As the 2024 NFL season approaches, the stock of young quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert is on an undeniable decline, making now the opportune time to invest in their premium rookie cards. Both players have not only showcased elite physical talent and cerebral gameplay but have also revived their respective franchises, introducing a new era in the NFL. This combination of on-field success and market appeal makes them prime candidates for bounce back appreciating card values in 2024. By acquiring their rookie cards before the onset of the 2024 season, you’re placing a well-timed bet on two of the most promising quarterbacks who are just entering the prime of their careers; setting the stage for potentially lucrative returns as they continue to ascend in the football pantheon. Both of these down quarterbacks have tremendous upside that is about to unfold, let’s dive in.
Joe Burrow’s Disastrous 2023 Campaign
Despite his luminous talent, the 2023 football season has been a stark reminder of the fragile nature of an athlete’s career, as Joe Burrow grappled with a spate of injuries that sidelined him for crucial games. His struggle with a recurring knee issue, compounded by an untimely shoulder injury, severely hampered his performance and impacted the Cincinnati Bengals’ momentum.
If that wasn’t enough pain for sore eyes, just as it seemed Joe and the the Bengals were getting healthy and making a late playoff push, Burrow ends his season with a hand ligament tear. This downturn not only affected team morale but also stoked anxiety among fans and collectors about his future resilience and longevity in the league. These challenges served as a stern test of Burrow’s physical fortitude and his capacity to bounce back—a narrative familiar yet unpredictable in the brutal ballet of professional football.
The Decline of Burrow’s Rookie Card Values
The tumultuous injury riddled 2023 season experienced by Joe Burrow has inevitably cast a shadow over the market value of his rookie cards. Investor sentiment in sports memorabilia often closely mirrors a player’s on-field performance and perceived career trajectory, creating immediate impacts on card prices. As Burrow battled injuries and missed pivotal games, doubts emerged concerning his durability and ability to maintain elite performance levels. This unease translated into a cooling of the previously fervent demand for his cards.
Collectors and investors, cautious of the potential for long-term implications from his injuries, began to hold back on acquiring or valuing his cards at premium rates. Consequently, after a year fraught with physical setbacks, the depreciation in market enthusiasm has nudged Burrow’s rookie cards into a softer, more volatile segment of the market.
The sports card world, much like on wall street, is a buy low sell high market for the few in tune with the market fluctuations and player recourse. Now let’s take a look at some past injuries, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger share common hand ligament injuries as Joe Burrow received in 2023. Both of these quarterbacks made not only a full recoveries, but went on to make Super Bowl winning recoveries. Joe Burrow’s 2023 was tumultuous, but was it? If you look at his stats, even while playing through injuries in 2023, Burrow still put up a 2:1 TD/INT ratio at 15 TDs to only 6 INTs with a QB rating of 91.0. Outside of the 2023 season, Burrow has not been injury prone thus far in his young career, making him a prime candidate to stay upright and continue his NFL prowess.
When you think of the top NFL quarterback in the league, who do you think of? Patrick Mahomes right, Joe Burrow is 3-0 against Patrick Mahomes including a heroic Playoff victory against Mahomes. These are the little stats and details that we need to keep in our head when looking to invest in players sports cards that are currently down in the sports card market. Let’s take a look at some Joe Burrow rookie cards and their current market prices:
– 2020 Prizm Joe Burrow Orange Lazer PSA 10 #307:
– 2020 Optic Joe Burrow Holo PSA 10 #151:
– 2020 Select Field Level Joe Burrow Silver PSA 10 #346:
Let’s all keep in mind, these are some of Joe Burrows most liquid rookie cards available today on the market, meaning these will generally hold better overall value than the higher and lower end cards. As you can see Burrow’s rookie cards are heavily down, and at an incredible BUY NOW zone.
Purchasing Joe Burrow’s rookie cards at this stage is a clever move for both sports enthusiasts and savvy investors alike. Burrow, hailed as a generational talent since his Heisman-winning season at LSU, possesses the leadership, vision, and gameplay that we have seen since he has taken the field in the NFL. Despite a setback with injuries in 2023, his resilience and promising comeback trajectory enhance not only his legacy but also the long-term value of his memorabilia. Investing in his rookie cards now means tapping into potential growth as he continues to morph challenges into triumphs on the field, making these cards a potentially lucrative addition to any collection or investment. Burrow has already been seen throwing medicine balls post ligament surgery recovery, and is expected to be fully released from the hand ligament injury by the middle to end of May before OTAs begin.
Statistical Glory and Fan Appeal
There’s an undeniable correlation between a player’s performance and the value of their memorabilia. Considering Burrow’s already explosive abilities and anticipated future achievements, outside of another 2024 injury, the prognosis for his rookie cards’ value is nothing short of a guarantee to return to past values and higher. With each game won and injury barrier broken, the domain of Joe Burrow rookie cards will witness a spark.
Moreover, the fandom surrounding Burrow is incendiary. Handsome and charming guy from Baton Rouge to Cincinnati, and everywhere in-between, his reach is extensive and vivacious. Collectors aren’t just betting on a player; they’re investing in on and off the field IT factor, and Joe Burrow has it.
Preempting the Market Surge
History teaches us that the sports cards market is reactive; key events like MVP awards, Super Bowl appearances, and legendary retirements often trigger a swift and sharp increase in card values. Predicting and entering the market before such spikes is where savvy collectors make their mark—and their fortune. Joe Burrow already has one Super Bowl appearance in his young career, the stats and facts show, if he is healthy, which in the past he has been; the bounds for more Super Bowl appearances and potential championships are inevitable.
By acquiring high grade Joe Burrow rookie cards before the 2024 season, you stand at the vanguard of a potential market rally. Suppose Burrow plays the year injury free, or crazier leads the Bengals to a Playoff win or a Super Bowl or even clinches an MVP or Comeback Player of the Year. Situations like these are hardly out of reach, the demand for his cards could outstrip supply, driving prices to unprecedented heights. This is why we say the risk for reward in Joe Burrow rookie cards before the 2024 season begins, is a no brainer +/- percentage you cannot deny.
Justin Herbert’s 2023 Meltdown
Justin Herbert’s 2023 season with the Chargers was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, marked by inconsistency and injury woes that left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. Once heralded as the bright future of the franchise, Herbert seemed to languish under strategic missteps and an offensive line that too often crumbled under pressure. This apparent backslide not only stunted the team’s progress but also tarnished Herbert’s rising star status.
As a quarterback whose arm strength and precision had previously dazzled spectators, his sudden 2023 struggles often leaving fans wanting more, while reflecting as a season where potential went painfully unfulfilled. The Chargers’ failure to harness his talents and provide a stable environment speaks volumes, casting doubts on the team’s direction and Herbert’s place within it.
Can Jim Harbaugh help Justin Herbert?
The Chargers in the off season went out and revamped the entire coaching staff, in tune, bringing in the 2023 College National Champion in Jim Harbaugh to take the reigns. If we know anything about Harbaugh and his past NFL coaching jobs, he elevates his quarterbacks to prestigious heights. Colin Kaepernick, a very underwhelming quarterback compared to Herbert, played extremely well under Harbaugh and the 49ers, leading them to multiple NFC Playoff wins and a Super Bowl appearance. Harbaugh having been a quarterback himself, is surely going to improve upon Justin’s skill set moving into 2024.
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman, also a new hire to the Chargers team, has been absolutely blown away by Justin Herbert in the 2023 off season. “He’s big, athletic, strong arm, and a wicked football IQ”, said Roman. Marcus Brady the new Quarterback coordinators coach also sung hi praises for Herbert, saying ” he’s incredible at all three phases of the game”. The coaches see light with their big strong armed quarterback, will they be able to make the tweaks needed to win, only time will tell.
Harbaugh has notoriously done well with drafting as a Head Coach in the NFL, having spent the last few years in NCAA football, we believe that will continue in this April’s draft. The Chargers dismantled the offensive weapons for Herbert this offseason, also hindering Herbert’s stock. However, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams while good in combination, could never stay on the field for Herbert. Allen, 31 years old entering the ladder stages of his career is not a true number one receiver any longer. Williams had the potential to become that, but could never stay healthy since he was drafted by the Chargers in 2017 and decided to let the free agent go elsewhere. Austin Ekeler, another bright spot for the Chargers over the years signed with the Commanders this summer.
So will Herbert get support from Harbaugh, we believe so. Look for Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers to make an ultimate splash during April’s draft this year. Most experts believe they will draft a high end WR in the first round that can immediately step in to help Herbert. Let’s also not forget, going into the off season in 2024 the Chargers will have the biggest cap space of any team in the NFL. This will give Harbaugh the potential to beef up the offensive weapons or as notable, give Herbert a stronger defense to compete with.
Reevaluating Value: The Decline of Justin Herbert’s Rookie Cards
With everything a sports collector sees as we have just discussed, its easy to see why Justin Herbert rookie cards are falling in price. The recent decline in market value for Justin Herbert’s rookie cards has stirred a mix of concern and recalibration among collectors and investors. Following this most recent season that veered off from the once-promising trajectory Herbert had shown, the cooling interest is palpable.
The drop aligns with the Chargers’ underwhelming performance and Herbert’s struggle with consistency, underlining how closely tied a player’s card value is to their on-field success and team dynamics. For those holding these cards, this downturn presents a critical decision point: offload now in a soft market or hold onto the cards anticipating a potential rebound. This scenario serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of sports memorabilia investments, guided heavily by athletes’ careers which can be as unpredictable as the sports they play.
There’s few quarterbacks in the league that you can watch and say to yourself, “this guy has all the intangibles to be great”, and Justin Herbert definitely is one of those guys. The negative mark on Herbert that is a real problem is that he cannot close out close games. This is a very valid conclusion, the Chargers went 0-7 in 2023 with the games being decided by 3 points or less. Now, that can be looked at as a quarterback that can’t close, or a disastrously terrible defense. The Chargers defense allowed 22.4 points a game in 2023, that was good enough for 9th worst in the NFL, so the defense definitely did not help Herbert. This is another area believed Harbaugh will look to correct in this Aprils draft.
With all of this discussion and Herbert’s non throwing hand not being able to heal from a broken finger all year, its plain as day to see why Herbert’s rookie cards have taken a tumble. Lets dive into a few very liquid Justin Herbert rookie cards to check the current data:
– 2020 Prizm Justin Herbert Orange Lazer PSA 10 #325:
– 2020 Optic Justin Herbert Holo PSA 10 #153:
– 2020 Select Field Level Justin Herbert Silver PSA 10 #344:
As you can see with the signing of Jim Harbaugh in the middle of January, Herbert’s stock took a jump up. Rightfully so, I bought Herbert rookie cards myself the day Harbaugh was hired. The Chargers hiring Harbaugh shows they are committed to winning, and most investors see that as well. Now, is a strategic time to consider buying Justin Herbert’s rookie cards before the 2024 season begins.
Despite a challenging 2023 season, Herbert’s underlying talent and potential for a strong comeback are undeniable. With a possible revitalization of the Chargers’ strategy and a healthier, more experienced Herbert at the helm, there’s a real chance for a significant performance uptick. Herbert struggled in 2023, but his stats don’t say that, Herbert had a 3:1 TD/INT ratio at 20 TDs and 7 INTs. All this while still managing a QB rating of 93.2, in fact, Herbert’s QB rating has never been below 93.2 for a season in his young career. Tom Brady has had 10 seasons with a QB rating below 93.2, Herbert’s stats are very very good on paper.
Buying his rookie cards now, while the market undervalues them due to recent dips, could prove to be a shrewd investment. As Herbert likely regains his form in 2024, the demand and consequently the value of his cards could soar, providing not just a return on investment but also the thrill of owning a piece of a promising quarterback’s resurgence in NFL history. It’s a another no brainer BUY NOW +/- percentage gamble that could pay off handsomely.
In Closing
As we approach the 2024 NFL season, the case for investing in rookie cards of Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert is compelling, driven by their potential for injury recovery and resurgence. Both quarterbacks have demonstrated significant promise in their young professional careers, showcasing their ability to lead and transform their respective teams. Despite recent challenges, including injuries and dips in performance, both athletes possess the innate talent and determination that could see them rebound in the upcoming season. A return to form would invariably elevate their market appeal and, consequently, the value of their rookie cards.
For collectors and investors, this scenario presents a unique opportunity. Securing Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert’s rookie cards now, while their prices are relatively moderated by temporary setbacks, could yield substantial returns. These cards are not merely collectibles but are speculative investments in the careers of players who could be the face of the NFL for years to come. As anticipation builds for their performance in the 2024 season, getting ahead of the curve by investing now could position you at a vantage point, ready to reap the benefits of what looks set to be a remarkable revival for both quarterbacks. Investing in their rookie cards is not just a gamble on sports history, but a strategic move in sports memorabilia with promising plus minus ratios.
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