At the start of a new year, while some are thinking about their resolutions and others are still debating the quality of the last Bye bye, The Press offers you a series of articles highlighting five stories to follow in 2025 in different disciplines. Today, the NFL.
Published at 5:00 a.m.
Who can beat the Chiefs?
PHOTO GREGORY FISHER, ARCHIVES IMAGN IMAGES
Josh Allen (17), quarterback of the Buffalo Bills
The Kansas City Chiefs have represented the American Association in the Super Bowl four times in the last five years. Until Patrick Mahomes hangs up his cleats, KC will be the team to beat every year. But never in five years have we seen them so fragile. In addition, Mahomes seems bothered by various injuries. If a team wants to sneak into the Finals and temporarily end the Chiefs’ hegemony, this is the year they need to do it. The Buffalo Bills appear to be the Chiefs’ biggest rivals. Josh Allen and his gang are playing inspired football and nothing seems to be able to shake the 6’5″ quarterback. The Baltimore Ravens can also aspire to the title. Lamar Jackson is having another thunderous season and the addition of Derrick Henry improves their chances.
Who will help Joe Burrow?
PHOTO KAREEM ELGAZZAR, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
If it were just Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals would have been named in the previous paragraph. The Bengals nugget has had a masterful season. He has thrown at least three touchdown passes in half of his team’s games. With Ja’Marr Chase, his eternal accomplice, the quarterback piloted one of the most devastating attacks in the NFL. But Burrow and Chase are alone on their island. Even the captain, the millionaire and his wife deserted her. Bengals leaders have a reputation for being very little spenders; they will have to help their quarterback during the offseason. Burrow is wasting the best years of his career. Their two priorities will be to find a running back and a second receiver.
Who will be the first pick in the draft?
PHOTO LYNNE SLADKY, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cam Ward, University of Miami quarterback
While the order of the NFL draft remains to be determined at the time of writing, the identity of the top three prospects has been sealed for a few weeks. University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward, University of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and University of Colorado receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter make up the top three. Now, only the teams’ draft rank will influence the order in which these three exceptional talents are drafted. If the New York Giants inherit the No. 1 seed, they will choose a quarterback. Ward also seems to enjoy a slight lead. However, if it is the New England Patriots, who can already count on the excellent Drake Maye, Hunter should go ahead of the others. Another factor to consider: where Shedeur goes, dad Deion will follow.
Movements in sight
PHOTO ERIC CHRISTIAN SMITH, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Stefon Diggs, receiver for the Houston Texans
Last year, running backs monopolized the attention when the free agent market opened. Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs stole the show and they all excelled in their first year with their new team. This year, the receivers will be the big stars. Stefon Diggs, Tee Higgins, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Chris Godwin and De’Andre Hopkins will become free agents at the end of the season. Clubs like the Packers, Commanders, Chiefs, Bills, Chargers and Broncos should be aggressive. There will also be several quarterbacks available on March 12. Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are among them. Guard Trey Smith, safety Jevon Holland and running back Aaron Jones could also change teams.
A shift rotation to be expected
PHOTO LINDSEY WASSON, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings quarterback
The quarterback position is the most important, sensitive and determining position in all of professional sport. However, several teams will desperately need a new quarterback in 2025. The Giants, Titans, Raiders, Browns, Jets, Colts, Cowboys and Seahawks could all be tempted via the draft, a trade or the free agent market. There will also be two interesting files to follow. First of all, what will the Vikings do? Will they give Sam Darnold a long-term contract or will they think about the future by handing the reins of the team to JJ McCarthy? Next, where will Kirk Cousins end up and at what cost? The Falcons will continue with Michael Penix, and Cousins is likely to play elsewhere in 2025.
