The NFL moves fast, and for some players 2025 is a career defining year. For these athletes, the stakes are clear: Perform or risk being replaced. Some are chasing a new contract. Others are battling injuries, declining production, or younger talent breathing down their necks. A few are trying to rebuild their reputations after off-field issues. Whatever the reason, these players are entering 2025 with everything on the line.
Arizona Cardinals: Jalen Thompson, S
Once considered one of the league’s most underrated defensive backs, Jalen Thompson has remained a steady presence in Arizona’s secondary, even as the team around him continues to rebuild. He started 15 games in 2024, tallying 79 tackles, 6 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions.
While his production hasn’t always grabbed headlines, his versatility and instincts make him a valuable asset in a league that demands safeties cover more ground than ever. With his contract expiring this season will determine whether he earns a new deal in Arizona, cashes in elsewhere, or fades into the background of a rebuilding roster.
Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE
Kyle Pitts enters 2025 with his back against the wall. Now in the final year of his rookie contract, the former fourth-overall pick faces mounting trade rumors and growing skepticism about whether he can ever live up to his sky-high draft status. With Michael Penix Jr. now under center, Pitts needs to reassert himself as a dynamic receiving threat to keep the Falcons’ offense balanced.
Atlanta has invested elsewhere, adding defensive talent like Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. The Falcons’ lack of reliable pass catchers puts even more pressure on Pitts to perform. The 2025 season will provide a clear verdict. Will Kyle Pitts prove he’s worth the hype and stay in Atlanta long-term, or will he become another cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential?
Baltimore Ravens: Mark Andrews, TE
Mark Andrews has been a cornerstone of the Ravens’ offense for years. The three-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his contract. While his resume speaks for itself, the Ravens are in no rush to hand out another big extension. Part of that is business, but part of it is Isaiah Likely, a 2022 fourth round pick who has shown a lot of promise.
Andrews put up solid numbers in 2024, but he also had the infamous fumble and drop against the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs. His “nightmarish” playoff performance raised questions about whether he’s still the same clutch target he once was. Anything short of an incredible season might cause Baltimore to move on and have Likely be the TE1 of the future.
Buffalo Bills: James Cook, RB
James Cook heads into 2025 still waiting for the payday he believes he’s earned. After back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons including a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024, Cook is seeking a major contract extension. But so far, the Bills haven’t budged. Frustrated by the stalled negotiations, Cook skipped voluntary workouts this offseason, signaling that tensions are starting to build.
The message from Buffalo’s front office is clear. They’re willing to wait and see if Cook can replicate his success before handing out top-tier running back money. That puts all the pressure on Cook in 2025. He’ll need to not only match but surpass his recent production, despite defenses now scheming to stop him as one of the centerpieces of Buffalo’s offense.
Carolina Panthers: Derrick Brown, DI
In April 2024, Derrick Brown secured a massive four year, $96 million extension with $63.165 million guaranteed, signaling the Panthers’ long-term commitment to their dominant interior defender. However, Brown now faces a crucial 2025 campaign after suffering a significant knee injury in Week 1 of last year that sidelined him for the entire season. Before the injury, Brown was a force to be reckoned with. He posted an elite 90.0 PFF run defense grade in 2023, ranking second among all interior defenders.
Brown’s absence was a huge blow, with Carolina’s run defense slipping to historically poor levels in 2024. With new defensive linemen added to the mix, including Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, the biggest question remains whether Brown can fully return to his dominant form. The 2025 season is his chance to justify his lucrative contract, re-establish himself as the Panthers’ defensive cornerstone, and help rebuild a defense that needs to support an ascending quarterback in Bryce Young.
Chicago Bears: Braxton Jones, LT
After showing promise as a surprise fifth-round starter in 2022, Braxton Jones has spent the last two seasons trying (and sometimes struggling) to hold onto the Bears’ left tackle job. In 2024, Jones allowed 5 sacks and 26 pressures, per Pro Football Focus. That won’t cut it when you’re tasked with protecting Caleb Williams’ blindside.
On top of that, injuries have become a recurring issue. A neck injury sidelined Jones for 6 games in 2023, and he fractured his fibula in in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions, thus ending his season. The frequency of these injuries have raised concerns about his long term durability. If Braxton Jones can’t stay healthy and clean up his pass protection in 2025, Chicago shouldn’t hesitate to move on and find someone who can.
Cincinnati Bengals: Trey Hendrickson, DE
Trey Hendrickson is a weird one because he hasn’t been extended nor traded. Hendrickson has racked up 57 sacks in four seasons, made the Pro Bowl every year, and earned All-Pro honors in 2024. Still, the Bengals haven’t budged on a new deal. Hendrickson has voiced his frustration publicly and according to reports, he’s “angling” for multiple years of guaranteed money in his next deal.
The situation puts Cincinnati in a tough spot: they can’t afford to lose their most productive defender, but they also don’t typically hand out massive contracts to players on the wrong side of 30. That makes 2025 a high-stakes year for both sides. Hendrickson will need to produce at his usual All-Pro level of double-digit sacks, game-changing plays, and dominant moments off the edge to force the Bengals’ hand. Anything less could give the front office the leverage to move on or lowball him in negotiations.
Cleveland Browns: Wyatt Teller, G
Wyatt Teller is entering the last year of his four-year, $56.8 million contract, and with the Browns tightening their salary cap around big-money players like Deshaun Watson and Myles Garrett, Teller’s long-term future is very much in question. The Browns created even more uncertainty this offseason by signing former Bears guard Teven Jenkins in free agency, giving them even more flexibility at guard.
Teller is still one of the league’s most punishing run blockers, but his pass protection has slipped in recent seasons. In 2024, his overall PFF grade dipped below 70 for the first time since becoming a full-time starter, raising concerns about whether he’s still playing at a Pro Bowl level. If he wants an extension, he’ll need to do a good job protecting whoever Cleveland puts behind center.
Dallas Cowboys: George Pickens, WR
George Pickens enters a contract year in 2025 with everything to prove. The Cowboys traded their 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to acquire Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dallas is hoping he’ll form a dynamic duo with CeeDee Lamb. George Pickens was productive during his time in Pittsburgh. In 2023, he racked up 1,140 yards on just 63 catches, averaging a ridiculous 18.1 yards per reception.
However, Pickens started showing signs of regression last season, only tallying 59 catches, 900 yards, and just 3 touchdowns in 14 games. And of course, there’s the character concerns. How will Pickens handle being the second option behind Lamb? Pittsburgh receivers have a reputation for falling off the map once they leave the Steelers. Can Pickens break that curse?
Denver Broncos: Alex Singleton, LB
Veteran linebacker Alex Singleton enters the 2025 season on the final year of his contract, making this season important for his future with the Broncos. Denver’s defense is loaded with high-impact players, like Patrick Surtain II, Nik Bonitto, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw who they signed this free agency. Singleton must prove he still deserves a spot and a payday amid fierce competition.
A strong 2025 campaign could earn him a lucrative contract extension or new opportunities elsewhere. A drop off in production might signal the end of his tenure as a starter in the league.
Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams, WR
For Jameson Williams, 2025 is all about proving he’s here to stay. After a rocky start to his career including a torn ACL in 2022 and a six-game gambling suspension in 2023, Williams finally delivered in 2024, topping 1,000 receiving yards and scoring eight touchdowns across 15 games. His 91 targets ranked second on the team, a sign that the Lions are ready to make him a featured weapon.
Williams’ elite speed makes him a constant deep threat, and the Lions have used him creatively, including on carries and gadget plays. But with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson now gone, the challenge gets tougher. Williams must prove he can thrive in John Morton’s system, stay consistent, and become the long term No. 2 option next to Amon-Ra St. Brown in order to secure his payday.
Green Bay Packers: Christian Watson, WR
Christian Watson’s first two seasons have been plagued by health setbacks: a lingering hamstring injury sidelined him for nearly half of 2023, followed by knee and ankle problems in 2024 that culminated in a torn ACL in Week 18.
Despite limited action, he still managed 29 catches for 620 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2024, showing flashes of the explosive talent that made him a first-round pick. He’s worked with specialists to address a leg strength imbalance that may have fueled his hamstring woes, but availability remains his biggest hurdle.
Now in the final year of his rookie contract, Watson needs to prove he can deliver on his potential and be a go-to guy for Jordan Love.
Houston Texans: Cam Robinson, LT
After the departure of Laremy Tunsil, Houston signed Robinson to a one-year, $14.5 million deal. Robinson, 29, has plenty of starting experience from his years in Jacksonville, but injuries and inconsistent play have followed him throughout his career. He missed time in 2023 and 2024 with knee and shoulder issues, raising concerns about durability.
Even when he was on the field, his pass protection was often shaky, something the Texans simply can’t afford. If Robinson wants a bag, he will need to fill the giant shoes of Laremy Tunsil and hold together one of the league’s worst offensive lines.
Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson, QB
The Colts drafted Anthony Richardson fourth overall in 2023, hoping he’d be their next franchise quarterback. But two years later, that vision is still far away. Now, entering 2025, the pressure is sky high. The Colts added Daniel Jones in the offseason, who has been splitting first team reps with Richardson during training camp.
For Richardson, 2025 is essentially a one year audition to prove he’s the guy. He’ll need to stay healthy, refine his decision-making, and turn his raw talent into real production. If he doesn’t take a major step forward, Indianapolis may decide to move on, either handing the job to Jones or targeting another QB in 2026.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne, RB
Just two years ago, Travis Etienne looked like the centerpiece of Jacksonville’s offense, posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023. But in 2024, his role shrank dramatically. Etienne finished the season with just 558 rushing yards, while backup Tank Bigsby outgained him, raising questions about whether Etienne is still viewed as the Jaguars’ lead back.
Now entering a contract year, Etienne’s window to prove he’s part of Jacksonville’s long-term plans is rapidly closing. As NFL.com put it, Etienne has “one more chance to prove he should be in Jacksonville’s long-term plans.”
Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Caliendo, OG
With the Chiefs locking down most of their superstar core, 2025 puts the offensive line, and specifically Mike Caliendo, under the microscope. The third-year guard enters a crucial contract year, competing to step into the void left by Joe Thuney’s departure.
Tasked with protecting Patrick Mahomes and anchoring the interior line, Caliendo’s role could define the line’s success. Being in a contract year, any inconsistency or injury issues could quickly put him on the chopping block as the Chiefs look to upgrade a line critical to their offense’s continued dominance.
Las Vegas Raiders: Kolton Miller, LT
Once a first-round pick, Miller has delivered solid, reliable play at left tackle, earning praise for his length and athleticism as a key protector of the quarterback’s blindside.
However, at 29 years old, the Raiders face a tough decision. Committing significant money to a player entering his late prime comes with risks, especially given Miller’s history of occasional injuries and inconsistency. The offensive line remains a priority area, and Miller’s performance this season will be critical in determining if he’s worth a long-term investment.
Los Angeles Chargers: Zion Johnson, C
Zion Johnson heads into 2025 in the final year of his contract, and it’s a big one for him. After mostly playing guard, he’s shifting to center. The Chargers’ offensive line has had its ups and downs, so Johnson needs to show he can handle the transition and be a steady force in the middle.
This year is basically a “prove-it” season: if he plays well, he’ll likely earn a solid contract and become a key piece for the future. If not, the Chargers might start looking elsewhere.
Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Higbee, TE
Over the past four seasons, Higbee’s receiving efficiency has dropped, with under 10 yards per reception in three of those years, and only twice in his nine year career has he topped 600 receiving yards. In 2023, Higbee recorded 47 catches for 495 yards and 2 touchdowns across 15 games, but his 2024 campaign was cut short by a devastating Week 7 ACL and MCL tear, limiting him to just 25 catches for 374 yards and no touchdowns.
Now entering the final year of his contract, Higbee will need to return healthy, boost his production, and prove he can still be a meaningful contributor. Otherwise, younger, fresher talent is ready to take his spot.
Miami Dolphins: Jaelan Phillips, LB
Once viewed as the future of Miami’s pass rush, the former first-round pick has spent the last two seasons stuck in rehab instead of wreaking havoc off the edge. A torn Achilles ended his 2023 season, and a knee injury in 2024 derailed his comeback attempt after just eight games and 2.5 sacks.
Now, Phillips enters a contract year with everything on the line. Miami needs him to return to the dominant force he was in 2021 and 2022, when he racked up 15.5 sacks and looked like a future Pro Bowler. If Phillips can finally stay healthy and play a full season, he could earn a long-term deal and solidify his role as Miami’s premier edge rusher.
Minnesota Vikings: Harrison Smith, S
Entering his 14th NFL season, six-time Pro Bowler Harrison Smith faces a defining 2025 campaign on a one year deal worth $10.25 million. This season is about more than just leadership, it’s about proving he can still perform at an elite level. The Vikings’ safety depth is uncertain, with younger players like Theo Jackson and Josh Metellus waiting in the wings.
For Smith, 2025 is a chance to reaffirm he’s not just a veteran presence but a game-changer who can extend his legacy and perhaps his career beyond this season.
New England Patriots: Stefon Diggs, WR
The Patriots took a major swing signing Stefon Diggs. At 31 years old and coming off a torn ACL that wiped out most of his 2024 season, Diggs enters the year as both a high-risk and high-reward gamble for New England. He’s still under contract through 2026, but the reality is simple: if he can’t return to form this season, the Patriots may not wait around to find out if he ever will.
There’s already been noise surrounding Diggs off the field with viral videos from OTAs and questions about his mindset, but the bigger issue is whether he can still be that guy on the field. When healthy, Diggs is one of the league’s premier route runners and explosive playmakers. But with age and injury stacking up, the margin for error is shrinking fast.
New York Giants: Evan Neal, RT
The former first-round pick enters his third season with the Giants under heavy scrutiny, carrying the pressure of living up to his draft pedigree. Neal posted a team best 80.8 run blocking grade last season. But pass protection remains the concern. The Giants still allowed 21 sacks and 125 pressures in 2024, and Neal has struggled to stay healthy, missing time in back-to-back years with ankle and knee injuries.
With Daniel Jones gone and the Giants resetting the roster, Neal’s development is critical. They need him to stay on the field and prove he can anchor the right side of the line. If he can’t? The Giants may have no choice but to start looking for his replacement.
New York Jets: Breece Hall, RB
Hall enters the final year of his rookie contract with plenty to prove. After bouncing back from an ACL tear in 2022, he posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024. But late last year, the Jets started shifting some of the workload to rookie Braelon Allen. And by the end of the season, Allen looked like the more explosive back.
Hall needs to stay healthy, produce at a high level, and fend off Allen to remain New York’s lead back. If he delivers, Hall could cash in big next offseason. If not, he risks becoming another running back the league views as expendable after a rookie contract.
New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler, QBs
Let’s be honest, the Saints have the worst quarterback room in the NFL heading into 2025. After years of quarterback instability, New Orleans is rolling into the season with a battle between Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. Shough, the team’s 2025 second-round pick, is expected to start. He’s got the size, arm strength, and athletic tools teams look for, but he’s already 25 years old and his college career was derailed by injuries including multiple collarbone and shoulder issues.
Behind him is Spencer Rattler, a 2024 fifth round pick who still carries some of the hype from his days as a former five star recruit. Rattler has the arm talent and mobility to make plays, but inconsistency and decision-making issues have followed him since his Oklahoma and South Carolina days.
Most around the league expect the Saints to be right back in the quarterback market in the 2026 draft. But if either Shough or Rattler can defy the odds, they’ll have the chance to flip the narrative and maybe, just maybe, become the unexpected long term answer in New Orleans.
Philadelphia Eagles: Dallas Goedert, TE
After agreeing to a contract restructure that chopped his deal down to one year and $10 million, Dallas Goedert is officially in prove-it mode. Goedert’s 2024 season was his worst since his rookie year, just 42 catches for 496 yards and 2 touchdowns, a noticeable drop from his 2023 production of 59 catches, 592 yards, and 3 scores in 14 games. The decline raised eyebrows, but he’s still viewed as one of the league’s most complete tight ends: a reliable pass catcher and a critical piece of the Eagles’ run heavy offense.
Now, the pressure is on.
Philadelphia needs Goedert to bounce back and help balance the passing attack for Jalen Hurts. For Goedert, it’s simple: 2025 is his shot to show last year was a fluke, not the start of a decline. If he delivers, a long-term deal could follow. If not, the Eagles may be ready to move on.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaylen Warren, RB
Jaylen Warren has already beaten the odds just by getting this far. The former undrafted free agent has carved out a major role in the Steelers’ offense, but now comes the real test: proving he’s not just a great story, but a long-term solution. Warren signed a one-year, $5.346 million deal this offseason, securing his spot for 2025 but leaving his future in Pittsburgh uncertain. With Najee Harris no longer on the roster, Warren enters 2025 as the lead back in Pittsburgh for the first time in his career.
However, the Steelers also drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 draft, signaling that the front office is already thinking about what’s next at the position. For Warren, this is a classic “prove-it” year. A strong 2025 could lead to a long-term deal in Pittsburgh or a major payday elsewhere.
San Francisco 49ers: Jauan Jennings, WR
Jennings has often found himself in the background behind guys like Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. But now with Deebo gone and being in a contract year, Jennings has a lot to prove. In 2024, he posted 39 catches for 511 yards and 4 touchdowns in 15 games, but with Samuel no longer in the picture, the 49ers will need more than just third down heroics from him this season. J
ennings has always been reliable in big moments, but now he’ll need to show he can produce consistently as a primary target alongside Brandon Aiyuk. If he delivers, he could secure a long-term future in San Francisco.
Seattle Seahawks: Sam Darnold, QB
Sam Darnold enters 2025 riding the momentum of a career-saving 2024 season with the Vikings, but his future in Seattle is far from guaranteed. After bouncing around the league and nearly falling into permanent backup status, Darnold revived his career last season, throwing for over 4,300 yards with 35 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions. The Seahawks responded by signing Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal in 2025, but the contract is structured like a trial run. The team holds a potential out after the first year, allowing them to move on after the 2025 season without significant dead cap penalties.
To make things even more complicated, the Seahawks drafted Alabama QB Jalen Milroe in the third round, signaling they’re already planning for the future. But for now, Darnold has a real opportunity to cement himself as the guy in Seattle, especially with weapons like Cooper Kupp, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Kenneth Walker III at his disposal. 2025 is Darnold’s chance to prove last season wasn’t a fluke.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WR
Evans tied Jerry Rice’s NFL record for most consecutive 1,000 yard receiving seasons with 11 straight and now has a chance to surpass it in 2025. But to put the pressure on even more, Evans enters 2025 at 32 years old and in the final year on his contract.
The team’s first-round pick, Emeka Egbuka, adds fresh competition and depth to an already crowded receiver room, putting even more pressure on Evans to maintain his role as Baker Mayfield’s go-to target. This season will not only test Evans’ durability and production but also determine whether he solidifies his place as one of the all-time greats or begins the final chapter of his career.
Tennessee Titans: Amani Hooker, WR
Once viewed as one of the most promising young safeties in the AFC, Amani Hooker’s career has been defined by flashes of brilliance… and stretches of unavailability. Since entering the league in 2019, Hooker has never played a full 17 game season, with injuries consistently interrupting his momentum. But in 2024, he reminded everyone of his playmaking potential. Despite missing three games, Hooker racked up 5 interceptions and 68 tackles, showing off the instincts and ball skills that once made him a breakout candidate.
Now entering the final year of his contract, he faces a pivotal moment: stay healthy, stack another strong season, and position himself for a big payday, either in Tennessee or elsewhere. But if the injuries and inconsistency resurface, the Titans may look to move on as they reshape their secondary.
Washington Commanders: Terry McLaurin, WR
Terry McLaurin has been the face of consistency in Washington, but now he’s the face of frustration. Heading into 2025, McLaurin is stuck in contract limbo. Despite leading the team in receiving yards for five straight seasons and finishing 2024 with another 1,000 yard campaign and six touchdowns, extension talks have stalled.
In July, he didn’t hold back, telling reporters, “Everything that has transpired has been pretty disappointing. I’m pretty frustrated, not going to lie.”
The Commanders’ front office has made bold moves, trading for Deebo Samuel, adding Laremy Tunsil, and building around quarterback Jayden Daniels. But McLaurin’s unresolved contract situation hangs over the team. If Scary Terry wants to secure his long term future in D.C., he’ll need to keep performing like the elite receiver he’s always been, while proving the team can’t afford to move on.
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