The NFL Season Begins!
The NFL training camp is finally here. After an offseason full of roster changes and coaching moves, all 32 teams are preparing to give their all in their quest for Super Bowl LX. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens are two teams that have retained many of their offensive starters, hoping to recreate or even exceed playoff expectations. The Eagles return with 10 of their 11 offensive starters, while the Ravens continue to build their team around Lamar Jackson. The AFC West is ready and loaded with experienced coaching talent, and the Detroit Lions could be at the end of their championship window after both coordinators left to take head coaching positions elsewhere. In addition, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Alofoke Deportes presents an analysis of the main stories and projections of the 53 players who will be on each team. Get ready for action!AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
The big question mark: Will the revamped defense yield results? The Bills begin the 2025 season with high expectations. Through the draft and free agency, the team made it clear that it needed to improve last year’s unit, prioritizing and revamping the defensive line. Work was done in the offseason to retain some key players for the long term, including the contract extension of defensive end Greg Rousseau and cornerback Christian Benford, in addition to adding veterans like defensive end Joey Bosa. The uncertainty lies in how the new group will come together on the field with the new additions (six defensive players in total selected in the draft, three defensive linemen), the doubts about Bosa’s health and the situation of linebacker Matt Milano, while two linemen will be suspended for the first six games.Miami Dolphins
The big unknown: Although Jalen Ramsey didn’t officially leave the Dolphins until the end of June, the big question at the start of training camp is the same one that persisted before the OTAs and minicamp: Who will take Ramsey’s place?Nothing the Dolphins did in the months leading up to the Ramsey trade suggested they were preparing for life without him; they signed veteran Artie Burns, who hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2019, and selected Jason Marshall Jr. in the fifth round. General manager Chris Grier publicly challenged third-year cornerback Cam Smith to perform in a crucial season for the former second-round pick, and the team would love for him to earn one of the starting spots in training camp.
New England Patriots
The big unknown: Almost 50% of the roster has been revamped in Mike Vrabel’s first season as head coach, but it’s a returning player, Drake Maye, who holds the ultimate key to a successful training camp. Vrabel referred to Maye as a “dynamic young quarterback” in his introductory press conference, saying that Maye was an important part of what made the Patriots’ head coaching job so attractive to him. How Maye adapts to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ scheme and elevates those around him will be fundamental in Vrabel’s overall plan for New England to become a playoff contender again. Joint practices with the Commanders (Jayden Daniels) and the Vikings (J.J. McCarthy) will provide a benchmark of Maye’s progress in camp.New York Jets
The big question mark: Can the Jets break their streak of nine consecutive seasons as one of the 10 worst offenses in scoring? Obviously, Aaron Rodgers and his chosen coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, were not the solution. Now the Jets turn their hopeful eyes towards quarterback Justin Fields and first-time offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. The Jets believe Fields can be this year’s Sam Darnold and finally live up to his first-round pick status. The plan is to emphasize the running game, which will include running back Breece Hall and an offensive line loaded with high draft picks. New coach Aaron Glenn wants to establish an intimidation mentality. It’s been a long time since the Jets scared anyone with their offense.AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
The big question: Is this the year Lamar Jackson leads the Ravens to the Super Bowl? Baltimore has put Jackson in a position to overcome this postseason obstacle by assembling one of the best rosters in the NFL. The Ravens retain all but four starters from last season’s AFC North champion team and added two former Pro Bowl players, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and cornerback Jaire Alexander.There really isn’t an obvious weakness in the Ravens, whose offense led the NFL in total yards last season and whose defense allowed the fewest points (15.4) in the last seven games of 2024. Therefore, the most important key for Baltimore is to get through training camp as healthy as possible and learn from the mistakes of the past.
I’m not going to say we underperformed, but we have underperformed. I feel like we’ve had teams with championship caliber… I don’t think we’re too far off.
Marlon Humphrey
Cincinnati Bengals
The big question: Can the Bengals be a playoff team again? Last year represented a great missed opportunity for Cincinnati. The Bengals squandered the career years of quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, and defensive end Trey Hendrickson and failed, for the second year in a row, to reach the postseason. A few years ago, the Bengals were poised to become a perennial Super Bowl contender. But a season-ending injury to Burrow in 2023 and struggles in 2024 prevented Cincinnati from returning to its previous heights. When training camp begins, there will be no excuses for the Bengals not to make the postseason and compete for their first AFC title since 2021.
Cleveland Browns
The big question: Will Kevin Stefanski’s return to the offensive result in more success? In the last two seasons, the Browns remodeled their offense to adapt to Deshaun Watson, who remains sidelined after suffering a setback in the recovery from a torn Achilles tendon. However, Cleveland is ready to return to the scheme that Stefanski executed in his first three seasons as head coach, with a focus on improving the running game. There is familiarity in the offense, but do the Browns have the personnel? In addition to bringing in four new quarterbacks to compete for the starting position, Cleveland selected two running backs (Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson) and a tight end (Harold Fannin Jr.) who may need to contribute heavily as rookies. The Browns will also need another wide receiver to step up opposite Jerry Jeudy, who is one of only two receivers on the roster to record 50 receptions in a season.Pittsburgh Steelers
The big unknown: How does the Steelers’ offense look with Aaron Rodgers? For the second year in a row, the Steelers are heading to training camp with a new veteran quarterback. A year ago, Russell Wilson entered camp in a “privileged position” over Justin Fields, but Wilson missed most of the camp due to a calf strain suffered during the team’s opening night conditioning test. This time, Rodgers will be the undisputed starter when the team takes the field, but it remains to be seen how he will fit in with the Steelers’ offensive players and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme. Rodgers joined the team just before the June minicamp, but only participated in individual periods. The training camp will be the first time the Steelers see Rodgers in the offense and the first opportunity to really evaluate how well he is operating two years after a torn Achilles tendon that ended the season.AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
The big unknown: All eyes will be on how the Texans’ offense fits together. Last season, quarterback C.J. Stroud was pressured on 38.6% of his dropbacks, the third most in the NFL according to NFL Next Gen Stats, resulting in him being sacked 52 times, the second most in the league. Therefore, the Texans revamped the offense. Houston sent Pro Bowler left tackle Laremy Tunsil and guards Shaq Mason and Kenyon Green. To replace that trio, which totaled 41 starts in 2024, Houston signed tackle Cam Robinson, tackle Trent Brown, and left guard Laken Tomlinson, while trading for former Minnesota Vikings right guard Ed Ingram. They also fired former offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and hired Nick Caley in his place. Training camp will focus on how the offensive line and play calls look, as Houston aims to get back on the road to the Super Bowl.Indianapolis Colts
The big question mark: This is shaping up to be a crucial training camp and season for the Colts, as it is expected to determine the future of their leadership. General Manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen are generally considered to be on the hot seat after the late owner Jim Irsay contemplated changes after last season. Irsay passed away in May, and his three daughters are now in charge, bringing with them their stated high expectations. The Colts haven’t reached the playoffs since 2020 and haven’t won a postseason game since 2018. That might have to change if Ballard and Steichen want to avoid a change of scenery. The Colts are at a crossroads after this season, with numerous key players approaching free agency and with the team scheduled to have more than $70 million in salary cap space next spring. Whether the current regime continues to navigate the team through those waters will likely depend on the outcome of this season.Jacksonville Jaguars
The big question: Will Travis Hunter really be a regular two-way player in 2025? While there may be doubts across the league, there are none within the franchise. Hunter will play significant snaps on each side of the ball as a rookie. The Jaguars had him spend most of his time on offense in the spring because that’s more difficult to learn than defense, but Hunter spent a few days on defense. The plan for the training camp is for him to have more time on defense, which includes taking snaps on each side of the ball during certain practices. As for how many snaps Hunter will play on each side of the ball each week, that will depend on each opponent and game plan. There may be some weeks where he plays more on defense, for example, in Week 2, when the Jaguars face Cincinnati’s receiver duo Chase and Tee Higgins. But General Manager James Gladstone and Head Coach Liam Coen are adamant: Hunter will be a regular two-way player.
Tennessee Titans
The big question mark: Is Cameron Ward ready to be the starting quarterback? Given the surgery that ended Will Levis’ season, the Titans don’t have much choice. Ward will now receive all the first-team reps as Titans head coach Brian Callahan looks to get him up to speed during camp. Callahan gave Levis the starting job last season, while Mason Rudolph and Malik Willis battled for the backup spot. He wanted to avoid repeating that decision this year, but the current quarterback room features Ward and free agent additions Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle. Callahan plans to use some of the concepts that helped Ward excel in college to create an environment where he feels comfortable and can succeed. Adjustments to the playbook will be based on Ward’s strengths and preferences, rather than forcing him into a rigid system. This was exactly the plan that Callahan was a part of with the Bengals under Zac Taylor when they selected Joe Burrow first overall in 2020. Joint practices with the Falcons before the second preseason game and with the Buccaneers before the final preseason game will allow Ward to demonstrate his readiness.AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
The big question: What adjustments will Sean Payton make in year 2 with quarterback Bo Nix? Many of the short and intermediate routes that Nix used so successfully in a rookie season with 29 touchdowns will likely be much harder to achieve, as defensive coaches will likely push Nix to throw more passes outside the numbers. Nix’s effectiveness as a runner will no longer be the surprise it was last season. The way Payton expands his quarterback’s passing game portfolio, builds a more effective running game, and utilizes free agent signing tight end Evan Engram, in a position that has had little impact, will be three of the most important pieces of the puzzle.Kansas City Chiefs
The big question: Can rookie Josh Simmons solve the Chiefs’ long-standing problem at left tackle? The Chiefs spent their first-round pick on Simmons, believing he can do it.Patrick Mahomes was sacked more times last year (36) than in any other season. The Chiefs tried four different left tackles, benching the first three for underperformance, but never got consistent play at the position. Simmons is coming off a patellar tendon injury, but participated during the offseason practice, and the Chiefs were confident he would be ready for full contact during training camp. The Chiefs signed a free agent, Jaylon Moore, to handle the position if Simmons can’t.
Las Vegas Raiders
The big question: How realistic is Pete Carroll’s goal of immediate success? Carroll doesn’t want to waste time. Since he entered the building, he has strived to turn the Raiders into a winning team in his first season. But how realistic is his plan? On paper, the Las Vegas offense should be good enough to give opposing defenses problems. Whether the Raiders can be a team that hovers around a .500 record will depend on defensive players like Christian Wilkins and Malcolm Koonce returning to full form and some of the rookies becoming solid contributors immediately. Outside of running back Ashton Jeanty, who is expected to be the center of the offense, wide receivers Dont’e Thornton and Jack Bech and cornerback Darien Porter…
