1 Player on the Hot Seat for Every NFL Team This Season: Daniel Jones, Russell Wilson, and Others

Every NFL season, there are always multiple head coaches on the hot seat, even before the night of the NFL Kickoff Game. This season is no different with Mike McCarthy and Nick Sirianni among head coaches on the hot seat with the NFL Kickoff Game just a few days away.

But for this exercise, we’re talking about players entering 2024 on the hot seat. We’re going around to all 32 teams and looking at one player on all of them that are on the hot seat this season.

NFL Players on the Hot Seat This Season

Arizona Cardinals | Will Hernandez

Will Hernandez is going into his seventh season in the NFL and his third with the Cardinals. A former second-round pick by the Giants in 2018, Hernandez has yet to show that he is a top-tier tackle in the NFL.

With the Cardinals’ offensive line a major question mark going into the season, Hernandez needs to prove he can hold the fort down at right tackle. His durability isn’t a major concern, but his ability is what has him on the hot seat for the Cardinals going into 2024.

Atlanta Falcons | Kyle Pitts

Through no fault of his own, Kyle Pitts hasn’t materialized into the player the Falcons hoped they were getting when they drafted him No. 4 overall in 2021. Pitts has dealt with inconsistent and unstable quarterback play through his first three seasons, going from Matt Ryan to Marcus Mariota to Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke.

That changes this season with Kirk Cousins signing a massive deal in free agency. Pitts has to produce as a top-tier tight end and be a valuable weapon for this Falcons offense. He is a tight end who can also line up as a receiver, adding more dimensions to a Falcons offense that potentially has a lot of angles with Bijan Robinson and Drake London in the fold.

Pitts had 68 receptions as a rookie in 2021. He hasn’t had more than 53 in his previous two seasons. With stability now at quarterback, Pitts has to recapture his rookie form, especially in a contract year.

Baltimore Ravens | Rashod Bateman

Rashod Bateman’s role could be more significant this season, and he needs to produce like the first-round pick he was by the Ravens in 2021. Odell Beckham Jr. is gone, Mark Andrews is coming off an injury-plagued season in 2023, and there’s no guarantee Zay Flowers is going to take a second-year leap.

Bateman had 46 receptions in his rookie season in 2021, but he hasn’t had more than 32 catches in either of his previous two seasons. With potentially fewer pass catchers to whom Lamar Jackson can throw, Bateman could see more targets in his fourth season. He needs to be more of a factor in the Ravens’ offense this season.

Buffalo Bills | Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The two-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver made the Bills’ 53-man roster as a second-string wide receiver. That puts him on the hot seat, but he has what it takes to get off of it and be a valuable weapon for Josh Allen and the Bills this season.

He’s never had more than 42 receptions in a season, but he’s had at least 15 yards per catch in each of his first six. In the playoffs, Valdes-Scantling made some incredible plays to help the Chiefs win back-to-back Super Bowls. His vertical route-running should mesh with Allen’s rocket arm and keep the Bills’ passing game as one of the best in the NFL. He’s on the hot seat, but Valdes-Scantling can easily get off it.

Carolina Panthers | Bryce Young

This one was easy. The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and Bryce Young has to prove himself this season as the No. 1 overall pick a season ago. Young barely threw for more touchdowns than interceptions in 2023, but the Panthers made improvements that should make him take a second-year step.

Dave Canales helped develop Russell Wilson in Seattle, and we saw Wilson ascend to Tier 1 quarterback status. Young is in good hands with Canales mentoring him, but he has to take that step forward this season.

Chicago Bears | Caleb Williams

To explain, Caleb Williams is not on the hot seat because we don’t know if he can play. His preseason performances indicate he could be a really good quarterback. In terms of the spotlight that comes from being the No. 1 overall pick, that’s what puts Williams on the hot seat. All eyes will be on him, and his first prime-time appearance is in Week 2 on “Sunday Night Football” against the Houston Texans.

Cincinnati Bengals | Cordell Volson

Cordell Volson surprised many in Cincinnati when he earned the Bengals’ starting left guard job with a great training camp and preseason in 2022. He was a fourth-round pick out of North Dakota State that year, making his win of the starting job that much more impressive.

But on an offensive line with a lot of experience and even Super Bowl champions, Volson is the odd man out. He’s the youngest of the five starters starters slated for Sunday while the other four starters are established veterans. Considering that the Bengals’ offensive line is their biggest talking point after Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, that’s what puts Volson in the hot seat going into 2024.

Cleveland Browns | DeShaun Watson

Easy choice here. Deshaun Watson, who signed a fully guaranteed contract with the Browns in the spring of 2022, has yet to prove his abilities and his availability with the Browns in his first two seasons in Cleveland. If he doesn’t recapture the level of play he showed when he was with the Texans or misses time due to injuries, the Browns will have major questions surrounding their franchise quarterback … again.

Dallas Cowboys | Dan Prescott

Dak Prescott is a really good quarterback, but playing quarterback for America’s Team is one of the most scrutinized positions in all of sports, maybe even the most scrutinized.

The ninth-year veteran quarterback is in the final year of his contract, and this could be his final season in Dallas. He’s always going to be judged by what he does in the playoffs, but even that may not be enough to secure a long-term contract extension with the Cowboys. Regardless, he’s got a lot on the line for the Cowboys going into 2024.

Denver Broncos | Garett Bolles

Garett Bolles was a first-round pick by the Broncos in 2017, meaning he’s been with the franchise for each of their seven straight losing seasons. He’s only had one great season as the Broncos left tackle, and he’s now got the responsibility of blocking for rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Bolles will be protecting his blind side, and he is the leader of an offensive line that must improve this season if Nix is going to have success as a rookie.

Detroit Lions | Kindle Vildor

This one was easy. The lasting image of Kindle Vildor in 2023 was the football ricocheting off the visor of his helmet and into the hands of 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. That play completely changed the NFC Championship Game, swinging all the momentum over to the 49ers.

Detroit’s secondary was a problem last season, but there are still a lot of great and established players. Vildor, though, needs to show that he is more than just that one play in the NFC championship.

Green Bay Packers | Jordan Love

The Packers have apparently found their quarterback for the next 15 years … again. Love had a great second half and postseason in 2023, but is that a sign of things to come or a fluke stretch? We will find out throughout this season, and that’s why Love is under heat going into 2024.

Houston Texans | Stefon Diggs

The Texans have built a really talented roster in a short amount of time. Stefon Diggs coming to Houston fast-tracked the Texans into a dark horse AFC contender. But as we saw in Buffalo and Minnesota, he can be a headache. He’s a great receiver, no doubt, but if he causes any drama, it could derail the Texans’ season and hinder C.J. Stroud from taking a second-year leap.

That’s why Diggs is on the hot seat. It’s not for his production but whether he can be a good teammate on a team whose culture has flipped dramatically since DeMeco Ryans was hired as the head coach.

Indianapolis Colts | Anthony Richardson

Anthony Richardson only played and started in four games in 2023, so we don’t know exactly what kind of quarterback he is. But because he is really talented and didn’t have a lot of college experience when he was drafted No. 4 overall, he’ll be watched under a microscope going into 2024.

Jacksonville Jaguars | Trevor Lawrence

Trevor Lawrence signed an NFL-record-tying five-year, $275 million contract extension this offseason. He is a really good quarterback, and injuries did hinder him in 2023. But if he’s fully healthy this season, he needs to prove he can consistently elevate the Jaguars. That’s especially true in prime-time and marquee games. He got paid; now he needs to reward the Jaguars’ front office by taking the team back to the playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs | Rashee Rice

After a controversial offseason, Rashee Rice will be on the field for Week 1 on Thursday night. Will he be able to build off his solid rookie season despite all the offseason drama? That question puts him under pressure in 2024.

Las Vegas Raiders | Davante Adams

As the Raiders’ best offensive player, the camera remains on Davante Adams. Trade rumors surround him in the offseason, but he remains with the Raiders going into 2024. He is the best wide receiver starting QB Gardner Minshew II has ever played with. Therefore, the spotlight is on Adams to carry Minshew and this Raiders offense to compete in the AFC West.

Los Angeles Chargers | Joey Bosa

Joey Bosa hasn’t seen much playing time the last two seasons due to injuries, which has really hurt the Chargers’ defense. This is still a four-time Pro Bowler with four double-digit sack seasons in his eight-year career. He’ll be looked at to recapture that production in 2024.

Los Angeles Rams | Cooper Kupp

The emergence of Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams has overshadowed Cooper Kupp, who is still on the team. He has dealt with injuries the last two seasons, but he played well in the 12 games he did play in in 2023. Is he still one of the NFL’s high-end receivers? That’s why he is on the hot seat in 2024.

Miami Dolphins | Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa will always be on the hot seat because of his injury history and current inability to win big games.

Minnesota Vikings | Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold has yet to get his career off the ground, but that could be because he hasn’t been in a situation like the one he’s currently in. He’s going to be the Vikings’ starting quarterback with a great skill player group surrounding him. This is the best situation he’s been in as a starting quarterback, but he has to make it work this time.

New England Patriots | Jacoby Brissett

Jacoby Brissett is on the hot seat with No. 3 overall pick Drake Make waiting in the wings to make his NFL debut. It may only be a matter of time before first-year head coach Jerod Mayo makes a change at quarterback.

New Orleans Saints | Derek Carr

Derek Carr is entering the second year of the four-year, $150 million contract he signed with the Saints in 2023. He’s always been a better quarterback than he’s been given credit for, but he needs to get the Saints back to the playoffs for the first time since Drew Brees retired after the 2020 season. If he doesn’t this season, the Saints will continue to be mired in mediocrity.

New York Giants | Daniel Jones

Duh — Daniel Jones signed a $160 million contract extension before the 2023 season. If he can’t prove he’s the Giants’ long-term answer at quarterback this season, especially after the Giants drafted Malik Nabers, the next offseason could be another long and pivotal one for New York.

New York Jets | Tyron Smith

Tyron Smith is a 13-year veteran left tackle, but the spotlight will be on him on every passing play with Aaron Rodgers returning from a ruptured Achilles in 2024. One missed block, as we saw in 2023, could derail the Jets’ season.

Philadelphia Eagles | Saquon Barkley

Is Saquon Barkley the top-tier running back the Eagles think he is? Is he worth all the money the Eagles paid him in free agency? Those questions will be answered in 2024 and could be the difference in the Eagles being a Super Bowl contender. That’s why Barkley is under pressure going into 2024.

Pittsburgh Steelers | Russell Wilson

Even after struggles in the preseason, Russell Wilson is the Steelers’ starting quarterback going into Week 1. But it may be only a matter of time before Wilson is benched for Justin Fields, especially if he struggles.

San Francisco 49ers | Brandon Aiyuk

Brandon Aiyuk got his contract extension. Now it’s up to him to prove he is the No. 1 wide receiver he and the 49ers think he is.

Seattle Seahawks | Geno Smith

Geno Smith has been good, if not really good, the last two seasons in Seattle. But at some point, he needs to take the next step in getting the Seahawks deep into the playoffs. With a talented roster this season, he’s on the hot seat as to whether he can make the Seahawks legitimate contenders in the NFC West and the NFC overall.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield will be on the hot seat wherever he is a starting quarterback. Now a $100 million man, the expectations are higher for him and the Buccaneers this season. He hasn’t delivered with high expectations surrounding him in the past, so he must prove that this time it’s different.

Tennessee Titans | Will Levis

The Titans spent a lot of money to assemble their skill player group this offseason, but doing so is signaling a shift in their offensive identity. They’re going all in on Will Levis’ strong arm, and that puts pressure on the second-year quarterback out of Kentucky to take a huge leap this season.

Washington Commanders | Jonathan Allen

Jonathan Allen has been with the Commanders since 2017, and he’s been a solid defensive tackle. But he’s on the hot seat going into 2024 as there are expectations to take that next step as an elite run defender and increase his sack stats.