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NFL 2018 preview: 5 quarterbacks with a lot on the line this season

By Peter Panacy

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the sidelines prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the sidelines prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to the sideline against the Carolina Panthers in the fourth quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 17: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to the sideline against the Carolina Panthers in the fourth quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

49. . . . Aaron Rodgers. 5. team

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is under a lot of pressure, but not for the reasons many of the others on this list are.

Sure, there’s the pressure of being a perennial playoff contender looking for yet another Super Bowl crown. 2011 was the last year in which Rodgers and the Packers won the NFL’s supreme award. And he’s helped his team reach he playoffs each year since.

Aside from 2017, of course, when Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone.

Heading into 2018, Rodgers will have to put that injury behind him and return to the Hall of Fame-caliber performer he’s been for years. There’s little doubt the 34 year old will be able to do this, yet there’s another reason why Rodgers will want to have an MVP-like year.

Rodgers is signed through 2019 but on an average annual salary of just $22 million.

That’s a bargain, by today’s standards. But with the Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan now inked on a record-high $30 million, annually on average, the pressure will be on Rodgers to show he’s worth even more.

Speaking of Ryan…