Does the Sophomore Slump in Sports Still Happen?
by Will Brown,
September 16, 2025
A sophomore slump in sports terms refers to the phenomenon of an athlete’s performance dropping after a stellar inaugural season. There are several reasons why this can happen, from the increased pressures of fame to mental and physical exhaustion. But how common is the sophomore slump, and is it a big issue in today’s sporting landscape? We’ve taken a comprehensive look at the dreaded second-year slump in this guide, discussing its prevalence and how coaching staff can tackle it head-on.
Is an NFL or NBA Sophomore Slump Common?
The concept of a sophomore slump is as old as professional sports, and no matter the advances in technology or training processes, it appears that it will continue forever. But what is the sophomore slump exactly, and how does it manifest?
We’ve kicked off this guide by answering both questions before exploring some recent examples of athletes who’ve exhibited notable performance drops in their second seasons. We’ve then explored how franchise heads tackle the issue, before covering its wider impacts on team morale and audience expectations.
- What is a Sophomore Slump?
- Why Do They Happen?
- Recent Sophomore Slump Examples
- How Stakeholders Tackle Slumps
- The Impact of Slumps
What is a Sophomore Slump Exactly?
A sophomore slump refers to a clear drop in an athlete’s second-season performance after a stellar rookie season. These drops are so notable because in the first year, the athletes displayed unbridled energy, raw confidence, and out-of-the-box plays despite having low expectations for them in the first place.
Whether an NFL, MLB, NHL, or NBA sophomore slump, these drops in performance can trigger widespread panic in the coaching teams if left untreated. Fortunately, stakeholders are now able to address the root causes of these regressions before they consume athletes and bring their careers to an untimely end.
The Cause of Sophomore Slumps
A sophomore slump in sports performance is the result of several different factors. One of the biggest triggers is the athlete’s inability to cope with the increased pressure. After proving themselves as formidable talents in their rookie seasons, sophomore athletes may struggle with expectations to remain consistent or even outperform themselves.
This becomes especially difficult as opponents will have had time to analyze their previous performances. In turn, tactics to thwart them will become more refined, hampering their ability to use the same strategies. Of course, physical exhaustion can also take its toll, with rookie players yet to develop the stamina of competing in consecutive pro seasons.
If the rookies found themselves as the stars of struggling teams, they may be exhausted by overuse or underdevelop their fundamentals without the guidance of veteran players. Mental fatigue is also a major contributor, as athletes may have yet to acclimate to the rigorous demands of media appearances or the trappings of fame.
Regardless, some would argue that the perfect storm of factors that lead to a slump are necessary for a player’s growth, and that the drop and performance can bring the rookies back down to Earth. The best players will learn to become adaptable and resilient after a wobbly second year under the guidance of a supportive coaching staff.
Recent Examples of Sophomore Slumps in the NFL and Beyond
To address the question of whether the sophomore slump remains common in sports today, we’ve provided recent case examples of promising players who dipped in their second years. We’ve covered everything from sophomore slumps in the NFL to the NBA, highlighting what went wrong and whether the problem was resolved.
The NFL
In 2012, rookie Robert Griffin III dominated in the Washington Redskins with explosive plays, ultimately winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, a knee injury in the playoffs and rushed rehab led to a disastrous 2013 season and tension with teammates. Despite continuing for another eight years, continued injuries led to inconsistent performances.
Mac Jones similarly looked like a future star after a stellar opening season with the Patriots in 2021. The following year, though, Jones’ performance dropped immensely, with more interceptions thrown and struggles in the red zone. He was later traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars before being drafted by the 49ers this year.
The NBA
In the 2009-2010 season, Tyreke Evans won Rookie of the Year by averaging 20–5–5, earning praise for becoming the fourth rookie ever to do so. The following year, though, a struggle to recover from injuries and role uncertainty began to dog the player. He was ultimately banned from the NBA for violating its drug policies.
One of the most notable examples of an NBA sophomore slump came during Michael Carter-Williams’ second season. In his inaugural 2013-2014 season, Carter-Williams was named the Rookie of the Year. However, the following year saw a decrease in his stats across the board. Both athletes remain a cautionary tale for bettors at the NBA betting sites confident in rookies’ abilities to maintain their performances in second years.
The MLB
After winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 2009 for batting .321 for the Marlins, Coghlan was considered to be one of the most exciting new players in the franchise. However, his following year saw his average slump to .268. Coghlan struggled with inconsistency and injuries for the rest of his career.
The NHL
One of the more encouraging examples of a sophomore slump in the NHL is Connor Bedard, who, off the back of a Calder Trophy Win for the Rookie of the Year, struggled to follow up. Fortunately, this slump only lasted for the first half of his season, and he’s now considered to be one of the league’s most formidable young talents. Bedard acts as proof that the slump can be turned around.
How Teams Tackle Slumps
With the sophomore slump in sports now well researched, teams have plenty at their disposal to tackle the issue before it takes root. This begins with tailoring off-season regimens to emphasize conditioning and mental training, as well as reveal weaknesses. This can allow them to adapt before opponents exploit these weaknesses in the following season.
Although it can be tempting to cash in on a star rookie’s growing fame, coaches may reduce their media exposure or promotional activities to minimize distractions and external pressure. The NBA and NHL have also proven to rely on load management to preserve emerging talent’s energy.
The use of data analytics can also help to anticipate drops in performance during training sessions and find opportunities to improve consistency. Lineups may be adjusted to reduce pressure on sophomore players or improve lacking skills. While these methods aren’t foolproof, they can go a long way to mitigating the problem before it spirals out of control.
The Impact of Sophomore Slumps
As the example of sophomore slumps in the NFL and other leagues proved above, these performance dips can often lead to severe consequences for a player’s long-term trajectory. Without stats, they can find it difficult to extend contracts, land endorsement deals, and secure playing time. In many instances, the athletes are traded out, only to get lost on the bench.
Fans are notoriously unforgiving when it comes to a sophomore dip, with declarations of athletes being future MVPs dropping off to accusations of being overhyped flashes in the pan. These slumps can also send betting markets and fantasy leagues into disarray, with oddsmakers unable to form accurate lines due to player inconsistency.
Managing Expectations
When looking at how to tackle sophomore slumps more broadly, fans, coaches, and franchises can play a role by managing expectations. The phenomenon only ever arises because the rookies outperformed expectations in their inaugural year, so it’s not exactly fair to demand even more going forward.
Rather than look at these breakout performances as indicators of an athlete’s trajectory, they’re perhaps best looked at as anomalies. After all, there are countless great athletes, from Steph Curry to Josh Allen, who began their careers with average performances only to become some of the best in their leagues.