Five NFL players are about to face the most defining seasons of their careers. For some, it’s a chance to prove they belong among the elite. For others, it’s potentially their last shot at greatness.
The 2025 season will separate the pretenders from the contenders, with massive implications for franchise directions, contract negotiations, and legacy building. One analyst has identified the players with the most riding on their upcoming performances.
Which Five Players Face Make-or-Break Seasons in 2025?
NFL analyst Peter Schrager revealed on “Get Up” the five players with the most to prove heading into the 2025 season. Fifth on his list is Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed all of 2024 with a knee injury suffered in the preseason.
McCarthy’s pressure stems from having one less year on his rookie contract to demonstrate his value. Schrager notes that Sam Darnold’s strong 2024 campaign only increases the expectations on McCarthy, who will essentially be a rookie this year.
“J.J. McCarthy is taking over a team that went 14-3 a year ago with another quarterback. They moved on from Sam Darnold, and they said, ‘No, no, we’re good with J.J. McCarthy.’ I think it’s one of the boldest decisions a front office can make, and they haven’t hesitated, and yet 14-3? You’re gonna get better than that?” Schrager said.
The next player facing intense scrutiny is San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, the only non-quarterback on the list.
Once viewed as the best running back in the NFL, injuries in 2024 have added significant pressure on McCaffrey heading into this season, especially given how vital his role is to the team.
“Like, are we still that team in the NFC? Because Christian McCaffrey wasn’t healthy last year. The team took a major step back,” Schrager said, pointing out how McCaffrey’s absence directly impacted the 49ers. “He’s healthy now and if you heard what Kyle Juszczyk had to say, he looks as good as ever.”
Kyle Juszczyk on Christian McCaffrey:
“Christian is arguably the best player in the NFL. He was the Offensive Player of the Year two years ago. He changes everything, and he looks incredible. He looks so healthy. He looks so explosive.”
via: @VicTafur pic.twitter.com/ygjkBqAHiY
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) July 11, 2025
The third player on Schrager’s list represents one of the offseason’s biggest headlines: Aaron Rodgers signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers for what is expected to be his final NFL season.
The legendary quarterback, a four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion with the Packers, now gets one last shot at a second ring, ironically with the team he beat in his first.
Schrager notes that Russell Wilson and Justin Fields led the Steelers to the playoffs in 2024, and Rodgers will have to exceed those performances to meet expectations.
Why Is Tua Tagovailoa Under Maximum Pressure This Season?
Second on the list is Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback of the Miami Dolphins. He faces the tall task of challenging the Buffalo Bills for division supremacy, but must first stay healthy.
“What are you dude? What are you? Are you a great quarterback in this league who can dethrone Josh Allen this season or are you just one of those guys who’s in the middle of the pack and is not going to be a playoff contender? Tua Tagovailoa, a lot riding on this Dolphins season,” Schrager said.
🎥 Peter Schrager has named Tua Tagovailoa the second most pivotal player in the NFL in 2025
“What are you? Are you a great QB in this league who can dethrone Josh Allen this season, or are you just one of those guys who’s in the middle of the pack?” (@GetUpESPN) #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/XSEWgIaZtF
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) July 16, 2025
However, Schrager’s pick for the most pivotal player of 2025 is Jared Goff, the Detroit Lions quarterback who recently starred in the second season of the series “Quarterback” and has led the team’s offense for the past three years.
“Jared Goff is my most pivotal player of the NFL season. He got all the accolades, the Pro Bowl, the whole thing. They were the one seed in the NFL, and yet Jared Goff lost in a divisional round to Jayden Daniels and then basically had his entire coaching staff raided from other teams, including Ben Johnson, the quarterback whisperer.”
The Lions face a major test in 2025 after losing both coordinators. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn left for the New York Jets, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson joined the rival Chicago Bears, both taking head coaching jobs.
Their roles were crucial to Detroit’s success, and Goff may be exposed without Johnson.
Goff is coming off the best year of his career, and Detroit’s Super Bowl window remains open, but a down season could open the door for the team to start thinking about a new quarterback in 2026.
