Now or never: 7 NFL players facing pivotal seasons

The NFL can wear you down quickly, and one season can change everything. Here are seven players whose careers are at risk of going south if they don't flip the script in 2025.

Justin Fields, Jets

The 26-year-old signed a two-year, $40-million contract in free agency and is set to start the opener. However, the Jets can release Fields after the 2025 campaign and save money against next year's cap. This is effectively a one-season prove-it deal.

Fields was the Steelers' Week 1 starter in 2024 but was benched for Russell Wilson after six games despite posting a 4-2 record.

Since 2021, 27 signal-callers have taken at least 1,250 snaps, according to Ben Baldwin's database. Fields ranks last in EPA/play, success rate, and completion percentage among that group. The former 11th overall pick has never thrown for more than 2,600 yards in a single season and holds a pitiful 11.9% career sack percentage.

This is Fields' last chance to be a Week 1 starter. He has to improve from the pocket and show he can consistently move the chains with his arm. If Aaron Glenn benches him in favor of Tyrod Taylor at any point, Fields will face an uphill battle to be QB1 in the NFL again.

Kyle Pitts, Falcons

It's been over 1,340 days since Pitts last eclipsed 90 receiving yards in a game. His mystique is wearing off, and the 2021 fourth overall selection is at risk of losing a starting spot.

Pitts' numbers last season were alarming. He hauled in 602 receiving yards, fewer than 36 per game. The 24-year-old only recorded 21 first downs and a disappointing 41.9% receiving success rate. Compared to other tight ends, things look even worse: Pitts ranked 27th in yards per route run among tight ends with at least 150 routes, and 51st in targets per route run, according to SumerSports.

Atlanta's quarterbacks didn't throw Pitts the ball often, and his inability to get open is becoming an issue. Michael Penix Jr., who's now the Falcons' starter, only targeted him 10 times in Penix's three games. Pitts is under contract through 2026, but he's already been the subject of trade rumors. His time with the Falcons is running out unless he can put up production similar to his 1,000-plus-yard rookie season.

Deebo Samuel, Commanders

The 49ers decided to trade Samuel for a fifth-round pick while the team had serious question marks at wide receiver. Samuel is in the final year of his contract, and Washington is asking a lot of him: He's projected to be the Commanders' No. 2 target behind Terry McLaurin.

Samuel is coming off a dreadful season, having recorded only 51 catches for 670 yards while playing over 73% of San Francisco's offensive snaps in the games he appeared in. He was extremely inefficient when targeted, ranking 135th among wide receivers in success rate. It's certainly possible that he's lost a step at 29 years old.

If Samuel continues on this trajectory, he's unlikely to receive a lucrative contract that would set him up for significant playing time in 2026. Samuel relies heavily on his yards-after-catch ability, but he's not an elite route-runner - a key skill for older receivers.

Kyler Murray, Cardinals

Murray owns a career 36-45-1 record as a starter since being drafted first overall in 2019. He's only had one winning season as the Cardinals' primary starter with zero playoff victories.

The 28-year-old signed a massive five-year, $230-million-plus deal in 2022 and is under contract through 2028. However, the Cardinals can trade Murray after this season and save a significant amount of money against the cap. Note that Arizona's current regime, led by head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort, wasn't around when the Cardinals drafted Murray.

The quarterback has specifically struggled down the stretch, compiling a 10-22 record with 41 passing touchdowns and 30 total turnovers from Weeks 12-18 during his career. In general, he's been about average as a signal-caller, ranking 18th among 32 qualified passers in EPA/play and success rate since 2019.

Arizona hasn't won a playoff game in 10 years. Ask owner Michael Bidwill if he's pleased with the Murray era and he would probably say no. If the Oklahoma product doesn't live up to his contract this season, he could be on the move in 2026.

Haason Reddick, Buccaneers

Reddick signed a one-year, $14-million contract with Tampa Bay this offseason after an unusual lone season with the Jets. He sat out the first seven games of the year due to a contract dispute and ultimately agreed to a reworked deal after a long, public battle with the Jets' front office.

The 30-year-old recorded one sack in 222 pass-rush attempts last season, per Next Gen Stats. He played just 57% of the Jets' defensive snaps and was never a key part of their weekly game plan. Of course, his lack of preparation for the season probably had a lot to do with it, but it was alarming to see a player his age drop off so significantly.

Reddick never got the big contract he was looking for, and his dominant 2022 season with the Philadelphia Eagles is only getting further away. Tampa Bay is relying on Reddick to turn back the clock. He won't have many suitors if he doesn't.

Travis Etienne, Jaguars

Etienne's stock has fallen since he entered the league as the 25th overall pick in 2021. He suffered a season-ending injury before his rookie year began, but he rebounded with solid production in back-to-back campaigns. However, last season was worrisome.

The 26-year-old posted career lows in carries (150), rushing yards (558), and touchdowns (two) while only missing two games. Tank Bigsby pushed him down Jacksonville's depth chart, and analytics show why the Jaguars' 2024 coaching staff reduced Etienne's playing time. Etienne's minus-0.22 EPA/rushing attempt ranked 39th among 41 qualified running backs. His longest rush was 22 yards, and he provided few explosive plays.

Bigsby had a great sophomore year and deserves to lead Jacksonville's backfield this season. If Etienne doesn't capitalize on his opportunities, it's hard to imagine he'll get significant touches anywhere in 2026.

Tyree Wilson, Raiders

Wilson is entering bust territory after being a top-10 selection two years ago. He's played less than 50% of the Raiders' defensive snaps since 2023, recording only 8.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss. Wilson has a 10.1% pressure rate during his career, which is disappointing considering his draft slot.

Although the 25-year-old entered the league with a foot injury, he's suited up in all but one game. His lack of production can no longer be attributed to health issues, and this year is huge for his career.

In comes defensive mastermind Pete Carroll, who's coached some of the best players in NFL history. If Carroll isn't pleased with Wilson early, the veteran head coach won't hesitate to demote him for linemen he trusts. We're about to find out if the Texas Tech product was worth drafting instead of Bijan Robinson.