With training camp underway and the 2026 NFL regular season right around the corner, here are ten players under the most pressure in 2026.
Ten NFL Players Under Pressure in 2026
10. QB Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons selected Penix Jr. with a top-ten pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after a decent rookie year where he started a couple of games. Penix couldn’t quite catch a rhythm in 2025. Penix, who had injury concerns during his college career, would then go on to suffer a partially torn ACL last season. Atlanta fired Raheem Morris and hired former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski to run the show. Since Stefanski didn’t draft Penix, he could look to move on from Penix if returns on the first-round pick don’t start to get better.
9. CB Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis Colts
Gardner was traded for two first-round picks at the NFL trade deadline last season with the expectations that he would be able to take the Colts’ defense to another level. Gardner played with the Colts in his limited time, but injuries kept him from repaying the Colts’ investment to get him.
With expectations high in Indy this season, Gardner will be expected to consistently play like one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
8. QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Watson could likely be playing for his football career this season if his play or the Browns’ offense doesn’t improve. The Browns traded for Watson in 2022 and gave him a fully guaranteed deal, and the returns have not been good thus far. Between off-the-field issues and injuries, Watson has barely been able to have any footing since being traded to Cleveland.
He will battle it out with second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders for the starting job, but because of his high salary, Watson will likely be the favorite. He will need to show and prove if Watson wants to have a future as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
7. QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
After a disastrous 2025 NFL playoffs and an inconsistent regular season, Stroud, who is extension-eligible, will need a strong season for the Texans to convince the front office to invest in him long term.
6. QB Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
Both Young and C.J. Stround were drafted back-to-back in 2023, and 2026 will be the most important season thus far for both of their careers. The Panthers will be looking to see if they can invest in Young long term with a solid season, with the 2027 NFL Draft class loaded with high-level quarterback talent. Young will need to cement himself as the future starter of the Panthers with a good year.
5. WR/DB Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars traded multiple first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft to move up and select the hybrid Travis Hunter. Hunter had won the Heisman Trophy in 2024 and was touted as arguably the best prospect in his draft class, having played both offense and defense at a high level during his college career at Colorado. Despite the talent, Hunter’s rookie season didn’t live up to the hype. Hunter displayed his sticky coverage technique on defense, but wasn’t able to get things going on offense for the Jags in 2025.
Hunter would then suffer a knee injury that caused him to miss his last ten regular-season games. This year not only Jags fans but the NFL world will be keeping a close eye on Hunter to see if he can live up to the hype in 2026.
4. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
After being selected as the top wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, Harrison Jr.’s first two years have been underwhelming. He showed flashes of high-level talent that made him the unquestioned top receiver in his draft class, but not consistently enough that Harrison Jr. is a threat every Sunday. Fellow receivers in his draft class, such as Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., who got drafted after him, have shown more consistency to this point. As he enters his third season in 2026, Harrison Jr. will be expected to show that he is one of the top rising young receivers in the NFL and worthy of his sixth overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
3. QB Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles and quarterback Jalen Hurts could be at a crossroads after the 2026 season. The Eagles’ offense struggled mightily last season under the direction of the offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo. Philly’s offense ranked among the bottom of the league as the 24th overall offense a season after winning the Super Bowl.
Hurts was the subject of criticism this offseason, as sources inside the Eagles’ building laid the blame for the offense’s stagnation at his feet. Also, Hurts ‘ personality and leadership style seem to have rubbed people in the Philadelphia building the wrong way as well. Philly hired Sean Mannion to run the offense in 2026, which will make Hurt’s sixth different offensive coordinator. If the Eagles’ offense fails to fly in 2026, the Eagles could look to move on from Hurts, as he has no guaranteed money on his contract after this season.
2. WR A.J. Brown, New England Patriots
Brown was traded out of Philadelphia this offseason after feeling like it was time for a change. During his last two seasons in Philly, Brown grew frustrated with the direction of the Eagles’ offense and the lack of consistent targets. Now he is in New England with the Super Bowl runner-up Patriots and 2025 NFL MVP runner-up Drake Maye. Brown will be looked at to provide an immediate impact to New England’s offense after the Patriots parted ways with a 2028 first-round pick for Brown’s services.
1. QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
As Jackson enters his eighth season in the NFL, his stock has never been lower among his peers. After an injury-riddled 2025 season that left Jackson with one of his worst individual statistical seasons, Jackson was ranked the 69th best player in the NFL from last season after being ranked second overall heading into the 2025 season.
During this offseason, the Ravens fired longtime coach John Harbaugh in search of a fresh direction to lead the franchise, and the pressure will be on Jackson to ensure Baltimore’s decision to fire Harbaugh was the right one.
