10 NFL Players Who Were Briefly the Face of a Franchise

In the NFL, it doesn’t take much to become the guy for a team. One breakout season, a viral moment, or a flash of brilliance, and suddenly you’re plastered on billboards and jerseys fly off the shelves.

But sometimes, that face-of-the-franchise glow fades just as fast as it arrived. Whether it was due to injuries, regression, or a quick reality check, these 10 players were briefly the stars of their teams—before it all cooled off.

10. Derek Anderson – Cleveland Browns

In 2007, Anderson came out of nowhere to lead the Browns to a 10-win season and a Pro Bowl nod. For a split second, he looked like Cleveland’s QB savior—then the magic disappeared almost overnight.

9. Steve Slaton – Houston Texans

Slaton had a monster rookie year in 2008, racking up over 1,600 total yards and looking like the future in Houston’s backfield. By year two, fumbles and injuries sent him into a steep decline.

8. Peyton Hillis – Cleveland Browns

Hillis went from fullback to Madden cover athlete in one glorious season where he bulldozed defenses. After that? A mix of injuries, contract drama, and fading production made him vanish just as fast.

7. Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Freeman looked like a star in 2010 with 25 touchdowns and only 6 picks, leading the Bucs to a 10-6 record. But things unraveled quickly, and within a few years, he was out of the league.

6. David Johnson – Arizona Cardinals

Johnson’s 2016 season was fantasy football gold and had fans thinking he was the next great dual-threat back. Injuries and inconsistent play quickly knocked him off that pedestal.

5. Robert Griffin III – Washington Commanders

RGIII’s rookie year was electric—highlight plays, playoff berth, the whole package. But injuries and coaching tension turned his franchise-player status into a cautionary tale.

4. Matt Flynn – Seattle Seahawks

Flynn signed a big deal with the Seahawks after one eye-popping Week 17 performance with the Packers. Then Russell Wilson showed up and made Flynn the most expensive backup in town.

3. Blake Bortles – Jacksonville Jaguars

After a Cinderella run to the AFC Championship in 2017, Bortles was suddenly Jacksonville’s golden boy. The next season reminded everyone why he was never built to be that guy long-term.

2. Carson Wentz – Philadelphia Eagles

Wentz was an MVP frontrunner in 2017 before an injury ended his season—and Nick Foles won the Super Bowl. He never quite reclaimed that form and was soon on his way out of Philly.

1. Baker Mayfield – Cleveland Browns

Baker planted flags, talked trash, and ended the Browns’ playoff drought, instantly becoming the face of the franchise. But after one hot minute of glory, inconsistency and drama led to a quick goodbye.