3 NFL Players Facing Make-Or-Break Seasons In 2026
Every season creates pressure around the NFL, but some players enter the year with far more at stake than others. Several NFL players facing make-or-break seasons in 2026 need strong performances to change the direction of their careers and prove they still belong as important pieces for their organizations.
Kyler Murray, Deshaun Watson, and Keon Coleman all enter the upcoming season surrounded by major questions. Murray now gets a fresh opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings after an inconsistent run in Arizona. Watson looks to finally regain momentum after injuries and off-field controversy completely changed the trajectory of his career. Coleman also faces massive pressure after failing to meet expectations early in his career with the Buffalo Bills.
Kyler Murray
The Arizona Cardinals selected Kyler Murray with the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, hoping he would become the franchise quarterback who could completely change the organization. While Murray flashed moments of elite talent throughout his time in Arizona, things never fully came together the way many expected.
Murray showed off his athleticism and playmaking ability as one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks. His ability to extend plays and create explosive moments made him one of the NFL’s most entertaining young players during the early stages of his career. One of the most unforgettable moments came during the 2020 season when Murray connected with DeAndre Hopkins on the legendary Hail Mary touchdown against the Bills.
Despite those flashes, inconsistency and injuries prevented Murray from taking the next step. As the years passed, it became increasingly obvious that both sides needed a fresh start.
After getting released by Arizona, Murray landed with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year prove-it contract. The situation gives him a legitimate chance to revive his career under Kevin O’Connell, who already helped reshape Sam Darnold’s career in Minnesota. Darnold entered that season carrying the bust label and then posted career highs with 35 touchdown passes, leading the Vikings back to the playoffs. Darnold has now won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks one year after reviving his career in Minnesota.
Minnesota also gives Murray arguably the best supporting cast of his career. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and T.J. Hockenson provide elite weapons within one of the NFL’s most quarterback-friendly systems. Murray still must beat out J.J. McCarthy for the starting job during camp, but the opportunity remains there for him to reestablish himself as a starting-caliber quarterback. Among the NFL players facing make-or-break seasons in 2026, Murray may have landed in the perfect environment for a bounce-back season.
Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson entered the NFL as the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and quickly developed into one of the league’s top young quarterbacks with the Houston Texans. Watson looked like a future superstar during his time in Houston and cemented himself as one of the NFL’s best dual-threat quarterbacks after throwing for over 4,800 yards during the 2020 season.
Everything changed after his trade to the Cleveland Browns. Watson became involved in multiple civil lawsuits involving allegations of sexual misconduct beginning in 2021. The lawsuits created years of controversy surrounding the quarterback before they were officially dismissed in February 2026, ending a lengthy legal ordeal.
Outside the off-field controversy, injuries completely derailed Watson’s time in Cleveland. He started only 19 games with the Browns and posted a 9-10 record during that stretch. Watson also has not played since suffering a ruptured Achilles during a Week 7 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024. Things only became worse during his recovery process in 2025. An MRI later confirmed Watson re-ruptured the same Achilles tendon, forcing him to undergo another surgical repair and miss another full season.
Despite everything that has happened, Watson remains only 30 years old. Cleveland still appears willing to give him another opportunity, and early expectations suggest he could enter camp as the favorite to win the starting job ahead of Shedeur Sanders. The talent that once made Watson one of the league’s most dangerous quarterbacks still exists somewhere, but time continues running short. This season feels like one final opportunity for Watson to prove he can still be a productive starting quarterback again.
Keon Coleman: Talented WR facing a make-or-break season in 2026
The Bills selected Keon Coleman with the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, believing his size, athleticism, and raw upside could eventually make him a major part of their offense. Coleman entered the league with high expectations following an impressive college career at Florida State, but things have not gone according to plan early in his NFL career.
Coleman struggled to consistently separate from defenders and never developed into the reliable receiving option Buffalo hoped he would become. Concerns surrounding his route running and overall explosiveness continued to grow throughout the season.
After finishing the 2025 season with just 38 catches for 440 yards, criticism surrounding Coleman only intensified entering 2026. Pressure surrounding Coleman also increased after Bills owner Terry Pegula made comments that many interpreted as criticism of the selection.“I’m not saying Brandon wouldn’t have drafted him, but he wasn’t his next choice,” Pegula said regarding Coleman. The comments added even more pressure to a player already facing major expectations entering the season. Coleman declined to say much when reporters later asked him about the situation, but it became obvious that frustration surrounding his development continues to build within the organization.
To Coleman’s credit, he already acknowledged this season represents a make-or-break year for him. Buffalo also added D.J. Moore, while Khalil Shakir continues developing into a reliable target within the offense. Coleman now must carve out a consistent role as the team’s third receiving option while proving he can become a more polished and complete receiver. Raw talent has never been the issue with Coleman. The physical tools that made him a highly regarded prospect remain there. The problem comes down to putting everything together consistently on Sundays.
