In today’s world, the word “cooked” has multiple meanings. If a player is playing well, “he’s cooking.” However, if a player seems to be playing poorly or getting beaten regularly by another player, then the player might be “getting cooked.”
Quarterback:
Russell Wilson, New York Giants—”Let Russ cook” has quickly become Russ is cooked, especially after the Giants drafted Jaxson Dart in the first round.
Aaron Rodgers, ??—Rodgers was almost cooked last year with the Jets, and if the Steelers weren’t desperate for a quarterback themselves, they would realize that.
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons—Cousins is for sure cooked as he is nothing more than Michael Penix’s caddy.
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns—Flacco seems to be hanging around for one more go-around, but the Browns are cooked as a team thanks to Deshaun Watson’s awful contract.
Running Back:
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers—It feels painful to say this, but the odds of McCaffrey playing a full season seem to be remote. He’s not cooked yet, but he’s close.
Miles Sanders, Dallas Cowboys—If Sanders could barely get playing time in Carolina, how is he not cooked in Dallas?
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys—Sean Payton was thrilled to move on from Williams, who now gets to try to resurrect his career in the Big D. He’s cooked.
Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals—Chase Brown’s emergence cooked Moss in Cincy.
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs—Hunt did a great job filling in when Pacheco went down last season. He still might hang on in 2025.
Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders—Ekeler started to look cooked towards the end of last season when slower defenders were catching him from behind.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints—Kamara has some life left in him. Will New Orleans finally decide to trade him? Not cooked for sure.
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings—Jones has thrived in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. New addition Jordan Mason will take carries away, but Jones will still be a part of the Vikings offense. Not cooked.
Wide Receivers:
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins—Hill still is one of the fastest receivers in the league, but it feels like he is not nearly the downfield threat he once was. He’s not cooked yet but he’s not far away either.
Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots—Diggs might be cooked BEFORE the season starts if he can’t avoid getting into trouble.
Cooper Kupp, Seattle Seahawks—Hopefully, moving back to his home state will energize Kupp again. He looked cooked in the second half of last season with the Rams.
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers—Los Angeles just drafted Ladd McConkey in 2024 and Tre Harris in 2025, signifying that Williams is cooked.
Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders—Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury loves throwing quick outs to his receivers, which is exactly what Samuel loves. Not cooked.
Allen Lazard, New York Jets—Without Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback, Lazard is completely cooked.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers—Age has cooked Thielen as the Panthers just drafted Tetairoa McMillan to be their new WR1.
Robert Woods, Pittsburgh Steelers—Woods has been cooked for years but is a good enough locker room guy that he found a spot on a weak roster in Pittsburgh.
Christian Kirk, Houston Texans—When the team that just trades for you drafts your backup (Jaylin Noel) you know that you are close to being cooked.
Tyler Lockett, Tennessee Titans—Going from Seattle to Tennessee, cooked Lockett’s value.
Tight Ends:
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs—Kelce is gearing up for one more season before riding into the sunset in a Hall of Fame career. He’s not fully cooked yet, but he can’t be counted on each week.
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens—Andrews had an up-and-down 2024, but there feels like there is more in the tank. Not cooked just yet.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders—Definitely not cooked as Ertz was Jayden Daniels’ favorite red zone target in 2024.
