Sports

Are These Five NFL Players’ Performance Changes Legitimate?

In 2025, Daniel Jones and George Pickens surged unexpectedly, while Brian Thomas Jr. and C.J. Stroud faltered. We assess whether these abrupt shifts in performance are sustainable.

ESPN·Jun 19, 2026·via ESPN

Are These Five NFL Players’ Performance Changes Legitimate?

Daniel Jones and George Pickens came out of nowhere in 2025. Brian Thomas Jr. and C.J. Stroud took steps backward. But are these abrupt performance changes real?

_Originally reported by [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49073409/2026-nfl-season-breakouts-nosedives-trends-blips-smith-njigba-stroud)._

Source Attribution

This story is summarized from coverage by ESPN.

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