Every offseason, hope springs anew for NFL fans all across the country. The scars of last year are forgotten, and attention is turned to their favorite NFL team’s moves during the offseason and the prospectus for the upcoming 2025 season.
Not everyone’s dreams can come true, though… and every team has a vastly different ceiling.
So, how about we look ahead to the 2025 NFL season and consider every team’s best possible outcome?
What are the best possible outcomes for each NFL team in the 2025 season?
Arizona Cardinals: Win the NFC West
It has been a turbulent few seasons out in the desert, but if all the pieces come together just right, the NFC West could very well be the Cardinals for the taking.
Of course, they are going to need a few breaks to go their way… as the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, while aging, have done well to retool their rosters this offseason.
The Seahawks are a bit of a question mark, but if Sam Darnold can keep his hot streak going, they could be dangerous, too.
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But that is not to say that Arizona cannot compete with them. In fact, it is to say the very opposite. If Kyler Murray can stay healthy for the entire season and they can get some legitimate production out of their wide receiver room in addition to Trey McBride, this team could be capable of making a legit run.
Atlanta Falcons: Win the NFC South
The Atlanta Falcons are going to need a big year from second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to do it, but if he can find his stride in Year 2, well, who’s to say that the Falcons can’t win the NFC South? I mean, the defending champion Buccaneers are good… but I don’t think that they are a lock to repeat.
Atlanta also did well in bolstering its defense this offseason, adding speed and youth to its defensive front. If that unit can rise to the occasion, this team could be sneaky good this 2025 NFL season.
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson Conquers Playoff Demons and Wins a Super Bowl
Baltimore is coming off another excellent season with a disappointing finish with an early playoff exit, something that is unfortunately becoming a staple of the Lamar Jackson experience in the Charm City.
He needs to find a way to keep his regular-season performance level once the postseason comes around… Hard stop. But the Ravens have done well to bring some nice pieces in this offseason, like DeAndre Hopkins to round out their receiver room and Malaki Starks to add a talented young burner into their defensive secondary.
Not to mention re-signing Ronnie Stanley, which is critical to their success running and passing the ball.
With this squad, all they really need is their quarterback to do what he’s done in the regular season for years now in the playoffs, too.
Buffalo Bills: Super Bowl
With the addition of a few key veterans, guys like Joey Bosa at defensive end and Josh Palmer at receiver are a good indication that the Bills are pushing their chips into the middle of the table and are ready to go for it.
The question is… should they be?
We think yes. Josh Allen is only continuing to improve, and Khalil Shakir is starting to develop into a legit wide receiver 1. Kansas City may well still be snake-bitten from last year’s shellacking in the Super Bowl. Buffalo is on the short list of teams that have a legit chance at taking it all next year.
Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young Takes Another Leap
While the NFC South does at least seem to be wide open every year, it isn’t “open enough” for a team of Carolina’s caliber to claim it.
That said, this is a young and improving team. We saw them, their former first overall pick at quarterback included, progress in a significant way in the back half of 2024, and that should be the target and the best-case scenario for the 2025 NFL season. The Panthers can’t afford to damage Young’s psyche any further by tanking; they need to be competitive… and if Bryce picks up where they left off Panthers fans should see that as a huge win.
Chicago Bears: Wild Card Berth
Last year, the Bears were the odd man out with Detroit, Green Bay, and Minnesota all making the playoffs. A painful result for the Chicago Faithful to say the least…
They did add a couple of nice pieces to their offensive line this offseason, though, and furthering their ability to protect Caleb Williams should pay dividends, both to their playoff hopes and his development.
Still… it will be tough sledding to beat all three of the other teams in the division, but don’t rule out a Wild Card berth! This Chicago Team is starting to come together.
Cincinnati Bengals: AFC Championship Game
With Joe Burrow healthy, the sky is the limit for the Bengals… Well, almost the limit. We aren’t entirely convinced that the Bengals, given their defensive woes are going to be able to get over the hump when it comes down to it… Especially if the situation with last year’s sack leader, Trey Hendrickson, continues to sour. The AFC Title Game is as far as we see this team going.
Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders is the Steal of the Draft
It is time for the organization to turn the page and what better way to do that than with Shedeur Sanders proving all of the haters and doubters… of which their are apparently many… wrong by becoming a franchise quarterback as a rookie.
With the exception of an odd season here or there, this team has been starved for a legit answer at quarterback ever since they came back to Cleveland. What better way to ring in the 2025 NFL season than with a stroke of good fortune there?
Dallas Cowboys: NFC East
Sure… Philly has the makings of a juggernaut… and the Commanders look like they are really building something around Jayden Daniels…
But this is the NFC East that we are talking about, and it feels like every other year it is a new winner, and if Dallas can stay healthy and leverage the strength they added at offensive line through the draft, they might just be able to take the crown.
Denver Broncos: Win a Playoff Game
The emergence of Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos was one of the biggest surprises around the NFL last season. Just as people were starting to lose faith in Sean Payton and what he was “building” or… not building in the Mile High City, Nix showed promise to the point that some now believe he could be the best quarterback to come out of his draft class and Denver snuck into the Wild Card Round.
It is a longshot that they outpace the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West across the entirety of the season, but the Wild Card is very much within reach… and if they get in, don’t be shocked if they build on their experience from last year and win a game.
Detroit Lions: Win the Super Bowl
It is Super Bowl or bust in the 2025 NFL season for Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions. They have been one of the top teams in the league over the past couple of season and continuing to improve… they just need to get over the hump and even without Ben Johnson running the offense, they have as good chance as anyone to win the Super Bowl.
Green Bay Packers: 2nd Place in the NFC North
Green Bay had a quiet, but effective offseason adding a couple of nice pieces to sure up weakness on the offensive line and in the defensive secondary with Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs respectively.
They are expected to miss Christian Watson for a good chunk of the year, but nothing new there… Hopefully, the addition of Matthew Golden through the draft will help offset the loss and put the Packers in a position to stay close enough to the Lions in the division that they can outpace the Bears and Vikings.
Houston Texans: AFC Championship Game Appearance
Houston was a frustrating watch last year, plain and simple.
The offensive line couldn’t slow anyone down… and they decided to blow the whole thing up, trading away their lone stalwart, Laremy Tunsil, and bringing in a bunch of fresh blood with Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson, and Trent Brown, and drafting Aireontae Ersery in the second round.
If they can protect Stroud this season, we could see them sneak out a deep playoff run.
Indianapolis Colts: 1st Overall Pick
I know Indy thinks it can be competitive, but it is time to face the truth. The Anthony Richardson pick has been a disaster, and it is hard to believe that Daniel Jones, who was brought in as competition, is the answer.
If the Colts lose a few games early, which they very well may, they should consider tanking for a top pick to try and find a franchise quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter Proves to be Generational
The Jaguars’ new regime made a HUGE swing in the draft, trading up to take Travis Hunter at two overall. Jacksonville absolutely needs him and Trevor Lawrence to find some rapport and get this franchise going back in the right direction again in the 2025 NFL season.
Kansas City Chiefs: Hoist the Lombardi Trophy Again
As painful as last year’s loss in the Super Bowl was, the Kansas City Chiefs will always be contenders with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes leading the charge.
And in 2025, coming off that humiliating loss, we should expect them to come out with a vengeance.
Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty Leads the League in Rushing
He may be getting up there in age, but Pete Carroll knows how to bring energy and change the culture of an organization.
Look for him and Geno to revitalize the Raiders in year 1… and for their sixth overall pick in the draft, BYU’s Ashton Jeanty, to have a special season as a rookie.
Los Angeles Chargers: Super Bowl
Don’t look now, but the Los Angeles Chargers look for real… even after parting ways with Joey Bosa. Jim Harbaugh already flipped the culture in Year 1, and now he’s had a full offseason to bring in more talent that fits his system.
If Justin Herbert can take that next step forward, the Chargers could surprise everyone and win it all in the 2025 NFL season!
Los Angeles Rams: NFC Championship Game
Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford are a dangerous combination, even with the latter getting up there in age, they have a chance at making a deep playoff run… Especially with the NFC West, which is projected to have a down year.
Miami Dolphins: Win the AFC East and Lose in a Cold Playoff Game
2024 was painful for Miami, but if they, namely Tua, Tyreek, and Waddle, can stay healthy, they have a chance at overtaking the Bills in the AFC East.
Though… With their postseason woes, the train likely stops there… Or as soon as they have to play a game on the road!
Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy is a Star
The Vikings are betting big on J.J. this year after casting aside last year’s starter, Sam Darnold. They’ve done well to invest in their offensive line, and they have all the talent on offense you could want to support an inexperienced quarterback.
Now J.J. just needs to hold up his end of the bargain in the 2025 NFL season…
New England Patriots: Mike Vrabel Changes… Everything
Oh, how the mighty have fallen… After two decades of dominance, the post-Brady era has been hard times for the Pats. They desperately need to see signs of life, and Mike Vrabel could just be the guy to do it!
New Orleans Saints: Tank
New Orleans has been in purgatory for what feels like an eternity… and the fact of the matter is, they have a pretty low ceiling coming into the year. The best-case scenario is that they tank and start rebuilding for the future.
New York Giants: Find a Quarterback
New York took a wide net approach this offseason, signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, then trading up to get Jaxon Dart in the first round.
Daboll needs one of these guys to step up in the 2025 NFL season if the Giants want to change the narrative around their team.
New York Jets: Wild Card Round Appearance
With the Aaron Rodgers experience now firmly in the rear view mirror, the Jets can take a deep breath… and you know what? With Justin Fields in the fold, they might just surprise people and make a playoff appearance, but don’t expect much more than that.
Philadelphia Eagles: Repeat
The Eagles were not a popular Super Bowl pick heading into last season, but they will be to defend their title this year… and with good reason. Jalen Hurts is a bona fide winner, and that defense is young, fast, and hungry.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Lose in the Playoffs
Regardless of who they end up with at quarterback, it is hard to see this iteration of the Steelers doing anything better than what they’ve done the past few seasons, which is overachieve in the regular season, sneak into the playoffs, and get promptly jettisoned by a more talented team.
San Francisco 49ers: 3rd Place in the NFC West
After an extended run of greatness, it looks like the good times have come to an end in San Francisco. The 49ers really struggled last year and lost a ton of talent this offseason with Deebo Samuel leaving a big hole on offense, and the likes of Charvarius Ward, Dre Greenlaw, and Aaron Banks leaving the defense.
Obviously, it is never wise to count out a Kyle Shanahan-led team, but things are not looking very promising for the Niners this year.
Seattle Seahawks: Sam Darnold Renaissance Continues
To say that there has been a lot of change in Seattle is a massive understatement.
It isn’t just Pete Carroll, who’s gone now… they have cleared out the last remaining artifacts of his regime. Last year’s starting quarterback, Geno Smith? Gone. DK Metcalf… their top receiver? Gone. Tyler Lockett… also gone.
Now it is Sam Darnold’s show, and he’s going to be slinging the rock to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, and it feels like anything could happen.
But for it to be an outcome that excites Seattle fans, they will need Darnold to keep building on what he did in Minnesota last year. Otherwise, they are cooked in the upcoming 2025 NFL season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: NFC Championship Game
Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have slowly but surely been building something down in Southwest Florida… and after a couple of solid seasons, we think that this is the year that they make an even deeper playoff run.
Tennessee Titans: Win the AFC South
Okay… I know what you are thinking… The Titans? Win the Division?
Yes, this is the same team that picked first in this year’s draft, but they aren’t really the same team. Not if the aforementioned first overall pick, Cam Ward, is able to establish himself as a legit starter in this league.
The AFC South is open for the taking, and this team might just be able to make it happen.
Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels, MVP
Jayden Daniels wasn’t the most consistent, but he was just about as clutch as it got… and the Commanders somehow found their way into the NFC Championship Game, which no one saw coming.
Next year, the team may regress a bit, but Jayden is going to be an early dark horse for MVP honors, and if he hits that high in year 2, that will be a heck of an outcome for the Commanders.
