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11.
NFL training camp marks the start of the 2021 season and it’s right around the corner. This is the first time in NFL history we’ll see a 17-game season. There’s so much at stake across the league as all 32 teams prepare for the grueling schedule.
Some franchises and players are facing more pressure than others, though. We saw an unprecedented number of big names swapping teams this offseason as desperation for change rises.
Bold moves will either pay off or create a trickle-down effect that can last for years. We’ve identified the 10 NFL players facing the most pressure of any this season. Each has much to prove as their team relies on them to be the catalyst for change. Failing to live up to the expectations can lead to jobs lost or a diminished reputation.
10.Sam Darnold - Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers boldly decided to make a move at quarterback before the 2021 NFL Draft when they traded two picks for Sam Darnold. The fourth-year quarterback has been a massive disappointment thanks to stalled development since his USC days. Carolina’s decision to jettison Teddy Bridgewater and pass on Justin Fields may prove as big as trading for Darnold.
Darnold has never had as many weapons around him as what Carolina provides. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady is a star, and there’s a plethora of playmakers at their disposal. Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, and Terrace Mitchell make up one of the best surrounding casts in the NFL.
I’m skeptical about Darnold’s scheme fit with Brady’s timing-based attack. Darnold’s issues identifying pre-snap reads and quickly pulling the trigger as his receiver creates leverage can be crippling to an offense. This experiment may be a one-year excursion if Darnold was part of the problem with the Jets and not just a victim like many around the league seem to believe.
9.JJ Watt - Arizona Cardinals
One of the most surprising free-agent situations of this past offseason was J.J. Watt ended up in Arizona for a whopping $14 million per-year. Contenders offered less money for a clearer chance at a Super Bowl run, but Watt ended up choosing money over opportunity despite his declarations. He immediately has pressure to take this defense to the next-level.
The Cardinals are facing an immensely stressful season. The front office and staff could be wiped clean if they miss the playoffs once again. And it’s debatable as to whether a team lacking a solid offensive line and cornerback position can survive a deep NFC West division en route to the postseason.
Their defense has headlining talents in Watt, Budda Baker, and Chandler Jones but the rest of the unit is unproven. Watt, who has seen his sack numbers drop from 16 in 2018 to four in 2019 and five in 2020, must stay healthy and be a monstrous presence. Anything less than his double-digit sack producing days will be an abject failure for the veteran, and the Cardinals could move on after one-year as they must revamp an expensively mediocre roster.
8.Daniel Jones - New York Giants
A quarterback’s third season is often a crucial one for development if the first two years haven’t already brought promise of stardom. The New York Giants rolled the dice on Daniel Jones in the first-round in 2019 and thus far, the skeptics have been right. Jones has been subpar in his durability, efficiency, and taking care of the ball.
Jones’ flashes haven’t been enough to overlook his 22 interceptions and 29 fumbles. He throws some pretty deep balls with plus touch, and he’ll need to showcase his ability to hit tight windows more often this year. The Giants have surrounded him with a quality cast that eliminates any more excuses.
Adding Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, and a healthy Saquon Barkley to an already solid group of young playmakers should make the Giants a sleeper contender with the right quarterback. Jones doesn’t need to be elite, but he must get rid of the ball on time and show better pocket management. Failure to do so means the Giants need to search for an upgrade next offseason.
7.Jimmy Garoppolo - San Francisco 49ers
There’s a ticking clock on when 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan will pull the plug on Jimmy Garoppolo and start Trey Lance. Investing three first-round picks into Lance put immediate pressure on the incumbent to prepare his resume for a job elsewhere. Garoppolo can’t give up on this quarterback race, though, as the 49ers can still compete for a Super Bowl with him under center.
Barring a complete offensive shift from Shanahan in Lance’s Year 1, Garoppolo can offer a skill set better suited for winning in 2021. The efficiency he achieved in 2019 must be repeated. He completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,978 yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
There are real limitations Jimmy G has, which is why Shanahan aggressively mortgaged his job on Lance. Garoppolo must cut down on the ugly interceptions by understanding and anticipating coverages more effectively. Even though his days are numbered, Garoppolo can bring value to the 49ers this year and elsewhere in 2022 and beyond with some improvement.
6.Julio Jones - Tennessee Titans
Make no mistake, the Titans walked away a winner after trading a 2022 second- and fourth-round pick for Julio Jones. He’s a dynamic playmaker who can overtake games even as he turned 32 years old. His game will age as gracefully as any receiver in recent memory.
However, the Titans should ask whether the price tag of picks and a high salary was worth it for Julio when they could’ve retained Corey Davis off his breakout season. Davis departed to the Jets in free agency, and the Titans could’ve used the picks in a trade for an impact defender like Xavien Howard.
Julio will need to turn in a healthy and dominant season for the Titans to leap into the Super Bowl contender discussion. As-is, this offense is ready but the defense will force the offense to be elite to win. Jones must be the x-factor who puts them over the top.
5.Odell Beckham Jr. - Cleveland Browns
Either the disconnect between Browns’ quarterback Baker Mayfield and receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is the most coincidental occurrence in the league over the last two years or there’s a legitimate issue between a developing passer and elite playmaker. We’re about to find out in 2021 and it’s Beckham facing the most pressure. There’s an incredible amount on the line for the 28-year-old.
Beckham is coming off a torn ACL after playing in just seven games last year. He produced at an unspectacular rate of 3.3 receptions and 45.6 yards per-game. There was already speculation as to whether the Browns would trade him after his first-year because he averaged only 4.6 receptions and 64.7 yards per-game and then 2020 was worse.
Mayfield magically became dramatically more effective shortly after Beckham departed the lineup. The offense should be much more explosive with the eighth-year pro threatening the defense. Failing to do so would leave the Browns trying to trade Beckham’s $15 million cap hit in 2022.
4.Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were stuck having to pay the declining, expensive Ben Roethlisberger again in 2021. Cap limitations and Roethlisberger’s immense contract handcuffed their options in upgrading the 39-year-old. 2021 brings an opportunity for Roethlisberger to take advantage of a solid cast of playmakers and quality defense.
Getting into better shape should help his performance, and he reportedly focused on improving his body this off-season. He’ll be asked to play efficiently while still creating big plays behind the worst offensive line he’s had in his career. Few quarterbacks would thrive behind Pittsburgh’s cast of mediocre blockers to the degree needed for this team to win a Super Bowl.
There’s so much on the line for the franchise legend in what could be his final season. Playing well could extend his career another year, or could lead to an ugly, disappointing ending.
3.Jameis Winston - New Orleans Saints
The stars seemed to align perfectly for the Saints to have their Drew Brees successor when Jameis Winston signed last offseason to a one-year deal. Winston would be able to iron out his flaws under elite tutelage and take over full-time this season. But a wrench was thrown into the idea when Taysom Hill started over Winston when Brees missed eight starts last year.
The former No. 1 pick has the opportunity to create a new narrative for the rest of his career. He’s an explosive downfield passer who takes as many good risks as bad ones. Winston and Payton must harness his old-school style to find a happy medium that accentuates the strengths of the quarterback, offense, and playmakers. The Saints can remain as a contender if they do.
The worst-case is clear even as Winston is only 27 years old. Failing to win and keep this job would make Winston, at-best, a spot-starter in future situations. The Saints are one of the biggest wildcards in the NFL based on Winston’s performance.
2.Matthew Stafford - Los Angeles Rams
The Rams started the offseason with a bang as they traded Jared Goff and two first-round picks for Matthew Stafford. The 33-year-old quarterback went from a dysfunctional organization to one of the best. There are no more excuses for why Stafford has been unable to propel his team into a contender.
The lovefest for Stafford has gotten insane. A perennially unimpactful quarterback for the mediocre Lions for the last decade, Stafford has suddenly made a ton of fans. ESPN ranked him as the fourth-best passer in a recent piece that polled executives, players, and coaches. And head coach Sean McVay can’t shut up about how excited he is to have Stafford replace Goff.
The strong-armed QB has a ton of pressure on him. He’s capable of some terrific throws but also struggled to win inside clean pockets. His accuracy has always troubled him but the Rams’ efficient run game may provide a pathway to easier throws.
1.Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers
Seeing the reigning league MVP possibly retire in protest of his team is certainly unusual but the Aaron Rodgers saga is still developing. The 37-year-old is coming off one of his best campaigns yet and expects to compete for a Super Bowl. But his team has failed to invest around him as expected and the two parties are at an impasse.
The most likely outcome may see Rodgers playing 2021 in Green Bay before a trade elsewhere next offseason. What happens between now and then could change everything or nothing. However, Rodgers still must perform like the All-Pro he is for the Packers and potentially interested suitors to remain a Super Bowl threat.
Winning a championship this year with a decent surrounding cast would continue to solidify an incredible legacy for Rodgers. The Packers may not be able to salvage the relationship enough to convince Rodgers staying long-term. Therefore, this season’s success is relying on Rodgers’ talented arm.