Amidst a flurry of blockbuster trades, coaching shakeups, and bold draft maneuvers, teams wasted no time in reshaping their narratives—and potentially altering the playoff landscape as well. The upcoming NFL season is poised to deliver a plethora of surprises. Here are the most significant offseason moves that are sure to shake up the league in 2025:
1. Rams Acquire Davante Adams
Los Angeles revamped its offense by adding Davante Adams to the mix. With Cooper Kupp facing injury concerns, the Rams secured a proven star in Adams, who has consistently surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the past five years. This move provides quarterback Matthew Stafford with a reliable deep threat.
2. Cowboys Trade for George Pickens
In search of a vertical outside receiver to complement CeeDee Lamb, Dallas made a move to acquire George Pickens. Known for his big-play potential, Pickens comes with some maturity questions, but the Cowboys are banking on his talent. The trade represents a calculated risk for the team.
3. Bears Revamp Offensive Line
Chicago addressed its porous offensive line, which allowed a league-leading 68 sacks in 2024, by bringing in Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Drew Dalman to shore up the interior. The addition of draft pick Ozzy Trapilo adds competition at the tackle position.
4. Bengals Extend Chase and Higgins
Cincinnati made a significant investment of $275 million to retain Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. While defense remains a concern, securing their top offensive weapons ensures that the Bengals stay competitive and keeps their championship window open.
5. Raiders Bring in Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly
The coaching landscape in Las Vegas saw a surprising twist with the hiring of Pete Carroll as head coach, bringing a wealth of experience and stability to the team. Pairing him with Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator adds an unconventional yet potentially potent dynamic to the Raiders.
6. Commanders Trade for Tunsil and Samuel
Washington made bold moves by acquiring Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil to fortify the offensive line and trading for versatile receiver Deebo Samuel to provide support for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Paired with Terry McLaurin, this receiver duo adds a dynamic dimension to the team.
7. Seahawks Sign Sam Darnold
Seattle opted to sign Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal, parting ways with Geno Smith. The move reunites Darnold with Seahawks’ offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, banking on their familiarity to bring out the best in the quarterback and stabilize the offense.
8. Eagles Re-Sign Zack Baun
Philadelphia secured Zack Baun with a three-year, $51 million deal after his standout performance in 2024, leading the team in tackles and forced fumbles. Baun’s fit in Vic Fangio’s system provides the Eagles with a reliable defensive anchor.
9. Commanders Draft Conerly Jr.
Washington
After a disappointing season, Jacksonville decided to hit reset by bringing in Liam Coen to elevate Trevor Lawrence’s performance. Coen’s expertise in innovative run schemes and play-action is expected to unleash the potential of the team’s young offensive core, which now includes promising talents Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter.
Broncos Boost Defensive Core
The Broncos fortified their defense by acquiring Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, and retaining DJ Jones following a successful previous season. Greenlaw, a top linebacker in the league when healthy, adds strength to the team. Hufanga’s energetic play style and instincts enhance the defensive lineup. With their sights set on becoming the top defense, the Broncos appear to have assembled the necessary pieces to achieve that goal.
Bears Bring in Ben Johnson
After an unsuccessful attempt at pairing Caleb Williams with a defensive coach, Chicago changed course and hired Ben Johnson, a highly regarded offensive strategist. Johnson’s system played a key role in Jared Goff’s success in Detroit, sparking hope that he can similarly unlock Williams’ potential. This move could provide the stability the Bears need at the quarterback position.
Ravens Select Malaki Starks
With an already formidable secondary, Baltimore further strengthened their defense by drafting Malaki Starks, who adds even more intensity to the team. Starks’ versatility in coverage, tackling, and roaming the field, combined with Kyle Hamilton’s presence, gives the Ravens a dynamic safety duo that ranks among the best in the NFL.
Broncos Secure Talanoa Hufanga
Denver made a significant addition to their roster by signing Talanoa Hufanga, an instinctive safety known for his rapid decision-making and controlled aggression. Hufanga’s playing style aligns perfectly with Vance Joseph’s defensive strategy, and once he fully recovers from injury, he is expected to be a valuable asset to an already deep secondary.
