2025 NFL season lookahead: Commanders amongst 5 groups to observe; QB shuffle key storyline

The 2024 season is formally over, with the confetti settled and the Philadelphia Eagles flying excessive as Tremendous Bowl champions. Whereas Philly will bask within the glory of the franchise’s second Tremendous Bowl title, the remainder of the NFL is already within the weeds getting ready for the 2025 marketing campaign after they’ll try to knock them off the mountaintop.

In fact, there’s loads of time between now and the beginning of subsequent season in September, and there’ll absolutely be some seismic strikes that shake the league this offseason. Under, we will take our first glimpse of the offseason, figuring out who at present stands because the favorites to win Tremendous Bowl LX and highlighting some golf equipment and storylines to observe over the subsequent few months.

Tremendous Bowl LX odds

Odds through DraftKings Sportsbook.

2025 NFL key offseason dates: When free company, mix, draft, trades, different essential occasions happen

Cody Benjamin

2025 NFL key offseason dates: When free agency, combine, draft, trades, other important events take place

5 groups to observe this offseason

Washington Commanders

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The Commanders have been the shock staff of 2024, advancing to the NFC Championship because of quarterback Jayden Daniels bursting onto the scene and placing collectively one of many biggest rookie seasons of all time. Now that Washington has its franchise QB secured and locked right into a rookie deal over the foreseeable future, the Commanders are a captivating staff to observe this offseason and see how they additional construct round Daniels.

General, the Commanders have seven picks within the 2025 NFL Draft, together with No. 29 general. On high of these property to additional bolster their roster, the membership possesses the third-most cap area in all the league this offseason. Which means they need to be main gamers in free company, and Daniels might show to be an enormous attract luring gamers on the open market to the DMV.

Cincinnati Bengals

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The Bengals are in a precarious place with their roster. Even after a disappointing 2024 season the place they missed the playoffs totally, they’re in a championship window because of the presence of Joe Burrow. Nonetheless, the depth chart faces some monumental questions that’ll have to be answered this offseason. Most notably, Tee Higgins is ready to hit free company, and it is a true coin flip if the group will be capable to retain him.

That is largely because of the Bengals additionally needing handy fellow wideout Ja’Marr Chase what is anticipated to be a market-setting extension this offseason as effectively. On high of that, move rusher Trey Hendrickson — who requested a commerce final offseason — can also be due for an extension after main the NFL with 17.5 sacks final season. And we’ve not even begun to speak about filling the holes that have been already on the roster. One thing might want to give right here.

New England Patriots

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The Patriots are possible not the primary staff you will take into consideration when trying towards the NFL offseason, however they might show to be a significant participant in free company and within the NFL Draft. New England has far and away probably the most cap area within the league, at present sitting with roughly $120 million to spend. For reference, the subsequent closest staff is the Las Vegas Raiders, with $92.5 million. In addition they have the No. 4 general decide at their disposal, creating one other avenue to usher in expertise for brand spanking new head coach Mike Vrabel.

As a result of the Patriots have already got their quarterback of the longer term in Drake Maye, they’ll squarely deal with different positions in hopes of jump-starting their rebuild.

San Francisco 49ers

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The latest information surrounding the 49ers is that they’ve allowed vast receiver Deebo Samuel to hunt a commerce. In fact, that’ll be a storyline value following with San Francisco, however the larger scenario value monitoring is the contract standing of quarterback Brock Purdy. He’s now eligible for an extension and may very well be the most recent to reset the QB market. Spotrac initiatives Purdy’s market worth to fetch him a contract that is roughly value $59.7 million in common annual worth (4 years, $238.9 million). That might put him slightly below Dak Prescott ($60 million AAV) for the highest-paid QB within the NFL.

Whereas all sides have publicly said that they wish to stick collectively over the long run, it’s going to be attention-grabbing to see how easily — or bumpy — these negotiations get.

Cleveland Browns

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The offseason simply began, and it appears like there have already been an countless variety of Browns-related tales. In fact, arguably the largest of all of them is the present commerce request from move rusher Myles Garrett (which we’ll speak about extra beneath). The reported asking worth for Garrett is 2 first-round picks, and if Cleveland might get the haul in return, it might assist enhance the franchise again to relevancy.

Placing Garrett off to the aspect momentarily, the Browns proceed to have a key dilemma at quarterback. Deshaun Watson suffered one other Achilles tear, which now places his standing for 2025 in jeopardy and creates an additional have to exit and discover a signal-caller. Do they try to safe a veteran quarterback like Kevin Stefanski’s previous Vikings buddy Kirk Cousins? Or do they use the No. 2 general decide within the draft to usher in a teen to develop?

5 offseason storylines

How will the QB carousel develop?

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As is the case each offseason, quarterback is primed to be a central storyline, and there’s anticipated to be numerous motion over the subsequent few months. Essentially the most notable is Sam Darnold, who is ready to be a free agent after having a extremely productive season with the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold’s inventory took a little bit of successful resulting from some poor performances down the stretch and within the playoffs, however he ought to nonetheless be a sought-after piece. It is also doable that the Vikings place the franchise tag on him.

In the meantime, names like Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Derek Carr are different veterans who might step into the sport of musical chairs this offseason as effectively.

The place will Myles Garrett find yourself?

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Garrett is likely one of the main dominos that now we have in entrance of us this offseason. On high of the Browns probably getting a haul in alternate for the star move rusher to assist their rebuild, the place he finally ends up might shift the steadiness of energy within the NFL. As an illustration, if he lands with the Detroit Lions and kinds a pass-rushing duo with Aidan Hutchinson, that will put the defending-champion Eagles on discover. The identical may very well be mentioned if he finally ends up with the Commanders and a slew of different groups.

Who will the Titans take with the No. 1 general decide?

The Tennessee Titans maintain the No. 1 general decide within the 2025 NFL Draft, and in contrast to earlier years the place there was a clear-cut participant to take, what they will do atop the draft appears up within the air. Given the struggles of Will Levis, they want a quarterback to construct round, however the entrance workplace additionally famous that it will not move on a “generational expertise,” which gave life to them, probably taking two-way participant Travis Hunter. There’s additionally a latest report that the Titans might commerce the decide altogether. How they function with this decide might be compelling up till they’re on the clock.

Which vast receivers get traded?

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The commerce marketplace for the vast receiver place may very well be white scorching this offseason. Already, Cooper Kupp introduced that the Rams intend to commerce him, and Deebo Samuel has reportedly been given permission to hunt a commerce as effectively. On high of these two, DK Metcalf is getting into the ultimate yr of his contract and may very well be a commerce candidate out of Seattle, together with veteran Davante Adams, particularly with the Jets shifting on from Aaron Rodgers. In fact, there’s additionally the commerce that nobody sees coming that may very well be looming as effectively.

Will Travis Kelce retire?

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Had the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs received the job accomplished and received Tremendous Bowl LIX to finish the three-peat, I believe we’d’ve already gotten our reply with Kelce electing to hold it up. Nonetheless, his standing going ahead stays one of many key questions for the Chiefs. If he decides to retire, that leaves Ok.C. an enormous gap to fill, and the Chiefs might want to discover Patrick Mahomes a brand new go-to choice within the passing sport.

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