Gridiron Heroics
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • “Steelers Aren’t Done”: Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey Steelers Moves Are Not Yet The Steelers Final Off-Season Changes Says Former NFL TE
    • “He Stops, Squares Out To Me”: Travis Kelce Reveals Rookie Story Encountering Clay Matthews ‘Threatening His Life’ During Game
    • “Just Went Out There Without Practicing”: Taylor Swift’s Entertainment Talent Gets Fascinating BTS Story From Travis Kelce Before TEU Night Surprise
    • DeAndre Hopkins sends bold message for Ravens
    • “I’m Still Watching It”: Jourdan Lewis Gives Brad Pitt’s F1 Movie His Verdict
    • “The Table Read Was The Hardest”: Travis Kelce Reveals ‘Reading’ Troubles Made SNL Rehearsals A Tough Gig To Get Through
    • “Couldn’t Say Anything After That”: Travis Kelce Incident Has Clay Matthews Clearing The Air On What Happened With NSFW Narration
    • “I’m talking About Aaron’s Type Of Level”: Justin Fields Impresses Sauce Gardner In OTAs Drawing Similarities To Aaron Rodgers Throwing Style
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Our Writers
    • Write for Gridiron Heroics
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Gridiron Heroics
    SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES
    • NFL
      • AFC East
        • AFC East
        • Buffalo Bills
        • Miami Dolphins
        • New England Patriots
        • New York Jets
      • AFC North
        • Baltimore Ravens
        • Cincinnati Bengals
        • Cleveland Browns
        • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • AFC South
        • Houston Texans
        • Indianapolis Colts
        • Jacksonville Jaguars
        • Tennessee Titans
      • AFC West
        • Denver Broncos
        • Kansas City Chiefs
        • Las Vegas Raiders
        • Los Angeles Chargers
      • NFC East
        • Dallas Cowboys
        • New York Giants
        • Philadelphia Eagles
        • Washington Commanders
      • NFC North
        • Chicago Bears
        • Detroit Lions
        • Green Bay Packers
        • Minnesota Vikings
      • NFC South
        • Atlanta Falcons
        • Carolina Panthers
        • New Orleans Saints
        • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • NFC West
        • Arizona Cardinals
        • Los Angeles Rams
        • San Francisco 49ers
        • Seattle Seahawks
    • Fantasy Football
    • College Football
    • NFL Draft
    • PODCAST
    Gridiron Heroics
    Home»NFL»Top 5 Quarterbacks Under the Most Pressure Heading Into 2022 Season
    NFL

    Top 5 Quarterbacks Under the Most Pressure Heading Into 2022 Season

    Dave GubermanBy Dave GubermanAugust 4, 2022Updated:March 24, 2024No Comments7 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Lamar Jackson
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    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
    Jalen Hurts Is Expected to Take the Next Step in 2022 with Supremely Talented Roster

    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

    Derek Carr
    Derek Carr Has No More Excuses with the Addition of WR Davante Adams

    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

    Tannehill
    Ryan Tannehill Looks to Bounce Back in 2022 After Abysmal Playoff Performance

    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

    Tua Tagovailoa
    Tua Tagovailoa Looks to Prove He is a Franchise QB in 2022

    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

    Lamar Jackson
    Lamar Jackson Gambles on Himself Entering Final Year of Rookie Deal

    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

    Get the latest Pro and College Football news, analysis, and breaking stories on the NFL, NCAA, Fantasy Football, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, so you never miss a story from the football field.

    Carson Wentz Dak Prescott Derek Carr Jalen Hurts Lamar Jackson Ryan Tannehill Tua Tagovailova
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Avatar of Dave Guberman
    Dave Guberman

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    NFL

    “Steelers Aren’t Done”: Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey Steelers Moves Are Not Yet The Steelers Final Off-Season Changes Says Former NFL TE

    By Ernest Leo HernandezJuly 3, 20250
    NFL

    “He Stops, Squares Out To Me”: Travis Kelce Reveals Rookie Story Encountering Clay Matthews ‘Threatening His Life’ During Game

    By Ernest Leo HernandezJuly 3, 20250
    NFL

    “Just Went Out There Without Practicing”: Taylor Swift’s Entertainment Talent Gets Fascinating BTS Story From Travis Kelce Before TEU Night Surprise

    By Merrielle MayoJuly 3, 20250
    Baltimore Ravens

    DeAndre Hopkins sends bold message for Ravens

    By Nathan YasisJuly 3, 20250
    Gridiron Heroics Writers
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    READ MORE
    2024 NFL Draft Aaron Rodgers Baltimore Ravens Bill Belichick Buffalo Bills Caleb Williams Chicago Bears Chiefs Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns College Football Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Deshaun Watson Detroit Lions Donald Trump Football Green Bay Packers Joe Burrow Josh Allen Justin Fields Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants New York Jets NFL NFL Draft nfl news NFL Rumors Patrick Mahomes Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers Russell Wilson San Francisco 49ers shedeur sanders Tampa Bay Buccaneers Taylor Swift Tom Brady Travis Kelce Washington Commanders
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Editorial Process
    • Contact Us
    • Corporate
    © 2025 Gridiron Heroics.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.