Taking a step back after a great year is pretty demoralizing no matter what field you are in. These five players will have that reality in the 2023-24 season…(Taking a step back doesn’t mean a player will have a bad year, they just won’t be as impactful as they were in 2022)

Brock Purdy, 49ers, QB

The biggest underdog story of 2022 will reprise his starring role in 2023, but it won’t be as easy as it was in 2022. Purdy will likely lead the 49ers to the playoffs this season, but it won’t be as pretty as you think. Now that NFL defensive coordinators have film on the former Cyclone, it shouldn’t be too challenging to figure out a game plan to stop a QB who isn’t overly athletic or talented. Having Kyle Shanahan and a great overall offense and defense should help Purdy, but I expect double-digit interceptions and some roadblocks for the 23-year-old QB this season. But at the end of the day, a step-back season from Purdy will still be enough for San Francisco to win their division and have another fantastic season!!

Michael Pittman Jr, Colts, WR

One of the most underrated receivers in the NFL won’t have the same success he had in 2022, as Pittman racked up nearly 100 catches last season on a poor Colts team. Anthony Richardson will be the starter this year for Indy, which means a lot of running, which doesn’t help out Pittman. Richardson also isn’t the most refined pocket passer yet, and his accuracy is an even bigger issue. Pittman will likely still have a decent season serving as the Colts’ WR1, but a 99-catch season is definitely not in the realm of possibilities with Richardson at QB. Adding Josh Downs to play in the slot will also restrict Pittman from playing there this season, meaning fewer targets for him. I’m a big fan of Michael Pittman Jr., but I don’t see him having the ultra breakout year we were hoping he would have in 2023…

Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders

Like I said above: A player taking a step back doesn’t mean I think they will do poorly this season. Jacobs led the league in scrimmage yards last season with over 2,000 and was a first-team All-Pro. Safe to say that he won’t do that in 2023. The Raiders are an absolute mess, and it’s in the realm of possibilities that he isn’t even with the team after the trade deadline. Vegas is going to be down in a lot of games this season, meaning fewer carries for Jacobs and less production. The Raiders Offensive Line isn’t something to ride home about as well, outside of Kolton Miller. I fully expect over 1,000 yards from Jacobs in 2023, but over 2,000 scrimmage yards and first-team All-Pro just isn’t happening…

Mike Evans, WR, Bucs

Evans may not even play for Tampa this season after failed contract negotiations, but it won’t be pretty either way for the 30-year-old. Going from Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield will be a tough transition for Evans, and it’s extremely unlikely the two will form a decent connection. Tampa is expected to be one of the worst teams in the league, meaning they will be down in a lot of games. This could help Evans’ numbers, but I don’t see it being enough to keep his 1,000-yard streak alive. The former Aggie has been Mr. Consistent his entire career, but Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask are gonna ruin that in 2023 if Evans plays with the Bucs this season…

Haason Reddick, Edge, Eagles

The 28-year-old had a slow start to his career but has been dominant for the past three seasons. Reddick had 16 sacks last season for Philly and was a key piece of the dominant 2022 Eagles Defense. Heading into 2023, expect Reddick to have another great season, but 16 sacks won’t be in the cards. Now that he is an established pass rusher, teams will double-team Reddick, and not leave him one one-on-one with a tight end like the 49ers did in the championship game. Guys like Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, and Jalen Carter are going to eat next season with all the attention on Reddick. Ten sacks should be easily doable for the star pass rusher, but 12 is the ceiling with the amount of attention he is going to garner in 2023…

Once again: Taking a step back doesn’t mean the player will have a bad year this season!