9 NFL Quarterbacks Whose Careers Could Break This Season
A lot of quarterbacks have something to prove in the 2025 NFL season. Maybe it’s because they were high draft picks, signed a big contract, or just haven’t met expectations yet. Some are still trying to figure things out after last year. Whatever the reason, there’s real pressure on these guys. Here are 15 quarterbacks who’ll be feeling it this season.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
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Taken No. 1 overall in 2024, Caleb Williams walks into a franchise still haunted by years of quarterback mediocrity. The Bears haven’t had a playoff win since the 2010 season—no pressure, right? Plus, the receiver room is stacked with DJ Moore and rookie Rome Odunze, and there’s a four-year, $39.49 million fully guaranteed rookie contract he needs to be worthy of.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
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Dak Prescott threw an NFL-best 36 touchdowns in the 2023 season, but flamed out in the Divisional Round yet again. Despite signing a four-year, $240 million extension in 2024 that included significant guaranteed money through 2025, the pressure remains intense due to Dallas’s eternal Super Bowl expectations. The Cowboys haven’t reached an NFC title game since 1995, and owner Jerry Jones is running out of patience.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
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Bryce Young was the No. 1 pick in 2023, but his rookie year looked like a case of being thrown to the wolves: 11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 2–15 record. Now with a bolstered O-line, thanks to additions like Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, and new weapons like Diontae Johnson, Young can’t blame poor protection anymore. He’s under pressure to prove he wasn’t a bust and justify his $37.9 million rookie deal that’s starting to raise eyebrows.
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
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Justin Herbert has been piling up passing yards—over 4,300 in 2023 alone—but the Chargers finished 5–12 and missed the playoffs. After signing a $262.5 million extension, expectations skyrocketed. Now that Jim Harbaugh’s in town and there’s a shift toward a more balanced, run-heavy offense, Herbert’s under pressure to finally win when it matters.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Jacksonville collapsed down the stretch in the 2023 season, going 1–5 to miss the postseason, and Trevor Lawrence was right in the middle of that slide. The $275 million extension he signed in June makes him one of the highest-paid QBs in the league, but he hasn’t made a Pro Bowl since 2022.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
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It’s hard to critique a two-time MVP, unless he’s 2–4 in the playoffs with no Super Bowl appearances. Lamar Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million deal last offseason and then led the Ravens to another No. 1 seed after the 2023 season… before falling to Kansas City in the AFC Championship. That’s kind of become the script.
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
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Drafted 8th overall in 2024, Michael Penix Jr. entered Atlanta knowing full well he’d be sitting behind Kirk Cousins, who’s locked in with $100 million guaranteed through 2026. Still, Penix is under pressure to justify why the Falcons spent a premium pick on a guy they don’t plan to start yet. If Cousins stumbles or gets hurt, Penix better be ready to show he’s more than a redshirt investment.
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
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J.J. McCarthy was the fifth quarterback taken in the 2024 draft (10th overall), and the Vikings appear to be positioning him to start Week 1. This comes after a 7–10 season in 2023 that saw them rotate through multiple quarterbacks due to injury. Considering that he has elite talent around him, McCarthy has the tools to succeed, but not much leeway. He’s expected to elevate the offense immediately.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
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Josh Allen is always fun to watch, but Buffalo fans are growing restless. The Bills haven’t made a Super Bowl since 1993, and Allen’s 7–6 playoff record is starting to weigh on his legacy. Losing Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis in the offseason didn’t help, especially with a younger receiving corps and a reworked defense.
Justin Fields, New York Jets
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After being traded from Chicago, Justin Fields landed in a high-risk, high-reward scenario: backing up Aaron Rodgers. Fields signed a two-year deal, but if he doesn’t take major developmental steps, he could slide into NFL obscurity. The Jets are built to win now, and if Rodgers misses time, Fields will have to show he can do more than just scramble or throw the occasional deep pass.
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
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Kyler Murray’s 2023 return from ACL surgery was a bit underwhelming: he threw just 10 touchdowns in 8 games, and Arizona still finished 4–13. His $230.5 million contract stretches through 2028, and he needs to prove he’s worth the investment. The Cardinals now have rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr., so Murray has no excuses. Another injury or flat season might push the front office to start eyeing QB options in the 2026 draft.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Steelers are betting big that Aaron Rodgers can end their playoff win drought, which goes back to the 2016 season. At 41, he is coming off a torn Achilles and joining a franchise that fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada and brought in new weapons like rookie WR Roman Wilson. He’ll need to show he still has the arm to compete in a stacked AFC North.
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
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A torn AC joint cut Anthony Richardson’s rookie year to just four games, but the flashes of his dynamic talent were enough to keep Colts fans optimistic. Still, optimism only lasts so long. Right now, Richardson has everything in place; Jonathan Taylor is healthy, Michael Pittman Jr. has re-signed, and Shane Steichen’s system has a full offseason.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
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Geno Smith’s feel-good comeback story from 2022 is wearing thin. In 2023, Seattle went 9–8 and missed the playoffs, and now there’s a new coaching staff in town with Mike Macdonald. The Seahawks acquired another young quarterback (Sam Howell via trade from Washington) and drafted Jalen Milroe, which means Geno’s job security is on thin ice.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
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Deshaun Watson has thrown just 14 touchdowns in 12 games over his two seasons in Cleveland. That’s not great when you’re making $230 million fully guaranteed. The Browns made the playoffs without him in 2023 (largely with Joe Flacco at QB), and the fanbase is openly skeptical. Watson enters 2025 with pressure from every angle: the locker room, the front office, and the city.