6 NFL Players Entering Make-or-Break Contract Seasons Ahead of 2025 Training Camp

We are drawing closer to the start of the 2025 NFL season with every passing phase. Teams will begin training camp in July, and players will begin to feel the most pressure of the offseason.

One group that will feel increased pressure is players entering contract years, and a select few face make-or-break seasons.

Whether they desire to re-sign or change scenery, this year dictates how it will shake out next offseason for these six players.

Evan Neal, IOL, New York Giants

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Evan Neal was once a highly touted offensive lineman out of Alabama. Now, the 24-year-old is being given a last chance to start as a guard. Neal has struggled in pass protection at tackle and has not met the expectations for a top-10 pick.

The Giants declined to pick up Neal's fifth-year option, which was understandable based on his porous on-field play. Since 2022, Neal has allowed 98 pressures, 66 hurries, 20 QB hits and 12 sacks, per PFF.

His unreliability, compounded with ankle injuries, allowed the team to sign veteran Jermaine Eluemunor to take over right tackle. Neal did return to the lineup once star left tackle Andrew Thomas went down, forcing Eluemunor to start on the left side.

Without a long-term contract extension, Neal is entering a pivotal year ahead of unrestricted free agency. Combine that with playing a position he's never taken snaps at in the NFL, and Neal has much to prove.

If he can carve out a long-term role as a starting interior offensive lineman, his career will be salvaged. Neal's strengths should be amplified inside at guard, and his weaknesses can be mitigated as much as possible.

Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

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Kyle Pitts was called the "Unicorn" during his predraft process. Let's not forget how great of a prospect he was coming out of Florida. He was a difficult cover for linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks in college.

His rookie year was a success.

In 17 games, he caught 68 passes for 1,026 yards and one touchdown in 2021. Pitts ranks third all-time in receiving yards by a rookie tight end behind Mike Ditka and Las Vegas star Brock Bowers. Pitts showcased his playmaking prowess with an aging but accurate Matt Ryan during his final year in Atlanta.

One of Pitts' calling cards was the mismatch creation he offered. The 24-year-old aligns in multiple spots in the formation and generates defensive matchup confusion. The problems after his rookie season were horrendous quarterback play from Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder, as well as a season-ending lower body injury. It took time for Pitts to return to full health.

This is a make-or-break season for Pitts to prove he is the game-changing tight end we believed he would become. The Falcons picked up his fifth-year option last year, and he will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Pitts had his lowest target rate of his career in 2024, per NFL Pro. A month ago, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson told the Waterboyz Show (h/t NFL.com) there will be a year-two leap for Pitts in this offense.

This is possible due to Pitts knowing the offense better and understanding what is expected of him in terms of reads and hitting his landmarks with timing. It will also help that the younger, more talented quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., is the unquestioned starter.

One concern is that Pitts' name has been swirling in potential trade rumors all offseason. He was absent during a part of OTAs with a foot issue, but it was reportedly a precautionary decision. Nonetheless, Pitts would need a hot start or at least weekly consistency to avoid hearing his name being thrown around again midseason closer to the trade deadline.

A healthy and properly utilized Pitts with Drake London, Penix and Bijan Robinson is a strong core to have. The Falcons need him to be an impactful presence, but his future as a starter depends on this as well.

Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami Dolphins

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The 2025 season will be massive for Jaelan Phillips. The past two years have been tumultuous for him and the Miami Dolphins. The 26-year-old suffered consecutive season-ending injuries—a torn Achilles in 2023 and a torn ACL in Week 4 last season.

Phillips' game is predicated on his first-step quickness and explosiveness to threaten the outside arc. Two lower-body injuries can impact his explosiveness going forward. When healthy, Phillips produces, having accounted for 23 sacks in 29 games played.

There's an old adage: "The best ability is availability." He has never played a full 17 games in a season, and returning from two serious lower-body injuries is not easy. These injuries and missed games will complicate the contract situation.

Phillips is talented enough to be a consistent pressure creator and pass-rusher. Staying healthy will prove to the Dolphins and the other 31 clubs that he can be counted on for a full season.

Teams will pay to add a pass-rusher with his talent to their defensive front, but at the correct cost. Once fully cleared, he can ramp up his recovery as he gets closer to the regular season.

Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

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Mark Andrews' 2024 season came to a screeching stop in one of the worst ways possible. Against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, the veteran tight end dropped the would-be game-tying two-point conversion in the Ravens' divisional-round loss. His night against Buffalo would've been great if not for the drop and costly fumble.

Nonetheless, Andrews finished the season second in targets and third in receiving yards for Baltimore. According to NFL Pro, the 29-year-old ran more than 10 routes each game, and after Week 5 he was targeted on 23 percent of his routes.

His impact and level of chemistry with star quarterback Lamar Jackson cannot be overstated. Trade rumors swirled most of the offseason regarding Andrews being shipped out after their playoff exit. Jackson was not happy about the trade speculation surrounding Andrews.

Jackson relies upon Andrews' talents and consistency. Will he take a step back, with teammate Isaiah Likely taking the reins as the new TE1? Possibly. Regardless, Andrews must be utilized and factored into the passing attack this season. He turns 30 at the beginning of the season, but if he plays the way we're accustomed to, he should earn a contract extension.

Zion Johnson, IOL, Los Angeles Chargers

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Zion Johnson's career has not gone the way the Los Angeles Chargers front office hoped. They declined to pick up his fifth-year option, making him an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season.

The 25-year-old has struggled to protect star quarterback Justin Herbert. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson has surrendered 112 pressures, 67 hurries, 29 QB hits and 16 sacks. This is not the stat line of a top-20 draft pick and long-term starter.

Though it isn't saying much, he is coming off his best year, according to Pro Football Focus. He ranked 39th among guards with a blocking grade of 64.4.

Johnson somehow surrendered the most sacks of his career, seven, in 2024. He flashed good moments, displaying his lateral quickness, agility and use of hands. Consistency will be key for Johnson to prove he is worth an extension to keep the continuity of the Chargers offensive line together.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman are old-school coaches who believe in dominating defenses in the trenches with the run game. After signing veteran running back Najee Harris and using their first-round pick on North Carolina star Omarion Hampton, Johnson will be needed to clear paths into the second level of the defense for their ball-carriers.

Johnson appears to be vying for the starting center position and moving away from left guard, per The Athletic's Daniel Popper. That said, if he takes another step forward this year and plays with far more consistency, Johnson will have a case for the Chargers to at least consider a multi-year contract extension.

Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans

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Treylon Burks will be a free agent at the end of the 2025 season after the Tennessee Titans declined to pick up his fifth-year option. Burks' level of productivity is disappointing, with his injury history not far behind. He's battled concussions, sprains and most recently a torn ACL last season.

After three seasons, the 25-year-old has appeared in 27 of 51 possible games.

He's entering his fourth and final year of his rookie contract, with newly drafted wide receivers Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor as his primary competition for playing time. Training camp will be pivotal for Burks' future.

Staying healthy is the first priority. He was a big, explosive playmaker in space coming out of Arkansas. The Titans never received the benefits of selecting him in the first round, as injuries halted his development.

Burks can carve out a role as a power-slot run-after-catch receiver for rookie quarterback Cam Ward.

Will he? He has an uphill climb to break the rotation and become the impact player they drafted him to be. A strong showing this season will help him secure a deal in free agency and playing time for the 2026 season.