BY : Mike Rifkin
With training camp a couple weeks away, ESPN has released their top 10 Quarterbacks for 2025 through conversations with executives, scouts and coaches. Here is the list https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45530940/top-10-nfl-quarterbacks-execs-scouts-2025-espn-jeremy-fowler-position-rankings. This list is going to be a little different, this list will be the top 10 quarterbacks I believe are under pressure this season.
- Trevor Lawrence – Jags : Lawrence signed a five year 275 million dollar in October, and the AAV is tied for the highest in the league with Joe Burrow. Last season Lawrence had a 60.6 completion percentage, 2,045 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. If Lawrence doesn’t show improvement under new coach Liam Cohen, maybe there’s another team that will take a chance on the former number one pick.
- Caleb Williams – Bears : The Bears spent their offseason doing one thing and that was build around Caleb Williams. Wether it was the additions on the offensive line or the hiring of Ben Johnson, Bears fans are going to want to see an improved Williams and potentially compete in the NFC North.
- Dak Prescott- Cowboys : You knew this was coming, Mike McCarthy didn’t get a pass with Dak getting hurt last season. Here is where I have to give Jerry Jones some credit, the addition of George Pickens to play alongside Ceedee Lamb gives Dak a tremendous duo at receiver. So playmakers is one reason the Cowboy QB is under pressure, him being the highest paid QB in the league is another, and the biggest reason Dak is under fire is because for the second time Cowboy fans saw the Eagles win the Lombardi.
- Aaron Rodgers – Steelers : There’s only one reason Rodgers is on this list, and that is he believes the Pittsburgh Steelers are good enough to get to Santa Clara and the Super Bowl. If Rodgers can’t get the Steelers there it’s a failure and all the pressure is on Rodgers ( and should be on Tomlin too).
- Justin Herbert – Chargers : One of the questions I ask myself every year, Is Justin Herbert an elite QB? Stats wise he’s fantastic, but when they falter it’s not on Herbert. Whether it’s a lack of receivers or the defense can’t hold the lead, it’s not Herbert’s fault. Well the last time we saw Herbert, he threw four interceptions against the Texans in the playoffs. So, why is Herbert under pressure this season, because he has the same amount of playoff wins as me, and that’s not good. Time for the former Duck to put up or for the media to shut up.
- Brock Purdy – 49ers : Brock got his bag and it’s deserved, but now to quote the great Uncle Ben from Spiderman : “With great power, comes great responsibility”. The Niners were a team decimated by injuries last season, and now healthy it’s on Brock to play like an elite talent and take the Niners to the promiseland.
- Tua Tagovailoa – Dolphins : I know what you’re thinking, how can you put Tua this low on the list? Well, the answer is simple, the Dolphins don’t have the same expectations as some of these other teams entering the season. But, this is a major year for Tua and he has to do one thing in order to make it a success and that is stay healthy. If he has another injury plagued season, his career could be in jeopardy.
- JJ Mccarthy – Vikings : The Vikings were one of the best stories in football last season, led by Sam Darnold. Now they’ve let Darnold walk and said no to Aaron Rodgers, because they believe in the former Michigan Wolverine. With the roster the Vikings have assembled, Mccarthy must lead them to the playoffs, which is asking a lot of a guy coming off ACL surgery.
- Michael Penix Jr. – Falcons : This is not Penix’s fault, this is on the Falcons front office, who after signing Kirk Cousins decided to take Penix with eighth overall pick. Penix played in five games last season, and showed some glimpses, but now he has to prove the Falcons were right in taking him after signing Cousins otherwise somebody’s got a lot of explaining to do.
- Anthony Richardson – Colts : If you lose your starting job to Daniel Jones ( who apparently the Counting Crows song Mr. Jones isn’t about) you have a massive issue. Richardson, has dealt with some shoulder issues as well, but if he can’t prove to the Colts he is their future Quarterback, he will be out of the league shortly.
Honorable Mention : Justin Fields (Jets)
People who will read this list are going to ask where are Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, well I’ll tell you their only pressure is to win the Super Bowl, the 10 listed above most of them (outside of Rodgers) have more to prove, and that’s why they’re under more pressure.
The Sports Insanity Network 
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