Community Tailgate: 2025 NFL Season

Week 1 is upon us, with the Eagles and Cowboys kicking off the 2025 NFL season. Philadelphia enters the campaign as the reigning Super Bowl champions and one of the NFC’s top candidates to return to the tile game in February. Dallas, meanwhile, recently provided one of the league’s most unexpected transactions in recent history.

Before the regular season begins, here is a quick look back at some of the NFL’s top storylines:

[RELATED: 2025 Offseason In Review Series]

Parsons Blockbuster Caps Off EDGE Market Shifts

The Cowboys’ Micah Parsons extension negotiations did not result in an agreement being reached prior to training camp. That timeline did not raise any eyebrows based on the nature of other high-profile negotiations in years past. It increasingly became clear over the summer, however, that a disconnect existed between the All-Pro edge rusher and owner Jerry Jones regarding an in-person conversation in March about a new contract.

Parsons’ agent was not present for those talks, and involving him in formal negotiations became something Jones was unprepared to do. A trade request did not appear to generate movement toward a swap taking place, but with no progress being made with respect to contract talks the Cowboys’ stance shifted. Shortly after that took place, a trade agreement was in place with the Packers.

Green Bay sent a pair of first-round picks along with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas for Parsons. The 26-year-old then signed a four-year extension averaging $47MM per season – easily a new record for non-quarterbacks. Parsons will offer a new dynamic on defense for a Packers team looking to improve off last year’s 11-6 campaign. The Cowboys will move forward with questions in the immediate future about their outlook and uncertainty regarding how their core will change with the new draft capital aimed at replacing Parsons’ production. When Aidan Hutchinson has a new Lions pact in hand, he will likely benefit from the terms of that historic extension.

Well before the Parsons move took place, the EDGE market witnessed expected financial growth. Maxx Crosby secured an extension from the new Raiders regime averaging $35.5MM annually. Myles Garrett issued a trade request, but it was rescinded when he and the Browns worked out a $40MM-per-year accord. That represented the watermark for pass rushers until T.J. Watt signed a three-year Steelers extension carrying an AAV of $41MM which includes $108MM fully guaranteed. Joining Parsons as a second contract contributor along the edge to land a massive raise, meanwhile, is the Broncos’ Nik Bonitto (four years, $106MM).

Danielle Hunter (Texans) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) also worked out short-term deals which brought about raises moving them in line with the top of the position’s market. Hendrickson’s situation included a hold-in and the threat of missing regular contests. An agreement on a multi-year pact was reached regarding term length and total money, but disagreements on guarantees proved to be impassible. A compromise will keep the reigning sack leader available to Cincinnati – a team which worked out joint extensions with receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins during the spring – for 2025.

Rodgers Headlines QB Movement

Like every year, 2025 witnessed plenty of changes at the quarterback spot. Following his Jets release – a process which was foreshadowed late last season but proved to be the source of ire on the player’s part – Aaron Rodgers reached free agency for the first time in his career. The four-time MVP showed interest in a small number of teams, speaking with the Vikings and Giants without reaching a deal. By the time Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh, that team-player combination was widely expected around the league.

The Steelers have been unable to find a permanent Ben Roethlisberger successor, and Rodgers (42 in December) will certainly not serve as a long-term replacement. His one-year pact is likely to lead to a retirement decision next offseason, capping off an illustrious career. A portion of Rodgers’ legacy will be his ability to end on a strong note with Pittsburgh, a team which engaged in an unusually active offseason also featuring the trade acquisitions of wideout D.K. Metcalf and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

In addition to Rodgers, the likes of Sam Darnold (Seahawks), Geno Smith (Raiders), Russell Wilson (Giants) and Daniel Jones (Colts) are positioned to handle QB1 duties with new teams. Darnold and Jones departed the Vikings as Minnesota elected to hand the reins over to 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy. After a meniscus tear left him sidelined all of last season, the 22-year-old will be counted on to acclimate quickly with the Vikings looking to duplicate their 14-3 run from 2024.

Jones won out a starting competition with Anthony Richardson, a worrying development for the former No. 4 pick’s future. Indianapolis has no plans of trading Richardson at this point, but a potential parting of ways will become a talking point if he does not find himself on the field at some point. Joe Flacco, meanwhile, will his begin second Browns stint as the team’s starter after winning out a QB battle featuring the since-traded Kenny Pickett; rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will back him up while Deshaun Watson rehabs a second Achilles tear.

Kirk Cousins made it known he wished to join a new team after losing his starting position late in his debut Falcons campaign. Atlanta preferred to keep the 37-year-old in place, however, in lieu of retaining a portion of his guaranteed $27.5MM salary for this season. Michael Penix Jr. will handle starting duties now and (if things go according to plan) well into the future, leaving Cousins’ situation uncertain.

New Regimes Look For Early Impressions

By the time the coaching carousel was finished spinning, seven teams had a new head coach in place. Mike Vrabel is back in a HC capacity, having returned to the Patriots’ organization after playing in New England for eight years. The ex-Titans coach will look to oversee development from Drake Maye in his second year (and first full campaign as a starter) with a familiar face – Josh McDaniels – once again handling offensive coordinator duties. New England went 4-13 during Jerod Mayo’s one-and-done season in charge; notable improvement will be sought out in 2025.

The same is true of the Raiders, who brought Pete Carroll back into the fold following his post-Seahawks hiatus. 74 later this month, the Super Bowl winner will be tasked with helping Vegas join the rest of the AFC West as a playoff contender while working alongside first-year general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady. Carroll takes over a team which last posted a winning record in 2021 and would benefit from a run of stability on the sidelines and in the front office.

The Jaguars cleaned house by bringing in Liam Coen as head coach (as part of an unusual hiring process) and, shortly thereafter, fired GM Trent Baalke. James Gladstone is now in place as Baalke’s replacement with the Jags looking to return to the playoffs and maximize Trevor Lawrence’s potential along the way. Kellen Moore is also among the first-time head coaches for 2025; he will guide the Saints through a transition at quarterback and other positions toward a younger core for the future.

As expected, the Lions lost both Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs. The former made an intra-division move to the Bears, while the latter is now partnered with general manager Darren Mougey as the Jets’ new decision-makers. Their performances will be worth watching closely. The Cowboys were seen as a candidate for a notable outside hire after parting ways with Mike McCarthy, but offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was promoted instead. His first year as a head coach at any level will be the subject of considerable scrutiny.

The AFC South saw a number of notable developments, including the passing of Colts owner Jim Irsay. His three daughters have inherited the franchise, with Carlie Irsay-Gordon assuming day-to-day operations. The Titans will also have new (front office) leadership in place for 2025. Mike Borgonzi took on GM duties shortly after Chad Brinker was promoted to president of football operations. Together, they will work with head coach Brian Callahan and aim to improve on last year’s 3-14 season.

Hunter Among Notable Rookies

This season will bring about several rookie storylines, but one of the most interesting to follow will be that of Travis Hunter. Jacksonville paid a steep price to move up from No. 5 to No. 2 and select the Heisman winner after he thrived as a receiver and corner in college. The Jags have spent the offseason carefully increasing Hunter’s practice workload on each side of the ball, and he is set to play both ways as a rookie. Finding success as a true two-way player in the modern NFL would make for a fascinating development while also giving Jacksonville a difference-maker on offense and defense.

The only player selected ahead of Hunter – quarterback Cam Ward – is in position to handle starting duties right away with the Titans. Especially with Will Levis out for the season, Ward will be counted on during his rookie season. Offering an upgrade would help Tennessee bounce back from last year’s campaign while also offering promise as a long-term answer under center for the team.

Jaxson Dart (Giants) and Tyler Shough (Saints) were the second and third QBs selected in April. Neither will see first-team action to begin the campaign, but struggles from their respective teams could lead to calls for a change under center. In Cleveland, meanwhile, a pair of rookies are candidates to see game time at some point this season (depending on how Joe Flacco‘s second Browns stint plays out).

The 2025 draft featured prominently in terms of defensive line and pass rush prospects. Leading the way in that respect is Abdul Carter, who will look to make an early impact on a Giants team which faces high expectations for 2025. Five defensive tackles heard their names called on Day 1, and they too could emerge as key figures early in their NFL careers.

On the other side of the ball, a few standout names have become the subject of considerable attention leading up to Week 1. Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty will lead his team’s backfield, and the Boise State product faces high expectations right away after putting up massive production at the college level. In terms of receivers, Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers) and Matthew Golden (Packers) are among the candidates for a standout season in 2025.

Familiar Contenders Aim To Unseat Chiefs, Eagles

The Chiefs and Eagles have been mainstays in Super Bowls during recent years. Both teams largely managed to retain their cores this offseason, so it would come as no surprise if at least one of Kansas City or Philadelphia were to take part in this year’s title game. The list of top contenders to unseat them as conference champions features plenty of familiar names.

In the AFC, the Ravens and Bills are widely seen as teams with a strong chance of reaching the Super Bowl. That has of course been the case for several years, with playoff losses against the Chiefs proving to be an unwanted pattern. Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen again find themselves surrounded by strong rosters and stable coaching staffs, though, leading to renewed expectations for a deep postseason push.

The NFC produced a trio of teams which won 14 or more regular season games in 2024. The Eagles were one of them, and the Lions and Vikings were the others. Detroit and Minnesota figure to once again face a steep challenge from within the NFC North, and the Packers could build off an 11-win season while the Bears have the potential to improve considerably in Caleb Williams‘ second season.

Meanwhile, teams like the Texans, Broncos and Chargers in the AFC, along with the Commanders, Rams and Buccaneers in the NFC could break through in 2025. Each of those teams qualified for the postseason last year, with Washington making a surprise run to the NFC title game on the back of a stellar rookie campaign from quarterback Jayden Daniels. A step forward this time around could involve moving past the Chiefs and Eagles in the pecking order.

The Bengals and 49ers both missed the postseason last year. As Cincinnati and San Francisco look to bounce back from highly underwhelming 2024 campaigns, both teams will do so knowing they have made a Super Bowl appearance in the 2020s. Joe Burrow will have a familiar group around him, while Brock Purdy will be tasked with meeting expectations after signing a $265MM extension this offseason.

Plenty of other notable developments took place in the NFL world over the past several months. The ‘Tush Push’ narrowly survived a vote on banning it in the spring, the league expanded its international schedule and numerous scandals hit the NFLPA and led to Lloyd Howell and J.C. Tretter resigning. Those stories and others helped shape the 2025 offseason.

With the wait for the regular season now over, how do you see this year’s campaign playing out? Will one of the favorites emerge hoist the Lombardi Trophy, or will a dark horse team emerge as champions? How will the MVP race play out? Which storylines intrigue you the most for the season? Have your say in the comments section below.