The NFL offseason has been the gift that keeps on giving. It has been rife with controversies, intrigue, speculation, and the next move has been hard to predict. The most important position that grabs the headline is at the quarterback position, and thankfully, we have a clear understanding of who will be under center for most teams in the league. Although we do not know how the rosters will fill out with the draft and the potential for more trades, it is fair to assess who will face the most pressure to take their team to a championship. In this article, we will discuss the top 5 quarterbacks under the most pressure to win it all next season.
Notable omissions from this list include Lamar Jackson who needs to rebound from injuries that plagued his season. Carson Wentz, Ryan Tannehill, and Matt Ryan are playing this season for their survival as starters in the league with teams ready to contend. Finally, the pressure is always on Tom Brady because the goal is to win every year but this feels like the last dance. So here we go.
5. Josh Allen-it is unfair that Allen is on this list because the last time we saw this man on the field, he went 27/37 for 329 yards, 4 TDs on the road in Kansas City. He came from behind to put his team up 36-33 and only 13 seconds left for his special team and defense to end this game. Instead, both units failed to close the game, and he painfully had to watch the Conference Championship game like the rest of us from his couch. However, Allen enters this season needing to get his team Superbowl and breaking the spell that the Chiefs have over them after losing to them in back-to-back season. We have seen Josh play elite but we need to see it consistently as an MVP candidate and have his team hosting these games as the number 1 seed rather than heading to Arrowhead.
4. Russell Wilson- I feel the decline of Russell Wilson is overblown because he was not healthy last season and still finished with 3,113 yards, 25TDs, and 6 INTs. Many fans feel that the Broncos lost this trade because they had to give up Drew Lock, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a fifth-round selection to Seattle in exchange for Wilson and a fourth-round pick. The winner of this trade will be determined in the future based on the success of Wilson. If he leads this team to a Superbowl win, then the result will justify the means. However, year one will be a crucial litmus test if this team can come close to climbing the mountain. Wilson is under pressure to deliver and get this team into the playoffs and show the league they are contenders out of the gate.
3. Deshaun Watson-the most controversial move of the offseason goes to the Browns’ acquisition of the former Clemson QB. It can only be considered a high-risk and high-reward move. The risk is that the player is likely to be suspended for an unspecified period by the league for the 22 civil lawsuits he faces. Watson is an elite talent at the position but he did miss an entire season of football which will make the comeback tougher. However, there will be no sympathy, and the pressure will be on the quarterback to deliver right away to pay back the Browns’ commitment of 230 million dollars in guaranteed money. The Browns also gave up three first-rounders, a third and a fourth pick to the Texans. Watson will need to deliver the minute he steps onto the field to prove to the world that all the sacrifice the Browns paid and the backlash they will face is worth it.
2. Patrick Mahomes- after beating Josh Allen in the game for the ages, it felt like the Chiefs were a lock for the Superbowl. Against the underdog Bengals, the Chiefs were leading 21-3 late in the first half. In the second half, Mahomes completed only 8 of 18 passes for 55 yards and made two costly interceptions. Pat was outplayed by Joe Burrow and for the second consecutive season, he failed to lift the Lombardi. Mahomes was touted as the best quarterback of this generation and the heir apparent to challenging Brady as the best quarterback ever. Mahomes will be under pressure to put together an MVP Level season given the uneven regular season performances and make next season count by lifting another championship trophy.
1. Aaron Rodgers- Rodgers won his fourth MVP last season. The Packers were the number one seed, had a bye, and folded in their matchup with the 49ers at home. Aaron had a terrible game, and his offense could muster only 10 points. After much speculation, he decided to return to Green Bay in a 150.8 million dollar deal over the next three years. Aaron got what he wanted in becoming the highest-paid quarterback but in the process, he lost his top target in Devante Adams. All eyes will be on No. 12 because it has been 13 years he has been in the Superbowl, and the NFC is clearly the easiest path to the big game. If Rodgers fails to win another championship next season, he may never win it again.