Quarterbacks Under the Most Pressure This Season

There is no question that every starting quarterback is under a tremendous amount of pressure to win games and perform to their team’s and fan’s expectations.  However, there are a few quarterbacks in particular who will be really feeling the heat this season.

Ben Roethlisberger

After having a rough season and with Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu and LaMarr Woodley missing a lot of time last season, the pressure was on Ben Roethlisberger to lead this team into another playoff run despite the Pittsburgh Steelers setbacks.  The Steelers ended up going 8-8.  It was definitely disappointing.

Roethlisberger is now 31-years-old and the superb defensive trio of the Steelers we mentioned earlier are not getting any younger either.  It is getting to the point to where a lot of people are saying that it is now or never for Roethlisberger to lead his team to the Super Bowl.

Jay Cutler

The Chicago Bears really broke the bank acquiring Jay Cutler back in 2009.  The Bears fans do not feel like they got their money’s worth, however.   Its not that Cutler has been a terrible quarterback.  He’s led the team to some winning seasons.  Cutler has not had the impact on the squad that many had hoped and has yet to help the team become major Super Bowl contenders.

Cutler’s contract is up after the 2013 season and if he does not have success this season, success being a deep playoff run, I can’t imagine any situation other than both parties wanting to part ways.

Tom Brady

The New England Patriots almost always perform very well under the guidance of coach Bill Belichick and Brady.   However, the offensive end of their roster has been shaken up with the departure of Wes Welker.  Also, their division will be getting significantly tougher this season considering all the offseason moves made by the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills.  On top of all that, the Patriots not only have a gap in the tight end position but also a lot of negative attention on them with this Aaron Hernandez situation.

Brady will feel intense pressure to lead his team through all this.  Brady is going to be 36 years-old by the start of the season, though, and one has to wonder how much high-level football he has left in the tank.

Tony Romo

Tony Romo has led the Dallas Cowboys to only one play off win in his lackluster career.  However, the Cowboys found it necessary to give Romo a six year contract extension that it is worth $108 million with $55 million guaranteed.  Similar to Joe Flacco last season, (who proved his worth with flying colors) Romo will now have to show that he is well worth his hefty price tag by leading his team on a deep playoff run.