Breaking down the TOP 10 players in the NFL with the most to lose during the 2024-25 season! Make sure to drop your thoughts and feedback in the comment section.
No. 10: WR Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase has established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, being selected to three straight Pro Bowls to begin his career and totaling over 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in each of them. Now it’s time for him to be paid like one of the league’s best. Chase has been in a contract dispute with the Cincinnati Bengals this summer as he awaits a long-term extension. He’s set to be a free agent in 2026 as the Bengals have already picked up his fifth-year option. But Chase wants to get a deal done sooner rather than later. Another dominant season could make Chase a lot of money.
No. 9: QB Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr is entering his second season as the New Orleans Saints’ starting quarterback, but that could soon change if he performs as poorly as he did last season. Carr threw for an underwhelming 3,878 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. He is clearly viewed as a stop-gap quarterback, rather than a franchise signal-caller for the Saints. Meanwhile, rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler has been impressive all summer and really shined in the preseason. If Carr struggles, it will be interesting to see how quick the Saints are to turn to their late-round rookie.
No. 8: WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Quentin Johnston is entering just his second season in the NFL but is already getting hit with the bust label. The Los Angeles Chargers drafted Johnston in the first round last year, hoping he would emerge as an elite receiving weapon for QB Justin Herbert. However, Johnston struggled tremendously as a rookie, and the Chargers went and drafted two rookie wideouts in this year’s draft (Ladd McConkey in the second round and Brenden Rice in the seventh round). Johnston might not even be in the starting lineup this season if he doesn’t show significant signs of improvement.
No. 7: RB Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris has been the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting running back for three years and has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in each of those three seasons. However, his status as the team’s starter could be in jeopardy this season. He is entering a contract year in 2024-25 after the Steelers declined his fifth-year option. Meanwhile, third-year RB Jaylen Warren is gunning for a bigger role this season. Unless Harris can remain productive, he could lose his starting job to the younger, more affordable option in Warren.
No. 6: EDGE Haason Reddick, New York Jets
It’s still to be determined whether or not Haason Reddick will even play this season. After being traded to the New York Jets this offseason, Reddick disputed his contract, demanding an extension and pay raise that the Jets seem unwilling to give him. He subsequently requested a trade away from the team that had just traded for him a few months prior. If he does play this season without an extension (on the Jets or another team), Reddick will need to produce elite numbers again as a pass rusher if he wants to be made one of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive players.
No. 5: WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins wants to be paid like one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. But has he done enough to earn such a lucrative contract? The Cincinnati Bengals are obviously not certain that he has, hence the franchise tag they placed on him this offseason. Higgins will be playing on the franchise tag this season, looking to put up big numbers in a contract year and cash in on a massive deal — from the Bengals or another NFL team — in the 2025 offseason.
No. 4: QB Daniel Jones, New York Giants
The New York Giants tried their hardest to move on from quarterback Daniel Jones this offseason. They called around the NFL Draft order, attempting to move up for a rookie quarterback to no avail. Jones is going into his sixth NFL season coming off a torn ACL and a 2023-24 season in which he played just six games, threw six interceptions, and only two touchdowns. Jones has thrown for over 20 touchdowns in a single season just once in his career (24 as a rookie in 2019). If he doesn’t ball out this season, Jones’ time as the starter in New York is likely over.
No. 3: QB Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Russell Wilson’s Hall of Fame-caliber career is in its twilight stage. The nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback was cut by the Denver Broncos this offseason, just two years after they made a historic trade to acquire him. Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason and is entering a season that could be viewed as his last opportunity to prove that he is still a franchise quarterback. If he does not perform well this season, Wilson could wind up being considered a backup quarterback in 2025.
No. 2: QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns made the controversial blockbuster trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson in 2022 and his tenure with the team has been incredibly shaky. He served an 11-game suspension in 2022 for allegations of sexual misconduct from over two dozen women, then missed 11 games in 2023 due to injuries. The Browns are making Watson one of the NFL’s highest-paid players, yet he has barely played for them. They need to start seeing some returns on their massive investment this season.
No. 1: QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott is entering a contract year in a make-or-break situation with the Dallas Cowboys. Despite giving Dallas years of stable and elite production in the regular season, Prescott has been unable to yield postseason success for The Boys. Now, owner Jerry Jones has to decide whether or not to extend Prescott, who is coming off of a historic 2023-24 season in which he finished second place in MVP voting. However, Prescott’s 2-5 career postseason record could prompt Jones to let his franchise quarterback test free agency and move in a different direction.