Writer and football analyst Dave Dameshek has named the three quarterbacks he feels are under the most pressure in 2025, with three of the games’ biggest names making the list. The analyst pointed to off-field demands and on-field frustrations as the reasoning for his choices, with all three aiming to win a Super Bowl in the coming year.
Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen 2025’s Most Under-Pressure Players
In a recent episode of the “NFL on Fox Podcast,” Dameshek revealed which three players he thought were facing the most pressure in 2025. The “Shek Show” host first pointed to Joe Burrow and his offseason pressuring of his team to re-sign its key offensive players at a massive cost. The move has left the Cincinnati Bengals short of funds when it comes to strengthening their struggling defense, which cost them a playoff place last season.
“I don’t know if the defense is gonna be one degree better than it was last year. The offense can be as good as it was a year ago; if it doesn’t wind up in the playoffs, then Joe Burrow has called for this formula to be applied. And it is a poisonous, poisonous formula.”
Dameshek then listed Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. While noting the player’s ridiculous talent, the analyst suggested that Jackson’s legacy would be impaired if he continued to fall short in the playoffs.
Dameshek started by stating that Jackson, “probably could retire tomorrow and still wind up in the Hall of Fame.” He finished, though, on a less positive note. “[Jackson] has not even gotten to a Super Bowl, kind of, is a disappointment. But it’s gonna be even more disappointing if that guy doesn’t wind up getting a gold jacket, let alone never even getting to a Super Bowl.”
The 3 NFL QBs facing the most pressure this season, according to @Dameshek.
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That led the analyst to his final name, Buffalo Bills hero and 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen.
“Bottom line is, this is a team that has never gotten to a Super Bowl, and he has to overcome his head coach, a defensive-minded head coach.” Dameshek pointed out that Allen is regularly called upon to be the hero in Buffalo, suggesting that it will be the quarterback who takes the blame if the team continues to fall short.
“Josh Allen has to do it all for his team; that still is true, even with James Cook and otherwise around him. He is the guy; if he doesn’t get to a Super Bowl, it will ultimately be, whether it’s fair or not, he will take the blame for that.”
Allen is a fair choice for No. 1 on the list, his MVP win in 2024 owed much to his ability to put his team on his back in the biggest games. Jackson is also deserving of a mention, given the team’s continued struggles when it matters most. Another player worth consideration would be Dak Prescott, who also has a woeful playoff narrative to overturn. Lastly, while less obvious, would be Anthony Richardson, who doesn’t carry the same expectations as the names on the list, but is likely playing for his NFL future in 2025.
