There are few players in sports that are truly untouchable. When years have gone by and guys like Brett Favre and Joe Montana have been traded, that becomes quite clear.
Putting the team first has always been a difficult task for both fans and organization decision-makers, but even with that being necessary, there are some stars that seem to be as big as an entire franchise.
Anyone can be traded, but every NFL team has at least one player that embodies what the entire city/franchise promote so much that it seems impossible to see them playing anywhere else.
Here’s a look at all 32 NFL teams and that one (active) cornerstone franchise player that everyone should think of when they discuss those teams:
The GOAT kept churning out elite numbers again in 2017, as he won the NFL MVP and nearly helped the Pats to a sixth Super Bowl win.
Because of Brady’s ageless talent and tireless work ethic, New England heads into the 2018 NFL season with the best odds (+550 at Bovada) to win Super Bowl 53.
There is a long line of important, impactful, or iconic Patriots stars. However, without Tom Terrific, it’s pretty arguable the Patriots wouldn’t be the yearly juggernaut they currently are.
Whether or not you agree with that, Brady has been around forever and is synonymous with everything New England. He’s without a doubt the face of this franchise.
It’s weird to go from possibly the most obvious franchise cornerstone to a team that truly may not have one. New York has been struggling for years at the quarterback position, while last season saw them go through a ton of roster turnover.
Not shockingly, there aren’t many iconic Jets players remaining that are both huge stars in the NFL and also personify all things New York. One of the few that are in the running, however, is defensive lineman Leonard Williams.
The former USC standout has been one of the few bright spots for the Jets, especially with the team trading away Sheldon Richardson last year and potentially ready to move on from Muhammad Wilkerson.
New York doesn’t have a lot to get excited about at the moment, but for now, Williams is their best player and probably the one that most can identify with.
Tyrod Taylor is out of Buffalo and the Bills already traded Sammy Watkins last year. That leaves star running back LeSean McCoy as the obvious face of the franchise for the Bills.
Not only has Shady constantly been a tireless workhorse for the run-first Bills, but he’s also proven to be one of the more dynamic talents in the NFL. He’s helped a pedestrian roster get back to the playoffs after a long drought and he’s the type of guy offenses are built around.
McCoy has been a statistical beast since coming to Buffalo and even at 29 years of age, he doesn’t seem close to done just yet. If the Bills can make a big move under center, McCoy is a huge reason why the Bills carry some interesting value (+6600) as Super Bowl longshots this year.
Miami is another franchise that is lacking superstar talent that stands out both on the Dolphins’ roster, as well as in the entire league.
Ryan Tannehill is one option for this spot, but Wake has been an ageless wonder, racking up 92 sacks while playing his entire career in South Beach.
Many would have assumed Wake would have dropped off by now, but the 36-year-old pass rusher remains a force for the Fins. He’s posted 10.5+ sacks in each of the past 2 seasons and hasn’t really shown serious signs of slowing down.
Whether that happens in 2018 or not remains to be determined, but Wake has been a constant force for the Dolphins and is without a doubt the most popular player on the team right now.
The Steelers are one of the deepest teams in the league, which means I can’t knock you for propping up the likes of Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, and others when talking about their most iconic player.
I still think that’s Big Ben, as he was there for all 3 of their most recent Super Bowl appearances and this team seems to always fold when he isn’t healthy and on the field.
Roethlisberger has teased retirement talk lately, but he proved he still has it in this year’s playoffs, when he put up over 500 yards against the vaunted Jacksonville defense. Big Ben has a close fight from some beastly teammates, but if anyone is the face of the Steelers right now, it’s him.
With Big Ben already confirming his retirement dance is officially off for 2018, he should play a huge hand in keeping Pittsburgh (+1100 Super Bowl odds) relevant come playoff time.
The Bengals have failed to live up to expectations under the guidance of head coach Marvin Lewis, but the one constant for this team has always been the elite play out of A.J. Green.
I’d hear arguments for Andy Dalton or a Bengals defensive player, but Dalton would be nothing without Green and he’s easily this team’s most dynamic talent.
Green has the size, speed, and catch radius to routinely dominate games and he proved again in 2017 (75-1,078-8 line) that he’s still one of the best wide receivers in the business.
Lewis is still around to drive Cincy into the ground, but as long as Green is on the roster, the Bengals have a chance to be relevant.
Baltimore is a rare team that is seemingly always sniffing the playoffs but doesn’t have a lot of marquee talent. That’s certainly been the case offensively, as the Ravens have been having issues getting consistent production out of basically every position.
Joe Flacco is really the only Ravens offensive player worth a look for this “face of the franchise” label, but with his play tailing off over the past few years, even he doesn’t seem like a lock.
Instead, I’ll give the honor to Suggs, who even at age 35 remains a stout force on the edge.
Suggs has overcome numerous injuries and subpar talent around him to consistently provide pressure on opposing quarterbacks and specifically impressed last year with 11 sacks.
Suggs has been a staple of Baltimore’s defense and overall image since 2003 and he’s already said he’d love to play “a few more years.” Until he hangs ’em up for good, I have a hard time picking someone else to supplant him for Baltimore’s franchise cornerstone.
It speaks volumes that the Browns have gone 1-31 over the past 2 years and a guy who had previously been out of the league for 3 years is still the easy choice.
I think left tackle Joe Thomas deserves a nod, but he hasn’t been enough of a difference-maker for a team lacking steady talent. Gordon at least made a massive splash back in 2013 and again showed after his long hiatus that he has the talent to be an elite NFL receiver.
Gordon isn’t just the face of the Browns, but he instills hope in an organization that can’t possibly get any worse. The Browns are tied for the worst Super Bowl 53 odds (+10000), but Gordon’s explosive ability at least makes them somewhat interesting offensively.
The Titans have several interesting players, but despite their youth and mediocrity, quarterback Marcus Mariota takes the cake when you’re looking for a true franchise player on this roster.
Mariota actually took a big step backward in his development in 2017, but he still has the talent and upside of an NFL superstar. With new head coach Mike Vrabel leading the team in a new direction, it isn’t crazy to think the best is yet to come for Mariota and the Titans, either.
It was just two years ago that Mariota dazzled in his second NFL season, when he put up 26 passing scores against just 9 interceptions. Mariota struggled with consistency in 2017, but he at least got Tennessee back to the playoffs and actually came up big in a wild card win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Even if Mariota doesn’t show marked improvement in 2018, he for now remains the first player most people think of when discussing the Titans.
The Jaguars answered the call of media pundits in 2017, as they stepped up their game and got back to the NFL playoffs.
Blake Bortles was better than expected and rookie rusher Leonard Fournette was quite the force, but the main reason for Jacksonville’s success was their elite defense.
The Jags rode an impressive unit to the AFC title game, where they were a blown 10-point lead away from facing the Eagles in Super Bowl 52.
Stud cornerback Jalen Ramsey was probably the most dominant aspect of this unit, as he routinely shut down one side of the field and was even so boastful as to guarantee the Jags would win it all in 2017.
That didn’t happen, but Ramsey still came up big and at just 23 years old may very well already be the best cover man in the NFL. Due to his talent and swagger, Jacksonville will remain a brutal defense to contend with for years to come.
Ramsey’s mere presence may also help make the Jags (+2000 Super Bowl 53 odds) one of the best title sleeper picks going into 2018.
It’s a testament to Watt’s character, talent, and overall impact that he’s still easily Houston’s franchise cornerstone despite playing just 8 games over the past 2 seasons.
Watt’s play dropped off during that stretch (just 1.5 sacks), but even through injury he remained the team’s biggest cheerleader and also provided an insane amount of help for Houston flood victims.
Watt’s best days in the NFL could easily be behind him and I’ll hear arguments for Deshaun Watson to eventually unseat him for the Texans’ face of the franchise. However, he’s been too dominant to write off so easily.
At least for one more year, Watt is the guy you think about when you talk Houston football.
Luck is in a similar situation, as he missed all of 2017, yet he remains the main face in Indy.
The Colts’ star quarterback sat out an entire NFL season and there still isn’t another Colts player that has more pull. After all, Luck was recently regarded as one of the best passing talents in the league and routinely had Indy in the playoff conversation.
The future still looks murky as long as Luck’s shoulder isn’t 100%, but all signs point to him being ready for this year.
With offensive guru Frank Reich taking over the team and likely headed in the right direction, it’s even possible Luck’s best football is still ahead of him.
Alex Smith got traded out of town and Kareem Hunt is still a fresh face, so Kansas City’s top player probably comes down to their cocky tight end or a marquee defensive player.
I’ll hear arguments for Eric Berry and other Chiefs defenders, but I’m not sure anybody represents KC football better than the ever-confident Kelce.
Kelce has put the Chiefs on his back more than once, while he’s also transformed himself into one of the best tight ends in all of football. The numbers, personality, and winning all combine to easily make Kelce the face of Kansas City football right now.
Melvin Gordon, Keenan Allen, and Joey Bosa are very much in the discussion for L.A.’s face of the franchise, but it’s tough to top the fiery Rivers.
Philip Rivers has shown little to no signs of slowing down and at the age of 36, enjoyed one of his more efficient seasons as a pro. On top of that, Rivers helped the Bolts rebound from a sluggish start to nearly sneak into the AFC playoffs.
Rivers remains the biggest reason why the Chargers have a shot to make some serious noise every year and he’s still what makes this offense go.
There are other high-level components to Los Angeles these days, but without Rivers, the Bolts don’t sniff their +3300 Super Bowl 53 odds.
The same goes for Carr in Oakland. You can prop up Amari Cooper or Khalil Mack, but the Raiders took a hit twice in the past 2 years when Derek Carr went down with an injury.
A broken leg brought a dream 2016 run to screeching halt, while a back injury compounded a slow start to shipwreck Oakland in 2017, as well.
When Carr is healthy and dialed in, the Raiders are tough to beat. For a team that had been struggling to locate a franchise passer for years, it’s clear the Raiders have one and are thrilled about it.
With head coach Jon Gruden in tow, it’s not crazy to think Carr could bring the Raiders to new heights in 2018.
Von Miller comes in as the unquestioned face of the franchise for the Broncos. Denver has dealt with every type of passer from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning, yet the one constant has been an elite defense paced by one of the league’s best pass rushers.
Miller was a huge reason why Denver won a title 3 seasons ago and his presence was felt so much that he won Super Bowl MVP. He’s only continued to live up to expectations since then, as he’s posted 10+ sacks in each of the last 2 years.
Denver has fallen off the playoff map the past 2 seasons, but it hasn’t been due to Miller’s play. As long as he’s in town, Denver’s defense will have some serious bite and this team has a chance to stay relevant.
If GM John Elway can finally land a steady passer again this year, the Broncos could return serious betting value (+4000) as Super Bowl sleepers.
Eli Manning deserves a nod here, but few can question that Odell Beckham Jr. has become the face of the New York Giants.
Beckham played a huge hand in getting the G-Men back to the playoffs in 2016 and once he went down with a broken leg after just 4 games in 2017, New York sank like a stone.
OBJ has been a constant force in the NFL, whether it’s his marketability in commercials or his actual production on the field. This is a guy that understands how to get a crowd going, while he can torch defenses from anywhere on the field.
Beckham still has some learning to do when it comes to maturity, but he’s a legit superstar and the Giants would be absolutely lost without him. With Beckham healthy again in 2018, New York isn’t the worst sleeper in the NFL betting world (+6600).
From one brash and confident player, we go to another. Dak Prescott and Dez Bryant both deserve a look for the face of the franchise in Dallas, but despite playing just 2 seasons, I’m not sure anyone is more deserving of that title than Zeke.
Elliott’s dynamic rushing ability made him a phenom as a rookie in 2016 and instantly made the Cowboys title threats. That led to big numbers and an NFC East title, while Dallas was again regarded as title threats before a 6-game ban for Elliott ruined their chances in 2017.
When healthy and not serving a suspension, Elliott is one of the top game-changing offensive talents in the NFL and he’s clearly become the engine to the Cowboys’ offense.
Dallas is just another team without him, but if he can return to form for 2018, the ‘Boys just might be the top Super Bowl 53 sleeper (+2500) on the board.
It’s crazy that Wentz is the forgotten man in Philadelphia’s first ever championship run, but without the Eagles’ star quarterback, Super Bowl 52 would have been a pipe dream.
Wentz stormed the league in just his second season in 2017, proving to be a dynamic threat with both his legs and his cannon arm. A torn ACL sets him back a bit for 2018, but he is without a doubt the face of a franchise that is very much on the rise.
You could make mild cases for some Eagles defensive players, but the Eagles pretty much are Wentz. Here’s to a healthy and speedy return, and depending on how well that goes, Philly could still return solid value on their +900 Super Bowl odds.
With the Alex Smith trade, it’s the end of an era at quarterback in D.C. That means Kirk Cousins is off this list, and with a lot of changes in Washington, I’m not sure any other offensive player has earned this label.
Perhaps a healthy Jordan Reed is the more appealing call here and I’d hear an argument for Josh Norman or Trent Williams, too.
However, Ryan Kerrigan has been a steady performer for the Redskins since the team drafted him in 2008, as the pass rusher has registered 8+ sacks in every year with the team.
Kerrigan has always been an impact performer, but he’s really elevated his game lately, posting 11 and 13 sacks over the last 2 years. Given the lack of a marquee franchise player outside of him, Kerrigan fits the bill here as he fronts what could be a vastly underrated ‘Skins defense in 2018.
This might be the easiest call in the entire league. Clay Matthews and Jordy Nelson are big names in Green Bay, but neither have played at the level of Rodgers, nor does their absence create nearly as big of a hole.
NFL fans saw just how important Rodgers is to the Packers last year, when a broken collarbone derailed a 4-1 start and kept the green and gold out of the playoffs.
Rodgers is easily one of the top players in the entire league, but there is no debate here; he’s the cream of the crop in Green Bay and it’s not even close.
Things can’t be amazing in Chicago, as second-year franchise passer Mitchell Trubisky comes in as their biggest talent. I’ll take cases for running back Jordan Howard or offensive lineman Kyle Long, but Chicago’s future is tightly tied to Trubisky panning out.
Trubisky hasn’t shown yet that he can be a difference-maker under center, but the Bears traded up in the 2017 NFL Draft in hopes he’d be exactly that.
It’s not awe-inspiring, but Trubisky brings talent to the table and represents serious hope for the future in Chicago. You wouldn’t know it by the Bears’ 2018 Super Bowl odds (+6600), but if he can deliver a Wentz-like leap, perhaps Chicago could shock some people this year.
The Minnesota Vikings could be making big changes at quarterback this offseason. Case Keenum is a clear candidate for this “face of the franchise” label, but he also could very easily be a one-year wonder.
More importantly, he might not even be Minnesota’s quarterback of choice in 2018. The team could opt to turn back to Sam Bradford or Teddy Bridgewater, or they could simply sign someone else.
Due to Minnesota seemingly being unsure of what to do, I’m looking at Stefon Diggs as their franchise cornerstone. After all, Diggs has displayed plenty of talent over the years and it’s going to be impossible for anyone to ever forget his game winning touchdown play.
Due to Diggs being an immediate lifetime hero in Minnesota, he has earned this label for at least 2018.
This is another easy one. Much like Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, Stafford is what makes the Lions go. He hasn’t enjoyed any playoff success during his career, but Detroit wouldn’t even sniff the playoffs if it weren’t for his impressive play.
Stafford’s career has been more about numbers than actual substance, but he still leads a franchise that hasn’t had many elite players hang around for long. Both Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson opted for early retirement and Detroit simply hasn’t held onto many other marquee talents.
It’s safe to say Stafford takes the cake in Detroit, whether it be for his eye-popping numbers or late-game heroics. I get the idea few Lions fans would disagree.
The Falcons are another team with several options to consider. Vic Beasley has morphed into a difference-maker on defense, while Matt Ryan and Devonta Freeman deserve nods on offense.
Atlanta probably wouldn’t ever get very far without the beastly play of Julio Jones, though. Jones continues to be one of the most dominant passing game weapons in the league and there is a legit argument that he’s the league’s top wide receiver.
Jones made what easily could have been a Super Bowl-winning catch 2 years ago and puts up mouth-watering numbers every single year. His presence gives every defense the Falcons face something to fear and makes Atlanta’s 2018 Super Bowl odds (+1800) feel like an insult.
This is an odd one, as the Saints could actually end up moving on from the 39-year-old Brees. The longtime New Orleans passer is currently a free agent and while he’s likely to stay in town, there is valid reasoning for the franchise to move on.
Still, for the moment, nobody personifies the Saints better than Drew Brees. Brees was the face of change in New Orleans when he first arrived, while he and Sean Payton helped resurrect this franchise and carry the weight of a city struggling with Hurricane Katrina.
Not only has Brees put up insane numbers as a Saint, but he helped New Orleans to their lone franchise title and constantly has them looking like a title threat. That was certainly the case in 2017 and if Brees returns in 2018, he could again have the Saints (+1500 title odds) providing even more betting value.
I’m down to Mike Evans or Jameis Winston when it comes to the Buccaneers. Between the two, however, I feel like Evans has been more consistently elite.
Winston seemed to take a step back in his development in 2017, while Evans has the size and ball skills to be a stud for years to come. Evans was hurt by Winston’s regression in 2017, but still managed to top 1,000+ receiving yards for the fourth year in a row.
Evans is an impossible cover due to his size and playmaking ability, while he was making big plays a year before Winston was even drafted. It’s a close call, but Evans has been the more impressive talent to this point and to me, holds the edge here until Winston can really pick up his level of play.
This one is about as easy as Rodgers in Green Bay. Luke Kuechly is a beast on defense, but the Panthers are nobodies without Newton running one of the most dynamic running games in the entire league.
Newton is one of the best dual threat quarterbacks to ever play the game, while he lifted his game to new heights during Carolina’s Super Bowl run 3 years ago. Newton and company fell off in 2016 but returned to prominence with a strong 2017 season.
Few quarterbacks are capable of doing what Newton can, while he has the moxie of a Hollywood icon. He’s without a doubt one of the biggest stars in the NFL and the key cog in Carolina, as well.
There have been a lot of big names that have made huge impacts in Seattle, so I’ll hear arguments for Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and others. However, I’m not sure any of their efforts would have amounted to much without the emergence of Russell Wilson.
In fact, in years since Seattle’s Super Bowl win, the Seahawks have largely masked a regressing defense thanks to the dynamic play of Wilson. Wilson’s ability to extend plays and take shots down the field has helped Seattle overcome a slouching defense, a lethargic running game, and a disastrous offensive line.
On top of it all, Wilson has been a true gamer and in the last 2 years, turned in elite statistical seasons. Richard Sherman boasts the loudest voice in Seattle, but Wilson’s is still probably heard the most.
The 49ers are not the same team they were just 3 years ago, as Colin Kaepernick and a laundry list of big names have retired, been banished by the league, or simply left town.
San Francisco has largely started from scratch, which has new franchise quarterback Jimmy G shaping up as the team’s new poster boy. A record contract makes that a guarantee, but Garoppolo already flashed his immense potential after he went 5-0 as a start with the Niners to close out last season.
Add in the fact that the Niners simply don’t have many marquee players to take on this label, and this is one of the easiest calls in the league. On top of that, Garoppolo makes the Niners relevant again, as Bovada and other Super Bowl betting sites hand them interesting +1600 title odds.
Who represents the Cardinals better than iron man, Larry Fitzgerald?
Carson Palmer retired and several of Arizona’s past impact defenders have headed elsewhere. You could easily vouch for stud running back David Johnson here, but even at age 34, Fitz churned out yet another elite showing in 2017.
Fitzgerald was one of the main guys responsible for the Cards’ only Super Bowl bid in team history and he continues his relevance in the desert thanks to officially announcing his 2018 return.
"Larry [Fitzgerald] mentioned to me last night that he's coming back for the 2018 season….he's totally committed, those are his words. We're extatic to have him part of the Arizona Cardinals." -Coach Steve Wilks Listen: https://t.co/9uAFYAbzSA — Doug & Wolf Show (@DougandWolf987) February 15, 2018
"Larry [Fitzgerald] mentioned to me last night that he's coming back for the 2018 season….he's totally committed, those are his words. We're extatic to have him part of the Arizona Cardinals." -Coach Steve Wilks
Listen: https://t.co/9uAFYAbzSA
— Doug & Wolf Show (@DougandWolf987) February 15, 2018
I’m sure there would be plenty of votes for DJ due to his dynamic talent, but Fitzgerald still heads Arizona’s passing game and has been a member of the Cardinals since 2004. The passing of the torch is coming soon, but it hasn’t happened just yet.
Lastly, there are the Rams, who can easily turn to stud rusher Todd Gurley as their franchise cornerstone. Jared Goff and Aaron Donald are in the mix, but without Gurley, the Rams probably don’t get back to the playoffs in 2017.
Gurley looked lost in 2016, but he was a phenom rookie the year before and rose back to prominence this past season. I say he deserves a mulligan for his weak 2016 showing, while everyone in L.A. probably deserves a little slack for surviving Jeff Fisher.
The future is bright with Gurley in L.A. and there’s little doubt he’s the key component to what makes the Rams so dangerous right now. Perhaps Goff will give him a run for his money in the years to come, but after putting up over 2,000 total yards and 19 touchdowns, Gurley is safely the most iconic force for the Rams at the moment.
Overall, the running theme here is that the best teams in the league have iconic mainstays, and the teams struggling to build a winning foundation usually don’t.
This look at the top NFL franchise cornerstones also shows that one superstar can’t always get the job done. Having an intense debate for who your favorite team’s “face of the franchise” only suggests that team is stacked with difference-making talent that can help it make a push for a title run.
That’s not a bad place to start when looking ahead of the 2018 NFL season and how you plan on betting. Even if it doesn’t help, it’s at least interesting to note which iconic stars stand out the most in their respective cities, and which NFL teams have a lot of work to do to land someone who can put them on the map.
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