THE NFL season is fast approaching, and teams are already settling into training camps.
With the new season coming also comes many changes around the league that will shape the 2025 NFL season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could get worse with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback[/caption]
Travis Kelce is playing one more NFL season, but it could be even worse than last year[/caption]
The Philadelphia Eagles are the reigning Super Bowl champions, but any series of events could occur in the upcoming season.
Last year’s good teams will have bad seasons and last year’s bad teams will have good seasons.
Anything can happen, but some signs are already appearing that can help us predict what will unfold in 2025.
Here is a handful of situations that might unfold in 2025.
TRAVIS KELCE LOSES HIS JOB
Travis Kelce is coming back for one final season with the Kansas City Chiefs, but is it the right decision?
The 2024 season was the worst of his career, with Kelce posting career lows in yards and touchdowns.
He only managed 823 yards and three touchdowns across 16 games, and lost the Super Bowl.
If he regressed so much at 35 years old, what indication is there that he will be any better at 36 years old?
Noah Gray is lurking behind Kelce on the depth chart, and has proven he can be a competent player in the Chiefs offense.
He had 437 yards and five touchdowns in the 2024 season, and probably becomes the Chiefs’ starting tight end by the end of 2025 if Kelce underperforms.
MIKE TOMLIN’S FIRST LOSING SEASON
Let’s be honest, the Pittsburgh Steelers had plenty of better options at quarterback than a 42 year old Aaron Rodgers.
They let Justin Fields walk to the New York Jets, Russell Wilson to the New York Giants, and passed on many quarterbacks in the NFL Draft.
Both Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart went to other teams while the Steelers waited for an answer from Rodgers.
The Steelers’ roster doesn’t look much better than last year’s either, and Mike Tomlin hasn’t produced a Super Bowl contender in years.
While he hasn’t had a losing season yet in his career, there is a strong chance that changes in 2025, and could end his tenure in Pittsburgh.
MIAMI DOLPHINS MOVE ON FROM TUA
Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t played a year of his four-year extension with the Miami Dolphins yet, but the team might already be willing to part with him.
He was rewarded with a new deal after leading he NFL in passing in 2023 and finishing the season with an 11-6 record.
However, Tua went back to his injury-prone ways in 2024, missing six games due to another concussion and a hip injury.
NFL important dates 2025 season
March 12 – Free Agency begins
April 24-26 – NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin
September 4 – 2025 season opener (TBC vs Eagles)
November 27 – Thanksgiving Day triple header
January 4, 2026 – End of regular-season
February 8, 2026 – Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
The Dolphins cleverly front loaded the guarantees in Tua’s contract, meaning he would be easier to let go.
After the 2026 season, Tua’s contract becomes manageable, and the Dolphins could survive handling his heavy contract for one year.
If 2025 goes poorly for the Dolphins, the team could completely clean house to prep for a rebuild.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS GO WINLESS
The 2025 New Orleans Saints might be one of the worst teams in NFL history.
Their roster is historically bad, and quarterback play is their biggest concern.
Derek Carr retired out of the blue this offseason, leaving second-round rookie Tyler Shough as the likely starter in New Orleans.
However, he was seen as many by a massive reach, and might not have the talent to win New Orleans many games, or any games.
It feels pretty easy to pencil the Saints in for the No. 1 overall pick in 2026.
DANIEL JONES TAKES THE COLTS TO THE PLAYOFFS
The Indianapolis Colts signed Daniel Jones this offseason to compete with Anthony Richardson.
Now, it seems likely that Jones could end up as the starter to begin the season.
The Colts weren’t in too bad of shape in 2024, finishing with an 8-9 record without consistent quarterback play.
Now, with an improved roster, Jones could capitalize on that and deliver a bounce-back season in 2025.
The AFC South could be wide open this season, and the Colts could sneakily win the division.
