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The engine of a team is the quarterback. Teams with subpar quarterback play are almost never competing for a Super Bowl ring. A lot can factor into a down year for a quarterback but one bad season isn’t always cause for concern. Below, I'll be breaking down some quarterback I believe are going to bounce in 2024 fantasy football
Kyler Murray
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals knew it they were going to struggle under center until Kyler Murray returned from his ACL rehab. Things worked out well for Murray, who instantly provided a permanent boost in both production and potential for the Cardinals, a team that had now learned how difficult it is to replace a quarterback. Arizona was a significantly better team than Murray. In eight games Murray had 1,799 passing yards, 10 passing TDs, 3 Rushing TDs.
Murray showed chemistry with standout Tight end Trey McBride, and if Marquise Brown can stay healthy and continue to perform It's wheels up for Murray. On top of that, the Cardinals have an early draft pick this year that could be used to get the best wide receiver prospect in the draft, Marvin Harrison Jr. Regarding Murray, I expect the best of his career is yet to come.
Cardinals were a top-10 offense in EPA per play, yards per play and TD drive % with Kyler Murray under center in Weeks 10-18 last season pic.twitter.com/RIJdJWqdVx
2023 Stats
Justin Herbert
Los Angeles Chargers
In 2023, Justin Herbert finished as QB17, and the Chargers finally gave Brandon Staley the boot. Injuries to Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler, sums up the Chargers season. The Chargers can never seem to get healthy and don’t have a real identity outside of passing the ball to Keenan Allen. Herbert had a middling 2023 season, struggling through two separate finger injuries, with the latter of the two, a fractured index finger, ending his season.
Herbert was uncharacteristically inconsistent in the accuracy department missing on throws we had been accustomed to him making. Now that Herbert has had a whole offseason to heal and with Jim Harbaugh taking over the reins for the Chargers, we may finally be seeing the breakout from Herbert we have been waiting for. There is work to be done with this Chargers team but if Harbaugh and Herbert can find common ground and establish an identity the Chargers could be a threat in 2024.
Justin Herbert starting the game out HOT
This pass was ridiculous ???
?: #SuperBowlLVIII on CBS
?: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/we3WzqZxIm pic.twitter.com/kRf39ZZDr1
2023 Stats
Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow was not quite the MVP candidate we during the 2023 season. Burrow suffered a calf injury in training camp, one that people feared to be a serious injury and it clearly limited him throughout the season. Burrow's ability to read defenses, make accurate throws, and showcase poise in pressure situations has made him a rising star in the NFL. Yet in 2023 Burrow was very statue-like in the pocket, which is very uncharacteristic of “Joe Cool”.
Burrow did show shades of his old self as the season continued but a torn ligament in his wrist would ultimately cut his season short. We have seen enough of Burrow to know that he is going to come back this year with a chip on his shoulder. I expect him and Ja'Marr Chase to have their best season to date. Tee Higgins looks like he'll sign a franchise tag as the Bengals are looking to get over their playoff hump.
??????: Many around the league expect the #Bengals to franchise tag WR Tee Higgins and let Tyler Boyd hit free agency, per @JFowlerESPN
Joe Mixon and BJ Hill are also potential cap casualties for Cincinnati.
Read More Here: https://t.co/zDQSkVG1iT pic.twitter.com/oP9VCCbHtm
2023 Stats
Bryce Young
Carolina Panthers
Okay, hear me out, the Bryce Young did not look NFL-ready in his first season and it was a tough battle for the rookie. That said, I don’t believe Young's failures were completely on him. Not only was Young not supplied with weapons to help him succeed, but their offensive line was also one of the worst in the NFL. From the front office to the sideline coaching, the Panthers seemed to be an organization in disarray.
ESPN's bottom-10 WRs from 2023 in their "Open" rating which is meant to help quantity separation ability.
(This is a Bryce Young tweet)https://t.co/39GAXPsblT pic.twitter.com/gStRIK8Q08
Young looked very overwhelmed for most of the season and tried many times to make something out of nothing but unfortunately at this level, the players are too fast and too smart for a lot of those heroic 50-50 plays. I can’t help but think about this situation and remember a similar situation with a quarterback in Jacksonville a few years ago. Now Young may not have the talent of Trevor Lawrence but you don’t accidentally go number one overall in the draft. I expect a much better year out of Young where he at least limits the turnovers and provides a little more versatility with his legs.
