Two quarterbacks set to continue an NFL trend
The emergence of second-year quarterbacks has become a bit of a trend in the NFL and it's likely to continue. Carson Wentz, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson have recently put together incredible sophomore campaigns, but who will take the biggest leap in 2023?
There are nine sophomore signal-callers to choose from this year. However, out of the bunch, San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy and Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett have the most realistic shots at a breakout season.
Purdy enters Year 2 as the bonafide starter after bursting onto the scene in 2022. The final pick in last year's draft, Purdy, is still an unproven commodity and there are no guarantees regarding his job security, with former first-round picks Sam Darnold and Trey Lance waiting in the wings.
Purdy will have a golden opportunity to show the NFL that 2022 wasn't a fluke, though, backed by dynamic offensive standouts in RB Christian McCaffrey, WR Deebo Samuel and TE George Kittle, along with an offensive line that ranked fifth in pass-blocking efficiency last season, per Pro Football Focus. If Purdy is healthy, the only thing holding him back from another successful season might be himself.
Much like Purdy, Pickett has a host of weapons, including RB Najee Harris, WR Diontae Johnson and TE Pat Freiermuth, but if he and electric wideout George Pickens can make a jump together in 2023, look out.
Recently, ESPN analyst and former QB Dan Orlovsky pointed out that no one in the NFL had a higher QBR (98) throwing to a single wideout than Pickett did when targeting Pickens last season. And while that was admittedly in a small sample size (58 attempts), it could be a sign of things to come. Meanwhile, the Steelers' offensive finished seventh in pass-blocking efficiency and they also added veteran guard Isaac Seumalo to the mix this offseason.
Purdy and Pickett are not alone, as Atlanta Falcons QB Desmond Ridder and Washington Commanders QB Sam Howell also have a chance to turn heads this season. However, with only five combined starts last season, there's still too much uncertainty to go out on that limb.
While it might seem like Purdy and Pickett are set up for success heading into their respective sophomore campaigns, they'll still have to prove they're ready to take the next step forward by showing out on the field.
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