Welcome to the NFL Pressure Cooker

I can smell the fresh cut summer grass now as training camps are in full swing, reporters are all around to talk about every fight in camp, rosters are being re-shaped with sudden cuts and the Jets played the Browns last night in the Hall of Fame game that probably had less viewers than Lizzo trying on a string bikini at Target. Despite the constant ridiculous updates from ESPN telling us that some 5’4” rookie running back looks great, there are a lot of pressure situations in the NFL right now and in a month the ball gets kicked off and then the true pressure starts. We decided to make a list of the players who have the most pressure on them entering this season and who could cause a fire storm if they play poorly.

#5) Jonathan Taylor: As of today, he is still holding out on his rookie contract, and he is under contract this year. If he holds out, he can be franchised next year, so he may end up becoming LeVeon Bell Part II. He must play despite his trade demands and his agent knows it. However, if he plays and has another mediocre 800–1000-yard season due to injuries or a lackluster team? He just cost himself $12 million per year and Indy will move on.

#4) Russell Wilson: For five years fans in Seattle demanded “Let Russ Cook” and he was finally traded to Denver for a boat load of picks and players . The result was Russ cooked alright. He made burnt Spam on some wonder bread with a side of arsenic sauce. Sean “Dog the Bounty Hunter” Payton has come in with his genius offensive mind and stirred the pot recently blaming an old coach. Media has said this is an attempt to motivate Russell, but if $50 million signing bonus and $160 million guaranteed over next 4 years isn’t motivation enough, Broncos are in trouble. If he has another mediocre season, the 35-year-old may be bought out and GM fired.

#3) Aaron Rodgers: A-Aron came to the Jets in an off-season acquisition and quickly took a bite out of the Big Apple. However, he had a bad season in Green Bay last year and has never faced a hostile crowd nor was he ever booed by Packer fans. How will he handle an 1-3 start and Fireman Ed and his posse booing him and demanding Zach Wilson be reinserted? Talk radio and papers will call him washed up and will watch his every move and God forbid he goes out to a fancy restaurant after a loss. This isn’t Green Bay Aaron, so you better be prepared for the pressure and the press.

#2) Dak Prescott: Dak is entering the final year of his $40 million per year contract extension that he signed a few years ago and what do the Boys have to show for it? One playoff win and three playoff misses? One year he missed the entire season with an ankle break and last year he broke his thumb and without him in the lineup for 5 games the Boys went 4-1 with some stiff named Cooper Rush? To make matters worse, he led the league in interceptions with 15…despite only playing 11 games. Gulp. Jerry Jones is loyal to his players, but this team has been ready to win or go deeper into playoffs and the one thing holding them back is Dak. With new QB contracts hitting $200 million guaranteed money, it will be a tough sell for an interception machine who is frequently hurt.

#1) Daniel Jones: Danny Dimes just got a huge extension for a mediocre QB who had 15 TD passes last year and made playoffs for 1st time in four years and has never thrown for more than 3200 yards. This is a passing league and his career stats of 11,000 passing yards and 60 TD passes is what Patrick Mahomes gets in a season and a playoff run. To make matters worse, RB Saquon Barkley is still sulking at not getting a long-term deal despite being the heart of that offense. If the G-men start slow, you can bet there will be heavy pressure on him and it could fracture a locker room as players mumble at how much he got from the team. The QB is the most valued position, however if Daniel plays like he did last year or recedes it could cause front office turmoil and those fervent G-men fans will be clamoring to trade for “Cooper Rush”!

Enjoy the pressure boys, you have all earned it, now let’s see who can handle it.

-BSB