The Sportsletter - The Next-Gen QB Crop

BY JEFF YODER

AUG. 16, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

Another MLB manager got the ax and another college football poll hit the news desk on Monday. But first, we're looking at the next generation of quarterbacks ready to take over in 2022.

Letter Rip!

NFL

The Next-Gen QB Crop

Photo: Michael Zagaris / Getty Images

The Top-5 Quarterbacks Under 25 Who Will Shine in 2022

Week 1 of the NFL preseason has passed us by. The build-up to the 2022 season features a lot of young, talented players getting reps, and the next generation of star quarterbacks are beginning to shine. This year’s rookie class may get overlooked with Kenny Pickett (Steelers) and Desmond Ridder (Falcons) likely starting the season as backups, but plenty of other young guns will step into the spotlight this season. Different circumstances have pushed the following players into roles as potential franchise quarterbacks, and the season ahead could determine if they have what it takes. Here are five QBs under the age of 25 who could (and should) have breakout campaigns this year.

1. Trey Lance (49ers)

The Jimmy Garropolo era in San Francisco has come to an end, but the 49ers have a loaded defense and plenty of weapons on offense to give second-year man Trey Lance the necessary tools to explode in 2022. Lance’s dual-threat capabilities give him an ultra-high ceiling. He’ll have plenty of chances to prove he’s the franchise guy for the next decade or more, but it all starts this season.

2. Kyler Murray (Cardinals)

Murray is the veteran in the group of youngsters as he heads into Year 4. He was an MVP candidate for the first half of last year before the Cardinals fell down the stretch. Now, with new contract in hand and DeAndre Hopkins back from injury, there are Super Bowl expectations in Arizona. The weapons are endless, and K1 should be back to elite form.

3. Jalen Hurts (Eagles)

In two seasons with two different coaches, Hurts pushed Carson Wentz out of Philadelphia and took the Eagles by storm. The former third-round pick hasn’t produced eye-popping numbers, but his leadership ability has earned him the starting gig in Year 2 under head coach Nick Sirianni. The Eagles added WR A.J. Brown in a trade — one of Hurts’ close friends — and the weapons are there for him to excel. If he doesn’t, Philly has multiple first-round picks next year to find his replacement.

4. Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)

Lawrence was the highest-touted rookie QB since Andrew Luck when he was drafted by the Jags in 2021. Last year’s rookie campaign left much to be admired, but the Jaguars’ season was riddled with off-the-field drama from head coach Urban Meyer. Now, Lawrence has a Super Bowl-winning quarterback whisperer in Doug Pederson, and the sky is the limit. The Jags were atrocious last season (3-14), so there’s nowhere to go but up.

5. Mac Jones (Patriots)

I had to choose between Mac Jones and Justin Fields (Bears) for the 5-spot, but the choice was clear. Jones was efficient in Year 1, but Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is now in Las Vegas. Mac’s consistency should continue into Year 2, but the only thing stopping his progression could be a lacking offensive unit. If he gels with his top targets, expect big things.

Additional Storylines

FOX Sports: 49ers Racing to Speed Up Trey Lance’s Development

B/R: Current NFL Starting QBs Who Could Be Replaced in Regular Season

ESPN+: Predicting 25 NFL Breakout Candidates for 2022

MLB

Rangers Fire Woodward

Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

Texas Ends Chris Woodward Era After 4 Years Following 51-63 Start

The next MLB manager to get the ax this season is Chris Woodward. The Rangers announced they parted ways with their skipper after four years on Monday following a 51-63 start. Texas failed to reach the playoffs or have a winning record since Woodward took over in 2019.The move comes just months after the team spent over $500 million in fre agency. The Rangers were just 6-24 in one-run games since the start of June. Third-base coach Tony Beasley will serve as the interim manager for the rest of the season. They’re only nine games out of the AL Wild Card, but it appears the Rangers are packing it in for 2023.

Read: Five Managers Who Could Be Next to Go After Rangers Fire Woodward

MLB Quick-Hitters

Braves Streak Hits 7: it’s another hot streak in Atlanta. The Braves are riding another big winning spree after their seventh straight on Monday by bashing the Mets in an NL East showdown (13-1). Atlanta tallied eight runs in the 6th to turn it into a blowout.

Buehler to Have Elbow Surgery: The Dodgers have the best record in baseball, but the team lost Walker Buehler on Monday with the announcement of a season-ending elbow surgery. L.A. won again on Monday over the Brewers (4-0) and they’re now 80-34.

Happ Slaps 2 HRs: The bat of the night on Monday belonged to Ian Happ who smashed two home runs in the Cubs’ loss to the Nationals (5-4).

CFB

The Preseason AP Poll Drops

Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

Alabama Tops College Football Preseason AP Poll for 9th Time

The 2022 college football preseason poll was released on Monday, and there were few surprises at the top. Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson and Notre Dame went 1-5 just as they did in the Coaches Poll. The college football season is just 12 days away.

AP Top-10

1. Alabama (54)

2. Ohio State (6)

3. Georgia (3)

4. Clemson

5. Notre Dame

6. Texas A&M

7. Utah

8. Michigan

9. Oklahoma

10. Baylor

Full AP Top-25

Additional Storylines

B/R: AP Preseason Poll: Complete College Football Rankings Released

SI: Comparing AP Top 25 & Coaches Poll for 2022 College Football Preseason

🎥 THE HIGHLIGHTS

🥎 LLWS: Texas Wins Softball LLWS

The team from Texas captured the Little League Softball World Series title on Monday thanks to Zaneria Hughes’ go-ahead sac fly to beat Maryland (5-4).

THE STORYLINES

🏈 NFL Preseason Week 1 Winners & Losers

The NFL preseason has become an increasingly difficult setting from which to glean any useful information. Nevertheless, last week's preseason games still presented a few meaningful takeaways. (Yahoo! Sports)

🏀 NBA Christmas Day Schedule

The 2022-23 NBA schedule is expected to be released in the coming days, but there's already been several leaks of important games on the league's calendar. (CBS Sports)

⚽️ Premier League Matchweek 2 Takeaways

What did we learn on Week 2 of the 2022-23 Premier League season? We’ll try to avoid sweeping generalizations from this terribly small sample size… but we learned quite a bit. (NBC Sports)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• Liz Cambage to Step Away From WNBA for ‘Time Being’ (ESPN)
• Ben Simmons & 76ers Reach Agreement on Grievance (B/R)
• 13-Year WNBA Veteran Kia Vaughn Announces Retirement (SI)
• Nets Have ‘No Urgency’ to Trade Kevin Durant (B/R)
• Brittney Griner Appeals Guilty Verdict in Russia Trial (Yahoo! Sports)
• Brother of NFL Player Aqib Talib Wanted for Murder After Shooting at Youth Football Game (CBS Sports)

🗓️ TONIGHT'S SCHEDULE

MLB

Mets at Braves (7:20 pm ET)

Astros at White Sox (8:10 pm ET)

Cincinnati Open (Tennis)

Serena Williams vs. #10 Emma Raducanu (7:00 pm ET)

MLS

LAFC vs. D.C. United (10:30 pm ET)

Support The Sportsletter Team

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Content Intern: Marissa Kasch

Product Manager: Matthew Cahill

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Technical Lead: Kevin Lonergan

Did Someone Forward You This Email? Subscribe Here
Feedback? Contact Our Editor: Jeff@TheSportsletter.com
Not Loving The Letter? Unsubscribe
Follow us on Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Copyright © 2022 The Sportsletter
717 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103