Giants. However, he turned out to be an underdog. He played only 16 games in the NFL during the 1983 NFL season. He scored one touchdown as well. Unfortunately, Tuggle was diagnosed with cancer in 1984, and he passed away at the age of 25 in 1986.

The trailer opens with John Tuggle (Corenswet) in an interview as he introduces himself. As Mr. Irrelevant of the 1983 NFL season, Tuggle faces several hurdles, but he doesn't give up. His determination and grit to prove himself on the field defy all odds. The trailer also shows a glimpse of Tuggle's love interest, Katie.

We also get a sneak peek of Shannon's Bill Parcells, the former New York Giants coach, who asks Tuggle to get back on the field as he awkwardly tries to introduce himself. Despite the coach's tough training, Tuggle proves himself. However, things take an ugly turn with his cancer diagnosis. As Tuggle says,

"I have felt love. I have tasted victory. And I've been brought to my knees"

Even after the diagnosis, Tuggle still doesn't give up his dreams. Parcells compliments him, saying,

"I have never learned as much from a player as I learned from you."

David Corenswet and Jonathan Levine on Mr. Irrelevant

David Corenswet will play John Tuggle - Source: Getty

In an interview with People Magazine, Corenswet said that a person whose life was filled with optimism and resilience dealt with a losing struggle. How can grace and dignity, along with humor and love, help transform failure into success? Corenswet adds,

"These are the questions I thought were asked by John’s story and I think are asked of each of us at various points in life.”

Director Levine noted that Tuggle's life,

"was filled with triumph and laughter, romance and heartache.”

Speaking about Corenswet playing John Tuggle, Levine told People Magazine that he was looking for an actor who could portray all the emotions, including Tuggle's charisma, charm, and good nature, someone who could emote both the successes and the failures. He said that Corenswet is the only person he could imagine playing an NFL star. Corenswet is known for his roles in Superman, Pearl, We Own This City, and The Politician.

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