Feb 7, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel on Radio Row at the Super Bowl LIX media center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Do these players have anything left in the tank? Can they still be productive? Let the debate begin:
Russell Wilson, New York Giants
Head coach Brian Daboll and Russell Wilson, quarterback with the NY Giants, are shown during practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center, East Rutherford, NJ, May 28, 2025.
“Let Russ cook” has quickly become Russ is cooked, especially after the Giants drafted Jaxson Dart in the first round.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
DALLAS, TX – FEBRUARY 07: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers poses with the MVP trophy after speaking to the media during a press conference at Super Bowl XLV Media Center on February 7, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 20: Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Cousins is for sure cooked as he is nothing more than Michael Penix’s caddy.
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 03: Joe Flacco #15 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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.
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 29: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the NFC Championship playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the 49ers 31-7. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
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
Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (6) celebrates with teammates after a game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 23: Zack Moss #31 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Paycor Stadium on September 23, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Chase Brown’s emergence cooked Moss in Cincy.
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 10: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs hands the football to Kareem Hunt #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Hunt did a great job filling in when Pacheco went down last season. He still might hang on in 2025.
Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
ASHBURN, VA – JULY 25: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Washington Commanders looks on during training camp at OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park on July 25, 2024 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Ekeler started to look cooked towards the end of last season when slower defenders were catching him from behind.
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 29: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Kamara has some life left in him. Will New Orleans finally decide to trade him? Not cooked for sure.
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 20: Aaron Jones #33 of the Minnesota Vikings runs for a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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.
Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots
Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) walks off the field after an apparent injury during the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Diggs might be cooked BEFORE the season starts if he can’t avoid getting into trouble.
Cooper Kupp, Seattle Seahawks
INGLEWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 21: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball after a catch during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium on December 21, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
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
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 24: Mike Williams #81 of the Los Angeles Chargers lines up for a play in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Los Angeles just drafted Ladd McConkey in 2024 and Tre Harris in 2025, signifying that Williams is cooked.
Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders
May 16, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuels (L) and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (R) wave to the crowd from courts wide during the game between the Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury loves throwing quick outs to his receivers, which is exactly what Samuel loves. Not cooked.
Allen Lazard, New York Jets
New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard (10) and his teammates celebrate a touchdown pass, Sunday January 5, 2025, in East Rutherford.
Without Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback, Lazard is completely cooked.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 18: Adam Thielen #19 of the Carolina Panthers scores a touchdown against Alontae Taylor #1 of the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter in the game at Bank of America Stadium on September 18, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Age has cooked Thielen as the Panthers just drafted Tetairoa McMillan to be their new WR1.
Christian Kirk, Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) leaves the field to the locker room after sustaining an apparent injury during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Packers edged the Jaguars 30-27 on a last-second field goal. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
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
`’Jan 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver Tyler Lockett (16) runs down the field baseline at SoFi Stadium for the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams Week 18 matchup. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images
Going from Seattle to Tennessee, cooked Lockett’s value.
