Defining the “it” in the “It Factor” that makes some quarterbacks special is a lot harder than defining the “it” when a quarterback looks “off.”
Age isn't the cause of a sudden decline in performance in once successful players; it's usually a lack of confidence, as has been the case in recent years with the Steelers' Russell Wilson, the Browns' Deshaun Watson and the Giants' Daniel Jones.
“Daniel Jones is one example of that, and Deshaun Watson probably falls into that same category. Their confidence is at an all-time low,” former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “Confidence is so important playing quarterback, and when you lose it midway through the season, it's hard to get it back.”
Week 2 of the NFL season kicked off with a statement that would have sounded ridiculous this time last year: Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield are in great form, but Wilson, Watson and Jones may be at risk of losing their starting spots to backups Justin Fields, Jameis Winston and Drew Lock, respectively.
