The NFL is in a great place just years after losing legendary quarterbacks like Brees, Manning, Brady, Roethlisberger; just to name a few. Great names like Rodgers and Stafford both have one ring and still slinging it every Sunday. We have watched players like Mahomes and Hurts go back and forth in Super Bowls and seemingly claim this generations “GOAT” titles.
Then you have the names like Jackson, Allen, and Herbert who have been right on the doorstep of reaching the pinnacle. Other names like Stroud, Love, Goff, Mayfield, Prescott, and Tagovailoa who are seemingly just getting started.
Then there are seven quarterbacks going into their second year in the NFL, still wide-eyed and wet behind the ears who have their minds set on success. This year will be the year of the second year quarterbacks in the NFL. Let’s break down their rookie seasons and dive into their situation for year two.
Jayden Daniels – Washington Commanders
From Heisman winner to Offensive Rookie of the Year, Daniels has already reached heights some quarterbacks never see. He led the Washington Commanders all the way to the NFC Championship game as a rookie.
Daniels was on fire last season throwing for 3,568 yards and rushing for another 891 yards. Washington has given him some more weapons to play with as well as paying his number one target, Terry McLaurin. However, there will also be more pressure to repeat the almost perfect season.
With a full season of greatness on tape, the odds are stacked against Daniels, a role he is used too. Daniels might change the way every quarterback prepares for games if he continues to have his level of success.
Bo Nix – Denver Broncos
Bo Nix was almost as impressive as Jayden Daniels. Well, almost as in he has given the fanbase hope for the future in the same light. Nix went 10-7 as a starter and though he did make the playoffs, Nix and the Broncos didn’t make a Cinderella-like run once getting there.
As far as second year quarterbacks go Nix has maybe the brightest ceiling going into year two. The Broncos have one of the top defenses in the NFL and have a reliable running game to off set defenses from honing in on Nix.
Nix has both Peyton Manning and Sean Payton believing he has the right attitude and stuff to have an even better year two than his already great rookie season.
Drake Maye – New England Patriots
Drake Maye didn’t necessarily have huge success in his rookie season, however, after taking the reigns for one of the worse teams in the league; he ended up going 3-9 as the starter.
The Patriots have hired a new head coach with proven success in Tennessee during his tenure there, with arguably average quarterbacks. If Maye is who everybody says he is, he is anything but average. It still may take a year or two, however Drake Maye and New England seemingly will be fighting for a wild card spot before you know it.
There is not that much pressure on Maye in this situation. He will have another two or more seasons to turn this franchise around before the blame gets put on him.
Caleb Williams – Chicago Bears
With almost all of the pressure of the world on this young man’s shoulders, Caleb Williams is going into year two with optimism. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson has had high praise of where Williams is mentally and physically going into the season.
After an up and down, to say it nicely, rookie season; Williams is ready to put that behind him. You can pick and choose stats with Williams, to point out his potential or his greatness, as well as pointing out his mishaps. Analysts are bearish on Williams this season with some being quoted saying he will be the first 4,000 yard passer in a Bears uniform. Same thing they said about Fields two years prior.
He was the most sacked quarterback in the league last season. As well as having one of the worse coaching staffs in the league. Williams still showed flashes and more importantly he protected the football. If he can continue to protect the football under this new system, the future is bright for Williams and Chicago.
Michael Penix Jr – Atlanta Falcons
This is a full blown, old school, let’s see what the kid can do moment for Penix Jr. Who spent most of his rookie season as the back up. Penix only started the final three games of last season for the Falcons and spent most of the season learning from veteran Kirk Cousins.
The move of him backing up most of his rookie season can be a blessing. Now in year two with a few starts and two full off-seasons the Falcons with give him the reigns going into year two. Quietly, Penix might have the most upside.
The NFC South is one of the weaker conferences in the NFL. Penix Jr, also has weapons around him on offense other quarterbacks are licking their lips to play with.
Spencer Rattler – New Orleans Saints
Spencer Rattler is in a weird situation in New Orleans, to say the least. With the sudden retirement of Derek Carr and the changing of the coaching staff, Rattler is just kind of there. He had a few flashes of bright spots and has at least half of the fan base on his side. However, he also had some lows in his rookie season.
He beat out rookie Tyler Shough for the starting role, at least for now. The Saints are going into the season being projected to be one of the worst teams in the league. Some experts are saying Rattler starting this season is to protect Shough from failing more than anything.
All in all Rattler will get a real chance this season to show if he can be a starter in the NFL. What he does with that chance is yet to be seen.
J.J. McCarthy – Minnesota Vikings
J.J. was going into his rookie year as the starter when he got injured and was forced to miss his entire rookie season. Sam Darnold led the Vikings to one of the best seasons in recent history before falling apart like a good brisket in the last two games of the season.
With that being said, the pressure is on for McCarthy who is set to hit the ground running in Minnesota. McCarthy will have one of the best defenses as well as one of the best receivers by his side. Which means all eyes will be on him.
With an entire season of mental reps, it will be exciting to say the least to see what this kid has got. The last time the world saw him start a game, he won the national title in college at Michigan.
Rowan Donaghey, Sports Reporter and Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on X via @RowanDonaghey
Follow Stare Down Sports on X for all of the latest news and updates @StareDownSports
Featured Image Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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