6 NFL Players Are Facing Make-or-Break Seasons in 2025
Not every NFL player gets a long leash. The 2025 season is stacked with talent teetering between breakout and burnout, with everything from injuries to coaching changes shaking up their futures. These 15 players are walking into high-stakes seasons, and the spotlight isn’t going anywhere.
Justin Fields, New York Jets
Credit: Instagram
Fields inked a two-year, $40 million deal, but the structure screams short-term gamble. The Jets can cut him in 2026 and save nearly $21 million. Considering that he has 38 career starts and a 6.9 yards per attempt average, 2025 might be his final chance to prove he’s more than a dual-threat curiosity.
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Credit: Instagram
Pitts’ rookie year was historic; 1,026 yards made him the second rookie tight end to crack 1,000 since Mike Ditka, but since then, he’s averaged just 541 yards per season with nine total touchdowns over three years. Injuries and quarterback chaos haven’t helped.
Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans
Credit: Instagram
Tennessee drafted Burks 18th overall in 2022 to replace A.J. Brown, then traded Brown to Philly, where he’s flourished. Burks, by contrast, has 53 catches in three years and just one touchdown. With Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor arriving via draft, Burks is dangerously close to being passed over.
Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins
Credit: Instagram
The raw talent’s never been in question. Phillips had 15.5 sacks through two seasons and ranked among the league’s top edge defenders in pass rush win rate. Yet after tearing his Achilles in 2023 and his ACL in Week 4 of 2024, the injury bug has put his entire trajectory on pause.
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Credit: Instagram
Few tight ends have matched Andrews’ production since 2019—four 700-yard seasons, three Pro Bowl nods, and a First-Team All-Pro in 2021, but at 29 and with Isaiah Likely emerging, Baltimore might pivot to youth. Add a brutal playoff drop, a fumble, and injury-shortened 2023 and 2024 seasons, and the clock is ticking.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Credit: Instagram
Seattle took a calculated risk by signing Darnold to a deal they can shed after one season if things go south. Darnold, who’s thrown 63 career touchdowns to 56 interceptions, helped Minnesota reach the playoffs last year but still carries career baggage. The Seahawks cleared the deck by trading Geno Smith.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Credit: Instagram
Despite leading all running backs in total yards last season and posting 5.1 yards per carry, Cook hasn’t secured a contract extension. His 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024 topped the NFL, yet Buffalo still looks hesitant. He’s skipped OTAs amid frustration. If he posts similar numbers in 2025, he’ll get paid elsewhere.
Zion Johnson, Los Angeles Chargers
Credit: Instagram
The 2022 No. 17 overall pick hasn’t played to his pedigree. Johnson has allowed 16 sacks and 112 total pressures in three seasons, per PFF. The Chargers declined his fifth-year option, and he’s now transitioning to center, a position he’s never played in the NFL.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Credit: Instagram
Olave exploded with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, then crumbled in 2024 due to multiple concussions and finished with just 32 receptions and one touchdown. The Saints picked up his fifth-year option, but uncertainty at quarterback and questions about long-term durability linger. He needs to re-establish himself as WR1 in a crowded offense.
Mike Caliendo, Kansas City Chiefs
Credit: Instagram
Caliendo went undrafted in 2022 and has just five career starts, yet he’s penciled in as the starting left guard protecting Patrick Mahomes. His run-blocking grade ranked bottom-five among all guards with 100+ snaps last year. Kansas City won’t wait long if he’s a liability up front.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Credit: Instagram
The fourth overall pick in 2023 has flashed jaw-dropping potential, but he’s only completed 50 passes in two seasons. A shoulder injury ended his rookie year, and poor decision-making led to the Colts signing Daniel Jones as competition. This season’s about proving he’s more than a highlight reel waiting to happen.
Dawand Jones, Cleveland Browns
Credit: Instagram
Jones looked like a draft steal in 2023, then came a massive regression in 2024 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Cleveland needs him to replace Jedrick Wills at left tackle, but another poor season could push him into backup territory.
Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills
Credit: Instagram
Milano was a First-Team All-Pro in 2022 and a core piece of Buffalo’s defense. Since then, he’s played just nine games across two seasons due to a broken leg and a season-ending pectoral injury. He’s turning 31 in July and entering the final year of his deal, so he’s got to prove he’s still durable.
Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars
Credit: Instagram
Etienne dropped from 1,125 rushing yards in 2023 to just 558 last season while missing two games and averaging a career-low 3.7 yards per carry. Trade rumors nearly sent Etienne packing. New coach Liam Coen is giving him a second chance, but Etienne has to earn his touches now.
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Credit: X
Williams averaged 4.4 yards per carry pre-injury in Denver, but post-ACL recovery hasn’t been kind. He managed only 3.7 yards per attempt in 2024 and lost goal-line reps. The Cowboys brought him in on a one-year deal to revive a sputtering backfield, but Dallas can easily move on if he underwhelms.