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Injuries, big deals heighten pressure

The pressure is on several big-name NFL players as they enter a season that will go a long way toward determining their playing futures.

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is getting another chance as a starter on his third team in five years, this time looking to help end the league's longest active playoff drought at 14 seasons.

Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence got a huge payday before last season -- a five-year, $275 million contract extension, including $142 million guaranteed -- but struggled with injury and inconsistency as the Jaguars missed the postseason.

Young quarterbacks such as J.J. McCarthy, Anthony Richardson, Caleb Williams and Bryce Young also are in the spotlight. But it's not only the signal-callers.

Buffalo running back James Cook, San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey, Dallas wide receiver George Pickens, Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts and New England defensive lineman Milton Williams are among a handful of NFL stars with something to prove because of injuries, mediocre play or big contracts in need of justification.

JAMES COOK

The running back ended his contract standoff last Wednesday by signing a four-year, $48 million deal, which included $30 million in guaranteed money. Cook tied for the NFL lead with 16 touchdown runs last season. He now must live up to that lofty contract while helping Josh Allen make Buffalo's offense roll.

JUSTIN FIELDS

Fields was a first-rounder in 2021 by Chicago, which hoped he was its quarterback of the future. He was gone after just three seasons, sent to Pittsburgh -- where he went 4-2 for an injured Russell Wilson before ceding the starting role to the veteran. He now is replacing Aaron Rodgers with the Jets, who signed him to a two-year, $40 million deal and believe his dual-threat playmaking ability is a perfect fit for their new-look offense.

TREVOR LAWRENCE

The No. 1 overall pick in 2021 went to the Pro Bowl as an alternate in his second season as Jacksonville's quarterback, but he hasn't been able to match that success. Lawrence played in only 10 games last season because of a shoulder injury and then a concussion. He is playing for a new Coach in Liam Coen and is still considered a potential franchise quarterback. Two-way rookie Travis Hunter should help, but Lawrence's health and consistency are the key to the Jaguars' success on offense.

CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY

The 2023 AP Offensive Player of the Year has proven himself before, bouncing back from injuries to become a dominant playmaker at running back. McCaffrey will need to do it again in San Francisco, this time is coming off a season marred by knee and Achilles tendon issues. He's 29, an age when many running backs start to decline. McCaffrey has looked like himself during the summer and another rebound season could help the 49ers get back to the playoffs.

J.J. MCCARTHY

The 10th overall pick in last year's draft very well could've been Minnesota's starting quarterback as a rookie if not for a knee injury in the preseason opener that sidelined him the rest of the season. Sam Darnold stepped in and had the best year of his career. But the Vikings decided to not re-sign Darnold. Minnesota has turned its offense over to McCarthy, who needs to reward their faith in him.

GEORGE PICKENS

In May, Dallas acquired the 2022 second-round pick from Pittsburgh to be its No. 2 receiver and complement CeeDee Lamb as Dak Prescott's primary options. Pickens had just one season with the Steelers of 60 or more catches and 1,000 yards receiving -- both in 2023. His frustration over a lack of targets, penalties and sideline outbursts also shortened his stay in Pittsburgh.

KYLE PITTS

Pitts came to Atlanta as the highest-selected tight end in NFL Draft history at No. 4 overall. His mix of speed, size and physicality had the Falcons daydreaming of mismatches. Instead, Pitts has failed to be that dominant force. He has topped 60 catches and 1,000 yards receiving just once, both in his first season.

BROCK PURDY

No longer just a feel-good story after he was "Mr. Irrelevant" as the final pick in the 2022 draft, Purdy already has played in a Super Bowl. Some critics have attributed Purdy's success to him simply being a product of Coach Kyle Shanahan's offense. The 49ers see him as much more, though, and rewarded him with a five-year, $265 million contract extension in May.

ANTHONY RICHARDSON

Richardson has been an enigma on the field since Indianapolis selected him fourth overall in 2023. He played in only four games as a rookie because of a sprained shoulder and started 11 last season while finishing with an NFL-worst 47.7% completion rate. Richardson missed four games with injuries and also was benched for two in favor of Joe Flacco in the middle of the season after asking out of a game because of fatigue. Richardson now will have to overcome yet another setback: He'll start this season as a backup after Coach Shane Steichen declared Daniel Jones his starter.

KAYVON THIBODEAUX

The pass rusher's name came up in trade rumors during the offseason, particularly after the New York Giants drafted Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter with the third overall pick. New York insisted it wanted to keep Thibodeaux -- the Giants picked up his fifth-year contract option -- to complement a solid pass rush rotation. Thibodeaux, a first-rounder in 2022, is coming off a season with just 5 1/2 sacks but insists his goal entering every year is to set the single-season record.

CALEB WILLIAMS

The first overall pick last year is entering only his second NFL season, but all eyes in Chicago have been on the quarterback with new Coach Ben Johnson taking over. Williams put up solid numbers as a rookie with 3,541 yards passing, 20 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. But he took a league-high 68 sacks. Some of the blame was on the offensive line, which has been upgraded, but Williams also routinely held the ball too long.

MILTON WILLIAMS

Williams was a third-round pick by Philadelphia in 2021 and worked his way into being a force for the Eagles on their vaunted defensive line. After Fletcher Cox retired following the 2023 season, Williams saw increased snaps and capped a breakout year by taking down Patrick Mahomes twice -- including a strip-sack and fumble recovery -- in the Super Bowl win over Kansas City. He signed a four-year, $104 million contract with New England in the offseason, making his annual salary the highest ever for a Patriots player.

BRYCE YOUNG

The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 by Carolina had the expected up-and-down struggles of a rookie quarterback but was benched last season in favor of Andy Dalton after just two games. Young regained the starting role after five games when Dalton went down with an injury, finishing on a positive note with seven touchdown passes and no interceptions. He had three rushing scores in his final three games, including two overtime wins. He needs to build on that to erase any doubt the Panthers have about their long-term plans at quarterback.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young looks to pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Buffalo Bills' James Cook stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey tosses the ball during a joint NFL football training camp with the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws a pass in the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

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