| This from Scott Kacsmar: @ScottKacsmarNFC Championship Game Appearances Since 1996 8 – Eagles, 49ers, Packers4 – Rams, Panthers, Falcons, Vikings3 – Giants, Seahawks, Bucs, Saints2 – Bears, Cardinals1 – Lions, Commanders 0 – Cowboys We saw this and wondered where the Cowboys ranked on the NFC regular season wins list in that period. Top five? And the answer is fourth: WINS SINCE 1996, NFC TEAMS 1 Packers 296 2 Eagles 266 3 Vikings 257 4 Cowboys 251 5 Saints 243 6 49ers 236 7 Falcons 226 8 Buccaneers 224 9 Rams 219 10 Giants 217 11 Seahawks 214 12 Panthers 212 13 Bears 207 14 Commanders 203 15 Cardinals 198 16 Lions 185 The Cowboys have 5 playoff wins, which ranks 13th in the NFC in that span, Speaking of the Cowboys, they may have improved their chances of eventually getting back to a Championship Game – while hurting their chances of doing so in 2025 with the big trade Thursday. MICAH TO GREEN BAYEarlier on Thursday came word that the Cowboys were listening to trade offers for EDGE MICAH PARSONS. And by late afternoon, the Packers had acquired him – and agreed to a contract. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com with the explanation from Jerry Jones: Jerry Jones insists the Cowboys got better Thursday despite trading a generational player to a conference rival. The owner cited the cap space, the draft picks and the defensive tackle the Cowboys got in return. Dallas freed up $19 million by swapping Parsons for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and now have $42 million in cap space for 2025. That gives them room to sign some other players to contract extensions, most notably cornerback DaRon Bland and left guard Tyler Smith. “[We got] a lot of capital that is required to build a team,” Jones said. “It takes many players, to be trite, to play in the NFL. It takes 11 on the field at the same time. It takes a minimum of 30 or 40 — at minimum — to have both offense and defense, not including players who are involved in our special teams. So, it takes more than one. You do have to allocate your resources whether it be draft picks or whether it be finances. There was no question in our mind that [Micah] could bring a lot of resources in a trade. That has been on my mind since we hired Brian [Schottenheimer]. So, there was no question.” Jones said the Cowboys could use the two first-round picks now to trade for a player. (Yes, he and executive vice president Stephen Jones said this.) Or they could use those picks to get anywhere from “three to five” players. (Even though the Packers’ picks the next two years figure to be in the 20s or 30s.) “Those draft picks could get top, Pro Bowl-type players,” Jones said. “Could. Not necessarily. Let me be quick to say: You won’t necessarily get those players. You’ve got to draft them or acquire them. But they can get us as few as three or as many as five outstanding players. Now, not only do they contribute in a game that needs a lot of players on the field — not to be elementary — but they also give you better odds that they’re going to be a high percentage of those are going to be available just from the standpoint of attrition or from the standpoint of just sheer limit on how far one player can go. Very few players are Deion [Sanders] playing a hundred plays a game.” Clark, a three-time Pro Bowler, solves a big problem on the team. He immediately shores up a run defense that allowed more than 100 yards in 12 games last season and more than 140 eight times. As Todd Archer of ESPN pointed out, the Cowboys have allowed 425 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 103 carries in their past three playoff losses to the 49ers (2021-22) and Packers (2023). “Kenny Clark is a big part of this,” Stephen Jones said. “That was a big part of winning right now, and we feel like when you look at the frustration is we hadn’t been able to win the big games in the playoffs, and we think it is a direction connection to not being able to stop the run. And we think Kenny Clark is going to be a big piece to that. We felt like because of our depth on the edge, as well as the ability to scheme pressure, that we could make up for Micah because obviously he’s elite at rushing the passer that we can make up for that.” In the past four seasons, the Cowboys have made the postseason three times with a 1-3 record. Now, they’ve lost their best player, a player on a Hall of Fame trajectory. But Jerry Jones said, with a straight face, that the Cowboys somehow became better today. “In our judgment this gives us a better chance to be a better team than we have been the last several years,” Jones said. The Cowboys went 7-10 last season but won 12 games for three consecutive seasons before that. Michael Silver of The Athletic notes “The Gambler” punting to America’s most conservative team, now acting boldly: The enduring narratives are so ingrained, they’re almost boring. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, recently rechristened “The Gambler,” is an 82-year-old man who, we’re assured, is desperate to win another Super Bowl. He’s not shy about engaging in high-profile contract standoffs but has a knack for theatrical deal-striking in the nick of time. Conversely, the Green Bay Packers, a franchise without an actual owner, exist on the other end of the NFL continuum. Risk averse and partial to playing the long game, the Packers’ Powers That Be, for as long as we can remember, have quietly implemented a draft-and-develop strategy while shying away from splashy acquisitions. Those are the stereotypes attached to the people in charge of these franchises with massive, multinational fan bases — until now. Thursday, one of the biggest blockbuster trades in NFL history smashed all of that to pieces, like a cheesehead crushing a cowboy figurine. A week before America’s Team will open the regular season in Philadelphia against the defending Super Bowl champions, Jones traded star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers for two first-round draft picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark. It’s a reasonably impressive haul for the Cowboys, but it hardly screams “all in” for 2025. With an untested rookie coach in Brian Schottenheimer and a big “L” in a messy standoff with a star player and his powerful agent, Jones can’t even pretend to flex. He might be a master at generating hype, but this is reality: His franchise appears even further from ending a three-decade run without a conference title game appearance than it did a day ago. As for the Packers? Well, welcome to the 21st century. For all the frustrations endured by players, coaches and fans during a 30-year stretch in which the front office coasted off the excellence of first-ballot Hall of Fame-caliber quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers — while declining, for the most part, to take big swings — a sense of urgency has finally arrived in Titletown. By trading for a 26-year-old superstar, and paying Parsons $188 million over four years (more than any non-quarterback in NFL history), the Packers have made it clear that they’re the real gamblers. Beginning next Sunday at Lambeau Field, when Green Bay opens its season against the NFC North-rival Detroit Lions, fans might want to replace those “Go Pack Go” chants with “Go for Broke.” Jones can comfort himself by lauding the short-term importance of acquiring Clark, who turns 30 in October (while playing a less-marquee position than Parsons), and the long-term potential garnered via the draft capital. Good luck with that. The hard, cold truth is that, unless and until the Cowboys win another Super Bowl, this deal will be framed as a resounding defeat. In this case, Jones earned the enmity coming his way from the team’s fans. To review: The owner/GM tried to bamboozle Parsons, and circumvent NFL Players Association protocol, by discussing contract terms without the involvement of agent David Mulugheta. When Parsons subsequently balked at the alleged “deal,” Jones essentially pitched a fit, refusing for months to engage with the agent. Three weeks ago, when my colleague Dianna Russini reported on how badly the situation had degenerated — after which Parsons, who never believed a deal had been struck, publicly requested a trade — Jones pooh-poohed it, telling fans (via the media), “Don’t lose any sleep over it.” As I wrote at the time: Dream on. It turns out that Stay woke would have been a better mantra. Either the owner didn’t understand who had the leverage, or he was committed to self-sabotage — but he definitely made some unforced errors. Last week, for example, Jones further inflamed the situation by telling ex-Cowboys great Michael Irvin, on the Hall of Fame receiver’s podcast, that after he and Parsons had discussed numbers in March, “When we wanted to send the details to the agent, the agent told us to stick it up our ass.” Yes, it was hyperbole and should have been regarded as such. No, it wasn’t helpful. Even worse, Jones’ tone was delusional. Throughout the saga, he acted like the party with all the power. Jones insisted he could force Parsons to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal and, potentially, apply the franchise tag for each of the next two seasons. He also had many people convinced that a deal might be struck in the final days before the season opener, mirroring past signings of offensive stars Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and CeeDee Lamb. However, Jones seems to have underestimated his opponents. Parsons, citing a back injury, refrained from practicing and might have been willing to insist he was too hurt to play once the real games began. Mulugheta, who employed a similar strategy with client Jalen Ramsey that successfully forced a trade during the 2019 regular season, does not come off as a man who cavalierly bluffs. In the end, Jones blinked. To his credit, he got a nice return from the Packers under the circumstances. Yet, at least for now, that won’t stop many in the Dallas Metroplex from comparing him to Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, whose decision in February to trade then-25-year-old superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers has been lambasted as one of the most disastrous in NBA history. In retrospect, Jones — if unwilling to negotiate with Mulugheta — should have seen this trainwreck coming and traded Parsons in April, when he could have used at least one of those Green Bay-provided draft picks to get his team some immediate help. Now, he’ll likely have to wait until spring to try to find another elite edge rusher. Meanwhile, at Lambeau Field, they’re harboring visions of another Lombardi Trophy. As the 2025 season approaches, all that glitters is green and gold. The Packers have made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and five times since Matt LaFleur became the coach in 2019. Could Parsons’ presence help get them over the hump, the way the free-agent signing of future first-ballot Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White did 32 years ago? We can’t give you that answer conclusively, but it should be a hell of a lot of fun finding out. General manager Brian Gutekunst, once reportedly derided by Rodgers in group texts as “Jerry Krause” for what the quarterback deemed a ruinous approach to team-building, now has that Howie Roseman glow as he struts around Lambeau. And as for newly installed Packers CEO Ed Policy? At the next owners’ meeting, he should roll up rocking Gucci slippers and a Hugh Hefner-style red velvet smoking jacket. Policy, 54, presumably has many more years to cultivate that image, should he so choose. Jones, for all the attention being generated by his recently dropped Netflix docuseries, has to feel a bit jealous. The bottom line is this: The Gambler just got rid of one of the league’s best players, a young man seemingly entering the prime of his career, because of the owner’s own flaws: stubbornness, a lack of urgency, and miscalculations of his adversaries and of the market. As a result, Green Bay just got glitzier — and America’s Team appears pretty damn far from Super. Some random thoughts: Jane Slater@SlaterNFLI spoke with Micah Parsons this evening. He says “genuinely gonna miss ya’ll” He says he and his team went back to the Cowboys about an extension with “empathy” when the trade interest was leaked this week. The Cowboys response according to Parsons was “play on the 5th year or leave” The state of Dallas sports: @AdamSchefterThe city of Dallas has now seen both Micah Parsons and Luka Dončić — each currently just 26 years old — traded away in 2025. Not sure how the tax math works here, but a point counterpoint Shan Shariff@1053SSMicah wanted 4 yearsJerry offered 5 Micah got $47 per Jerry offered 40.5 Sparked this reply – @chriscatenacci$48m in Green Bay after taxes = $26,145,257 $40m in Dallas after taxes = $25,241,812 Thanks to David Mulugheta, Micah Parsons now gets to live in Green Bay, Wisconsin all for a raise of $900,000! This – @barstoolsportsMichael Irvin one minute before the trade news dropped: “I guarantee Micah Parsons is not going anywhere” Agree with Clay Travis? @ClayTravisI’d rather have the two first round draft picks than give Micah Parsons nearly $200 million. Cowboys will get ripped for this trade, but I think it’s the right move if that’s the cost. They weren’t a Super Bowl team with him, still aren’t without him. Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com called up some contacts inside the league for reaction: To gauge the ripple effects of this stunning deal, CBS Sports reached out to executives around the NFL. Their reactions paint a clearer picture of how this trade is being received inside league circles — from disbelief at Dallas’ decision to admiration for Green Bay’s aggressive swing. NFC North personnel staffer: “Luka trade 2.0. In-conference is crazy. Shows how much Jerry’s ego was involved. Those first-round picks aren’t worth much because Green Bay should be a playoff contender the next few years. You don’t trade a generational player, especially one who’s not a criminal and has no off-field issues. It’s malpractice.” NFC North defensive backs coach: “Initial thought was sheesh, another piece added to an already young and talented roster. Losing Kenny does balance it out a little bit but rushing the passer is a premium.” AFC outside linebackers coach: “I’m happy for (Dallas Mavericks GM) Nico Harrison! This might be the worst trade ever! Clark is 29 and the two first rounders don’t help you until (starting) next year!” AFC director of player personnel: “Two first round picks over the next 2 years, and a disruptive DT! That’s pretty damn good!” AFC director of college scouting: “Great deal (for Green Bay). Got an elite pass rusher for basically two second round picks (because Green Bay will probably be picking late in the first round). Clark is good, but Micah is a game-changer. Packers hit a home run. Cowboys on the other hand… lol.” AFC outside linebackers coach: “Unbelievable. Like absolutely reset the market for the position.” AFC defensive line coach: “That’s a huge get for both teams. Last big trade like this (for Dallas) was for Herschel Walker.” NFC North assistant coach: “Shocking… I didn’t think they would trade him. Green Bay just got a whole lot better very quickly. Dallas is clearly rebuilding. He’s their best player on defense. The Cowboys better score a lot of point. Otherwise, I think it could be a long year in Dallas.” AFC front office official: “Clearly, things got personal. Jets got more for Jamal Adams. But Parsons does have an injury history and they don’t have to pay $47 million a year, so only time will tell. Still, on first blush, Packers initially win the trade.” AFC outside linebackers coach: “Honestly just surprised, mainly that Dallas couldn’t find a way to keep him around.” |
| NFL’S 60 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLEMatt Verderame of SI.com lays out his picks for the 60 most influential people (all men) to what happens on the field this season – players and coaches only, no referees or GMs: This season promises to have many twists and turns, starting with the NFL Kickoff Game on Sept. 4, when the Eagles host the Cowboys. Of all the coaches and players, the following 60 people will have the most outsized impact on who will be celebrating six months from now. 60. Brian Callahan, head coach, TitansCallahan served as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator and now has some real talent to work with in his second year as the head coach in Tennessee. Calvin Ridley is a 1,000-yard receiver, Tony Pollard is a 1,000-yard back, the offensive line added Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler and $82 million left tackle Dan Moore Jr., and the Titans have this year’s No. 1 draft pick in quarterback Cam Ward. Tennessee should score points if Callahan makes the right moves. 59. Jalyx Hunt, edge, Philadelphia EaglesAfter winning Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles lost edge rusher Josh Sweat to the Cardinals in free agency. In steps Hunt, who played 25% of the defensive snaps as a rookie. With 2024 free-agent bust Bryce Huff gone, too, Hunt stands to see a major increase in playing time. If Philadelphia wants to repeat, Huff needs to be a productive piece next to fellow edge rushers Nolan Smith Jr. and Azeez Ojulari. 58. Ejiro Evero, DC, Carolina PanthersIn Evero’s first season in Carolina, the talent was nonexistent, as the defensive unit ranked last. This offseason, general manager Dan Morgan added defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton to play alongside Derrick Brown. If the defense can even be respectable, Carolina could make inroads, with coach Dave Canales and quarterback Bryce Young showing real growth late last year. Over their last nine games, the Panthers averaged 24.3 points per game, a figure that would have ranked 11th for the year. 57. Benjamin Morrison, CB, BuccaneersThe Buccaneers have won the NFC South each of the past four years but failed to reach the NFC title game. The key this season could be youth stepping up in the secondary. In 2024, Tampa Bay ranked 29th against the pass. In the draft, general manager Jason Licht selected Morrison from Notre Dame in the second round before picking up slot corner Jacob Parrish from Kansas State later that evening. Morrison will likely start, and he’ll need to be a plus player for the Buccaneers to contend. 56. Dalton Kincaid, TE, BillsAfter posting 673 yards on 73 receptions as a first-round rookie, Kincaid looked to be the next excellent weapon for quarterback Josh Allen. Instead, he struggled in his second season, totaling 448 yards on 44 catches across 13 games last year. With Buffalo having question marks in the receiving corps behind slot extraordinaire Khalil Shakir, the re-emergence of Kincaid would be enormous. 55. Josh Sweat, edge, CardinalsSweat dominated in Super Bowl LIX, racking up 2.5 sacks on Patrick Mahomes in an MVP-worthy performance. Afterward, Sweat cashed in with the Cardinals and his old defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, joining Arizona on a four-year, $76 million deal. He’ll spearhead a revamped front seven, including Calais Campbell and Walter Nolen on the interior line. If the Cardinals can meaningfully improve their 27th-ranked 19.2% pressure rate, they’ll have a shot at reaching the playoffs. 54. Lou Anarumo, DC, ColtsAnarumo is one of the league’s best defensive coordinators, as evidenced by his success in beating both Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in the playoffs, while holding them to a combined 30 points during his tenure with the Bengals. Now in Indianapolis, Anarumo takes over a group which includes defensive tackle DeForest Bucker, edge rusher Laiatu Latu, corner Charvarius Ward and safety Cam Bynum. Last year, the Colts ranked 24th defensively and 26th against the pass. If Anarumo can get the unit to level up, Indianapolis will be a factor in the AFC South. 53. Shemar Stewart, DE, Bengals Stewart’s tenure with the Bengals got off to a rough start, with the Texas A&M product missing all of the offseason program over a contract dispute. That said, he’s arguably the second most important defender in Cincinnati behind All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson. If Stewart can be an immediate impact player, the Bengals have someone to make offenses pay for doubling Hendrickson. With the Aggies, Stewart was long on potential and short on production, totaling just 4.5 sacks across three years. 52. Tre Harris, WR, ChargersIf the Chargers are going to finally win a playoff game with Justin Herbert, they need more from their receivers. After seeing veteran Mike Williams retire and Joshua Palmer leave in free agency, Los Angeles desperately needs Harris to contribute heavily alongside Ladd McConkey and veteran Keenan Allen. A second-round pick from Ole Miss, Harris caught 60 passes for 1,030 yards in eight games for the Rebels in 2024. The Chargers would love similar numbers across a full season. 51. Matthew Golden, WR, PackersThe Packers have a caché of receivers, but they’re lacking a top-end target. Golden is expected to be a standout, having been a first-round pick who led the SEC with nine receiving touchdowns in 2024. Golden enters a room with Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson, all of whom had at least 600 yards a year ago. If Golden can become a star, everyone else slots into a better spot on the depth chart. 50. Dre Greenlaw, LB, BroncosThe Broncos had the league’s second-best defense by yards per play (4.9) last year, trailing only the Eagles. Still, general manager George Paton added a pair of former 49ers stars to the group in Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga. While Hufanga is important, Greenlaw is essential to Denver. His play in the middle of the second level is crucial, but can he stay healthy? After tearing his Achilles in Super Bowl LVIII, Greenlaw played only two games last year. In 2023, Greenlaw was excellent with 120 tackles, five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. 49. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, CardinalsThe fourth draft pick a year ago, Harrison was expected to immediately become a top-tier receiver. That didn’t happen, but he still posted 62 catches for 885 yards and three touchdowns. However, those 62 receptions came on 116 targets, a catch rate of only 53.4%, ranking 176th of 192 qualifying receivers. If Harrison can become more efficient while also eclipsing his rookie numbers, the Cardinals will suddenly have a great combo in him and tight end Trey McBride, who totaled 1,146 yards a year ago. 48. Malaki Starks, S, Baltimore RavensThe Ravens might have the most loaded secondary in football with corners Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins and Jaire Alexander, along with first-team All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. Still, Baltimore took a big hit when Ar’Darius Washington was lost for the season with a torn Achilles. With Washington out, the onus falls on Starks, a first-round rookie who earned All-American honors with the Bulldogs. Last year, Starks played 14 games and totaled 77 tackles with three passes defensed. 47. Deebo Samuel, WR, CommandersThe days of being an All-Pro are likely behind the 29-year-old Samuel, but the Commanders don’t need that version. Instead, Washington would be thrilled with a quality second option. In 2023, Samuel helped the Niners reach the Super Bowl, posting 60 receptions for 892 yards and seven touchdowns across 15 games. If he can get back to those figures (he had 51/670/3 last year), Samuel will be an enormous asset in Washington’s Super Bowl quest. 46. Michael Penix Jr., QB, FalconsPenix is one of the season’s biggest wild cards. The Falcons aren’t a Super Bowl contender, but Penix could have them fighting for the NFC South crown if he plays well. As a rookie, Penix took over for the final three games of last season and threw for 775 yards while completing 58.1% of his attempts. On an offense with receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson and a quality front, Penix has a chance to be successful in his second year. 45. Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Los Angeles RamsWitherspoon has been a journeyman in his career, playing for the 49ers, Steelers and Rams across eight NFL seasons. In his ninth year, the 30-year-old is desperately needed by his team, which is long on talent everywhere except at corner. In 2023, Witherspoon played 94% of the defensive snaps before being limited to 13 games and 58% last year. His health and production are a huge key for Los Angeles and its Super Bowl hopes. 44. Sam Darnold, QB, SeahawksWhich Darnold is going to show up in Seattle? Over the first six years of his career, Darnold’s career highs were 3,024 yards and 19 touchdowns, both accomplished in 2019 with the Jets. Then, last season, he started for coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while earning Pro Bowl honors. If Darnold can play at or near that level again, the Seahawks are an intriguing playoff team. If not, he could be one-and-done in Seattle. 43. Cam Robinson, OT, TexansRobinson has played on three different teams over the past year, including the Jaguars, Vikings and Texans. Now in Houston, he’s tasked with protecting C.J. Stroud’s blindside after the Texans allowed 54 sacks, the third-most in the NFL. Last year, Robinson ranked 56th of 140 tackles by Pro Football Focus with a grade of 64.7. 42. Brian Schottenheimer, head coach, CowboysSchottenheimer is taking over the most scrutinized position in all of coaching. Last year, Dallas went 7–10, primarily due to Dak Prescott’s torn hamstring, a record that led to the firing of Mike McCarthy despite three consecutive 12–5 finishes before then. Now Prescott is healthy, along with two talented wideouts in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and a defense that ranked an ugly 28th. In his first head coaching gig at any level, what can Schottenheimer do in his first season? 41. Al Golden, DC, Cincinnati BengalsWhile Schottenheimer has more pressure on him, no new coach is in a tougher spot. Golden is 56 years old, has never been an NFL coordinator, and takes over a unit that has almost no proven talent beyond edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and linebacker Logan Wilson. In 2024, Cincinnati ranked 25th in both points and yardage against. With the same group primarily, Golden is being asked to improve the defense and help the Bengals reach the playoffs for the first time since 2022. 40. DK Metcalf, WR, SteelersIn six seasons, Metcalf has never posted fewer than 900 yards. The Steelers will need all of that and then some with a very thin depth chart behind him. Pittsburgh acquired Metcalf for a second-round pick before giving him a $150 million extension, making him the focal point. With Pickens in Dallas, Metcalf will need to beat double teams consistently. The talent behind him includes Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson. 39. Daniel Jones, QB, ColtsAfter unseating Anthony Richardson, Jones is the starter for a team that two years ago came within a victory of winning the AFC South. Last year, Jones played for the Giants (and spent time with the Vikings), throwing for 2,070 yards and eight touchdowns across 10 games. If Jones can find his 2022 form again, when he helped New York to the postseason with 3,205 yards and 15 scoring passes, Indianapolis would be thrilled. 38. Ashton Jeanty, RB, RaidersJeanty was the nation’s best back in college football over the past two years. At Boise State, he rushed for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023 before totaling 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns last season, pacing the country with the Broncos. In Vegas, Jeanty will team with second-year tight end Brock Bowers to form the nucleus of a new offense led by quarterback Geno Smith. 37. Xavier Worthy, WR, ChiefsWorthy started slow as a rookie but came on strong, notching 39 catches and 392 yards over the final seven regular-season games (Week 18 excluded as he sat) before leading all receivers with 19 catches and 287 yards, including three touchdowns in the postseason. Now, Worthy is a more polished route runner and enters his sophomore campaign as a 1B option to Rashee Rice, who will start the season suspended. The training wheels are off for the 2024 first-rounder, who is expected to be a star for Patrick Mahomes. 36. Caleb Williams, QB, BearsAs a rookie, Williams threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns and only six interceptions. The problem? He was sacked a league-high 68 times while also enduring a 10-game losing streak. Some of those sacks were on Williams, who needs to process faster under new coach Ben Johnson. Johnson also wants better body language from last year’s top pick. If Williams thrives, so too will the Bears. If he struggles, Chicago might begin to sour on the man taken directly ahead of Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. 35. John Morton, OC, LionsMorton is taking over the offensive duties in Detroit, following Johnson’s departure for Chicago. He has a year of experience in the role, having served as offensive coordinator with the Jets in 2017. That year was a mess, though, with the unit ranking 28th. However, the Lions have far more talent than those Jets, giving Morton a chance to succeed. The question is whether he can mitigate some of the losses Detroit sustained this year, notably the departure of guard Kevin Zeitler to free agency and the retirement of All-Pro center Frank Ragnow. 34. Rashan Gary, edge, PackersThe Packers need Gary to fulfill his All-Pro potential. Last year, he posted 7.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits en route to making his first Pro Bowl. Still, the 27-year-old is the best pass rusher on Green Bay, and in a division loaded with offensive talent, Gary becoming a double-digit sack artist for the first time would be a massive boon for Matt LaFleur’s team and its playoff hopes. 33. Chris Godwin, WR, BuccaneersThe Buccaneers have quietly put together one of the most explosive offenses in the league, and Godwin is a major wild card for it. After dislocating his ankle in Week 7 of last year, Godwin’s return date is uncertain. But when he returns, he’ll join the ranks of Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan and first-round pick Emeka Egbuka in the receiver room. Last season, Evans posted his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season, while McMillan caught eight touchdowns as a rookie, and Godwin posted 576 yards in only seven games. 32. Tyreek Hill, WR, DolphinsThis is two-pronged. On the one hand, if the Dolphins are going to be a surprise playoff team in the loaded AFC, it’ll primarily be because Hill returns to All-Pro form after catching 81 passes for 959 yards last year. Additionally, if Miami isn’t good and looks to be a seller at the trade deadline on Nov. 4, Hill could be the most significant piece on the market for a contender looking to buy. 31. Bo Nix, QB, Denver BroncosNix came into his rookie season with few expectations outside of the Mile High City. That has changed after the Broncos made a surprise playoff appearance in Nix’s rookie year, with him throwing for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns. With first-year back RJ Harvey and tight end Evan Engram as new weapons, along with Nix’s experience, some see Denver as a Super Bowl hopeful. If that’s to happen, Nix must be even better in his sophomore season. 30. Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles RamsAdams isn’t the annual All-Pro he once was with the Packers, having made it every year from 2020 to ’22. However, he still managed 85 catches, 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns while playing with the Jets and Raiders last year. In Los Angeles, he becomes a second option behind Puka Nacua while getting thrown to by Matthew Stafford. If Adams can maintain his talent level at age 32, he’s an enormous upgrade over the departed Cooper Kupp. 29. Pete Carroll, head coach, Las Vegas RaidersCarroll is now the fifth head coach for the Raiders over the past five seasons, replacing Antonio Pierce. In Las Vegas, Carroll has to install a new mentality first, something he’s hoping to spearhead with Geno Smith. Over his professional career, Carroll has coached for 18 years and has had only four sub-.500 campaigns. The Raiders will be challenged to avoid his fifth in a challenging AFC West with the Broncos, Chiefs and Chargers all having won 10-plus games last year, but don’t count Carroll out. 28. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville JaguarsAfter suffering through the embarrassing 13-game tenure of coach Urban Meyer as a rookie in 2021, Lawrence came of age under Doug Pederson the following year, throwing 25 touchdowns against eight interceptions to lead Jacksonville into the postseason. Since then, Lawrence has a 10–16 mark, including losses in 13 of his past 15 starts. With a new, offensive-minded coach in Liam Coen, can the Jaguars and Lawrence rediscover themselves? 27. Mike Vrabel, head coach, New England PatriotsMuch like Carroll, Vrabel is looking to establish a new tone after his new organization sustained a one-year flameout under Jerod Mayo. New England added significant talent this offseason, including free-agent signings in corner Carlton Davis, defensive tackle Milton Williams, receiver Stefon Diggs and tackle Morgan Moses. With second-year quarterback Drake Maye having been impressive as a rookie, Vrabel could have a quick turnaround. 26. Joey Bosa, DE, Buffalo BillsBosa has looked terrific throughout the summer, primarily staying healthy and playing like a real addition to a team looking for its first Super Bowl win. Still, Bosa is 30 years old and has played only 28 games over the past three years, limited by numerous injuries. If he can be healthy in January and help Buffalo get a pass rush on Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes, the one-year, $12.6 million contract is worth it. If he can be a legitimate factor during the regular season and post 10-plus sacks for the first time since 2021, all the better. 25. Mike Sainristil, CB, Washington CommandersSainristil is one of the more underrated cornerbacks in the league, having played excellently as a rookie in 2024. As a second-round pick out of Michigan, where he won a national championship, he posted 93 tackles, 14 passes defensed and a pair of interceptions. After playing 90% of the defensive snaps last season, Sainristil might see an even bigger role going back to the slot after shifting around in ’24. With rookie Trey Amos and Marshon Lattimore on the perimeter, Sainristil is playing a key role inside. 24. Haason Reddick, edge, Tampa Bay BuccaneersLast year, Reddick held out in hopes of a new contract with the Jets. He never got one and totaled one sack over 10 games. Over the previous four years, Reddick had double-digit sacks in each season, amassing 50.5. At 30 years old, the former All-Pro came to Tampa Bay on a one-year deal to be relied upon as the top option off the edge alongside third-year man YaYa Diaby, who has 12.5 sacks to his credit. 23. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles ChargersWhat is Herbert’s signature moment? While ultra-talented, the answer to that question is either losing a win-and-in Week 18 game to Derek Carr, blowing a 27–0 lead to the Jaguars in a wild-card game, or throwing four interceptions in a playoff loss to the Texans. Once again, the Chargers are being picked by many to be a playoff team. If Los Angeles is to become that and then make some noise, Herbert will need to eclipse his modest totals of 3,870 passing yards and 23 touchdowns from a year ago. 22. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh SteelersRodgers has a new home for the third time in four years, this time in Pittsburgh. If the Steelers are going to win their first playoff game since 2016, Rodgers will need to conjure up his old form. While he threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns last year with the Jets, his QBR of 48.0 ranked 25th, just ahead of Daniel Jones. With DK Metcalf on the outside and a quality tight end combo in Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith, Rodgers has weapons and a championship coach in Mike Tomlin. It’s enough to dream of a big year. 21. Nico Collins, WR, Houston TexansCollins is the only veteran weapon for C.J. Stroud to target, making it imperative that he stays healthy. Over the past two years, Collins has missed seven games but still managed to post 2,303 yards and 15 touchdowns, helping the Texans to a pair of divisional round playoff appearances. Still, with Tank Dell likely out for the season with a knee injury and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in line to play significant snaps, Collins must produce at a career-high pace to keep Houston’s offense from derailing. 20. Drake Maye, QB, New England PatriotsNo rookie quarterback from last year’s crop was dumped into a worse situation than Maye. He had PFF’s 29th-ranked offensive line, a receiving corps led by Demario Douglas and a one-and-done, defensive-minded coach in Mayo. He still managed to impress, throwing for 2,276 yards and 15 touchdowns across 13 games. Now with a revamped line led by first-round pick Jack Campbell, new weapons in Diggs and rookie Kyle Williams, and an experienced coach in Vrabel, Maye could take wing. 19. Ben Johnson, head coach, BearsFor years, Johnson was a top coaching candidate before finally taking the head job with the Bears in 2025. Coming into Chicago, Johnson’s résumé includes overseeing the second and third-ranked offenses over the past two years in Detroit. With the Bears, Johnson inherits the 2024 No. 1 pick in Caleb Williams, another pair of top-10 choices in Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland and three new starters on the offensive line’s interior. The expectation is to compete in the NFC North immediately. 18. Jalen Hurts, QB, EaglesHurts has been to two of the past three Super Bowls, winning his first title in February. Still, he somehow remains a question mark for some after throwing for only 2,903 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. Going forward, Hurts will shoulder more of the burden. In 2024, Saquon Barkley rushed for 2,095 yards. No back has eclipsed 1,500 yards after going over the 2,000-yard barrier. If the Eagles are going to be the first repeat champion from the NFC since the ’93 Cowboys, it’ll be primarily due to Hurts. 17. Joe Burrow, QB, BengalsThe Bengals aren’t giving Burrow much help these days. The skill-position talent is great with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, along with running back Chase Brown. However, the offensive line was ranked 28th by PFF in 2024. The defense was also 25th and doesn’t appear improved, barring a massive rookie season from Stewart off the edge. Last year, Burrow led the league with 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns, and Cincinnati still missed the playoffs at 9–8. If the Bengals are going to become a factor once again, Burrow will need to be spectacular and get some help from the other units. 16. Jared Verse, DE, RamsAfter winning Defensive Rookie of the Year with 4.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits as a first-round pick out of Florida State last year, Verse is now looking to level up from Pro Bowler to All-Pro. Surrounded by a terrific line, including Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Byron Young, who combined for 24 sacks in 2024, it’ll be tough for opponents to double-team Verse. If Verse can become a double-digit sacker, he could help propel the Rams to their second Super Bowl of the decade. 15. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, JaguarsHunter is a unicorn in the NFL world, aiming to become the first full-time, two-way player since Chuck Bednarik, a Hall of Fame linebacker and center with the Eagles in 1960. As a rookie, expect Hunter to play a little bit of corner and receiver after starring at the two positions with Colorado, earning the Heisman Trophy. Last year with the Buffaloes, Hunter totaled 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns while also amassing four interceptions and 11 passes defensed. 14. George Pickens, WR, CowboysPickens is extremely talented, but finds himself on his second team after just three years with the Steelers. In Pittsburgh, Pickens averaged 62 catches for 1,004 yards and four touchdowns. Now in Dallas, Pickens will play across from a superstar for the first time, with CeeDee Lamb roaming in the slot. Lamb was a force last year, notching 101 catches for 1,194 yards. With Pickens and Lamb together, Dallas’s offense should be explosive in the passing game. 13. J.J. McCarthy, QB, VikingsThere might not be a bigger wild card than McCarthy. A 2024 first-round pick, McCarthy missed his rookie campaign with a torn meniscus. Now, he’s the starter for Minnesota on a team loaded with talent. This offseason, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly to bolster the front, while also trading for back Jordan Mason. Factor in a top-10 defense and the combination of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison outside, and if McCarthy plays well, this is a Super Bowl contender. 12. Vic Fangio, DC, EaglesFangio did a masterful job helping Philadelphia win its second Super Bowl. After taking over as defensive coordinator prior to last season, Fangio created the league’s top-ranked defense after it sat at 26th the year before. Once again, Fangio will have to work some magic after Philadelphia lost a bevy of talent, including Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Darius Slay and other defensive starters. He also has youngsters to work with, including rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell and second-year edge rusher Jalyx Hunt. 11. Derrick Henry, RB, RavensHenry is a football marvel. At 31 years old, he’s coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,921 yards and a league-high 16 touchdowns. He’s also carried the ball 2,355 times in his career, more than any active player. If the Ravens are going to finally get over the proverbial postseason hump, it’ll be because Lamar Jackson plays great. It’ll also be because Henry was able to ward off Father Time once more, giving Baltimore the offense that led the NFL with 6.8 yards per play last season. 10. Josh Simmons, OT, ChiefsThere’s no rookie more consequential to who will play in the Super Bowl. After watching Patrick Mahomes get battered to the tune of career highs in sacks (36) and sack rate (5.83%), Chiefs general manager Brett Veach invested his first-round pick in Simmons, despite the Ohio State left tackle coming off a torn patellar tendon. To this point, Simmons has been both healthy and terrific, winning the starting job from free-agent pickup Jaylon Moore. If Simmons is a plus player, that’s enormous for Kansas City. 9. Jared Goff, QB, LionsGoff has enjoyed the tutelage of coordinator Ben Johnson for the past three years, but now has a relatively inexperienced hand in John Morton. Additionally, he’s without All-Pro center Frank Ragnow after his retirement. Inside, Detroit is going with a pair of young guards in rookie Tate Ratledge and second-year man Christian Mahogany. Goff will be asked to do more on his own accord this season, trying to keep up his numbers from a year ago, when he threw for 4,629 yards and 37 touchdowns. 8. Aidan Hutchinson, edge, LionsHutchinson returns after breaking his leg against the Cowboys in Week 6 of last year, and has looked terrific in camp. Before being injured, Hutchinson led the league with 7.5 sacks in five games. With defensive tackle Alim McNeill on IR while potentially missing the first six to eight games of the year, Hutchinson will need to be a force up front if Detroit’s defense is going to eclipse its ranking of 20th from 2024. 7. Lamar Jackson, QB, RavensThis isn’t about the regular season for the two-time MVP and three-time first-team All-Pro. This is about January (and potentially February), when Jackson has struggled to help the Ravens advance. Last season, Jackson threw 41 touchdowns against four interceptions while going over 4,000 passing yards for the first time. Then, in the divisional round, Jackson threw a hideous interception to Taylor Rapp and lost a key fumble in a 27–25 loss to the Bills. Baltimore has a great roster, but it needs its best player to play like it in the playoffs. 6. Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ersIf the 49ers are going to make a run in the NFC West and potentially challenge Philadelphia and Detroit in the conference, it will be because McCaffrey plays like his 2023 version, when he won Offensive Player of the Year. That season, McCaffrey played 16 games and accounted for league-bests in yards from scrimmage (2,023) and total touchdowns (21). Last year, McCaffrey played in only four games with an Achilles issue. San Francisco needs McCaffrey to be a bellcow again, with Deebo Samuel and Jordan Mason traded away, and Brandon Aiyuk coming off an ACL tear. 5. Matthew Stafford, QB, RamsCan Stafford and his 37-year-old back hold up? It’s a looming question after he missed much of the summer with a disk issue. If he’s healthy, the Rams are going to be a top-tier contender with talent galore on both sides of the ball. As for Stafford, he threw for 3,762 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024 across 16 games. Now with Davante Adams, Stafford could throw for 30 touchdowns for the second time since the 2015 season. 4. Jalen Carter, DT, EaglesWith the losses of Milton Williams and Josh Sweat, the Eagles are going to be relying far more heavily on Carter to create havoc inside. In his second season, Carter earned second-team All-Pro honors with 4.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits, the latter ranking tied for eighth among defensive tackles with the Giants’ Dexter Lawrence II. This season, Carter must continue his ascension, something we saw in the postseason a year ago, when he notched two sacks and seven quarterback hits en route to Philadelphia’s Super Bowl win. 3. Patrick Mahomes, QB, ChiefsMahomes suffered through the most challenging campaign of his career last year. For the first time, he wasn’t named a Pro Bowler after throwing for 3,928 yards and 26 touchdowns. The season ended in disaster with a 40–22 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, a game in which Mahomes tossed two interceptions. This year, the three-time champion has Rashee Rice back healthy (he’ll miss the first six games with a suspension), along with a slimmed-down Travis Kelce. With the Chiefs looking to make their sixth Super Bowl trip in seven years, Mahomes has to reclaim his old form. 2. Josh Allen, QB, BillsAfter winning his first MVP award, Allen will now try to figure out a way past Mahomes and the Chiefs and into his first Super Bowl. The Bills have a roster similar to last year’s, giving Allen the challenge of winning with Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and free-agent addition Joshua Palmer as his primary targets. In 2024, the trio combined for 1,961 yards, only 253 yards more than Ja’Marr Chase by himself. Look for Allen to keep running as well, where he totaled 531 yards and 12 touchdowns. 1. Jayden Daniels, QB, CommandersDaniels took the league by storm last season, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year with 4,459 scrimmage yards and 31 total touchdowns while leading the Commanders to their first NFC championship game since 1991. Now, still lacking significant weapons beyond Terry McLaurin, can Daniels continue to elevate his game, as well as the team? Washington helped him by adding tackles Josh Conerly Jr. and Laremy Tunsil, but Daniels must keep improving to take Washington back to the Super Bowl. We liked this list, most of the inclusions made sense. We understand that you can make a case for any NFL QB, but don’t want them to dominate so limiting 15 to the list makes sense. We still note that we would think QBs C.J. STROUD, KYLER MURRAY and JORDAN LOVE are among players we think will be pivotal this season. And what about CAM WARD and BAKER MAYFIELD and BRYCE YOUNG? |
