In every NFL season, some players fail to meet expectations for various reasons. Injuries, new teams, and new coaches are all factors that can negatively affect the performance of NFL players. But a bad season is always followed by the possibility of a bounce-back. But which NFL players who disappointed in 2024 will bounce back in 2025? Here are four players that fit the bill.
QB: Brock Purdy, SF
Purdy regressed in 2024 following an outstanding 2023 season. His completion percentage, yards, and touchdowns decreased, but if you watched the 49ers last year, you’d see that Purdy is not to blame.
Injuries ravaged the San Francisco offense last year, with running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk missing the majority of the season. Purdy himself missed two games with an elbow injury in his throwing arm, but it is not expected to affect him in the long term.
The 49ers were comfortable with Purdy’s health to the point of giving him a $265 million contract extension, so it’s up to him to prove his 2023 season is the real him. And with McCaffrey and Aiyuk returning to join veteran tight end George Kittle and promising wideout Jauan Jennings, he’ll have a great chance to do so.
RB: Kenneth Walker, SEA
Walker suffered a decline in performance in 2024 following a great start to his career. His health has been a serious issue, as he’s missed multiple games in every season of his career, including seven in 2024 due to calf, ankle, and oblique injuries.
However, there’s reason to believe that Walker will be ready to roll in 2025. He’s entering a contract year, so his motivation will be at an all-time high. And new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak loves to run outside zone, which is a great fit for Walker’s skill set.
While Zach Charbonnet is still in town, he failed to take Walker’s starting job despite his injuries and reduced performance last season. If Walker can stay healthy in 2025, expect him to break out in a big way and put up the best numbers of his career.
WR: Rashee Rice, KC
Rice is a quality player in a quality situation, the type that all good fantasy managers target in drafts. However, he’s also coming off a serious injury: Rice tore his LCL in Week 4 and missed the rest of the season.
The young receiver is expected to be ready for training camp following his recovery from surgery. And that spells good news for Kansas City and bad news for defenses. If Rice is healthy, his reliable hands and great production after the catch will spark the Chiefs’ declining offense.
With Travis Kelce on the decline, Rice figures to be Patrick Mahomes’ top target this season. And if that is the case, he’ll reach 1,000 receiving yards (and potentially far more) for the first time in 2025.
TE: T.J. Hockenson, MIN
Hockenson suffered a torn ACL late in the 2023 season, which kept him out of the first seven games of the 2024 season. However, even when he returned, he failed to produce at the same level as years prior.
But it’s not all doom and gloom for the veteran tight end. With a full offseason to rest and prepare for the season, Hockenson should be back to full strength in 2025. And new quarterback J.J. McCarthy loved targeting his tight ends at Michigan.
Hockenson won’t just be back to 100% in 2025, but his target share could increase due to the presence of McCarthy. It’s an exciting opportunity for the athletic tight end to return to top form.
