NEW YORK — Aaron Rodgers knows all eyes are on him. That’s nothing new for the four-time NFL MVP.
But the 40-year-old New York Jets quarterback enters this season, his 20th in the league, with plenty to prove after missing all but four snaps last year because of a torn Achilles tendon.
“I think if I don’t do what I know I’m capable of doing, we’re all probably going to be out of here,” Rodgers said of the lofty expectations on him and the Jets, who are trying to end the NFL’s longest active playoff drought at 13 seasons.
“I like that kind of pressure, though,” he said. “It’s a tough market to play in, it’s not for everybody. I relish that opportunity, but that’s the way the NFL is.”
He certainly isn’t alone in the spotlight as training camps open.
Pittsburgh’s Russell Wilson, San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey, Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence and Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley are among a handful of NFL stars with something to prove because of injuries, mediocre play or needing to justify big contracts.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Jets
Rodgers’ much-hyped arrival in the Big Apple quickly went sour when he was injured in the season opener and New York couldn’t recover. He was in the headlines again this offseason when he was mentioned as a potential running mate for Robert Kennedy Jr. and when he skipped mandatory minicamp to go on a previously planned trip to Egypt. But he’ll get another chance to turn around the franchise’s fortunes — and perhaps save the jobs of coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas in the process.
Russell Wilson, QB, Steelers
Wilson went from being a touchdown-tossing machine during his 10 seasons in Seattle, where he helped the Seahawks win a Super Bowl, to an underwhelming two-year stint in Denver. The 35-year-old QB was released by the Broncos in March after looking like a shell of his playmaking self, signed with the Steelers for the veteran minimum of $1.2 million and will have to beat out Justin Fields for the starting gig.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers
All McCaffrey has done in his first seven NFL seasons is prove himself, overcoming a few injuries along the way to establish himself as perhaps the league’s most dynamic player. But last season’s AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year reset the market for running backs this offseason by signing a record-setting contract extension worth $38 million over two years and will be featured on the cover of EA Sports Madden NFL 25. The 28-year-old McCaffrey will have to keep playing at that video game-like level as the 49ers seek a Super Bowl return.
Deshaun Watson, QB, Browns
After being acquired from Houston and getting a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal from Cleveland in 2022, Watson has made just 12 starts. He was suspended by the NFL for 11 games in 2022 for violating the personal conduct policy after being accused of sexual assault and harassment by two dozen women. He missed 11 games last season after breaking a bone in his right shoulder. Joe Flacco became a fan favorite while leading Cleveland to the playoffs and Watson will be expected to do at least that this season.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
The 2021 No. 1 overall pick got a five-year, $275 million contract extension last month that includes $142 million guaranteed and a $37.5 million signing bonus — making him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history. While Lawrence insisted his new deal doesn’t add pressure, he’ll need to continue to make significant progress on the field while trying to lead the Jaguars back into the playoffs after narrowly missing out last season.
Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles
A two-year contract dispute ended with Barkley leaving the Giants and heading to the NFC East-rival Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal. The dynamic playmaker can dominate when healthy, but that has been an issue in recent seasons. Barkley will get a chance to prove he’s still a top running back in the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts-led offence. And he’ll get to face the Giants twice a season.
Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
Speaking of the Giants, the quarterback they hoped would be the face of their franchise heads into the season with lots of uncertainty. Jones has shown flashes of what made him the No. 6 overall pick in 2019, prompting New York to give him a four-year, $160 million contract extension in the 2023 offseason. But a neck injury and a torn ACL limited him to six games. GM Joe Schoen said on a recent episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” that “this is the year” for Jones to show whether he’s the Giants’ long-term solution.
Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
After failing to reach an agreement on a contract extension, Higgins is set to play this season on the $21.8 million franchise tag he signed last month. He’ll now try to set the market for himself for next offseason in free agency. But he’ll have to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2023, when he had 42 catches for 656 yards and five TDs in 12 games — all career lows.
Chase Young, DE, Saints
The 2020 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year while with Washington hasn’t developed into a consistent game-altering player, with injuries playing a large part. The Saints are his third team in his five NFL seasons, including a nine-game stint last season with the 49ers after a midseason deal. Young, who had offseason neck surgery, will be counted on to boost New Orleans’ pass rush after signing a one-year deal.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
Tagovailoa could play this season on the final year of his rookie deal after the QB said last month he was “antsy” about getting a new contract done. He led the NFL with 4,624 yards passing last season, bouncing back from two concussions that cut short his 2022 campaign. But he might need another prove-it season with a return to the postseason before he cashes in next offseason — with Miami or elsewhere.
As the NFL season kicks off, all eyes are on several star players who have something to prove this year. Two quarterbacks in particular, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers and Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks, are facing high expectations and pressure to perform at their best.
For Rodgers, the 2021 season is especially significant as it follows a tumultuous offseason filled with drama and uncertainty. The veteran quarterback made headlines when he expressed his discontent with the Packers organization and reportedly requested a trade. However, after much speculation, Rodgers ultimately decided to return to Green Bay for another season. Now, all eyes are on him to see how he will bounce back from the distractions and lead his team to success.
Similarly, Russell Wilson is also under a microscope this season. The Seahawks quarterback has been a consistent performer throughout his career, but has yet to lead his team back to the Super Bowl since their victory in 2014. With a talented roster and high expectations from fans and analysts alike, Wilson will need to elevate his game and prove that he can lead Seattle to playoff success once again.
Both Rodgers and Wilson are known for their incredible talent and leadership on the field, but this season will test their ability to overcome adversity and perform under pressure. As they take the field each week, fans will be watching closely to see if these two NFL stars can rise to the occasion and prove that they are among the elite quarterbacks in the league.
In addition to Rodgers and Wilson, there are several other NFL stars who also have something to prove this season. From players looking to bounce back from injuries or disappointing performances, to rookies hoping to make a name for themselves in their debut season, the 2021 NFL campaign is sure to be filled with exciting storylines and standout performances.
As the season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these players rise to the challenge and prove their worth on the gridiron. Whether it’s leading their team to victory, putting up impressive stats, or making game-changing plays, these NFL stars have a lot riding on their performances this year. Only time will tell if they can rise to the occasion and silence their critics once and for all.