New Stars and Dark Horses: What to Watch in the 2025 NFL Season

New Stars and Dark Horses: What to Watch in the 2025 NFL Season

2025-07-16

Every NFL season writes a new story, and 2025 will be no different. Established superstars will do their thing, but a fresh wave of talent is poised to crash the scene. Meanwhile, a few under-the-radar teams are gearing up to defy expectations and make playoff runs. From rising young players ready to become household names to sleeper teams that could turn heads, here’s a comprehensive look at the new stars and dark horses of the 2025 NFL season.

Passing the Torch: A New Generation Steps Up

The NFL is in the midst of a generational transition. Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen a number of iconic veterans hang up their cleats, opening the door for younger stars to shine. This past offseason alone saw several big names announce their retirement:

  • Derek Carr – Four-time Pro Bowl quarterback, most recently with the Saints.
  • Julio Jones – Likely Hall of Fame wide receiver, retiring after 13 seasons.
  • Patrick Peterson – Eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback.
  • Jason Peters & Tyron Smith – Elite offensive tackles with over a decade of dominance.
  • Ndamukong Suh – Five-time All-Pro defensive tackle and Super Bowl champion.

With these pillars of the last decade stepping away, it’s the younger generation’s time. Quarterbacks like Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, and Jackson are established elites, but a wave of new talent is right behind them, especially after the QB-heavy 2024 draft.

Young Quarterbacks to Watch

  • J.J. McCarthy (Vikings): A 2024 top-10 pick, now the full-time starter in Minnesota. High ceiling, strong arm, and surrounded by a good supporting cast.
  • Shedeur Sanders (Giants): Possibly New York’s new franchise QB, with top-tier poise and lineage.
  • Cam Ward (Titans): No. 1 overall pick in 2025. Massive arm talent. The Titans hope he’s their long-awaited QB answer.

Skill Position Breakouts

  • Keon Coleman (Panthers) and Rome Odunze (Saints): Rookie wideouts expected to be focal points.
  • Braelon Allen (Bengals): Power runner with breakaway speed.
  • Travis Hunter (Browns): Two-way phenom. Likely to star at corner, with offensive snaps sprinkled in.

Defensive Talent on the Rise

  • Abdul Carter (Bears): No. 3 overall pick at linebacker. Sideline-to-sideline threat.
  • Jermaine Johnson (Jets): Returning from injury. Double-digit sack upside.
  • Benjamin Morrison (Buccaneers): Rookie CB with elite instincts.

Breakout Candidates

  • Justin Fields (Jets): A do-over in New York could finally unlock his potential. Dual-threat upside remains high.
  • Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions): Now the clear RB1. Expect a big jump in usage and output.
  • Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars): Poised for elite production. The offense is fully his.
  • Pat Surtain II (Broncos): Could take over as the NFL’s top cornerback in 2025.

Teams That Could Surprise

Atlanta Falcons

  • Kirk Cousins + Michael Penix Jr. give them QB flexibility.
  • Weak division, strong ground game, and improved defense.

New York Jets

  • Expectations are low, but the defense is elite.
  • If Fields rebounds, they can contend for a Wild Card.

Chicago Bears

  • Defense is being rebuilt.
  • High draft capital invested in offensive weapons and front seven.

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Always in the mix. New weapons like DK Metcalf and veteran QB Russell Wilson add intrigue.

League-Wide Trends to Monitor

Offensive Evolution vs. Defensive Adjustments

  • Will the offense-dominant trends continue?
  • Defenses are countering with lighter, faster personnel and two-high shells.

Second-Year Coaches Taking Steps Forward

  • Coaches like Frank Reich (Panthers) and DeMeco Ryans (Texans) entering year two.
  • Often the year when systems click and progress is visible.

Health & 17-Game Scheduling Impact

  • More injuries = more need for depth.
  • Strategic player rest becoming more common, especially for playoff teams.

Analytics-Driven Aggression

  • 4th-down and 2-point decisions increasingly analytics-based.
  • Expect even more teams to follow the aggressive model popularized by Dan Campbell and others.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 NFL season isn’t just about familiar faces—it's about who’s next. New quarterbacks will rise, fresh stars will shine, and surprise teams will rewrite expectations. Whether you're a fantasy junkie, casual fan, or sports bettor, keeping tabs on these emerging trends and talents will give you a huge edge.

Stay sharp, stay flexible, and above all, enjoy the ride. The NFL is entering a new era—and it promises to be wildly entertaining.