Not every NFL season goes according to plan. Injuries, scheme changes, and team struggles can derail even the most promising players.
As we move into the latter part of the 2025 campaign, a number of big names and rising stars have fallen short of expectations. Whether due to performance, health, or circumstances beyond their control, here are 20 players who’ve had a tough go so far this season.
Terrion Arnold, CB, Lions
Arnold was a breakout star as a rookie, flashing lockdown potential and earning buzz as a future cornerstone of Detroit’s defense.
Year two, though, has been a different story. Injuries have limited him to just seven of the Lions’ first 11 games, and when he’s been on the field, opposing quarterbacks haven’t shied away.
He’s allowed a 63% completion rate and 8.7 yards per target-both a step back from his impressive debut season.
A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles
Brown has been one of the league’s most dynamic wideouts in recent years, but this season, the Eagles' offense has lacked its usual punch. Without former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, the unit has struggled to find rhythm-and Brown’s numbers reflect it.
Through 10 games, he’s posted just 567 yards and is averaging a career-low 12.3 yards per catch. If things don’t pick up, he’s on pace to miss the 1,000-yard mark for the first time since his rookie year.
Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
Evans has been the model of consistency, hitting 1,000 yards in each of his first 11 seasons.
But that streak is in serious jeopardy. A fractured collarbone in October sidelined him after just four games, and while he’s battled through injuries before, this one may be too much to overcome in time.
Justin Fields, QB, Jets
The Jets brought in Fields with hopes he could stabilize their quarterback carousel.
Instead, it’s been more of the same. In his first nine starts, Fields went 2-7, posted a QBR of 38.1, and averaged just 140 passing yards per game.
The flashes of playmaking are still there, but consistency and production have been elusive in a struggling offense.
Bucky Irving, RB, Buccaneers
Irving turned heads as a rookie with over 1,500 total yards and eight touchdowns.
But year two has been a grind. He averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in his first four games before being sidelined by foot and shoulder injuries.
The Bucs hoped he’d be a focal point of their offense-so far, he’s been mostly unavailable.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Raiders
Taken sixth overall, Jeanty was expected to be a game-changer for the Raiders.
Statistically, he’s been solid-825 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns in 11 games-but his efficiency has lagged. He’s averaging just 4.1 yards per touch, and the Raiders’ offense as a whole has sputtered.
The team fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly after Week 12, hoping to spark something in Jeanty and the rest of the unit.
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Browns
Jeudy looked like a perfect fit in Cleveland last year, racking up 90 catches for over 1,200 yards.
But this season, the Browns’ quarterback carousel has hurt his production. Through 11 games, he’s managed just 32 receptions for 395 yards-a far cry from the breakout many expected.
Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs
Jones has been the anchor of Kansas City’s defensive front for years, earning three straight first-team All-Pro nods.
But at 30, some wear and tear may be showing. Through 11 games, he’s recorded just 16 tackles and three sacks.
The Chiefs still rely on him to set the tone up front, but the dominant force we’re used to seeing hasn’t quite shown up this year.
Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
Kamara has long been one of the most versatile backs in the league, but this season has been a grind. The Saints' offense has struggled to find any rhythm, and Kamara’s numbers reflect that: just 657 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown through 11 games, with a career-low 4.0 yards per touch.
Marshon Lattimore, CB, Commanders
Brought in to help stabilize Washington’s secondary, Lattimore hasn’t quite lived up to his billing this season.
In his first nine games, he allowed 14.0 yards per completion and a 93.0 passer rating when targeted. Those aren’t the shutdown numbers the Commanders were banking on when they added the veteran corner.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars
Lawrence was supposed to take the leap under new head coach Liam Coen.
And while the Jaguars have improved overall, the quarterback’s individual performance has taken a step back. He’s thrown 11 interceptions and posted a 42.9 QBR through 11 games-numbers that don’t reflect the franchise-caliber quarterback Jacksonville is counting on him to be.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Vikings
After missing his rookie year with a knee injury, McCarthy entered 2025 with high hopes in a quarterback-friendly system. But the early returns haven’t been encouraging.
In six starts, he’s gone 2-4, completed just 54% of his passes, and thrown 10 interceptions. The tools are there, but the learning curve has been steep.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders
McLaurin’s season got off to a rocky start with a training camp holdout, and it hasn’t gotten much better since. A lingering quad injury has limited him to just four games through 12 weeks, and Washington’s offense has missed his playmaking ability.
Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
Murray’s future in Arizona continues to be a question mark.
He went 2-3 in his first five starts before landing on IR with a foot injury. The Cardinals have seen flashes of brilliance from Murray in the past, but this season has only added fuel to the debate about whether he’s truly their long-term answer under center.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Falcons
Penix took over for Kirk Cousins late last season and entered 2025 with momentum.
But it hasn’t translated. He went 3-6 as the Falcons’ starter before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
Given his lengthy injury history dating back to college, durability remains a major concern.
Haason Reddick, EDGE, Buccaneers
Reddick’s stint with the Jets last season was forgettable, and he hoped to bounce back in Tampa.
But the resurgence hasn’t materialized. He’s managed just 1.5 sacks in seven games and has battled leg injuries along the way.
For a player known for his pass-rushing prowess, the production just hasn’t been there.
Geno Smith, QB, Raiders
Reunited with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas, Smith was expected to bring stability and veteran leadership to the Raiders.
Instead, he’s thrown 13 interceptions in 11 games and posted a QBR of just 29.3. The offense has struggled to find consistency, and Smith’s play hasn’t done much to steady the ship.
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Bengals
The Bengals took a swing on Stewart in the first round, betting on his upside despite limited college production.
So far, that gamble hasn’t paid off. Ankle and knee injuries have limited him to five games, and he’s recorded just six tackles and one quarterback hit.
The tools are there, but the impact hasn’t shown up yet.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
Tagovailoa’s season has mirrored Miami’s-uneven and underwhelming. The loss of Tyreek Hill to injury has certainly hurt, but Tua’s 13 interceptions and 43.5 QBR are troubling signs for a quarterback trying to solidify his place as the Dolphins’ long-term leader.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jaguars
Thomas exploded onto the scene as a rookie, earning a Pro Bowl nod with over 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns.
But this season has been a different story. Before missing three games with an ankle injury, he had just 30 catches for 420 yards and two scores in eight games.
Like much of Jacksonville’s offense, he’s struggled to replicate last year’s success.
Every NFL season brings surprises-some pleasant, some not. For these 20 players, the 2025 campaign has been a frustrating chapter. But with time still left on the calendar, there’s always a chance to flip the script.