Of the 11 QBs listed here, only two had worse statistical seasons in year 2 - one marginally, in Matt Ryan and one by a significant margin, in Robert Griffin III. However, far more of these QBs improved in year 2. All of the remaining 9 QBs actually improved their passer rating in year 2, some marginally (essentially a similar performance to their rookie years) while others, such as Dan Marino and Peyton Manning, made dramatic improvements in year 2. The areas that show the most differences in performance from years 1 to 2 are passing yards and touchdowns, perhaps because as these QBs moved to their second year, the playbook was opened up for them. Interestingly, six of these 11 QBs actually reduced their interceptions, and those who did not, had an increase in touchdowns, with the notable exception, again, of RG3. So we have 9 QBs either repeating or building on their good rookie years, with 2 regressing. This contradicts the conventional wisdom that rookie QBs who do well should be expected to take a step back. Prescott had arguably the best rookie season of all of these QBs, but should he be penalized in expectations simply because he did so well as a rookie? I would argue no, especially since the QB with the previous best rookie season, according to SI, Ben Roethlisberger, built on his impressive rookie season and took his team to
the Super Bowl in his second year.
