Let’s draw the Reagan comparison just for kicks and grins. Served 2 full terms ran for president lost in primary. Ran again 4 years later and won.
I’m not entirely convinced he’s old news if he comes up short in 2024, or even doesn’t run. He might very well sit it out in the assumption things largely improve and a Republican can’t win anyway in 2024 and let trump fall in his own sword.
Reagan had the ability to drive a narrative by his campaigning skills though while DeSantis clearly drives it through his actions while in power .
So once he is out of power in 2027, the question becomes could he drive a narrative . Also the Republican Party was in horrific shape from 1974-1980 so it wasn’t as if Reagan had much competition either .