Most NFL players have short careers. They only have a few seasons to prove they can be difference makers at their positions, or their teams and then the rest of the league moves on fast.
It’s a stressful world, and each season just about every player needs to prove his worth all over again. But to some players, there is extra pressure to perform this season to establish themselves as impact players or earn a big new contract.
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Here are the top 10 players facing make or break seasons.
Jets QB Justin Fields
Fields got another chance to start from the Jets, who were a bit desperate after moving on from Aaron Rodgers. Fields got a two-year, $40 million deal, which would either be easy for the Jets to move on from after one season or for Fields to seek a long-term extension if he plays well. The Jets still have plenty of talent and there’s no real competition for Fields on the roster. He should get the season to prove what he can do. However, a poor preseason passing the ball didn’t inspire much confidence heading into the season. This might be Fields’ last good chance to establish himself as a regular starter in the NFL.
Justin Fields will have the opportunity to begin the season as the New York Jets’ starting quarterback. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Sarah Stier via Getty Images)
Colts QB Anthony Richardson
It’s possible we don’t see Richardson at all this season, after the Colts named Daniel Jones their Week 1 starter. But that seems unlikely, and when Richardson does get his chance there will be no player in the NFL under more pressure. If Richardson fails as a passer again, like he did last season when he completed less than 50% of his passes and was benched, the small chance Indianapolis picks up his fifth-year option all but vanishes and his future as an NFL quarterback would be in serious doubt. But if Richardson gets a chance and plays up to the level the Colts thought they were getting when they took him with the fourth pick of the 2023 draft, he could reestablish himself in the Colts’ future plans. For now he’ll have to wait for his moment of truth to arrive.
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Jets RB Breece Hall
The Jets might lead the NFL in rushing attempts. But how many will go to Hall? Hall had a great rookie season before tearing his ACL, he looked good late in his second season as he got healthier, and big things were expected from him last season. But Hall wasn’t very good, with just 876 rushing yards in 16 games. His yards per carry dropped for the second straight season. The Jets gave plenty of carries to Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis amid Hall’s lukewarm production, they split the work in the preseason and that could continue into the regular season too. This is the last year of Hall’s rookie contract, so he has a lot to play for.
Cowboys WR George Pickens
The Steelers were so fed up with Pickens, they traded him at age 24 despite 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns in three seasons. The Cowboys are hoping to see a focused Pickens who is a better locker room presence than he was in Pittsburgh. Talent isn’t the issue. Pickens showed that right away in Cowboys camp, when he flashed plenty of highlights. And opportunity will be plentiful in a thin Cowboys receiving corps. We’ll get a good view of Pickens’ future this season.
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Bills TE Dalton Kincaid
Kincaid had a great opportunity last season with the Bills lacking weapons in the passing game. The former first-round pick posted just 448 yards. The opportunity is similar this season, with the Bills not adding too much on offense. Catching passes from MVP quarterback Josh Allen helps too. But Kincaid needs to prove he can stay healthy and play at a higher level.
Cowboys OT Tyler Guyton
Last season Guyton, a first-round rookie, was put right into the starting lineup. And he finished 73rd among 81 offensive tackles in Pro Football Focus’ grades. Guyton had issues in the run game, in pass protection, with penalties and was benched at times. But he was a rookie and some struggles weren’t wholly unexpected. Guyton has a lot to prove though, and suffering a knee injury early in camp doesn’t help his development. Guyton returned to practice in enough time to be ready for the opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, but he will want to get off to a fast start. More struggles might lead to a permanent demotion.
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Bengals DE Myles Murphy
Murphy has a long way to go this season. He was a first-round pick in 2023 and has just three career sacks, including none last season. He has yet to start a game for Cincinnati. But the Bengals say they’re relying on him to play a big role, which could have been offseason coachspeak. No matter what, Murphy needs to take advantage of whatever snaps he gets. The team drafted pass rusher Shemar Stewart in the first round, which was a bit of an admission that Murphy has not come close to expectations. Trey Hendrickson had a contract dispute but resolved that before the season opener, which took away what would have been a great opportunity for Murphy to play a big role. Murphy needs to show something this season, or he’s in danger of fading away.
Buccaneers DE Haason Reddick
From 2020-23, Reddick and Myles Garrett were the only players to post double-digit sacks each season. In 2024, the only attention Reddick got was negative. He was traded to the Jets, held out into the season looking for a raise, and after he got that raise he posted just one sack. The Buccaneers took a shot on him, but only for one year at $14 million. Reddick will turn 31 years old this season. He can still earn one more lucrative contract, but to do that he’ll have to put a horrendous 2024 far behind him.
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Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd
Lloyd, a first-round pick in 2022, has been a solid starter for the Jaguars and is coming off his strongest season with 113 tackles, two sacks and seven tackles for loss. But the Jaguars still declined his fifth-year option, and now Lloyd enters a contract season. Lloyd hasn’t excelled in coverage and he hasn’t made enough big plays. He’ll be just fine if he pays at the level he has been at for three seasons, but he could be in line for a really nice second contract if he takes a step forward.
Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed
Sneed was a hot topic last season, coming off being a big part of the Chiefs’ second straight Super Bowl win. The Chiefs moved on rather than pay Sneed, trading him to the Titans for a third-round pick. The Titans then signed Sneed to a four-year, $76.4 million extension. Sneed’s first season in Tennessee was bad, with him making few plays in the five games he did appear in before a quadriceps injury ended his season. Then it wasn’t a great sign that Sneed missed a lot of time this training camp due to injury. He should be ready for the opener, but it’s understandable why Titans fans are skeptical of him. Sneed still has tremendous playmaking ability, but he’s also 28 years old and the Titans could move on from his contract after this season without a significant dead cap hit if they wish. The Titans will want to see some return on their investment. He needs to stay healthy for that to happen.
This news was originally published on this post .
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