Top Free Agents with the most to prove in the 2025 NFL Season

The offseason isn’t quite here yet for the 2025 NFL Season, but there is pressure from other teams to compete with the elite rosters of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. There is even more pressure from players looking to revitalize their careers. There are several talented players set to be free agents. Several come off terrible endings to the season or experienced a terrible season themselves. These free agents need to make a big statement in 2025 to solidify a long-term contract.

Top Free Agents with the most to prove in the 2025 NFL Season

Quarterback Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold looked like he revitalized his career with the Minnesota Vikings in Kevin O’Connell’s system. The team was ready to give Darnold a second thought about making J.J. McCarthy the franchise quarterback. The last two games played, however, overshadowed the great 15 games that Darnold played. Darnold lost millions in a projected deal and might have ruined his potential future as a franchise quarterback. There is a strong possibility that Darnold will be back with the Vikings, but it could likely again be a one-year deal worth $20 million. If he isn’t back in Minnesota, he’ll have to learn a new system for the fourth consecutive year.

Darnold showed he can win games throughout the season, but he needs to show that his past years don’t haunt him like they did in the playoffs. The New York Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders are teams reportedly interested in Darnold to be a bridge quarterback for a rookie. His biggest opportunity is to go to a team where he could re-sign and become a longer-term leader with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, or the New Orleans Saints.

Edge rusher Haason Reddick

The New York Jets were one of the biggest laughingstocks in the league last year. They significantly underperformed expectations and showed poor player management. One of those players was edge rusher Haason Reddick, who they traded for in the previous off-season from the Philadelphia Eagles. The biggest problem was that there was no deal in sight. Reddick held out until the 10th game of the season where he had the worst season of his career. In only ten games, he accumulated 14 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and three quarterback hits. Reddick was a non-factor for a declining Jets’ defense and lost a lot of money for a new potential deal. His best opportunity is to go to another team on a new multi-year deal as a free agent and show potential for a Pro Bowl-caliber 2025 season.

Wide receiver Amari Cooper

The trade by the Buffalo Bills to make wide receiver Amari Cooper a key structure of the offense should’ve been a huge asset. Instead, in only the eight regular season games and three playoff games, Cooper didn’t provide much to the offense. Cooper caught 20 receptions for 297 yards and two touchdowns in eight games played. In the postseason, he caught six receptions for 41 yards. When given the opportunity to shine and play great for a Super Bowl contender, Cooper disappeared. Cooper hits free agency looking to redeem himself and earn a big contract. He will be 31 years old by the time the 2025 season starts. Cooper has to earn some serious trust in the off-season to earn a key spot on an offense and earn a long-term contract.

Cornerback Charvarius Ward

The San Francisco 49ers had an incredibly disappointing 2024 season due to injuries. Cornerback Charvarius Ward experienced one of the biggest declines from 2023 to 2024. Ward was a second-team All-Pro in 2023 and then struggled in the 12 games played. This past season, Ward received an overall grade of 56.2, a run-defense of 48.4, and a coverage grade of 58.2 by Pro Football Focus. Ward had the remaining years of the contract voided. The 49ers will have to find a way to pay more than $40 to $50 million more just to quarterback Brock Purdy. Ward may be a casualty of the large salary cap woes the 49ers have, but Ward lost an expensive contract with another team. This 2025 season is Ward’s opportunity to bounce back, but he has a lot to prove as a free agent.