Aaron Rodgers knows all eyes will be on him. That’s nothing new for the four-time NFL MVP quarterback.
But, the 40-year-old quarter of New York Jets will enter his 20th season with plenty to prove after missing all of last season, other than the first four games, with a torn Achilles tendon.
“I think if I don’t play like I know I can, we’re probably all going to fail,” he said of the expectations heaped on him and the Jets, who will be trying to end their longest playoff streak after 13 seasons without making the playoffs.
“That’s the kind of pressure I like. It’s a tough market and it’s not for everybody. I appreciate the opportunity, that’s the NFL.”
He’s certainly not the only one grabbing the limelight.
Russell Wilson des Steelers de Pittsburgh, Christian McCaffrey des San Francisco 49ers, Deshaun Watson of Browns de Cleveland, Trevor Lawrence des Jacksonville Jaguars and Saquon Barkley of the The Philadelphia Eagles are among a handful of star players who will have a lot to prove due to injuries, poor performances or to justify lucrative contracts.
Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, New York Jets:
Rodgers’ arrival in the Big Apple was quickly deflated when he suffered an injury in his first game of the season. New York has been unable to recover. He made headlines again this offseason when he was mentioned as a possible running mate for Robert Kennedy Jr. and when he skipped mandatory minicamp to go on a planned trip to Egypt. Rodgers will get another chance to turn the franchise around, though, and possibly save the jobs of coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas.
Russell Wilson, quarterback, Steelers de Pittsburgh :
Wilson went from a touchdown-throwing machine in 10 seasons in Seattle, where he helped the Seahawks win a Super Bowl, to a disappointing two-year stint in Denver. The 35-year-old was released by the Broncos in March after looking like a changed version of the talent he once was. He then signed with the Steelers at the $1.2 million minimum, and Wilson will have to beat out Justin Fields for the starting job.
Christian McCaffrey, running back, San Francisco 49ers:
McCaffrey has only proven himself in his first seven NFL seasons, overcoming injuries along the way to establish himself as arguably the most dynamic player in the league. But last year, the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year blew up the running back market by signing a two-year, $38 million contract extension. He will also be the cover athlete for EA Sports’ Madden NFL 25. The 28-year-old will try to continue playing like a video gamer as the 49ers look to return to the Super Bowl.
Deshaun Watson, quarterback, Browns de Cleveland :
After being acquired from Houston and given a five-year, $230 million guaranteed contract by the Browns in 2022, Watson made just 12 starts. He was suspended by the NFL for 11 games in 2022 for violating the code of personal conduct after being accused of sexual assault and harassment by more than two dozen women. He then missed 11 games last season with a broken bone in his right shoulder. Joe Flacco became a crowd favorite after leading the Browns to the playoffs, and Watson will need to do at least as much this season. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Trevor Lawrence, quarterback, Jaguars de Jacksonville :
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft signed a five-year, $275 million contract last month that includes $142 million guaranteed and $37.5 million in signing bonuses, making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history. While Lawrence said the deal doesn’t add pressure, he’ll need to continue to make significant progress on the field as he leads the Jags back to the playoffs after missing last season.
Saquon Barkley, running back, Philadelphia Eagles:
A two-year contract dispute ended with Barkley leaving the New York Giants. He eventually headed to their rival Eagles after signing with Philadelphia for three years and $37.75 million. The dynamic player can dominate when healthy, but it has been difficult in recent seasons. Barkley will have a chance to prove he is still one of the best running backs in Jalen Hurts’ offense. He will also face the Giants twice next season.
Daniel Jones, quarterback, Giants de New York :
Speaking of the Giants, the quarterback who was supposed to be the next face of the franchise is about to enter a season with a lot of uncertainty. Jones showed signs of why the team drafted him sixth overall in 2019, prompting the Giants to sign him to a four-year, $160 million deal through 2023. Neck and knee injuries, however, have limited him to six games. General manager Joe Schoen said on a recent episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks that “this is the season” to prove himself and that he’s the long-term solution.
Tee Higgins, wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals :
After failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension, Higgins will play next season on the $21.8 million franchise tag he signed last month. Now he’ll try to prove himself for next year’s offseason as a free agent. He’ll have to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2023 season in which he caught 42 balls for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games — the lowest numbers of his career.
Chase Young, defensive end, New Orleans Saints:
The defensive rookie of the yearAssociated Press in 2020, while playing for Washington, hasn’t become the consistent player she was hoping for, and injuries have played a role. The Saints will be her third team in five NFL seasons, including a nine-game stint with the 49ers last season. Young, who underwent neck surgery in the offseason, will be one of the players the team will be hoping to get a sustained effort from to contribute to the Saints’ success.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins:
Tagovailoa could be playing out the final season of his rookie contract after saying he was eager to sign a new deal. He led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards last season after suffering two concussions that derailed his 2022 campaign. He may need another strong season, including a return to the playoffs, to maximize his return at the end of next season — either in Miami or elsewhere.
2024-07-19 11:00:00
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