The NFL comprised all kinds of players: bona fide superstars, surprise contributors, journeyman veterans and depth pieces.
And, of course, those who have yet to live up to their potential or hype. Several of those players will face make-or-break seasons in 2022 — potentially, their last chance to prove they still belong on their team once the final whistle of the season sounds.
This category of player is often populated with quarterbacks. It’s no different in 2022, with The Sporting News selecting three signal-callers — Tua Tagovailoa of the Dolphins, Jalen Hurts of the Eagles and Daniel Jones of the Giants — to its list.
That said, there are players on both sides of the ball who likely are playing for their job in 2022. Whether because of injury or flat-out bad play, they must show they deserve another chance with their respective teams.
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With that, The Sporting News looks at the players who face the most pressure to keep their jobs in 2022. Whether they emerge stronger than ever or crack under the weight of expectations is entirely up to them:
NFL make-or-break seasons in 2022
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
Much has been made of Tagovailoa’s ability to lead an NFL team, with detractors criticizing his record (13-8 as a starter), poor passing stats (194.2 passing yards per game), arm strength and more. His defenders have pointed out his supporting cast was among the league’s worst, from the offensive line to his running backs and receiving corps.
Regardless of where you fall in your opinion of Tagovailoa, the consensus heading into 2022 is that the former No. 5 overall pick is out of excuses in 2022.
The Dolphins have hired an offensive-minded coach in Mike McDaniel, whose system seems tailor-made for Tagovailoa. Miami has also added significant improvements along the offensive line (tackle Terron Armstead and center/guard Connor Williams); at receiver (Tyreek Hill, Cedrick Wilson Jr.); and at running back (Raheem Mostert, Chase Edmonds, Sony Michel).
All of these moves have been made with one thing in mind: to support Tagovailoa amid a playoff run — and a deep one at that. That will be difficult in a stacked AFC, especially considering the Bills are in Miami’s division.
Tagovailoa must show he can lead a playoff run if he wants to stay in Miami. Otherwise, the Dolphins will consider options, hamstrung as they are, to acquire one of C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young in the 2023 NFL Draft.
MORE: What Tua Tagovailoa needs to keep Dolphins QB job in Mike McDaniel’s offense
Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Hurts has had slightly more success than his former Alabama teammate, but he too faces questions about his quarterback ability. Namely, his ability to make plays through the air.
Hurts improved from 2020 to 2021 in starting record (1-3 to 8-7); passing yards (1,061 to to 3,144); and touchdowns (six to 16), all while improving his completion percentage and adding only two interceptions off 284 more attempts. He also rushed for 784 yards on 5.6 yards per carry.
But in the most pivotal game of the season, the wild-card game against Tampa Bay, Hurts completed only 23 of 43 passes for 258 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in a 31-15 loss.
His struggles on that stage highlighted what many wondered during the regular season: whether he had deficiencies in his passing ability that were covered up by the league’s best offensive line and run game (not to mention the league’s worst division by far, the NFC East).
Hurts has reportedly taken better command of the offense in Year 3, while the Eagles provided him another weapon in the receiving corps with A.J. Brown. Hurts will need to show further improvement as a passer — particularly in the playoffs — if the Eagles are to keep the former second-round pick in tow.
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Daniel Jones, Giants
The Giants did not pick up Jones’ fifth-year option ahead of the 2022 season, and had little reason to.
The No. 6 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft has led the team to three consecutive losing seasons, compiling a 12-25 overall record. He also seems to have regressed in the passing game each year, passing for fewer yards and touchdowns in each ensuing season following his rookie campaign.
New York hasn’t done Jones any favors in regard to his supporting cast, however. The offensive line hasn’t been great (Jones has taken no fewer than 22 sacks in any given season) and hasn’t offered much in the way of receivers.
In response, New York fired general manager Dave Gettleman, replacing him with Joe Schoen and replacing coach Joe Judge with Brian Daboll, who helped develop Bills quarterback Josh Allen. The team also made a ton of offensive additions in free agency as well as the NFL Draft (selecting Evan Neal No. 7 overall as a bookend to Andrew Thomas).
Those additions should help Jones, who likely has no loyalty from the new Giants regime. If he struggles again in 2022, they won’t hesitate to move on from him following the season.
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Saquon Barkley, Giants
Barkley’s rookie campaign, in which he produced more than 2,000 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns, lent credence that he was a generational talent who warranted a selection at No. 2 overall in the 2018 draft.
A follow-up campaign in which he produced a 1,000-yard rushing season in only 13 games wasn’t quite a sophomore slump, but still raised questions as to whether he could be the game-changer New York hoped he would be.
Since then, Barkley’s production has fallen off a cliff amid poor offensive line play and significant injuries (including an ankle sprain in 2019, torn ACL in 2020 and another sprained ankle in 2021). Even with 13 games in 2021, he rushed for only 593 yards and two touchdowns off 3.7 yards per carry.
The Giants will want to see a return to form for their fifth-year back. To that end, they have improved the offensive line, which should help his ability to produce on the ground. Barkley also will need to show play-making ability as a receiver. His biggest goal should be to remain healthy and show more than flashes of that game-breaking ability.
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Devin Bush, Steelers
Bush’s freakish athleticism and speed as a linebacker out of Michigan was enough for the Steelers to trade up for him and nab him at No. 10 overall in 2019. He rewarded Pittsburgh’s gamble as a rookie by combining for 109 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and four fumble recoveries on top of nine quarterback hits.
Issues in coverage and a torn ACL that cost him 11 games in 2020 have derailed what was a promising start to his career, however. He has been overshadowed by his own defensive teammates, including T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, who led the team in sacks (22.5) and tackles (124) last season, respectively. That Fitzpatrick, a safety, leads the team in that category is indicative of Bush’s struggles in the second level.
Pittsburgh did not pick up Bush’s fifth-year option. To remain on the team, he’ll need to regain some of the explosion, athleticism and speed that made him such a force as a rookie — and become less of a liability in coverage.
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Jeff Okudah, Lions
The biggest issues of Okudah’s career have been both ability and availability.
Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2020 draft, has played a combined 10 games out of a possible 33 in his first two seasons. He missed significant time in his rookie campaign with a shoulder injury and groin issue, and missed all but one game in 2021 after rupturing his Achilles in the season opener.
Even when he has played, Okudah has not produced nearly like the Lions would have liked. Per Pro Football Focus, he had a 42.5 grade as a rookie that ranked him 125th of 136 cornerbacks. He wasn’t much better in limited action in 2021, earning a PFF grade of 53.0.
Okudah needs to have a season reflective of his selection in the draft, or at least be on the field long enough to show he can continue on as a contributor. If not, the Lions may consider cutting their losses on Okudah in the offseason.
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Bradley Chubb, Broncos
Chubb is another player whose career has largely fallen off after a promising start.
The former N.C. State star was famously paired alongside Von Miller after the Broncos selected him with the fifth overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. That plan appeared to have worked perfectly that season, with Chubb racking up 12 sacks while teams focused their attention on Miller (who had 14 1/2).
Chubb has yet to break double-digit sacks since his rookie season, however. Indeed, he has yet to surpass his single-season total that year in all three years since (combining for 8 1/2 sacks from 2019 through 2021). Like many on this list, Chubb has been unable to remain healthy, missing 12 games in 2019 and 10 in 2021.
In 2020 — his second-healthiest season — Chubb accrued 7 1/2 sacks in 14 games, suggesting he still has the ability to be an upper-tier pass-rusher. The Broncos have added Randy Gregory and Nik Bonitto to the mix on defense, which in theory should free up Chubb to attack quarterbacks.
If he can get to double-digit sacks again in Year 5, then the Broncos should be willing to re-sign him, especially in a division that includes Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Derek Carr. If he can’t, however, then the Broncos could very well let him walk.
Jerry Jeudy, Broncos
Is it actually a make-or-break season for Jeudy, in only his third year in the league? That remains to be seen but, as of now, he has yet to live up to the hype as the 15th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jeudy was considered by some the best receiver available ahead of the draft, thanks to his silky-smooth route-running and ability to get behind defenders. He has shown flashes of that play-making ability, but largely has underwhelmed in two seasons in Denver, where he has combined for 90 receptions, 1,323 yards and three touchdowns.
To compare, two of the receivers taken after him, CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson, have enjoyed Pro Bowl seasons and have established themselves as among the best receivers in the game. Now Jeudy must show he is on their level (or near it, at least).
The Broncos at least have upgraded over their previous quarterback in Drew Lock, bringing in Russell Wilson from the Seahawks. It’s up to Jeudy to make the most of his new partnership and prove he’s more valuable as a receiver than as a trade asset.
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