The 2025 NFL offseason simply started, with the Philadelphia Eagles being topped Tremendous Bowl LIX champions. And free company and the draft each nonetheless lie forward. Nevertheless it’s by no means too early to start out fascinated with subsequent season and the battle for Tremendous Bowl LX.
We requested 13 of our NFL specialists — Matt Bowen, Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano, Kalyn Kahler, Pamela Maldonado, Eric Moody, Jason Reid, Aaron Schatz, Ben Solak, Mike Tannenbaum, Lindsey Thiry, Seth Walder and Discipline Yates — to make predictions for the season’s Tremendous Bowl matchup and MVP winner. In addition they picked offseason strikes they want to see, breakout candidates and groups that might regress in 2025.
Might an AFC workforce aside from the Chiefs attain (and win) the Tremendous Bowl? Are the Lions going to be worse after shedding their two coordinators? Can Jayden Daniels proceed his quick ascension and win MVP? Let’s get into our early predictions, beginning with whether or not the Eagles will run it again.
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What’s your early Tremendous Bowl LX choose?
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Lions over Ravens. Even with the departure of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, that is nonetheless Dan Campbell’s soccer program. And with move rusher Aidan Hutchinson anchoring a wholesome protection, the Lions will edge out Lamar Jackson in Tremendous Bowl LX.
Jeremy Fowler, nationwide NFL reporter: Payments over Rams. The Buffalo breakthrough will occur after the workforce provides key gamers this offseason. The Rams are usually not far off — their protection will probably be elite subsequent season.
Dan Graziano, nationwide NFL reporter: Chiefs over Commanders. I am not taking the results of one recreation to imply the Chiefs are accomplished successful Tremendous Bowls with Patrick Mahomes. Look ahead to two weeks of “Is Jayden Daniels the following Mahomes?” conversations main as much as the Tremendous Bowl subsequent season.
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Kalyn Kahler, nationwide NFL reporter: Eagles over Payments. The Chiefs will repair their left sort out spot, however I feel the Payments will lastly have Kansas Metropolis’s quantity within the postseason. And beneath GM Howie Roseman and coach Nick Sirianni, the Eagles have proven they will succeed regardless of shedding coordinators, so the departure of Kellen Moore will not sabotage their plans of successful back-to-back Tremendous Bowls.
Pamela Maldonado, sports activities betting analyst: Bengals over Commanders. Daring predictions are usually not for the weak. The Bengals want to bounce again after a disappointing 2024 season, and the Commanders are an intriguing lengthy shot after making the NFC Championship Sport. With important cap area, each groups may make impactful strikes to bolster their rosters and make the large recreation.
Eric Moody, fantasy analyst: Payments over Lions. Many thought these two groups would make the Tremendous Bowl this previous season. I do not suppose both wants many modifications rosterwise to make the leap.
Jason Reid, Andscape senior NFL author: Ravens over Eagles. Jackson can full his ascent to the highest of the league by dazzling all through the playoffs and serving to the Ravens dethrone the defending champs.
Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst: Payments over Lions. America will get the Tremendous Bowl it wished the earlier season, as Josh Allen lastly wins the AFC and Detroit has one other sturdy (and more healthy) season regardless of new coordinators on either side of the ball.
Ben Solak, NFL analyst: Ravens over Packers. The Packers ought to solely get higher with time, as they seem to be a younger workforce with sufficient sources to make one or two splash additions this offseason. The AFC will nonetheless be extremely contentious, however the Ravens did an excellent job weathering the mind drain of final offseason and can enter 2025 with way more stability.
Mike Tannenbaum, NFL analyst: Ravens over Lions. Arguably two of one of the best groups in 2024 get to the large recreation in 2025. Baltimore’s youth will vastly enhance within the secondary, and Hutchinson will register 18 sacks to win Defensive Participant of the Yr.
Lindsey Thiry, nationwide NFL reporter: Ravens over Eagles. With the return of Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and a number of other key gamers on a standout protection, the Eagles have the roster and know the method to make one other Tremendous Bowl run. However the Ravens — after having their postseason runs finish prematurely the previous three seasons — lastly end the job with bolstered safety round Jackson.
Seth Walder, NFL analyst: Packers over Bengals. The Packers had been the youngest workforce in snap-weighted age this season, and so they had been nonetheless fairly good! If they will discover extra of a move rush and see progress from a few their extensive receivers (which may be very a lot within the playing cards given their age and underlying metrics), the Packers can take that subsequent large step.
Discipline Yates, NFL analyst: Ravens over Eagles. The battle of the birds. Baltimore has the gamers in place to make a run, but it surely should show that it has the capability to recover from the playoff hump. I feel the Ravens will achieve this in opposition to Philly, which is nicely arrange for an additional deep run subsequent season.
Who’s your choose for subsequent season’s MVP?
Bowen: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals. I assumed Burrow ought to’ve obtained extra MVP votes after throwing for 4,913 yards and 43 touchdowns, which each led the league. Nevertheless, with an improved Bengals protection in 2025 and a ticket to the playoffs, Burrow will take residence the award.
Fowler: Burrow. What he did this previous season was ridiculous, however he was punished in MVP voting due to the workforce’s shedding report for a lot of the season. He’ll be certain Cincinnati will get off to a warmer begin in 2025.
Graziano: Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders. No workforce has repeated as NFC East champion in 20 years. So for the reason that Eagles cannot win the division, I say Washington builds on Daniels’ rookie success and continues to ascend shortly.
Kahler: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. After shedding to the Eagles, Mahomes mentioned his two Tremendous Bowl losses inspire him greater than anything. I’ve talked along with his private coach, who noticed firsthand how the primary loss modified Mahomes, and based mostly on that, I count on Mahomes to return with a brand new degree of focus and willpower behind an improved offensive line.
Maldonado: Burrow. He elevates the Bengals’ offense each season. He would not have to “construct on his success” — he simply needs to be Burrow, and the sport follows.
0:54
Burrow assured Bengals can get again to Tremendous Bowl
Joe Burrow talks concerning the missed alternatives from this season and why he expects the Bengals to get again to a different Tremendous Bowl sooner or later.
Moody: Daniels. He was acknowledged because the Offensive Rookie of the Yr and completed seventh in MVP voting. The Commanders have roughly $59 million in cap area, per Roster Administration System, together with seven draft picks, to allow them to proceed to construct round him.
Reid: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens. This time, Jackson leaves no wiggle room for MVP voters. He’ll produce the best statistical season — by far — for a quarterback in NFL historical past. And in a landslide vote, Jackson will win his third MVP award.
Schatz: Josh Allen, QB, Payments. There’s nothing fallacious with going with one of the best quarterback within the league, however who’s that at this level? Mahomes will in all probability sail by way of one other common season at 90% peak effectivity, which leaves us with Allen, Jackson and Burrow. Since I am selecting the Payments to go to the Tremendous Bowl, Allen would doubtless be coming off an excellent season, so let’s predict a second straight trophy for him.
Solak: Jordan Love, QB, Packers. The rule of thumb is to seek out the beginning quarterback of a workforce that wins its convention. If the Lions take a step again attributable to their coordinator modifications, the Packers ought to push for a division title on the again of a productive Love marketing campaign — and so they get a third-place schedule!
Tannenbaum: Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers. He’ll be in his second season with coach Jim Harbaugh and coordinator Greg Roman. The Chargers may also signal the Bengals’ Tee Higgins and draft Miami’s Elijah Arroyo, giving Hebert two extra playmakers for him to spice up his MVP case.
Thiry: Daniels. With a season of expertise, together with a postseason upset of the top-seeded Lions, the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Yr will proceed his meteoric rise. The important thing in his potential to take action? The Commanders’ retention of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, offering Daniels the continuity to develop at a fast tempo.
Walder: Mahomes. When unsure, give me one of the best quarterback on the planet. Whilst his numbers have dipped over the previous couple of years, he has remained elite on third down. I think the Chiefs will spend the offseason determining how they will get extra out of early downs, which might assist Mahomes’ numbers rebound.
Yates: Jackson. He practically secured his third MVP this previous season as an unstoppable power. He wants to enhance on his postseason play, however the Ravens must be a wins machine once more in 2025.
What’s one transfer you wish to see this offseason?
Bowen: Extensive receiver Tee Higgins indicators with the Commanders. Including one other perimeter goal for quarterback Jayden Daniels must be an offseason precedence for Washington. It has the cap area to pair Higgins with Terry McLaurin, giving Daniels two difference-makers within the passing recreation.
Fowler: The Browns commerce Myles Garrett to the Payments. Buffalo’s lack of pass-rush prowess confirmed in key moments of the playoffs, particularly in opposition to the Chiefs. Time to rectify that in a giant approach.
Graziano: The Bengals prolong Ja’Marr Chase and re-sign Higgins. They should rebuild their protection, however the offense is particular and they need to no less than be fascinated with methods to maintain it intact.
Kahler: The Browns commerce Garrett to the Lions. Think about Aidan Hutchinson and Garrett enjoying collectively. That is one of the best transfer Detroit could make to get them to the Tremendous Bowl subsequent season.
What to know for the NFL offseason
• Crew-by-team offseason information (ESPN+)• Approach-too-early 2025 Energy Rankings• Rating the highest 50 free brokers (ESPN+)• 32 selections | Predicting offers (ESPN+)• Draft order | Yates’ new mock (ESPN+)Teaching hires | Free company | Draft
Maldonado: The Giants commerce up for the No. 1 choose to draft quarterback Cam Ward from Miami. The ripple results throughout the draft can be wild, and pairing Ward with younger expertise resembling Malik Nabers could possibly be a factor of magnificence.
Moody: Extensive receiver Chris Godwin indicators with the Jaguars. The breakout of extensive receiver Jalen McMillan and tight finish Cade Otton makes Godwin expendable if the Buccaneers wish to enhance different areas of the workforce, particularly given his harm historical past. I may see Godwin becoming a member of his former offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, and enjoying alongside Brian Thomas Jr.
Reid: Higgins indicators with the Commanders. Daniels can take a giant step ahead with the assistance of Higgins. And for the remainder of the NFC East, Higgins and McLaurin will show to be a nightmare pairing.
Schatz: Higgins indicators with the Payments. I would really like for this to occur as a result of it makes my different predictions for 2025 more likely to be right — and Payments followers deserve a championship workforce.
Solak: Higgins indicators with the Patriots. I assumed Drake Maye had a quietly spectacular season within the face of appalling extensive receiver play. The Patriots want a star receiver quick if they’ll maximize his rookie window.
Tannenbaum: The Browns commerce Garrett to the Lions. This transfer would give Detroit one of the best pass-rushing duo within the league and the within observe to signify the NFC within the Tremendous Bowl.
Thiry: Extensive receiver Davante Adams indicators with the Chargers. If the Jets transfer on from Adams, the Chargers ought to signal him ASAP. In Jim Harbaugh’s first season, they misplaced within the wild-card spherical with a floundering offense. Justin Herbert wants a real No. 1 receiver, and Adams matches the invoice.
Walder: Cornerback D.J. Reed indicators with the Commanders. With Daniels on his rookie contract for a couple of extra years, the time is now for Washington — and it has the cap area so as to add a bounty of expertise. Reed has persistently been a powerful nook for the Jets over the previous three seasons, and he would make a powerful tandem with Mike Sainristil.
Yates: Guard Trey Smith indicators with the Bears. Smith figures to be probably the most coveted free brokers and will money in on the richest guard contract ever. A deal in Chicago would assist shield Caleb Williams within the Ben Johnson-led offensive scheme.
Title one workforce, coach or participant who will escape within the 2025 season.
Bowen: Rome Odunze, WR, Bears. Beneath Ben Johnson, I count on Odunze to raise his recreation as a three-level goal for quarterback Caleb Williams. And with Keenan Allen doubtless heading to free company, Odunze will see a bump in quantity because the No. 2 reverse DJ Moore.
Fowler: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Falcons. Every part is about up for him — a viable supporting solid, a powerful working recreation and a winnable NFC South. Atlanta will showcase his immense skills in Yr 2.
Graziano: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Cardinals. How shortly we overlook, proper? All people thought Harrison would slide proper into NFL stardom, however it may well take a minute even for the can’t-miss guys. Harrison nonetheless has all the talents that made us love him heading into the draft, plus a yr within the league.
Kahler: Caleb Williams, QB, Bears. If the Bears enhance their offensive line, I count on Williams to have the season all of us thought he would in 2024, pushing himself into the identical dialog as Jayden Daniels. Johnson will coach him more durable and free him up so he feels possession of the offense.
Maldonado: The Broncos. After exceeding expectations in 2024, the Broncos are nicely positioned for achievement with a powerful offensive line, protection and monetary flexibility. They’ve roughly $50 million in cap area for this upcoming season, per Roster Administration System.
Moody: The Bears. They landed one of the best head teaching candidate in Johnson. Pairing Johnson with Williams may pay speedy dividends, particularly if Chicago improves its offensive line in free company and thru the draft. That is much more promising given the Bears’ expertise on protection.
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Ben Johnson tells Stephen A. his plans for Bears, Caleb Williams
New Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson joins Stephen A. Smith on “First Take” to debate how he plans to take the franchise ahead.
Reid: Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs. Due to accidents at wideout (particularly Rashee Rice), the Chiefs requested quite a lot of Worthy throughout his rookie season. However he delivered, and he’ll have a sensational sophomore yr.
Schatz: Drake Maye, QB, Patriots. You need to suppose the Patriots will considerably improve their offensive line this offseason, giving Maye time to throw and present his pure skills. He completed the 2024 season with 2,276 passing yards and 421 speeding yards in simply 12 begins.
Solak: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Packers. A few of the most impactful linebacker play in 2024 got here from the second-round rookie, who seems quicker than each different participant on the sphere at his finest. If Cooper improves in protection, he’ll have a Fred Warner-esque influence on the Packers’ protection.
Tannenbaum: Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders. With a full offseason, he’ll vault into celebrity standing. Washington will definitely improve its offensive line and depth at ability positions, and Daniels will solely proceed to enhance.
Thiry: Ricky Pearsall, WR, 49ers. The 49ers drafted Pearsall with the intention that he would play a bigger function in his second season, however after recovering from a gunshot wound, he was wanted sooner than anticipated following a collection of accidents to teammates. After a full offseason with quarterback Brock Purdy, together with the doubtless departure of Deebo Samuel Sr. (requested a commerce), Pearsall will show why the 49ers took him within the first spherical.
Walder: Keion White, DL, Patriots. He cut up his time aligning as an edge rusher and a defensive sort out this previous season, however his numbers as an inside rusher had been astounding. White’s 21% move rush win charge at defensive sort out would have ranked first by lots if he certified. I feel he’s a future double-digit sack participant.
Yates: Williams. I overestimated the infrastructure in place in Chicago for Williams’ rookie season, however I am bullish on the speedy influence Johnson could have in getting Williams on observe this season. Depend Moore and Odunze on this class as nicely.
Which workforce will take a step again within the 2025 season?
Bowen: Steelers. The late-season fade creates concern, as does the quarterback place. Sure, the Steelers may re-sign both Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, however in addition they want so as to add some playmaking expertise at receiver reverse George Pickens. This offense wants a significant enhance to make the playoffs in 2025.
Fowler: Vikings. A slight step again. They may stay playoff-caliber, but it surely’s robust to duplicate a 14-win season when a number of key free brokers are poised to depart and the offense could possibly be breaking in a brand new quarterback.
Graziano: Texans. The offensive coordinator change felt like a panic transfer that I discovered alarming, they in all probability cannot rely on the identical form of yr from Joe Mixon, and the protection carried them for a lot of the season. It is harder to maintain defensive workforce excellence year-over-year, so until their offensive line and receiver corps get a lot better, this workforce may fade a bit of. (I simply do not know who will catch them of their division!)
Kahler: Buccaneers. Carolina could possibly be constructing one thing with Bryce Younger, and Michael Penix Jr. is able to enhance the Falcons, so competitors within the NFC South will take a step up this season. Will Baker Mayfield have the identical success with Josh Grizzard as his third offensive coordinator in Tampa?
Maldonado: Lions. Shedding each their offensive and defensive coordinators presents a significant problem, as historical past reveals groups typically wrestle in related conditions. Whereas the Lions are loaded with expertise, these teaching modifications may shrink the hole between them and the remainder of the NFC North.
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Moody: Buccaneers. The NFC South will not be as simple for the Buccaneers in 2025 prefer it was in 2024. Mayfield could have one other new offensive coordinator, and hitting on three straight OC hires is uncommon.
Reid: Vikings. So many issues went proper for them in 2024. It is tough to think about they may have as many issues break their approach, particularly with a possible change at quarterback.
Schatz: Commanders. When a workforce pulls off a magical run to the convention championship regardless of not being one of many two or three finest groups within the convention, you normally see a step again the next season. And when quarterbacks are nearly as good as Jayden Daniels was as a rookie, they normally do not take the step ahead that followers count on as a result of they’re already excellent and there is not a lot room to enhance.
Solak: Chiefs. They had been 12-0 in one-score video games all through final season. That will not maintain taking place! (It will in all probability maintain taking place.)
Tannenbaum: Vikings. Sam Darnold performed extraordinarily nicely in 2024. However whether or not it is him or J.J. McCarthy because the starter in 2025, will probably be laborious to duplicate that form of quarterback success.
Thiry: Lions. When you’re nearly as good because the Lions had been in 2024 (proper up till that early playoff exit), your teaching employees will get raided. So count on to see some rising pains early, and perhaps some fatigue after failing in two straight emotional playoff runs, earlier than they arrive to and surge down the stretch once more.
Walder: Broncos. The only method to choose a regression candidate is to search for groups with elite defenses and mediocre offenses. It is simply so laborious to repeat defensive success yr after yr, and Denver ranked solely fifteenth in EPA per play on offense. Sure, Bo Nix would possibly progress in Yr 2. However he additionally won’t!
Yates: Lions. The Lions are going to be glorious subsequent season, however if you tie for essentially the most wins within the NFL, you have got essentially the most room to fall. They’re my early choose to win the NFC North, but it surely could possibly be by way of a 12-5 season versus a 15-2 season.
