Four players, coaches under most pressure in NFL Week 2

Not all Week 1 losses are created equal, and some teams, players and coaches around the NFL are facing more pressure as a result of their early-season defeats than others. So with that in mind, let's take a look at four players and coaches who are under the most pressure to perform going into Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season. 

Mike McDaniel, head coach, Miami Dolphins

There might not be a head coaching seat hotter right now than the one McDaniel is sitting on in Miami. Not only have the Dolphins regressed into sustained mediocrity under his watch, but they were also absolutely humiliated in Week 1 with one of the worst performances across the league. 

This should be a playoff-or-bust season in Miami, and nothing about that team looks playoff quality going into Week 2. 

They are going to be at home, against a New England Patriots team that also looked pretty lousy in its season-opener and has been one of the worst teams in football the past couple of years. 

If the Dolphins do not win this game, McDaniel's seat is going to go from hot to inferno. 

George Pickens, wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys acquired Pickens to give their offense another playmaker to go alongside CeeDee Lamb. 

Not only did Pickens have a quiet debut in Week 1, catching three passes for only 30 yards, but his route-running and effort were also called into question, which is a trend that seems to be carrying over from his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Lamb struggled in Week 1 as well with some big second-half drops, but his track record is extensive enough and good enough to expect a bounce back in Week 2. Pickens does not have that track record or consistency. That puts the spotlight firmly on him to perform. 

Russell Wilson, quarterback, New York Giants

Wilson's Giants debut was dreadful in Week 1, and that is already leading to calls for the team to put in first-round pick Jaxson Dart. 

Wilson is getting another chance to prove himself on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, and if he does not show any sign of improvement, the calls for Dart are only going to get louder. This time, they might actually get answered. If they do, it might be worth wondering if Wilson's time as a starting NFL quarterback is finished. He is not just playing for his starting job with the Giants. He might be playing for his career as a starter. 

Caleb Williams, quarterback, Chicago Bears

Williams still has enormous upside, and it is far too soon for anybody to consider writing him off. It's also not a case of his play so far being bad or that his job is in jeopardy. It's just that his game still has some obvious flaws that need to be cleaned up, and his accuracy and consistency are at the very top of that list.

He left a lot of throws on the field against the Minnesota Vikings in the Bears' Week 1 loss, and they are the type of throws you would expect your No. 1 overall pick, potential franchise quarterback, to make.

So far in his career, he has been... fine. The Bears need him to start being more than fine. They need a game-changer. They need a difference-maker. They are not getting that just yet.