Inside: Eight storylines that will help shape 2025, including Myles Garrett, Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford, the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold, the Steelers, Titans and Tee Higgins.
The end of each Super Bowl begins the race for another, regardless of what the NFL’s official calendar says. You can find post-Super Bowl Power Rankings here. Let’s go.
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Eight questions for the 2025 NFL offseason
Entering the offseason, the Lions are hoping to stay healthy, the Raiders are searching for a franchise quarterback and the Browns just got bad news. Familiar all around, huh?
Still, much is subject to change. To ensure you’re prepared, I’ve written a syllabus for this offseason. Here are the storylines to follow:
1. Which contender lands Myles Garrett?
Unlike former Browns legends such as Hall of Fame left tackle Joe Thomas, the 29-year-old All-Pro has no plans to go from Cleveland to Canton. He made multiple media appearances last week, emphasizing his trade demand. He wants a move to a contender, though Cleveland’s front office has told suitors, “We are not moving him … but stay tuned.” 👀
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Make no mistake, Garrett is in his prime. In 2024, he led the league in quarterback pressures and pass-rush win rate. He could be the missing piece for Buffalo, Washington or either Los Angeles franchise.
After Sunday, when Philadelphia confirmed Patrick Mahomes’ kryptonite is a strong defensive line, the Bills should be on the phone. Don’t forget Buffalo traded with these Browns for receiver Amari Cooper a few months ago.
2. Will the Rams really move on from Cooper Kupp? Will Matthew Stafford go too?
I can’t help but think about how Los Angeles was the only team that tested the Eagles in these playoffs. Remember, the Rams were 13 yards short of beating the eventual champs. Yet instead of running it back, this team could look drastically different.
They are actively looking to trade Kupp, who turns 32 in June. The former Super Bowl MVP’s injuries have caught up with him, and it’s unlikely the Rams consider him worth his $29.7 million cap hit. Kupp could be moved before his $7.5 million roster bonus on March 19.
As for Stafford, the Rams front office has refused to commit to him publicly as their starter in 2025, but the 37-year-old can still rip it:
Is there a chance they both land in New York? The internet was abuzz after Adam Schefter reported the Giants hired Stafford’s brother-in-law as their assistant quarterbacks coach, though it feels unlikely to me that Sean McVay lets Stafford leave L.A.
3. How will the 49ers respond to … many different things?
It feels like a crucial offseason for the hosts of next year’s Super Bowl, as the Niners sport the sixth-best odds of getting there, per BetMGM, one year after starting 2024 with the highest odds.
After their 6-11 disappointment, can returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh recreate his 2019 magic? Is star running back Christian McCaffrey healthy, and can he stay that way? Does quarterback Brock Purdy reset the quarterback market with his impending contract?
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Our earliest answer might be on the status of disgruntled receiver Deebo Samuel, who has permission to find a trade partner.
4. Annual question: Aaron Rodgers?
With the Jets expected to move on from the 41-year-old quarterback, our Zack Rosenblatt considered a whopping 20 potential replacements.
Per Zack, current backup Tyrod Taylor “is the early favorite … and is beloved by many in the Jets locker room, namely Garrett Wilson.” Alternatively, a staff filled with former Lions coaches could target Jared Goff’s backup, former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker.
As for Rodgers, I’d expect his schedule includes a cave retreat and some equally contemplative podcast appearances. Is he done, as suggested by his uneven 2024? Or perhaps the recovery from his Achilles injury just wasn’t as smooth as he suggested? Could he return to MVP form with a new organization? As always, whichever answer Rodgers gives will raise many more questions.
Dianna has more on Rodgers below, and then we’ll get back to this list.
What Dianna’s Hearing: Why it’s over for Rodgers and the Jets
The biggest non-Super Bowl development on Sunday was the news that the Aaron Rodgers era is over for the New York Jets.
When the Jets had conversations with him about a potential return, I was told that they set some boundaries: He’d have to attend all training camp practices, and he’d no longer be permitted to do his Pat McAfee Show appearances. It wasn’t nearly like his recruitment from two offseasons ago. More broadly, it makes clear new head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey are putting an emphasis on individual accountability.
Back to you, Jacob.
5. Will the Vikings let Sam Darnold go?
It’s rare that a team allows a quarterback under 30 who wins 11-plus games to become available in free agency. But the Vikings have done it recently.
In 2017, 29-year-old journeyman QB Case Keenum’s first year as a Viking, he set new career highs in wins, passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage. He was a strong candidate for Comeback Player of the Year, having been automatically granted the starting role after his competition went down with an injury (Sam Bradford). Sound familiar?
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Minnesota chose not to franchise-tag him. He landed with the Broncos, where his struggles resumed.
This year, the Vikings must again decide whether to tag a one-year wonder. Do you keep the 27-year-old Darnold in case 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy doesn’t pan out? They have $58 million in cap space, so a one-year tag is possible, albeit expensive ($41.3 million). But McCarthy recently resumed on-field training, so maybe that money could be invested elsewhere.
6. Which quarterback will start for the Steelers?
This has been Pittsburgh’s question since Ben Roethlisberger took his last snap. They tried two answers in 2024, trading for Justin Fields and signing Russell Wilson, but neither delivered a long-elusive playoff win.
Both are impending free agents, so it’s decision time. Our recent 2025 mock draft sees Pittsburgh drafting Ohio State QB Will Howard in the third round, while owner Art Rooney II has said he’d like to bring back either Fields or Wilson. Expect Pittsburgh to explore every option, including potential free agents like Rodgers or Kirk Cousins.
7. Who will go No. 1 in the draft? And which team makes that pick?
While NFL insiders are skeptical of this year’s quarterback class, there’s plenty of talent elsewhere.
Pass rusher Abdul Carter, built in the mold of fellow Penn State alum Micah Parsons, is second on Dane Brugler’s Big Board. Carter is a game wrecker:
He’s behind only Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter, who has “a sky-high ceiling at cornerback,” per Dane. Miami QB Cam Ward is the top-ranked passer but 15th in Dane’s rankings.
As for which team picks first, it’s still uncertain. There have been multiple reports that the Titans might trade back, given their long list of needs and the chance of another team selling out to move up for Ward or Shedeur Sanders.
If the Titans keep the pick, team president Chad Brinker has said they won’t pass on a “generational talent,” which should mean either Carter or Hunter.
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8. Where will Tee Higgins land?
In Paul Dehner Jr.’s 10-step path for the Bengals to return to a Super Bowl, he starts with a note that “in a vacuum, moving on from Higgins is the correct football move,” but notes Joe Burrow’s lobbying, Higgins’ improvement and a roster lacking top-end talent make it critical that the Bengals extend the 26-year-old WR this offseason.
If they fail to come to an agreement, it’s likely the Patriots, Panthers, Commanders or Broncos are willing to meet Higgins’ demand. For any of those quarterbacks, he would provide a desperately needed passing option.
Yesterday’s most-clicked: Jake Ciely’s Super Bowl commercial rankings, led by David Beckham.
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(Photo: Mitchell Leff, Norm Hall / Getty Images)
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