As the NFL season draws closer, longtime NFL Network host Rich Eisen compiled a list of the top five players with “a chip on their shoulder.”
Eisen revealed the list on his syndicated radio show, the Rich Eisen Show on Tuesday.
At No. 5 on his list, Eisen had Bears QB Justin Fields, who put together a strong second half of the season to emerge as Chicago’s long-term answer at quarterback. The Bears traded their top pick in April’s draft to the Panthers for a haul, and passed on drafting another quarterback, a testament to their belief in him. Now, Fields needs to prove Chicago right.
No. 4 on Eisen’s list was DeAndre Hopkins, who signed with the Titans this offseason instead of with a bona fide Super Bowl contender. While Hopkins is no longer in his prime, there is still enough left in the tank for him to surprise in Tennessee.
No. 3 on the list was quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is in a competition with Kyle Trash to replace Tom Brady as the Buccaneers starting QB. It is no small task to take over for a legend, especially when the last few years have been an up-and-down proposition for him bouncing around among the Browns, Panthers, Rams and now Buccaneers.
At No. 2 on the list, new Saints quarterback Derek Carr made an appearance. The Raiders gave up on him, and he landed in New Orleans after being released following the end of last season. Carr has proven to be a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback, and there’s no reason to believe that he still can’t be a franchise signal caller in New Orleans.
Finally, at No. 1, Eisen labeled the entire running back position as the group with the most to prove in the new season. After an offseason of turbulence at the position, with star players in the middle of their prime unable to land lucrative contract extensions, it’s a terrible time to be a running back in the NFL. Could a strong season out of several players at the position lead to more lucrative contracts for running backs in the future?
Eisen’s reasoning behind his picks can be found in the clip below:
You ask, @richeisen delivers — Top 5 Players With a Chip on Their Shoulder for 2023!#NFL #NFLPreseason pic.twitter.com/NLOUFarnXC
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) August 15, 2023
