“Much respect for them”: pro players agree this is the single hardest position in the NFL
A host of NFL players were asked for their thoughts on the most difficult position to play, with one role in particular standing out.
Ahead of the NFL Super Bowl, a simple question sparked some honest, no-filter answers from the league’s stars: which position is the most difficult to play?
The responses were published in a video that quickly went viral for its conclusion. While a few of the cheekier players gave mentions to their own positions, others gave the obvious quarterback answer; however, one position came up again and again: cornerback.
The job for players in this position is to be constantly ready to backpedal, read routes, and mirror the fastest legs in the NFL, all without the ball. As such, corner (and defensive backs in general) got the nod for being the toughest, and the players weren’t shy about showing respect.
Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots live: Super Bowl LX
The most difficult football position
Quarterback naturally got some votes, especially for the mental load. Brian Burns (Giants) kept it straightforward: “Quarterback, that’s easy.” But even when QB popped up, it often came with a quick follow-up shoutout to the secondary.
Christian McCaffrey (49ers) put cornerback and running back neck-and-neck but gave extra credit to the DBs: “I’d say cornerback and running back. Those two. But cornerback is a tough position. Those guys have a tough job.”
Defensive backs, unsurprisingly, leaned hard into their own position, but with good reason. Pat Surtain II (Broncos) admitted bias but still ranked it high: “I would be biased to say corner, but I’m going to give my respect where it’s due. Quarterback. Corner is an easy second.” Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions) said “Quarterback or DB. Corner specifically.” Kamari Lassiter out it simply: “Corner. Safety. We got all the responsibilities. We gotta communicate to them. We gotta give them the calls."
Courtland Sutton (Broncos) and Zach Allen (Broncos) both repeated the theme, with the latter explaining: “Honestly, I have most respect for cornerbacks. They gotta do everything backwards. So much respect to them.” Quinnen Williams (Jets) added: “I’d say cornerback. Guarding one of the best athletes on the field, or the fastest athletes, while back pedalling is pretty... pretty difficult.” And Nico Collins (Texans) wrapped it with: “Corner and quarterback. Difficult ‘cause like you gotta know everything. You running backwards. I respect corners.”
Related stories
There you have it, the most difficult position in the NFL is cornerback.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.