The answers to the questions that will define various NFL teams in 2025 won\u2019t begin to uncover themselves until training camps commence in July. But between rookie camps, minicamps and OTAs, The Athletic\u2019s beat writers have plenty to ponder for now.<\/p>\n
How have new head coaches adjusted in their first practices? Has an embattled player arrived looking like a remade version of himself? Has a free-agent addition impressed early? What about a rookie who\u2019s changed the outlook on an anticipated camp battle?<\/p>\n
What have we learned about your favorite team from offseason workouts?\u00a0Our writers cover it all below.<\/p>\n
Arizona Cardinals<\/p>\n
The Cardinals expect Marvin Harrison Jr., to make a jump. The former Ohio State receiver \u2014 the No. 4 pick in 2024 \u2014 had an uneven rookie season. He struggled to make contested catches. His rhythm with QB Kyler Murray was off. Over the offseason Harrison bulked up. His arms were noticeably bigger. \u201cI thought it was AI,\u201d Murray said, jokingly. \u201cI thought those pictures were fake.\u201d That\u2019s not the only change: Murray has noticed a different comfort level with Harrison, a different confidence. Arizona increased from four wins to eight during the first two seasons under head coach Jonathan Gannon. To make the playoffs in Year 3, the Cardinals will need Harrison to turn into the No. 1 receiver everyone expected. \u2014 Doug Haller<\/p>\n
Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n
The Falcons aren\u2019t even considering the possibility that Michael Penix Jr. might not be great. The second-year quarterback started three games last year and was 27th in the league in passer rating (78.6) and 29th in completion percentage (58 percent) in that time, but Atlanta spent the offseason showcasing confidence that last year\u2019s No. 8 pick is going to be very good. The Falcons have done so with their words: \u201cI\u2019ve got so much confidence for Michael Penix leading us into the future,\u201d Raheem Morris said. And they\u2019ve done so with their actions, too, trading a 2026 first-round pick to get an extra first-rounder this year. \u2014 Josh Kendall<\/p>\n
Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n
Knowing they were likely to release longtime standout Justin Tucker<\/a>, the Ravens did extensive work on all the available kickers in the draft and decided Arizona\u2019s Tyler Loop was the guy they wanted. They used a sixth-round pick to make sure they got him. Loop is still the favorite to succeed Tucker, but it appears the Ravens are headed for their first training camp kicking competition since Tucker beat out Billy Cundiff before the 2012 season. Loop had a few rocky offseason practices, opening the door for John Hoyland, an undrafted rookie out of Wyoming. Hoyland\u2019s form has been good enough to suggest the Ravens could have a difficult decision to make late in the preseason. \u2014 Jeff Zrebiec<\/p>\n Buffalo Bills<\/p>\n The battle to be the Bills\u2019 second starting cornerback is wide open. The team did quite a lot this offseason to address the position, signing two players with a combined 122 starts in Buffalo in Tre\u2019Davious White and Dane Jackson, and then drafting Maxwell Hairston in the first round and Dorian Strong in the sixth. The competition likely comes down to White and Hairston. White struggled a bit in spring workouts but knows the defense well. Hairston has the raw ability to play any coverage they want, but the Bills are coaching him hard, and he still has a way to go to be totally in tune with the scheme. The battle could go up right to the start of the regular season. \u2014 Joe Buscaglia<\/p>\n Carolina Panthers<\/p>\n A year after Jadeveon Clowney said Bryce Young needed to play with more energy, the low-key QB engaged in trash talk sessions with CB Jaycee Horn throughout minicamp. Young also showed an increased comfort level in his second year in Dave Canales\u2019 system, especially when carving up the first-team D in the red zone. But it was Young\u2019s intensity \u2014 and that of his teammates \u2014 that caught the eyes (and ears) of media members. \u201cWe\u2019re a bunch of guys that want it,\u201d wideout Adam Thielen said. \u201cI think guys are finally sick of being the same old, same old Carolina Panthers.\u201d \u2014 Joseph Person<\/p>\n Chicago Bears<\/p>\n During minicamp, new head coach Ben Johnson yelled at quarterback Caleb Williams to go \u201cFASTER\u201d through his reads. On that specific play, Williams reached his checkdown, a completion to running back Roschon Johnson for a first down. But it still wasn\u2019t good enough for Johnson. He saw more and wanted more from Williams. Johnson is going to challenge Williams every day about everything. His fiery, demanding persona on the field at practice stood out throughout the offseason program. That won\u2019t change. Williams is going to be coached hard by Johnson. His development needs it. \u2014 Adam Jahns<\/p>\n Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n The Bengals found exactly what they were looking for in second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. The linebacker was slotted into the starting spot alongside Logan Wilson immediately and brought stability despite this being his first time on an NFL practice field. He\u2019s older (24) with more experience, which made his addition look and feel more like a free-agent signing than draft pick. Players view him as a future leader of the defense already and with all captains gone from last year\u2019s group, defensive coordinator Al Golden is on the hunt for exactly that. \u2014 Paul Dehner Jr.<\/p>\n Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n Even if Joe Flacco doesn\u2019t win the starting job, or doesn\u2019t keep it past Halloween, the Browns made a smart move in April when they brought him back on a one-year deal<\/a>. Flacco is the best pure thrower of the four-man quarterback group, even at 40, but it\u2019s his steadiness and experience that make him such a valuable addition right now. Flacco both mastered the offense quickly and earned the respect of the locker room during his 2023 stint with Cleveland. It was clear this spring that players, young and old, can lean on Flacco as the Browns go about the business of trying to fix their broken offense. \u2014 Zac Jackson<\/p>\n Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n The George Pickens hype is understandable. The Cowboys essentially acquired Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> for a third-round pick. If early showings are any indication, the move has big boom potential. Obviously, there\u2019s a reason the Steelers moved on from Pickens but those concerns are more with his attitude and demeanor. In terms of actual talent, there are very few questions. Pickens is a big-bodied receiver, a downfield threat and supreme complement to what CeeDee Lamb has already provided to the offense. If Pickens keeps his head on straight, Dallas could have one of the league\u2019s most dynamic receiving duos. \u2014 Saad Yousuf<\/p>\n Denver Broncos<\/p>\n The Broncos will have an entirely different backfield in 2025 and training camp will offer an intriguing battle for snaps. Denver drafted RJ Harvey in the second round and the rookie showcased good hands and crisp route-running ability during the<\/p>\n offseason program. Just before minicamp ended, Denver also signed JK Dobbins<\/a> to give the room a productive veteran presence it previously didn\u2019t have. Those two should lead the charge to replace Javonte Williams as the team\u2019s leading rusher, but just how much of an upgrade one or both players can become will go a long way toward determining Denver\u2019s offensive ceiling in its second season with quarterback Bo Nix. \u2014 Nick Kosmider<\/p>\n Detroit Lions<\/p>\n Dan Campbell\u2019s new-look coaching staff looks the part. The Lions took it easy this offseason, canceling minicamp with the team starting training camp early because of the Hall of Fame game<\/a>. Many of the vets were absent or excused for OTAs as a result. But the coaching staff was in full force, and the main takeaway after watching and hearing from them is that they\u2019re all Dan Campbell guys.<\/p>\n That\u2019s important, as the team lost key pillars in coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson. Their replacements \u2014 defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and offensive coordinator John Morton \u2014 have longstanding ties to Campbell and can effectively echo his message. Other new faces on staff have crossed paths with him or joined because they know what he\u2019s about. It might take time to come together, but it\u2019s clear Campbell has assembled a staff that knows how to work as one. \u2014 Colton Pouncy<\/p>\n Green Bay Packers<\/p>\n