Dan Orlovsky Names Five NFL QBs with the Most to Prove
The NFL season is right around the corner, and teams are deep into prep mode, fine-tuning playbooks and locking in reps with one goal in mind: a Super Bowl run. As always, certain players are under more scrutiny than others. For quarterbacks, the spotlight burns brightest.
Whether it's bouncing back from injuries, silencing critics or finally living up to their draft hype, some QBs are feeling the pressure more than most. According to ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky, there are five signal-callers in particular who enter this season with more to prove than anyone else.
He started with Anthony Richardson, saying this is the year he needs to stay healthy, be that tough, durable guy and finally show why the Indianapolis Colts took him fourth overall.
Richardson has all the talent, but Orlovsky said he believes it's time to turn potential into production and prove the pick was worth it. He then talked about Bryce Young, reminding everyone that his rookie season didn't go well at all for the No. 1 overall pick of the Carolina Panthers. But Young did finish strong and has the perfect opportunity to prove he can bounce back and quiet critics who already have written him off.
Next up was J.J. McCarthy, who Orlovsky says is surrounded by the right offensive line and weapons to make a serious playoff push with the Minnesota Vikings, but it's on him to put the pieces together and deliver.
He also brought up Trevor Lawrence, calling him the 'golden child' and saying the pressure is on after the Jacksonville Jaguars loaded him up with talent, including stars like Travis Hunter.
Orlovsky Saves the Best for Last
Finally, Orlovsky talked about Caleb Williams, calling him the 'next Patrick Mahomes' and saying with one of the best offensive minds in football helping him, now is the time to show he's everything he was hyped up to be the face of the franchise, the elite talent and the future of the organization.
Williams is deep into his second training camp with the Chicago Bears, but with a third head coach and fourth offensive coordinator already, it feels like he's starting over. Despite the constant changes, Williams has shown steady growth.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle have praised Williams' poise, arm talent and ability to thrive in unscripted moments. Backup QB Case Keenum also highlighted his competitive edge, saying Williams has that 'switch' great players have. His drive to lead in clutch situations is winning over the locker room, and it's clear he's embracing the grind to become the Bears' guy.This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
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