BY MIKE RIFKIN
It’s the end of July which means one thing Training camp is upon us. Every fanbase is excited for their favorite team to get going. Here are my top ten Quarterbacks with something to prove this season. Sidenote ( Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are not on this list, they’re only pressure is to get to or win the SuperBowl.) The ones on this list are under pressure to win and elevate themselves to that level for the most part.
- CJ STROUD – TEXANS – Stroud had a sensational rookie season, and the last two seasons have been okay. His touchdowns have dropped the last two seasons. And he was awful in the playoff loss to the Pats. With how good the Texans defense is, Stroud can’t be the guy holding them back, otherwise the Texans might be looking elsewhere for a Quarterback.
- JUSTIN HERBERT CHARGERS – Unlike Stroud, Herbert has a long term contract and is the face of the Chargers. In last year’s playoff loss at the Pats, Herbert was down his two starting tackles. Now in Mike Mcdaniel’s offense Herbert should flourish, to a point where not only the Chargers should win a playoff game, they can be a real Super Bowl threat. Then the media can do what they love to do and that’s throw Herbert in the same conversation as Allen, Burrow, Jackson, and Mahomes.
- BO NIX – BRONCOS – Nix didn’t play in the AFC title game due to injury, but he was solid last season for the Broncos. Nix was top ten in yards and touchdowns last season, but he doesn’t have to be the savior with how good the Bronco defense is. But the addition of Jaylen Waddle puts added pressure on Nix and the Broncos, who want to take that next step.
- CALEB WILLIAMS – BEARS – Williams was fun to watch last season, his first under Ben Johnson. He spread the wealth around, and he still has a ton of weapons minus DJ Moore. But Williams was so spectacular he landed the Madden cover, so there’s some lofty goals in Chicago.
- DAK PRESCOTT – COWBOYS – This is all about one thing, getting over the hump. Dak was in the top five in yards, touchdowns and QBR. Dak also has a plethora of weapons with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson. At 33 how much longer can Dak play at this high level?
- BAKER MAYFIELD – BUCS – The Bucs collapsed at the end of the season. Part of that was Baker got hurt and tried to play through it. The Bucs lost four of their last five games and Baker threw at least one interception in each game. He won’t have old reliable Mike Evans to help him, so Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka need to have good years. Other reason this is a big year for Baker, he’ll be a free agent after the season, so if he plays well he can cash in.
- KYLER MURRAY – VIKINGS – Kyler basically went to the place all free agent Quarterbacks want to go. He goes to a team that has an outstanding coach, defense and offensive scheme. He gets one of the best receiving tandems in the game with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Kyler needs to prove the Vikings right if he wants to be the long term solution.
- TUA TAGOVAILOA/MICHAEL PENIX – FALCONS – Here’s the thing both of these guys have pressure on them, Penix to prove he’s not a bust and Tua to prove he can still play at a high level. The NFC South is actually winnable, but these are two guys who need to stay healthy throughout camp and it’s a QB battle worth watching. But either way they have so much talent on that offense, they need to prove themselves.
- PATRICK MAHOMES – CHIEFS – Yeah, I know what I said at the top. Mahomes isn’t under pressure to win, what I want to see from Mahomes is how he handles coming off the ACL surgery. This is his first major surgery in the NFL, and if you think about it most of his injuries have had to deal with his legs. Luckily for him the Chiefs signed Kenneth Walker to take some pressure off.
- TREVOR LAWRENCE – JAGS – 2025 was the best season of Lawrence’s career. He was in the top ten in yards and touchdowns. He led the Jags to the playoffs, where he went toe to toe with Josh Allen. Can Lawrence do it again, and this time without Travis Etienne, who had been his running back since college.
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