Breaking Down the 25 Biggest Stories of the 2025 NFL Season
The 2025 NFL season delivered a wild mix of blockbuster trades, historic performances, dramatic injuries, coaching shakeups and unforgettable moments that kept fans talking from kickoff through the playoffs. With 78 games decided by three points or fewer, the most in NFL history the drama was unparalleled. Here’s a full breakdown of the 25 biggest stories that defined the year:
1. Cowboys Trade Micah Parsons to the Packers
In one of the most shocking offseason moves, star pass rusher Micah Parsons was traded by the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers and then signed a massive extension, becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
2. Sam Darnold Stars in Seattle
Former No. 3 pick Sam Darnold revitalized his career with the Seahawks, delivering Pro Bowl-caliber play after Minnesota moved on from him and stuck with J.J. McCarthy.
3. Myles Garrett Sets Single-Season Sack Record
Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett broke the all-time sack record with 23 takedowns, eclipsing the mark previously shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.
4. Shedeur Sanders’ Roller-Coaster Rookie Year
After being selected in the fifth round, Shedeur Sanders battled depth chart drama before earning starts late in the season showcasing flashes of talent despite a tough debut.
5. Bills vs. Broncos Divisional Thriller
The AFC Divisional Round featured a classic playoff battle between the Bills and Broncos, complete with controversial calls, injuries and dramatic overtime finishes.
6. Mahomes and Parsons Suffer ACL Tears Same Day
In a stunning development, Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons both tore ACLs on the same day and the Chiefs missed the playoffs, ending a decade-long postseason streak.
7. Philip Rivers’ Return to the NFL
Years after his supposed retirement, Philip Rivers suited up for the Colts following injuries to Daniel Jones, bringing a heartwarming and nostalgic narrative to the season.
8. Ravens Lose AFC North, Harbaugh Era Ends
In a Week 18 clash, the Ravens dropped the AFC North to the Steelers sealing the end of the John Harbaugh era after 18 seasons.
9. Mike Tomlin and Steelers Part Ways
After nearly two decades at the helm, Mike Tomlin stepped down as Steelers head coach, capping a legendary run marked by consistency but not recent postseason success.
10. Matthew Stafford’s Best Statistical Season at 37
Veteran Matthew Stafford led the league in both passing yards and touchdowns, proving age is just a number even as the Rams fell short in the NFC Championship.
11. Aaron Rodgers Signs with Steelers
After months of free agency speculation, Aaron Rodgers landed with Pittsburgh delivering solid play but ultimately falling short of lifting the Steelers to playoff success.
12. Trade Deadline Blockbusters
Several headline-making moves reshaped playoff races, including the Colts sending top picks and Adonai Mitchell to the Jets for Sauce Gardner and other teams wheeling and dealing.
13. Joe Burrow’s Turf Toe Injury
A Week 2 turf toe injury disrupted the Bengals’ season and dramatically altered Cincinnati’s offensive rhythm and playoff hopes.
14. Jaguars Trade Up for Travis Hunter
Jacksonville made an aggressive move in the draft to select two-way star Travis Hunter only for an injury to limit his production.
15. Washington Commanders’ Injury-Plagued Collapse
After a breakout 2024, the Commanders’ season unravelled due to a barrage of injuries to Jayden Daniels and other key players.
16. Dolphins Bench Tua Tagovailoa
Following another cold-weather disappointment, Miami turned to rookie Quinn Ewers, marking the end of Tua’s starting role in 2025.
17. Cardinals’ Chaos and Coaching Change
A bizarre late-season loss triggered the firing of the Cardinals’ coach and left questions about the team’s direction moving forward.
18. Falcons’ Late Surge Falls Short
Atlanta mounted a late rally but ultimately failed to secure a playoff berth capped by a quarterback rotation that struggled to deliver consistency.
19. Browns’ Defensive Breakouts Beyond Garrett
Cleveland’s defense, anchored by Garrett’s record season, also featured breakout performances from young contributors, reshaping the unit’s identity.
20. League-Wide Tight Playoffs
With an unprecedented number of one-score games, parity was the theme of 2025 underscoring how competitive the league has become.
21. Surprising Division Winners
Several divisions saw unexpected champions, turning conventional expectations on their heads and reshaping playoff matchups.
22. Rookie Lineup Shakeups
Several rookies made meaningful impacts, forcing coaches to rethink starting roles and game plans late in the season.
23. Veteran Comebacks and End-of-Career Awaits
Stories of veteran resilience, from unexpected returns to speculation about retirements, added texture to the 2025 narrative.
24. Coaching Carousel Swirls Into Offseason
With multiple head coaching changes announced before the offseason officially began, the league’s leadership landscape was set for a reset.
25. Raiders’ Pete Carroll Experiment Ends Quickly
The Raiders’ gamble on Pete Carroll collapsed in a 3-14 season, ending with his dismissal and leaving Las Vegas with significant roster and coaching questions.
Source: CBS Sports
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