Talk about pressure. Quarterbacks are not only judged by stats but wins, losses, and moments. There are a few guys with more than most heading into the 2022 NFL season.
Boy, do we miss football? Voluntary OTAs are the closest thing we have had all off-season. Our gears are turning with expectations the pressure is on — especially at the quarterback position.
Most of the top NFL quarterbacks are playing golf and enjoying their off-season. Mini camps are now underway, and things are about to get real.
Expectations drive the narrative for all NFL teams and the man behind the quarterback. There are some quarterbacks who have nothing to prove. Players like Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and the GOAT Tom Brady — to name a few.
Meanwhile, there are those who would have made this list, but they are playing with house money.
Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller Joe Burrow is one of them. He took the Bengals to new heights — nothing to prove.
Trevor Lawrence is another guy with expectations going into year two, but he deserves a break given the debacle that was the Jags in 2021.
Regardless of what fans may want, don’t expect Ryan Tannehill to be under a lot of pressure. Malik Willis is a good quarterback, but RT17 is the man for at least one more season.
Now that you know the guys that won’t be on the list, here are the guys who made it.
NFL QB no. 6: Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts
Remember when Matt Ryan won the NFL MVP? It seems like an eternity ago. Matt Ryan comes to a new organization ready to win now. Ryan comes in with high expectations.
Last season, the Colts were on the cusp of making the playoffs. Carson Wentz was the man under center. By all accounts, he played pretty well — more on that later. Ryan has a stud at running back, something he hasn’t with the Falcons.
He also comes to a team with one a top-five defense.
Chris Ballard brought Ryan in to do something Wentz wasn’t — make the playoffs. He’s essentially on a one-year deal, but the former MVP could earn a short-term, big-money contract if he can perform at a high level.
Ryan is a healthy 37-year-old who could cement himself in the Hall of Fame conversation. If he doesn’t, he’ll be a backup until he retires.