As the NFL season is rapidly approaching, some quarterbacks are under more pressure than others, for a variety of reasons. Some are under pressure to secure a second contract and prove they are in fact a franchise quarterback. Some are under pressure to save or resurrect their careers after undeniable regression. While others are under “No More Excuses” type pressure to win and/or take the next step in their careers.
(5) Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts is entering his third season as a pro (second as a starter). After a rocky 3-6 start last season, he helped the Eagles clinch their first playoff birth by winning six of their final eight games. Unfortunately for Hurts, his first career playoff game was against the greatest quarterback of all-time in Tom Brady. However, the Eagles have made waves this off-season. They signed OLB Haason Reddick in free agency, who is coming off back-to-back double digit sack seasons. They also drafted standout DT Jordan Davis 13th overall to wreak havoc up front next to veteran Fletcher Cox.
But hands down their biggest move of the off-season was also made on draft night, it just wasn’t a draft pick. It was their blockbuster trade that landed star WR A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans. On paper, he is the perfect complement to the Eagles’ 2021 1st-round pick and former Heisman trophy winner Devonta Smith.
Howie Roseman and the Eagles have done everything to set Jalen Hurts up for success. Even though he is still only 23-years old, quarterbacks are under more and more pressure to develop and become immediate difference makers. Jalen Hurts has shown flashes as a cerebral, dual-threat quarterback, but he needs to take the next step and become more consistent if he is going to be given the reins and secure a handsome second contract. The pressure is only compounded by the fact that he plays in Philadelphia, where they saw Nick Foles beat Tom Brady in a Super Bowl only five years ago.
(4) Derek Carr
Carr is entering his ninth season as a pro. He is already a multiple-time pro bowler, and his vastly underrated leadership skills were on full display during a tumultuous 2021 season. A season in which head coach Jon Gruden resigned after his homophobic and misogynistic e-mails got leaked, and former first round pick WR Henry Ruggs got released after killing a 23-year old woman while driving while intoxicated. Despite all of this, Carr still led the Raiders to the playoffs on the final day of the regular season with a win over the L.A. Chargers.
Similar to the Eagles for Jalen Hurts, the Raiders made their own blockbuster trade for an elite WR (and former college teammate of Carr’s) in Davante Adams. Adams might be the best receiver in football, but also seems to be the perfect complement to dynamic and 100-catch slot WR Hunter Renfrow. The Raiders also added an elite pass rusher in Chandler Jones to pair opposite to Maxx Crosby on the defensive line. This clearly puts the Raiders in “Win Now” mode. There is more pressure on Derek Carr than ever before to not only get to the playoffs, but win a playoff game, something he has never done in his 8 seasons in the league.
(3) Ryan Tannehill
After spending six seasons rotting in Miami under head coaches Joe Philbin, Dan Campbell & Adam Gase, Tannehill found immediate playoff success after finding a new home in Nashville. In 2019, Tanehill’s Titans put an end to Tom Brady’s 20-year tenure in New England. They followed that up by embarrassing the #1 seed Baltimore Ravens and the MVP of the league in Lamar Jackson on their home field. This landed the Titans in the AFC Championship game for the first time since 2002.
However, Tanehill and the Titans have not won a playoff game since then. With heightened expectations in 2020 and 2021, the Titans did secure back-to-back division titles (including the #1 seed in 2021). However, it was only to get bounced out in their first playoff game (by the Ravens in 2020, and the Bengals in 2021). Tannehill’s 3 INT performance against the Bengals likely contributed to the decision to draft high-upside Liberty QB Malik Willis in the 3rd round of the 2022 Draft. With Tannehill’s successor seemingly in place, he is under more pressure than ever before to win and lead the team to its first Super Bowl birth since 1999.
(2) Tua Tagovailoa
Entering his third NFL season after being drafted #5 overall in 2020, Tua has had a tumultuous first two seasons. In 2022, Tua is under heightened scrutiny and expectations. Similar to Hurts & Carr, some of this pressure is the result of adding an elite, game-changing wide receiver. The Dolphins sent six draft picks to the Chiefs to acquire star WR Tyreek Hill. This might give the Dolphins the fastest duo of WRs in the league, pairing Hill with young standout, and former first-round pick, Jaylen Waddle. In addition, the Dolphins went out and hired a young and innovative offensive mind in Mike McDaniels as head coach.
Not only is Tua under pressure to prove he is the long-term answer for the Dolphins at QB, that pressure is also compounded by the fact that the quarterback taken one pick after him at #6, Justin Herbert, already looks like a perennial pro bowler and potential future MVP of the league. The team’s off-season acquisitions mean there are no more excuses for Tua. As a result, 2022 will be a “Make or Break” season for him.
(1) Lamar Jackson
Some might be surprised to see Lamar Jackson atop this list. How could an established franchise quarterback (and MVP of the league) be under so much pressure heading into the 2022 season? No other team in the league relies more heavily on their quarterback than the Baltimore Ravens. Three years ago, John Harbaugh and the coaching staff tailored the offense specifically around Lamar Jackson’s skill set. Without him, it simply can’t work. Last season, the Ravens were decimated by injuries, which put even more of a burden on Jackson’s shoulders. He ultimately suffered an ankle injury in a Week 14 loss to the Browns. Despite an admirable stretch by backup QB Tyler Huntley, the Ravens lost their final six games and missed the playoffs.
With high expectations for the Ravens this season, Jackson is fully aware of the pressure on his shoulders to stay healthy. He bulked up this off-season in an effort to improve his durability and absorb big hits. And to top it off, Lamar Jackson has yet to sign a 200+ million dollar extension that he undeniably deserves. The quarterback market continues to rise following recent extensions of Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson & Kyler Murray. However, one fluke injury has the potential to not only tank the Ravens’ season, but could cost Lamar Jackson hundreds of millions of dollars. That is of course unless his mother/agent can secure a deal before Week 1.
Honorable Mentions:
Dak Prescott
Carson Wentz
Daniel Jones
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