The 2024 NFL season was full of both excitement and disappointment. Some players lived up to their hype, exceeding it at times, while others fell short of reaching their potential. There are plenty of players with something to prove in 2025, but these five have the biggest chip on their shoulders.
Jaylen Waddle’s best season came in 2022. He reached career highs in receiving yards (1,356), yards per reception (18.1), and touchdowns (8). While some of his struggles could be due to injuries to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, 2024 was his worst season yet. He had career lows in receptions (58), yards (744), and touchdowns (two).
Waddle was Tua’s top target in 2021, but after Tyreek Hill arrived a year later, he quickly moved into the number two spot. With the never-ending rumors that Hill could be traded, Waddle needs to prove that he can step up in the Cheetah’s potential absence. Even if Tyreek sticks around, at 30 years old, his fastest years might be behind him.
It’s strange to put the reigning Super Bowl champion on this list, but Jalen Hurts still has plenty to prove in the NFL. The Eagles were a dominant force in 2024, even in the Big Game, but how much of that is attributed to Hurts? In 2024, he started 15 games and threw for 2,903 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Hurts has struggled to break into the top five conversations, despite being more successful than most current QBs. Some feel that his success is due to Philly having a loaded roster. 2025 is about two things for Jalen Hurts: go back-to-back, and silence the doubters once and for all.
2024 first overall Draft pick Caleb Williams had a rollercoaster rookie season. He saw his offensive coordinator and head coach fired, and his offensive line couldn’t stop a paper bag in the wind. He was sacked 68 times and faced 57 unblocked pressures.
Williams fought for his life in 2024 and still threw for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns, with only six interceptions. He’s proven his toughness, but he has to prove he can be a superstar. It’s easy to blame Williams for the Bears’ struggles last season, but the truth is that he was a bright spot. 2025 is his chance to take a step forward and prove he can win games. He could easily become Chicago’s first 4,000-yard passer.
The Cardinals selected Ohio State standout Marvin Harrison Jr. fourth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the first receiver off the board, and the hype around him was insanely high. Arizona wasn’t exactly a well-oiled machine in his rookie year, and his numbers highlight that.
Harrison Jr. hauled in 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns. Compared to later receivers drafted, like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., the hype died down quickly. MHJ bulked up this offseason, and he’s set for a huge breakout in his second year.
C.J. Stroud was an absolute superstar in his 2023 rookie campaign. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year, and also threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns, with only five interceptions. His second season saw a dip in production, although that’s not entirely his fault.
The Texans‘ offensive line was one of the worst in the NFL. Stroud was pressured on 39% of his dropbacks and sacked 52 times. Being shaken up in the backfield can lead to mistakes. Fans say he had a “sophomore slump”. 2025 is a massive opportunity for Stroud to return to form and prove he’s still a superstar in the NFL.
End Of My NFL Rant
Some of the players in this list have already proven they can be great, while some still need to break that glass ceiling. For guys like Jalen Hurts and C.J. Stroud, it’s about silencing doubt. For the rest, it’s about finally turning some heads.
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