5 NFL QBs under most pressure entering 2024 season: Does Rodgers or Watson top the list?

Several NFL quarterbacks are under immense pressure to perform this year as Week 1 fast approaches.

Can 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers rebound from an Achilles injury and lead the playoff-deprived New York Jets to the postseason? Will the Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson ever be able to regain the form he had with the Houston Texans? Is Daniel Jones running out of chances in the Big Apple?

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It’s a quarterback-driven league. Quarterbacks receive the biggest contracts and garner most of the attention. USA TODAY Sports ranks the top five quarterbacks under the most pressure entering the 2024 regular season (plus an honorable mention):

1. New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers

The Jets have the NFL’s longest active playoff drought at 13 seasons, with their last appearance coming in 2010. Pressure is on Aaron Rodgers to rid the Jets of the dubious stat.

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The pressure intensified after Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury just four plays into his Jets tenure in 2023. One can’t expect the veteran to regain his four-time MVP form coming off an Achillies injury, but the Jets desperately need Rodgers to reclaim his status as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. New York bolstered its offense around Rodgers with the additions of tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, and wide receiver Mike Williams. Plus, the Jets should once again have a formidable defense under defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh.  

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2. Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson

The Browns have received diminished returns since they signed Deshaun Watson to a record-breaking five-year, $230 million contract.

A shoulder injury limited Watson’s 2023 season to just six games. Consequently, Cleveland’s offense performed more efficiently with Joe Flacco under center as the veteran led the Browns to a postseason berth.

In 12 total games as a Browns QB, Watson’s completion percentage (59.8%), yards per game (184.8) and passer rating (81.7) are all well below his marks through four seasons in Houston.

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3. New York Giants QB Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones was picked off twice in his 2024 preseason debut, his first game back from a 2023 season-ending ACL injury.

Giants coach Brian Daboll inherited Jones when he was hired in 2022. Jones has thrown 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions since Daboll became head coach.

Many expected the Giants to target a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. New York instead elected to give Jones some help with wide receiver Malik Nabers, a star out of LSU.

Jones is signed through the 2026 season, but he’s running out of chances.

4. New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr

Derek Carr’s 25 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions seems good on the surface, but the veteran quarterback’s first season in New Orleans was up and down. Saints fans booed Carr at times over his performance.

The Saints restructured Carr’s contract this offseason to free up salary cap space. The quarterback is signed through the 2026 season. But the Saints drafted Spencer Rattler in the fifth round of the 2024 draft to compete with Jake Haener for the team’s top backup QB spot. If his preseason performances are any indication, Rattler could be Carr’s successor sooner rather than later. The Saints will also utilize gadget player Taysom Hill at quarterback.  

5. Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins

The Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal during free agency in March and then drafted his heir apparent the very next month.

The Falcons’ decision to draft Michael Penix Jr. No. 8 overall in the 2024 draft suggests Cousins may not be in Atlanta for the duration of his four-year contract — whether the Falcons want to admit it or not.

Penix impressed in training camp and in the preseason. It’s Cousins job for now, but Penix is waiting in the wings.

Honorable mention

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said during the offseason that Russell Wilson was in “pole position” to be the team’s starter. Fast forward to now, and Wilson is in the midst of a quarterback competition with Justin Fields. Wilson is rumored to win the QB battle, but can he hold off Fields the entire season? This could be the last year Wilson is viewed as a starting-caliber quarterback after being run out of Denver following two forgettable seasons.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.