NFL one-hit wonders happen more often than you think. Players can have one career year and then do nothing for the rest of their time in the league. This week, I am doing a series on some of the past one-hit wonders, culminating on Friday with a look at the candidates for 2023. It’s Friday so it is now time to look at who we could see join the list of NFL one-hit wonders in 2023.
The NFL shield logo – Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
NFL One-Hit Wonders For 2023
I am looking at players who had a career year last season that was an anomaly in terms of previous seasons. We see it every year where teams think they have something, but the previous season was simply the perfect storm of good things happening. I am not saying that I think the following players will be one-hit wonders but they have the potential to be. Onto the list!
Seahawks QB Geno Smith (7) – Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Geno Smith QB Seattle Seahawks
This is the obvious choice to join the list of NFL one-hit wonders. Last season was the best season for Smith by a mile. In terms of stats, from 2015-2021 he never threw for more than 702 yards. His first two years with the New York Jets saw okay stats but it did not translate into wins. Last season Smith threw for 4,282 yards which was 1,200 more than his previous high. His 30 touchdowns more than doubled his previous high. He was rewarded with a new contract. Will he continue the success, or was last year a career year for Geno Smith?
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (28) – Sam Morris/Getty Images
Josh Jacobs RB Las Vegas Raiders
This one is a little bit of a stretch for the list of NFL one-hit wonders. Jacobs has gone over 1,000 yards twice in his career before last season. Last season, however, felt different. He rushed for over 1,600 yards which was 500 more than his previous high. He had over 2,000 yards from scrimmage, which was 700 over his previous high. He had a whopping 93 first downs on the season and averaged 97.2 yards per game. It was a contract year so it makes sense that Jacobs was more motivated. However, running backs are notorious for not being able to duplicate previous success. Watch for Jacbos to possibly take a step back this season.
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Bears QB Justin Fields (1) – Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Justin Fields QB Chicago Bears
Let me make this point again. This is a list of potential players to become another one of the NFL’s one-hit wonders. As much as it pains me to say this as a Packers fan, I think Fields is going to take another step this year and be really good. However, his season last year dictates that he must be on this list.
His passing stats were very pedestrian, even downright bad at times, but his ability to run the ball is what wowed fans. He rushed for 1,143 yards last season, which was good for seventh in the league. He outrushed Christian McCaffrey, Aaron Jones, and Kenneth Walker III and was only 30 yards behind Dalvin Cook. There is a decent chance that this number will go down next season. The hope is he can make up for that in the passing game, but if he doesn’t, 2022 could simply be a flash in the pan.
Will we see any of these players join the list of NFL one-hit wonders? The hope is no. The league is more fun when players have sustained success. There is also nothing more infuriating as a fan base to see a player do something amazing one year and then lay an egg the next. Did I miss any candidates? Comment on the article or tweet at me to let me know!
