Which NFL Stars Face the Most Pressure in 2025 Training Camp?

As NFL training camps open around the league, several stars will face immense pressure as they enter a contract year, prepare for position battles and try to meet the expectations of their draft statuses.

While we can expect marquee players like two-time MVP Lamar Jackson to set the tone for his team at training camp, some notable players need to shake injuries, rebound from a down year or adjust to changes.

As the intensity ramps up for the summer, here's a look at seven players who were recently All-Pros, Pro Bowlers or top picks in their draft classes but are in need of a strong showing at training camp.

Some of these names have uncertain futures despite promising starts in their careers. Others must solidify a position on their team's depth chart for the upcoming season.

Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

As a rookie Pro Bowler in 2021, Kyle Pitts flashed promise, hauling in 68 passes for 1,026 yards and a touchdown. Then, he saw a significant drop-off in production for the following three seasons in part because of the Atlanta Falcons' unsettled quarterback situation.

Atlanta opened each of the previous three terms with a different starting signal-caller. In that span, Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Kirk Cousins were under center for the season openers. Also, in 2023, Taylor Heinicke started in four games. Last year, Michael Penix Jr. took over for Cousins in Week 16.

Still, Pitts hasn't met the expectations of a top-five draft pick since his rookie year. Despite his 6'6", 250-pound frame and athleticism, he only has 10 touchdown receptions and his receiving success rate has dipped below 43 percent in two out of four terms.

The 24-year-old should be a nightmare matchup for any defense, but he's been average rather than a dynamic playmaker.

In June, ESPN's Adam Schefter believed the Falcons "could be enticed" to trade the Florida product.

Schefter reported Pitts missed spring practices because of a strained muscle in his foot. Heading into the final year of his rookie deal, he needs to shake off the injury and build a connection with Penix to earn an extension or a sizeable deal on the free-agent market in 2026.

Joey Bosa, Edge, Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

The Buffalo Bills signed Joey Bosa to bolster their pass defense, which struggled in certain areas last season. In 2024, they finished 10th in pressure rate (23.6 percent), but they also tied for 18th in sacks.

After the Los Angeles Chargers released Bosa, the Bills signed him to a one-year, $12.6 million deal.

The 30-year-old hasn't registered double-digit sacks in a season since 2021, but at this stage in his career, he could be more effective taking fewer snaps to preserve his health for the duration of a season. He has missed 23 games over the last three years.

In the spring, the five-time Pro Bowler suffered a calf injury, which cost him some time during OTAs. While that's not a good start for the Bills' star defensive acquisition, he expects to be ready for training camp.

If healthy, Bosa will likely take a majority of the snaps on the edge opposite Greg Rousseau. He could be one of the missing pieces to a Super Bowl squad or a massive $12 million disappointment for a team that needs help in the pass rush.

Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Nell Redmond

Bryce Young lost the starting job to Andy Dalton three weeks into the 2024 season.

However, Dalton sprained his thumb in a car accident, which allowed Young to reclaim the position, and he showed moderate improvement in the second half of the campaign.

Between Weeks 16 and 18, the 23-year-old threw for seven touchdowns but only averaged 204 passing yards. He needs to make bigger strides to solidify his future with the Carolina Panthers.

In two seasons, Young has thrown for 26 touchdowns and 19 interceptions with a 60.3 percent completion rate, which is disappointing for a one-time No. 1 overall pick.

In his third year, the Alabama product has to put together a strong showing at training camp with rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who can help boost the young signal-caller's passing numbers.

As a rookie, Young played under one-and-done Panthers head coach Frank Reich. With consecutive seasons in the same offensive system, he must develop into a solid starter to earn the trust of the current regime.

D'Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

D'Andre Swift should eat his Wheaties before he takes the field for training camp. He could be in line for a massive workload in head coach Ben Johnson's offense.

As the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, Johnson operated a run-heavy system that featured two running backs; yet Jahmyr Gibbs played a significant role on the ground and in the passing game. With 237 catches for 1,798 yards and nine touchdowns, Swift can fill that versatile role.

The 26-year-old isn't a stranger to Johnson's offense, having played under the offensive play-caller in 2022 before the Lions traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, in that year, he missed three games due to injury and served as the No. 2 ball-carrier behind Jamaal Williams.

Swift is atop the Chicago Bears' running back depth chart. According to Marquee Sports Network's Scott Bair, he's preparing for a "heavy workload."

Johnson will put Swift to the test at training camp to see if he's equipped to handle the lead position. If the 2023 Pro Bowler misses time or fails to impress, the Bears could add a running back or expand Roschon Johnson's role.

DaRon Bland, CB, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Gareth Patterson

In 2023, DaRon Bland set the record for most pick-sixes in a single season, returning five of nine interceptions for touchdowns. He earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl accolades for that exceptional year.

The 26-year-old missed the first 10 games of the previous campaign because of a stress fracture in his foot. In seven appearances, he recorded five pass breakups and allowed a subpar 105.7 passer rating in coverage.

Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Bland has to reestablish himself as an impact starter in the secondary. The Cowboys will depend on him while fellow All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs recovers from knee surgery.

The Athletic's Jon Machota highlighted Bland as Dallas' fourth-most important player for the 2025 season.

"The questions at cornerback make Bland even more valuable than usual," he wrote. "He can play inside or outside at a high level. With Jourdan Lewis leaving in free agency, the expectation is that Bland will play more on the inside."

Over the last two years, Bland has lined up primarily on the outside. As the Cowboys' top cornerback, he needs to stay healthy in a standout showing at training camp.

Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Anthony Richardson, who was the No. 4 overall pick from the 2023 draft class, could lose the starting job to another former first-rounder in Daniel Jones. Among notable veterans, he faces the most pressure in an open quarterback battle.

In two seasons, Richardson has thrown for 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with a 50.6 percent completion rate. He's also missed 19 games because of injuries, and head coach Shane Steichen benched him last season.

The Athletic's James Boyd believes Jones has already taken a "significant lead" in the QB battle after Richardson aggravated his surgically repaired shoulder on his throwing arm in May.

Regardless of how the Indianapolis Colts see the quarterback competition heading into training camp, Richardson must make up ground in the coming weeks. If not, as a backup, his future with the team would be in doubt.

Deebo Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Nick Wass

In 2021, Deebo Samuel put together an All-Pro season, racking up 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns as one of the league's most unique playmakers. He also averaged a league-leading 18.2 yards per reception that year.

Since then, the 29-year-old hasn't come close to matching his numbers from that standout campaign. He's battled minor injuries and settled in as the San Francisco 49ers' No. 2 wide receiver and at times the third option in the passing attack.

Last season, George Kittle and Jauan Jennings outpaced him in catches and receiving yards.

This offseason, the 49ers traded Samuel to the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick.

In Washington, Samuel can again show off his unique playmaking ability at an optimal level. As a wide receiver who took handoffs out of the 49ers' backfield, he called himself a "wideback."

Heading into training camp, the Commanders may need him to be their lead receiver as Terry McLaurin grows frustrated with the lack of progress in contract talks with the team.

Even if the Commanders mend their contractual differences with McLaurin, Samuel must be a reliable complementary option in the aerial attack. Washington shouldn't have to rely on 34-year-old tight end Zach Ertz, who's missed at least seven games in two of the last three seasons, to be the No. 2 pass-catching option.

Samuel has worked himself into tip-top shape for new beginnings in Washington. Now, he must build a connection with 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels to elevate the Commanders' passing attack with or without McLaurin on the field.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.