The NFL season kicks off on Thursday night, and our panel of experts has weighed in with predictions for the year ahead. From the fallout of the Micah Parsons trade to the rise of mobile quarterbacks, here are the key storylines to watch.
Jerry Jones's decision to trade star edge-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers is set to be franchise-altering for both teams. Parsons is a one-of-a-kind pass-rushing force who generated more pressures than any defender since entering the league. With him on the field, the Cowboys had the No. 1 defense; without him, they fell to the second-worst unit. The revenge tour could be spectacular.
The running quarterback is becoming a defining trend. In 2024, Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels both rushed for over 1,000 yards, joining a select group in NFL history. With QBs like Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray also threats on the ground, designed quarterback runs could be amplified in 2025.
An exciting youth movement at quarterback sees six signal-callers aged 25 or under starting for playoff-contending teams. Jayden Daniels, CJ Stroud and Brock Purdy could become MVP candidates and lead deep postseason runs. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears, led by Caleb Williams and new coach Ben Johnson, are expected to gel as the season progresses before falling just short of the playoffs.
The Rams' hopes rest on a 37-year-old Matthew Stafford dealing with a herniated disc, while Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase will form the league's top quarterback-wide receiver duo but may not overcome defensive deficiencies. The Texans, with a patched offensive line and game-changing defenders, could drag deep into the postseason.
