The answers to the questions that will define various NFL teams in 2025 won’t begin to uncover themselves until training camps commence in July. But between rookie camps, minicamps and OTAs, The Athletic’s beat writers have plenty to ponder for now.
How have new head coaches adjusted in their first practices? Has an embattled player arrived looking like a remade version of himself? Has a free-agent addition impressed early? What about a rookie who’s changed the outlook on an anticipated camp battle?
What have we learned about your favorite team from offseason workouts? Our writers cover it all below.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals expect Marvin Harrison Jr., to make a jump. The former Ohio State receiver — the No. 4 pick in 2024 — had an uneven rookie season. He struggled to make contested catches. His rhythm with QB Kyler Murray was off. Over the offseason Harrison bulked up. His arms were noticeably bigger. “I thought it was AI,” Murray said, jokingly. “I thought those pictures were fake.” That’s not the only change: Murray has noticed a different comfort level with Harrison, a different confidence. Arizona increased from four wins to eight during the first two seasons under head coach Jonathan Gannon. To make the playoffs in Year 3, the Cardinals will need Harrison to turn into the No. 1 receiver everyone expected. — Doug Haller
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Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons aren’t even considering the possibility that Michael Penix Jr. might not be great. The second-year quarterback started three games last year and was 27th in the league in passer rating (78.6) and 29th in completion percentage (58 percent) in that time, but Atlanta spent the offseason showcasing confidence that last year’s No. 8 pick is going to be very good. The Falcons have done so with their words: “I’ve got so much confidence for Michael Penix leading us into the future,” Raheem Morris said. And they’ve done so with their actions, too, trading a 2026 first-round pick to get an extra first-rounder this year. — Josh Kendall
Baltimore Ravens
Knowing they were likely to release longtime standout Justin Tucker, the Ravens did extensive work on all the available kickers in the draft and decided Arizona’s Tyler Loop was the guy they wanted. They used a sixth-round pick to make sure they got him. Loop is still the favorite to succeed Tucker, but it appears the Ravens are headed for their first training camp kicking competition since Tucker beat out Billy Cundiff before the 2012 season. Loop had a few rocky offseason practices, opening the door for John Hoyland, an undrafted rookie out of Wyoming. Hoyland’s form has been good enough to suggest the Ravens could have a difficult decision to make late in the preseason. — Jeff Zrebiec
Buffalo Bills
The battle to be the Bills’ second starting cornerback is wide open. The team did quite a lot this offseason to address the position, signing two players with a combined 122 starts in Buffalo in Tre’Davious White and Dane Jackson, and then drafting Maxwell Hairston in the first round and Dorian Strong in the sixth. The competition likely comes down to White and Hairston. White struggled a bit in spring workouts but knows the defense well. Hairston has the raw ability to play any coverage they want, but the Bills are coaching him hard, and he still has a way to go to be totally in tune with the scheme. The battle could go up right to the start of the regular season. — Joe Buscaglia
Carolina Panthers
A year after Jadeveon Clowney said Bryce Young needed to play with more energy, the low-key QB engaged in trash talk sessions with CB Jaycee Horn throughout minicamp. Young also showed an increased comfort level in his second year in Dave Canales’ system, especially when carving up the first-team D in the red zone. But it was Young’s intensity — and that of his teammates — that caught the eyes (and ears) of media members. “We’re a bunch of guys that want it,” wideout Adam Thielen said. “I think guys are finally sick of being the same old, same old Carolina Panthers.” — Joseph Person
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Chicago Bears
During minicamp, new head coach Ben Johnson yelled at quarterback Caleb Williams to go “FASTER” through his reads. On that specific play, Williams reached his checkdown, a completion to running back Roschon Johnson for a first down. But it still wasn’t good enough for Johnson. He saw more and wanted more from Williams. Johnson is going to challenge Williams every day about everything. His fiery, demanding persona on the field at practice stood out throughout the offseason program. That won’t change. Williams is going to be coached hard by Johnson. His development needs it. — Adam Jahns
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals found exactly what they were looking for in second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. The linebacker was slotted into the starting spot alongside Logan Wilson immediately and brought stability despite this being his first time on an NFL practice field. He’s older (24) with more experience, which made his addition look and feel more like a free-agent signing than draft pick. Players view him as a future leader of the defense already and with all captains gone from last year’s group, defensive coordinator Al Golden is on the hunt for exactly that. — Paul Dehner Jr.
Cleveland Browns
Even if Joe Flacco doesn’t win the starting job, or doesn’t keep it past Halloween, the Browns made a smart move in April when they brought him back on a one-year deal. Flacco is the best pure thrower of the four-man quarterback group, even at 40, but it’s his steadiness and experience that make him such a valuable addition right now. Flacco both mastered the offense quickly and earned the respect of the locker room during his 2023 stint with Cleveland. It was clear this spring that players, young and old, can lean on Flacco as the Browns go about the business of trying to fix their broken offense. — Zac Jackson
Dallas Cowboys
The George Pickens hype is understandable. The Cowboys essentially acquired Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a third-round pick. If early showings are any indication, the move has big boom potential. Obviously, there’s a reason the Steelers moved on from Pickens but those concerns are more with his attitude and demeanor. In terms of actual talent, there are very few questions. Pickens is a big-bodied receiver, a downfield threat and supreme complement to what CeeDee Lamb has already provided to the offense. If Pickens keeps his head on straight, Dallas could have one of the league’s most dynamic receiving duos. — Saad Yousuf
Denver Broncos
The Broncos will have an entirely different backfield in 2025 and training camp will offer an intriguing battle for snaps. Denver drafted RJ Harvey in the second round and the rookie showcased good hands and crisp route-running ability during the
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offseason program. Just before minicamp ended, Denver also signed JK Dobbins to give the room a productive veteran presence it previously didn’t have. Those two should lead the charge to replace Javonte Williams as the team’s leading rusher, but just how much of an upgrade one or both players can become will go a long way toward determining Denver’s offensive ceiling in its second season with quarterback Bo Nix. — Nick Kosmider
Detroit Lions
Dan Campbell’s new-look coaching staff looks the part. The Lions took it easy this offseason, canceling minicamp with the team starting training camp early because of the Hall of Fame game. Many of the vets were absent or excused for OTAs as a result. But the coaching staff was in full force, and the main takeaway after watching and hearing from them is that they’re all Dan Campbell guys.
That’s important, as the team lost key pillars in coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson. Their replacements — defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and offensive coordinator John Morton — have longstanding ties to Campbell and can effectively echo his message. Other new faces on staff have crossed paths with him or joined because they know what he’s about. It might take time to come together, but it’s clear Campbell has assembled a staff that knows how to work as one. — Colton Pouncy
Green Bay Packers
The Packers believe in their cornerback room. After months of uncertainty about Jaire Alexander’s future, the Packers released the two-time second-team All-Pro. Left in their cornerback room are a top three of Keisean Nixon, free-agent signing Nate Hobbs and Carrington Valentine. No more reinforcements are on the way from outside the building.
Is that enough to slow down the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Jefferson and other elite wide receivers the Packers face this season without Alexander, undoubtedly their best corner of the last half-decade when healthy? We’ll see, but general manager Brian Gutekunst doesn’t sound concerned, saying, “We’ve got three really good starting corners that we really like quite a bit.” — Matt Schneidman
Houston Texans
The offensive line remains a big question mark. Based on work distribution in minicamp, virtually every starting position along Houston’s offensive line remains up for grabs. Tytus Howard is the lone returning starter but took snaps at right guard and right tackle in minicamp. Cam Robinson and Aireontae Ersery split reps at left tackle, and Ersery and Blake Fisher also saw time at right tackle. It looks like Laken Tomlinson has the leg up at left guard, but center could go to Jarrett Patterson, Jake Andrews or Juice Scruggs. The Texans surrendered 90 sacks the last two seasons, among the most in the NFL, so solidifying C.J. Stroud’s line is a must. Given the abundant changes, it could take some time for chemistry to develop. — Mike Jones
Indianapolis Colts
Daniel Jones is QB1 (for now). The Colts signed the ex-Giants/Vikings quarterback in free agency to challenge Anthony Richardson for the QB1 title in Indy, and Jones has already taken a significant lead in what was supposed to be a wide-open quarterback competition. Richardson, the 2023 No. 4 pick, aggravated the surgically repaired AC joint in his throwing shoulder May 29 and was shut down for the rest of the spring. There is no timetable for his return, per Colts coach Shane Steichen, which further positions Jones to take over as the Week 1 starter. — James Boyd
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Jacksonville Jaguars
Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and cornerback Tyson Campbell could be training camp’s true headliners. So much attention has been placed on head coach Liam Coen’s arrival and the corresponding impact on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, along with the fascination over rookie wideout/cornerback Travis Hunter, but Thomas and Campbell had terrific offseason battles. It should be a foreshadowing of some must-see training camp matchups. Thomas should make a big second-year jump, and Campbell is an ascending player who has flown under the radar. But those daily competitions should make two very important players even better in 2025. — Jeff Howe
Kansas City Chiefs
Andy Reid made a point of it all spring on the practice field: The veteran coach wants the Chiefs’ offense to get back to pushing the ball deep down the field, akin to what Patrick Mahomes did so well early in his career. Back then, they tore up the league.
Kansas City somehow finished 27th in the league in 2024 in passing plays of 20 yards or more, regressing into an underneath offense. But with a deeper receiving room than they’ve had in years — Mahomes mentioned how much of an advantage it is to have Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster all back, and all healthy — look for more emphasis on explosion this fall. If so, a 15-2 team from last season could be even better. — Zak Keefer
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders’ players have already bought into Pete Carroll’s get down. The legendary head coach assembled a coaching staff composed of holdovers from the previous regime, coaches he’d worked with in the past and a batch of newcomers, and they’ve collectively ingratiated themselves with the roster. They’re serious and know what they’re talking about, but they’ve created a loose, fun and positive environment at team headquarters.
Carroll’s “compete” mantra is a bit cliché, but it’s come to fruition for the Raiders as there’s several battles for starting roles on both sides of the ball. The process of instilling his culture is still ongoing, of course, but Carroll made significant progress in OTAs. For a franchise on its fourth head coach since moving to Las Vegas in 2020, that process being successful is instrumental to putting an end to the constant turnover. — Tashan Reed
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert has far more weapons in the passing game, and the additions are going to make Ladd McConkey even more dangerous. The improvement was evident during spring practices. In particular, the Chargers have options who can attack vertically from various alignments, which opens up short and intermediate areas for McConkey. Rookie receiver Tre’ Harris made plays outside the numbers in contested-catch situations. Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden was a threat down the seam and on big, sweeping over routes. The Chargers’ passing game felt stunted at times last year because it lacked vertical threats. That will not be the case this year. — Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are preparing to spend the 2025 season as a real contender, but concerns linger about their offensive line. Starting right tackle Rob Havenstein missed OTAs while recovering from clean-out procedures on both shoulders while starting left tackle Alaric Jackson is dealing with blood clot issues similar to that which sidelined him in 2022, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Rams signed tackles DJ Humphries and David Quessenberry this spring, but obviously would prefer to have their starters available to protect veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. They did not draft any tackles, and backup swing tackle Warren McClendon still needs development. — Jourdan Rodrigue
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Miami Dolphins
Jalen Ramsey will be traded — it seems more like a “when” than an “if” at this point — putting the offseason spotlight on the Dolphins’ remaining cornerbacks. Coach Mike McDaniel recently told the group to “help me out” in regards to filling out the depth chart, effectively opening up the competition for anyone to grab hold of the two starting outside jobs — Kader Kohou is expected to start in the slot — Miami appears to have available.
The Dolphins have plenty of options, including Storm Duck, Cam Smith, Artie Burns, Kendall Sheffield and Jason Marshall Jr., among others. But according to early reports out of Miami, 2024 UDFA Isaiah Johnson, who spent last season on the practice squad, was among the standouts during offseason activities. It would be wonderful for Miami if Johnson continued to deliver during training camp, because as McDaniel suggested, this roster badly needs a couple of CBs to step up. — Jim Ayello
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings weren’t babying J.J. McCarthy this spring. He may have been coming off of a torn meniscus, and he may only be in his second season, but Minnesota’s staff made the tests difficult. McCarthy received lengthy call sheets before practices. He was responsible for calls at the line of scrimmage. He was not at all chastised for mistakes, but the seriousness of each rep seemed evident.
McCarthy didn’t float perfectly through the weeks, but a steady stream of growth imprinted on the staffers monitoring him every day. He threw the ball with accuracy. His arm strength stood out. His ability to layer different throws continues to be the priority physically. However, the mental challenges of the spring became the most important. The team’s hope is that making it as hard as it’s been over the past few months will supercharge growth come training camp and the season. — Alec Lewis
New England Patriots
The Patriots might’ve found another shifty slot receiver from a small school who can rack up catches. Undrafted rookie Efton Chism played so well during spring practices that both Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye praised the 5-foot-10 receiver. Chism broke Cooper Kupp’s FCS record with at least one catch in 53 straight games while at Eastern Washington. He lacks downfield speed (4.7-second 40), but put up elite numbers in the short shuttle and three-cone drill. That shiftiness helped him stand out during OTAs, and he’ll now enter camp with a decent shot at making the team. — Chad Graff
New Orleans Saints
The quarterback battle between 2025 second-rounder Tyler Shough and 2024 fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler aside, the offensive line seems to be in place. And that includes the enigmatic Trevor Penning. The 2022 first-round pick enters the final year of his contract (his fifth-year option wasn’t picked up) moving to left guard after floundering at tackle during his first three seasons. It’s super early, but it seems to fit Penning. New Orleans hopes its front five will be far more reliable than last season with four first-round picks (Penning, Cesar Ruiz, Taliese Fuaga, Kelvin Banks) and offensive line leader Erik McCoy, who missed most of last season with injuries. — Larry Holder
New York Giants
This pass rush could be a game-changer. The Giants have lacked an identity during the first three years of the Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll era. There has been nothing the team could rely on to give it an advantage, and the result has been a combined nine wins over the past two seasons. That may have changed this offseason. The defense was upgraded by the free-agent signings of cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland. But the selection of outside linebacker Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick in the draft could be a game-changer. Teaming Carter with Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux should give the Giants a pass rush capable of dominating games. — Dan Duggan
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New York Jets
There will be legitimate competition for the starting center job — which is not something that was expected coming into the offseason. By most metrics, Joe Tippmann graded out decently last year — his first full season as a starter. But Tippmann was a draft selection of the previous regime and this new group — head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey — brought in free-agent center Josh Myers to push the 2023 second-round pick.
Myers signed cheaply (one year, $3.5 million) which made it seem like he was coming in to add depth at center. But then Mougey alluded to him pushing Tippmann at the owners’ meeting and that held true during OTAs and minicamp. Myers’ edge is in experience both overall (56 starts versus Tippmann’s 31, not all at center) and with quarterback Justin Fields, who he played with at Ohio State. Tippmann should still be viewed as the favorite, but Myers is getting a real shot at the job. — Zack Rosenblatt
Philadelphia Eagles
Cooper DeJean and Drew Mukuba may both have flexible roles in a secondary undergoing yet another significant turnover in personnel. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is still deploying DeJean at nickel, but moving him to outside cornerback opposite Quinyon Mitchell in base packages. Mukuba, the No. 64 pick, has been taking first-team snaps at safety — noteworthy in his battle with Sydney Brown — but he’s also playing slot with DeJean in dime packages. Fangio must find replacements for the offseason departures of Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Avonte Maddox. The flexing of DeJean and Mukuba speaks to the strengths of the two young DBs. But it also portends a weakness in depth. — Brooks Kubena
Pittsburgh Steelers
Anyone who has an opinion on how Aaron Rodgers looked in the Steelers’ offense this offseason (good or bad) either has an agenda or is completely making things up. The four-time NFL MVP missed the first two weeks of OTAs and then signed his one-year contract just ahead of minicamp. During the three practices Rodgers attended, he was a very limited participant. He threw to receivers only during the routes-on-air segments, flashing his trademark quick release. The 41-year-old QB was also relatively mobile during individual drills, at least for an athlete of his age. However, that’s just about all Rodgers did.
Rodgers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith plan to spend time this offseason finding middle ground between the pass-happy QB (who attempted the second-most passes in the league last year) and the run-heavy offensive coordinator (who called the fourth-most running plays in 2024). It will be interesting to see how it all comes together in training camp. But until Rodgers throws during seven-on-seven or 11-on-11 segments, everyone is just speculating. – Mike DeFabo
San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey is healthy again. Following a 2024 season marred by Achilles and knee issues, McCaffrey said his goal this spring was to be available for all of the 49ers’ OTA and minicamp sessions. And while he didn’t look quite like he did in the spring of 2023 — he was prominently intense in OTAs that year, foreshadowing his Offensive Player of the Year campaign — he didn’t have to sit out any sessions. That was a boost of confidence for the running back, who said he’ll be back to training as usual during the summer break, and to a 49ers offense that missed McCaffrey last season, especially in the red zone. — Matt Barrows
Seattle Seahawks
Cooper Kupp still has some juice. The Rams chose not to proceed with Kupp as their WR2 behind Puka Nacua. The Seahawks believe Kupp still has enough left to be a legitimate complementary piece to their Pro Bowl WR1, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kupp looked the part in the spring. He’s obviously not the same guy who won the triple crown in 2021 but OTAs and minicamp confirmed he still has enough wiggle, understanding of leverage and quickness to cause problems underneath and in the red zone. Kupp can still win with deception and high-level route running. — Michael-Shawn Dugar
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Haason Reddick had only one sack last season and skipped some offseason workouts, which led to uncertainty about his ability to impact the defense. But Reddick’s presence at minicamp was powerful. Reddick, who had 50 1/2 sacks between 2020 and 2023, hasn’t forgotten how to get to the quarterback, even though he had an awful 2024 with the Jets. At 30, he appears to be in his athletic prime, and is at the point in his life when knowledge and ability are intersecting quite nicely. Reddick also has been sharing his wisdom with younger Bucs pass rushers, but the way he can help them most is by attracting blockers. The expectation on this team is Reddick will have a productive season — and help teammates do the same. — Dan Pompei
Tennessee Titans
Rookie quarterback Cam Ward is everything the Titans hoped for, off the field. Ward is a natural leader and free-flowing trash talker who earned early respect with a light head butt of defensive star Jeff Simmons — the king of trash talkers — in minicamp. Simmons was trying to see if he could throw off the rookie and found, to his satisfaction, that he couldn’t. Ward is gathering teammates for early-morning sessions, getting sent home from the facility by coaches and handling media sessions with aplomb. Combine that with his arm talent and the ingredients for excessive preseason optimism are there. None of it means Ward can play the position in the NFL like a top overall pick, but it’s a good start. — Joe Rexrode
Washington Commanders
The Commanders’ cornerback room has a chance to be much improved. At this time last year, Benjamin St-Juste, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Michael Davis were the top outside options. All are justifiably gone, but their woes led to shifting rookie Mike Sainristil from the slot to the boundary and making a trade deadline deal for an injured Marshon Lattimore, who proceeded to struggle in the playoffs. Injuries have haunted Lattimore, but he arrived healthy for minicamp following needed rest. If available weekly, the four-time Pro Bowler and second-round rookie Trey Amos have potential as a viable tag-team against the NFC East’s star receivers. Ex-Patriot Jonathan Jones brings quality experience to the mix along with Sainristil, who may shift back to his natural inside role after impressing in his first season. — Ben Standig
(Photos of Daniel Jones and Aaron Rodgers: Justin Casterline and Joe Sargent / Getty Images)