Revenge Season or Washed? NFL Stars With the Most to Prove in 2025

1. Russell Wilson – QB, New York Giants

Courtesy of the New York Giants

Russell Wilson is the NFL’s Goldilocks: too cold in Denver, too weirdly mid in Pittsburgh, and now trying to be just right in New York. After two rough seasons where he went a combined 14-19 as a starter, he’s now trying to fend off two backup threats: rookie Jaxson Dart and journeyman Jameis Winston. Time for Mr. Unlimited to come out and play.

What He Needs to Do: Stop playing like the Subway “Dangerwich” sandwich tasted — confusing and disappointing. If he can cut down on sacks (33 in 2024!) and get the ball out to a young WR core, maybe he can cook one more time. Otherwise, it’s off to clipboard city.

2. Deshaun Watson - QB Cleveland Browns

Courtesy of Photograph by Nick Cammett / Getty 

Injuries have turned Watson into a $230 million “what if?” He’s only played 132 games across two seasons, with a combined passer rating of 81.7, way down from his 112.4 peak in Houston.

What He Needs to Do: Step 1: Stay upright. Step 2: Look like anything close to his 2020 self. If not, the Browns’ guaranteed money disaster might go down as the worst NFL investment ever! 

3. Dak Prescott - QB Dallas Cowboys 

Courtesy of Brett Davis-Imagn Images

No quarterback has made more money with less playoff glory since...well, maybe Tony Romo? (Cowboys keeping it in the family.) Dak threw 36 TDs in 2023last year and led the NFL in passer rating (105.9), but and still got bounced out of the playoffs early.

What He Needs to Do: Deliver a deep playoff run. Otherwise, Jerry Jones might just start drunk-texting Trey Lance at 3 a.m. about the starting job.

4. Jameis Winston - QB New York Giants

Courtesy of the New York Giants

The New York Giants QB room is the Spider-Man meme at this point. Despite Winston’s flashes of brilliance (like his 5-TD game with New Orleans), his turnover problem is legendary. (Remember the 30 INT season in Tampa? Unforgettable.)

What He Needs to Do: Stay ready. With Russ on a short leash and a rookie lurking, Winston could find himself suddenly thrust into action. He needs to be the good Jameis, not the “YOLO ball” Jameis. At least we can expect some more Jameis TikTok content!

5. Aaron Rodgers - QB Free Agent

Courtesy of Alastair Grant/AP

One snap. One Achilles. One massive dose of “what could’ve been” energy. Rodgers’ Jets dream lasted shorter than a Love Is Blind engagement.

What He Needs to Do: Decide whether or not if he’s playing, and then show he can still be elite at 41. If he signs somewhere like Pittsburgh, he’ll need to lean on quick reads, vintage accuracy, and maybe a little ayahuasca magic…

6. Rome Odunze - WR Chicago Bears

Courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas Imagn Images

Rome Odunze, tThe 9th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Rome Odunze, entered a Chicago Bears receiving corps featuring D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. In his rookie season, Odunze played all 17 games, starting 12, and recorded 54 receptions for 734 yards and three3 touchdowns, averaging 13.6 yards per catch.

What He Needs to Do: As Odunze enters his second season, developing greater chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams will be crucial. Enhancing his route precision and consistency can help him become a more prominent target in the Bears' offense, aiming to elevate his role beyond the third receiving option.​

7. Bryce Young - QB Carolina Panthers

Courtesy of AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

The first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Bryce Young faced challenges in his rookie year. In the 2024 season, he showed improvement, completing 60.9% of his passes for 2,403 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 82.2.  Notably, Aafter being notably benched early in the season, Young returned to the starting lineup in Week 8 and led the Panthers to a 4–6 record in the remaining games, compared to a 2–16 record prior. 

What He Needs to Do: Building on the momentum from the latter part of the 2024 season, Young should focus on maintaining consistency and reducing turnovers. With the addition of rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and a new coaching direction under Dave Canales, Young has the opportunity to solidify his role as the franchise quarterback and dispel early career doubts

8. Joe Burrow - QB Cincinnati Bengals 

Courtesy of Charles Baus/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA

Burrow missed half of 2024 with a wrist injury, and without him, the Bengals missed the playoffs. Watching the Chiefs and Ravens party without him must’ve felt like getting left on read by your high school crush.

What He Needs to Do: Stay healthy. Period. The Bengals’ Super Bowl window is still cracked open, but if Burrow gets hurt again, it's going to slam shut faster than you can say Who Dey.

Revenge Angle: After missing the playoffs due to a combination of factors, including a critical loss to the Broncos, Burrow is determined to lead the Bengals back to postseason contention.

9. DeAndre Hopkins - WR Baltimore Ravens

Courtesy of Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

After a cup of coffee with the Chiefs, where he barely got used (and Travis Kelce got all the love), Hopkins bet on himself and joined Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.

What He Needs to Do: Prove he's still WR1 material. The hands, the route-running, they're still elite if he stays engaged. But if he disappears again, people will just remember him as another WR aging out of WR1 territory, following in the footsteps of A.J. Green and Julio Jones.

Revenge Angle: After a brief stint with the Chiefs, where he felt underutilized, Hopkins signed with the Ravens. He'll have the opportunity to prove his worth when facing Kansas City this season.

10. Caleb Williams - QB Chicago Bears

Courtesy of Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

The NFL’s poster boy of hope. Caleb lost his rookie duel to Jayden Daniels and the Commanders last year, and despite the hype, he's already under pressure to prove the Bears didn’t ruin another QB.

What He Needs to Do: Turn that "generational talent" label into actual wins. With Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and D.J. Moore around him, the stage is set. No pressure, kid. (Just the entire city of Chicago is counting on you.) 

Revenge Angle: In his rookie season, Williams lost to fellow rookie Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. With a revamped Bears offense, he's eager to even the score in their upcoming matchups.