We’re five weeks into the NFL season, and we’re already seeing some of the league’s biggest stars experience a decline in production compared to last season.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, the 2024 MVP, isn’t having his best statistical season. Brock Bowers has been injured and has struggled (much like the Las Vegas Raiders as a whole). Derrick Henry can’t run the ball in Baltimore because they’re always trailing. And that’s just a few examples of the struggling stars around the league.

Today, we’re going to gauge just how panicked you should be about each of these players moving forward.

Justin Fields, New York Jets quarterback

ES Panic Meter: 5.3

Luke Hubbard, NFL Senior Writer: 5. Statistically, Justin Fields hasn’t been playing badly, but a lot of his production has come when the Jets are completely out of the game. I don’t think he’s the future of the New York Jets, but he’s a fine stopgap. 

Abhishek Singh, NFL Content Manager: 8. Stat-padding against the Dallas Cowboys doesn’t change the reality; he’s still part of the problem for the Jets. With the defense struggling, this team can’t afford a QB who waits until garbage time to rack up stats. 

Tim Wood, NFL Content Chief: 3. He gave me a fantasy team 33.6 points Sunday. It didn’t add up to a win. But the point is, he’s not the problem. NBC analyst Rodney Harrison said Sunday that Fields shouldn’t be an NFL starter. Not true whatsoever. He’s not the problem with the Jets; it’s the defense first and foremost. But let’s be real. They gotta win a game or this meter skyrockets.

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills quarterback

ES Panic Meter: 1.33

Hubbard: 1. Is it possible to give a negative number for this? It’s Josh Allen. He’s not putting up his 350+ yards and 3 TDs a game, but there’s no reason to believe he won’t turn it up when the Buffalo Bills need him to. 

Singh: 2. Don’t hit the panic button. The Patriots’ loss doesn’t change his MVP case one bit.

Wood: 1. In complete agreement here. He became mortal in Week 5; that’s all.

Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback

ES Panic Meter: 8.67

Hubbard: 7. Geno Smith’s first season in Las Vegas has been a dumpster fire. The Raiders’ offense is atrocious, and he’s turning it over at an alarming rate. Definitely concerned about him moving forward.

Singh: 9. You can’t really blame Pete Carroll for thinking to bench Smith; his nine interceptions are the most in the NFL.

Wood: 10. There is a regression here. It’s very clear. The only question is this: Do you believe Kenny Pickett has a better chance of turning this around? I think it might be worth at least a one- to two-game test.

Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens running back

ES Panic Meter: 5.67

Hubbard: 7. Derrick Henry’s season has definitely been concerning so far, but only because the Baltimore Ravens aren’t running the ball. They’re playing from behind so often because of their defense, so Henry, who isn’t a threat in the pass game, just doesn’t get touches. If they can fix their defensive woes, he’ll be fine, but that’s a big ask. 

Singh: 6. Fantasy managers are starting to consider benching Henry as his snap count continues to drop. He’s struggled to generate the kind of self-made yardage that defined his prime seasons.

Wood: 4. Everything will look better when Lamar is back healthy. If Henry is still lacking burst after Week 8 versus Chicago, I elevate this to a 10.

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens quarterback

ES Panic Meter: 4

Hubbard: 3. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s injury is cause for short-term concern, but I’m not too worried about him long-term. When he’s been on the field, he’s played great. I’m much more concerned about Baltimore’s defense.

Singh: 7. Ravens are grappling with injuries, but they haven’t made life easy for themselves this season. With Lamar Jackson sidelined, winning is now a necessity. Each season without a Super Bowl appearance makes Jackson’s window to lift the Lombardi narrower.

Wood: 2. It’s crazy that this team is still the Vegas favorite to win the AFC North. It speaks to the league-wide zen on Lamar as long as the hammy doesn’t linger.

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins quarterback

ES Panic Meter: 7.33

Hubbard: 8. While Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t been awful statistically, I’m giving him this grade because I think his time as a starter is coming to an end. He’s a fine player, but he doesn’t elevate an offense, plus his injury history is scary. 

Singh: 6. Tua showed improvement against the Panthers, but let’s be honest, the Dolphins are just bad. Still, he’s had 3 subpar games this season, and that can’t happen again.

Wood: 8. The job is just not getting done. I have far more questions about Tua’s ability to be a long-term NFL starter than I do with Fields right now.

Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback

ES Panic Meter: 5

Hubbard: 3. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t the QB he once was, but he’s doing a fine job with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s managing the game and making big throws when he needs to. I don’t think he’s capable of leading an elite offense, but with the defense he has, they don’t need to be elite. 

Singh: 4. Rodgers has left Tom Brady “beyond impressed.” Now, the Steelers’ QB aims to follow in Brady’s footsteps as the 2nd-oldest QB to play in a Super Bowl when they return from their bye week.

Wood: 8. It’s not that he’s not playing decent. There’s really no backup plan, and Rodgers is getting hit far too much for comfort. 

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback 

ES Panic Meter: 7

Hubbard: 9. If Jalen Hurts wasn’t on the Philadelphia Eagles, would he be a starting QB in this league? Probably not. Their system is built so perfectly around him that they can ignore all of his weaknesses. If he wasn’t on a team with an ELITE roster, he’d be one of the worst QBs in football. 

(Editor disclaimer: Hubbard is a LSU guy. He’s been a Hurts hater since his ‘Bama days and we at ES respect that Luke is standing on business.)

Singh: 5. Eagles have their first loss, yet the offense still seems lost. Yet, his leadership is never in question.

Wood: 7. I love Luke’s bold take. Not sure I’m fully on board, but I love it being said. What I will stipulate is that, for some reason, head coach Nick Sirianni keeps Hurts on a leash shorter than a pit bull in a Chihuahua parade. The Eagles are the messiest 4-1 team I’ve seen in decades.

Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys cornerback

ES Panic Meter: 8.33

Hubbard: 8. Ever since his incredible 11 INT 2021 season, Trevon Diggs has regressed. He’s never been a lockdown corner, he’s always relied on INT to boost his perception, but now that those are gone, he’s just an average corner. 

Singh: 7. Cowboys are moving in the right direction with their defensive fixes, but Diggs struggled against Jets & he could face NFL discipline after his swing at Arian Smith.

Wood: 10. In honor of the release of “Life of a Showgirl,” I will quote Tay-Tay here. “It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem, it’s me.” That’s how I feel about Diggs as a microcosm of the Dallas D and Jerry Jones’ ignorance that it even needs fixing.

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders tight end

ES Panic Meter: 5.66

Hubbard: 1. Brock Bowers proved he’s one of the best TEs in football as a rookie. He’s injured right now and the new staff is misusing him. I’m concerned for this season, but for the rest of his career, he’s should be just fine. 

Singh: 6. Brock Bowers has struggled ever since his Week 1 injury, looking like a shadow of his former self in the 3 games since.

Wood: 10. And I’m at this number because of Luke’s second sentence. He was a top 5 pick in many fantasy drafts. He and Maxx Crosby singlehandedly gave Raider Nation hope heading into 2025. Without hope, what are we humans, Brock?

Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals tight end

ES Panic Meter: 4

Hubbard: 3. Arizona Cardinals star Trey McBride might not be on the same breakneck pace as last year, but he’s third among TEs in yards in a lackluster offense. I don’t think he’s regressed as a player, but the Cards offense has taken a step back and Marvin Harrison is a bigger part of this offense in year two. 

Singh: 4. The target share from last year was not sustainable. That doesn’t mean he’s any less valuable.

Wood: 5. I’m at a 10 re: the Cardinals as a team. But in terms of McBride, he is the stabilizing energy that will keep this team from imploding.

A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver

ES Panic Meter: 5.67

Hubbard: 8. As long as he’s in Philly, there’s a ton of concern for AJ Brown. They are just not good at throwing the ball. The one game this year they’ve thrown the ball a lot, they lost and scored 17 points. This is a run first team, and with DeVonta Smith across the field from him, he’s hardly ever going to see 5+ targets a game.

Singh: 8. After struggling against the Broncos, Brown seemingly blamed Jalen Hurts, which raised further questions about his leadership.

Wood: 1. I’m not panicked one iota. You know why? Because with every tantrum and every soundbite, it’s that much more likely my boy A.J. is headed to New England to pair up with Stefon Diggs and lead my Pats to the Super Bowl.