The NFL Corridor of Fame Sport is within the books, which suggests the 2025 NFL Preseason has formally begun!
Despite the fact that the complexion of all 32 NFL groups is starting to take form, we’re nonetheless 34 days from the beginning of the 2025-26 season. Each squad will use this time to finalize its depth chart and likewise fill out the 53-man roster.
With that in thoughts, listed below are the questions every workforce should reply through the 2025 preseason.
Arizona Cardinals
Who’s CB1 within the desert?
Starling Thomas V, who began 17 video games for the Playing cards final season, tore his ACL in apply, so it gained’t be him. They used two draft picks this low season on cornerbacks and a second-rounder final yr on Max Melton. With Will Johnson and Denzel Burke each coming into the league as rookies, Max Melton looks as if the plain candidate to be Arizona’s primary cornerback.
Atlanta Falcons
Did the Soiled Birds do sufficient to enhance their dreadful move rush?
The Falcons had the second-worst move rush within the NFL final season, with 31 sacks on the marketing campaign. They used two first-round draft picks on edge rushers (Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.). In addition they added Leonard Floyd in free company, who had 8.5 sacks final yr. This move rush will take an enormous leap ahead.
Baltimore Ravens
How will the brand new guys be built-in into the workforce?
There are many new faces on this squad. Jaire Alexander, DeAndre Hopkins, Malaki Starks, Joe Noteboom, and Mike Inexperienced are all guys who may very well be opening-day starters. Even rookie kicker Tyler Loop will play an enormous position on this workforce, attempting to switch Justin Tucker. John Harbaugh is a superb coach who will discover methods to get probably the most out of each participant, however the methods this workforce appears to be like outdoors of the quarterback and working again spots will probably be very totally different in 2025.
Buffalo Payments
Who’s the perfect vast receiver in Buffalo?
The plain reply appears to be Khalil Shakir, but when that’s the case, then why did the Payments use a really excessive second-round draft decide to take Keon Coleman final low season? Then once more, Curtis Samuel led the workforce in playoff landing receptions. Shakir will probably nonetheless be WR1 in Buffalo by the point the preseason is over.
Carolina Panthers
Is the protection dedicated to taking part in higher towards the run?
They higher be. They had been the worst run-defending workforce within the NFL by a large margin (179.8 speeding yards allowed per sport, nearly 40 yards per sport greater than the following closest workforce). Getting Derrick Brown again for the season will drastically assist in relation to defending the run. Including three defensive linemen within the draft and three extra in free company also needs to result in a fast turnaround for this unit.
Chicago Bears
How will this offense look beneath new head coach Ben Johnson?
Is that this going to be a run-focused or a pass-focused unit? As offensive coordinator of the Lions, Johnson ran 551 move performs and 534 run performs, an nearly even divide over a 17-game season. The Bears have invested loads into the offensive line and the vast receiving corps, in order that they’ll most likely lean slightly extra on the move than the run.
Cincinnati Bengals
Will Trey Hendrickson be a member of the Bengals and play this season?
The NFL’s chief in sacks final season won’t play this yr if he doesn’t get a brand new contract. He deserves an extension as a result of he has been one of many 5 greatest pass-rushers within the NFL during the last two years. Extra importantly, he’ll proceed to raise his gameplay over the following few seasons. The Bengals must cease being silly and simply pay the person. This workforce won’t succeed with out Trey Hendrickson.
Cleveland Browns
Who would be the beginning quarterback to open the season?
With Kenny Pickett’s damage, the beginning quarterback spot will come right down to Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, or Dillon Gabriel. This workforce will probably wish to compete proper out of the gate, so a rookie most likely gained’t begin Week One. Contemplating Watson may miss everything of the 2025-26 season with a ruptured Achilles, it appears to be a forgone conclusion that Joe Flacco would be the starter to open the season.
Dallas Cowboys
How will new head coach Brian Schottenheimer run the workforce?
The choice to call Schottenheimer the workforce’s head coach actually got here out of nowhere. We’ve an thought about how the offense will look since Schottenheimer was the offensive coordinator in 2023, when Dak Prescott performed all 17 regular-season video games. With query marks nonetheless lingering on the working again spot, anticipate a pass-oriented offense. How the protection will look stays to be seen.
Denver Broncos
Will Denver’s offensive weapons be an enchancment over final yr’s?
RJ Harvey, Evan Engram, and J.Okay. Dobbins are all new faces in Denver who will probably see the sphere loads. Evan Engram will probably be a marked enchancment over Adam Trautman, who had extra video games began than passes caught final yr. I additionally suppose Harvey and Dobbins will probably be a greater one-two punch than Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, who barely mixed for 1,000 speeding yards final season. This offense ought to take a step ahead from 2024 to 2025.
Detroit Lions
Will the offensive line be pretty much as good as final season?
The Lions’ greatest unit was their offensive line, however they are going to be going into the 2025 season with new starters at two positions following Kevin Zeitler’s departure in free company and Frank Ragnow’s retirement. With Graham Glasgow anticipated to be the beginning middle, Detroit could have a brand new left and proper guard. The offensive line will nonetheless be glorious this season, albeit most likely inferior to final yr.
Inexperienced Bay Packers
What would be the offensive line mixture Inexperienced Bay goes with?
The Inexperienced Bay Packers want to determine a number of issues alongside the offensive line. It’s unclear if Elgton Jenkins will probably be taking part in middle or guard. The Packers additionally want to find out if Jordan Morgan, Rasheed Walker, or Anthony Belton would be the beginning left sort out. Additionally, I’m not offered on Sean Rhyan as a beginning proper guard. I’d like to see an offensive line of Walker-Banks-Jenkins-Belton-Tom. In all chance, although, Rhyan will get the nod over Belton.
Houston Texans
Who will emerge because the second-best move catcher in Houston?
The Texans made a commerce for Christian Kirk earlier than selecting two vast receivers within the NFL Draft. Contemplating he’s a veteran who’s a former 1,000-yard receiver, I anticipate Kirk to emerge as Houston’s number-two wideout. But when Jayden Higgins can impress through the preseason, he’ll overtake Kirk because the Texans’ number-two receiving risk.
Indianapolis Colts
Will Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson be the beginning quarterback?
There are 4 quarterbacks on the roster, however the starter spot will come right down to Jones or Richardson. Richardson missed minicamp and OTAs with an damage, which meant Daniel Jones acquired nearly all of the first-team reps throughout that interval. Contemplating Richardson was a former number-four total decide, he’ll probably be the starter when the season opens. Nonetheless, I anticipate him to have a brief leash. Too many errors, and he’ll be benched.
Jacksonville Jaguars
What will probably be Travis Hunter’s break up between offense and protection?
That is arguably probably the most fascinating storyline of the preseason. We haven’t seen a participant actively take part on each the offensive and defensive sides of the ball in a long time! The man is a competitor, so he’ll most likely wish to play each snap on offense and protection, however that’s probably not what the teaching employees has in retailer for him. He’ll presumably play on offense full-time and play half the workforce’s defensive snaps within the preseason video games he begins.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Who would be the beginning offensive tackles?
Three guys are going to compete for the proper and left sort out spots. Since Jawaan Taylor has made 99 begins within the 99 video games he has appeared in, it’s secure to imagine he would be the beginning proper sort out. Meaning the left sort out spot will come right down to Josh Simmons or Jaylon Moore. I consider wholeheartedly in Josh Simmons on the professional degree. Had he not gotten injured, he may’ve been a top-ten draft decide. He would be the beginning left sort out by the point the preseason ends.
Las Vegas Raiders
Will the offense be run-focused or passing-focused?
They traded for Geno Smith, who tried the fourth-most passes within the NFL final season. Nonetheless, additionally they used the sixth-overall draft decide on Ashton Jeanty, who had probably the most speeding makes an attempt in school soccer final season (374). The final time Pete Carroll coached in 2023, the Seahawks threw the ball 193 extra occasions than they ran it. Although the disparity gained’t be as nice, Vegas will probably be a pass-first workforce this yr.
Los Angeles Chargers
Will LA proceed to run the ball extra beneath Jim Harbaugh?
Although this workforce is led by quarterback Justin Herbert, they really threw the ball much less in Jim Harbaugh’s first season in comparison with 2023. Final yr, the Chargers tried 510 passes and ran the ball 463. Comparatively, in 2023, LA tried 632 passes and 431 runs. This season, anticipate the Bolts to run the ball much more, particularly with Najee Harris and first-round draft decide Omarion Hampton.
Los Angeles Rams
Will Terrance Ferguson grow to be the brand new beginning tight finish?
The Rams didn’t have a first-round draft decide. For some cause, they used their first decide of the 2025 NFL Draft to pick out a decent finish, despite the fact that they have already got a very good tight finish on the roster in Tyler Higbee. Nonetheless, Higbee’s contract runs out after this season, which suggests Ferguson will most likely be his successor. It won’t occur through the preseason, however Ferguson will grow to be the starter sooner or later this yr.
Miami Dolphins
Is the secondary poised to take a step again this season?
The workforce will probably be with out all 5 of the beginning secondary gamers from final yr. On prime of that, the guys that they brought in to replace last year’s corners and safeties are already dealing with injuries. Two cornerbacks have been dominated out for the season with accidents, whereas security Ashtyn Davis is predicted to overlook a while. The secondary will DEFINITELY take a step again through the 2025-26 marketing campaign.
Minnesota Vikings
How will J.J. McCarthy play in restricted preseason motion?
J.J. McCarthy is mainly coming into this yr as a rookie. He solely acquired the possibility to play one preseason sport earlier than he was recognized with a torn meniscus, ruling him out for the season. McCarthy will carry out properly as a result of he will probably be attempting to show that he deserves to be the starter in Minnesota, and the workforce didn’t make a mistake by letting Sam Darnold go in free company.
New England Patriots
Did the Pats add sufficient impactful gamers to return to their successful methods?
The Pats added 14 free brokers who had been on totally different groups final season, plus one other 11 gamers by way of the draft. That’s 25 new guys on a 53-man roster, nearly half of the workforce. It’s additionally value noting that most of the new gamers will probably be day-one starters like Stefon Diggs, Harold Landry III, Carlton Davis, and Will Campbell. These 4 guys alone will probably be a marked enchancment over the starters from final yr. The Pats won’t be a four-win workforce in 2025.
New Orleans Saints
Who would be the beginning quarterback to open the season?
The Saints have restricted choices beneath middle. Jake Haener is at a drawback as a result of he missed most of OTAs and minicamp with an damage. In the meantime, Spencer Rattler misplaced all six of the begins he made final season. It makes probably the most sense to start out second-rounder Tyler Shough. The Saints want to search out out if this child is any good earlier than they will determine what they wish to do subsequent low season on the quarterback place.
New York Giants
If Jaxson Dart performs rather well, ought to he be the Week One starter?
Russell Wilson is at present slated to be the Giants’ starter to open the season, however there may be nonetheless a first-round draft decide ready within the wings and trying to get his shot to overhaul Russ. Jaxson Dart will most likely find yourself taking part in properly, contemplating he’ll get most of his reps towards third- and fourth-stringers. Regardless, the Giants want to win instantly, and Wilson offers them a greater shot of doing that than Dart.
New York Jets
Can Justin Fields be the passer the Jets want?
There’s little doubt that the child can run. His downside has all the time been throwing the ball. Had he not gotten benched, there was an opportunity that he would’ve eclipsed the three,000-yard passing mark for the primary time in his profession final season. The 2025 Jets’ offensive weapons are a lot better than the 2024 Steelers’, so Fields ought to be capable to elevate his passing sport within the Large Apple.
Philadelphia Eagles
Did the protection lose too many starters from final yr to be as profitable this season?
Seven defenders from final yr’s squad are not with the workforce. That features Milton Williams, Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, to call a number of. Nonetheless, they added Adoree’ Jackson, Joshua Uche, and 6 different defenders by way of the draft. That inflow of expertise, coupled with the continued ascension of Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, will make this a formidable protection as soon as once more.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Who must be the Steelers’ number-two receiving risk?
DK Metcalf is clearly the perfect pass-catcher on the workforce. Although Pat Freiermuth has been there some time, they simply traded for a Professional Bowler in Jonnu Smith. Then once more, Robert Woods is a seasoned veteran, whereas Calvin Austin III took an enormous leap ahead final yr. The number-two receiver will probably be whoever Aaron Rodgers trusts probably the most, which is able to most likely be a vet like Smith or Woods.
San Francisco 49ers
Did they lose too many gamers within the low season?
30 gamers from final yr’s 53-man roster are both unsigned or at the moment are taking part in for one more workforce. Meaning solely 23 gamers from final yr’s squad are returning to the Bay Space. I don’t care who these 23 guys are; a workforce that loses 56% of its gamers from the earlier season is certain to regress. Contemplating the injured guys they’re getting again, this workforce will certainly have a greater document, however they most likely aren’t going to be perpetual favorites to win the NFC like they as soon as had been.
Seattle Seahawks
Is Jalen Milroe a future starter or only a backup?
The Seahawks appear to be all-in on Sam Darnold for this season, however after that, it’s anyone’s guess, particularly with a possible out in his contract after the top of the 2026-27 marketing campaign. Due to this fact, Seattle must play Jalen Milroe as a lot as attainable through the preseason to search out out if the rookie can take his sport to the following degree. I’ve a sense he’ll be capable to reply the decision.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
How will the offensive line carry out with out Tristan Wirfs?
The Buccaneers are going to want to determine a dependable placeholder to fill in on the left sort out spot, with Tristan Wirfs anticipated to overlook the primary 4 video games of the season. They don’t must discover a future Corridor of Famer or something. Tampa Bay simply must determine a man who isn’t going to hinder the offense. In all chance, although, the offensive line will wrestle with out Wirfs’ presence. It is a mediocre unit once you take away Wirfs.
Tennessee Titans
How will Cam Ward play within the preseason?
The Titans mustn’t attempt to overdo something with Cam Ward. Let the rookie begin the primary half of Video games One and Two earlier than letting him sit out of the third preseason sport. Ward is the clear-cut starter in Nashville. He’ll play properly in restricted motion, however followers shouldn’t get loopy if he doesn’t stay as much as the hype within the preseason.
Washington Commanders
What does the receiving corps appear to be with out Terry McLaurin?
Outdoors of McLaurin, this vast receiving corps is full of younger bucks and over-the-hill gamers. 2025 Deebo Samuel is much faraway from the 1,000-yard receiver he was in 2021. Zach Ertz continues to be efficient, but it surely’s unfair to anticipate him to be Washington’s greatest pass-catcher at age 34 if McLaurin isn’t in D.C. In the meantime, Jaylin Lane and Luke McCaffrey are unproven entities. The receiving corps is a lot better with McLaurin versus with out him.
