The anticipation for a new NFL season always brims with optimism, but beneath the surface, league decision-makers are already forecasting the unexpected. Every year, The Athletic conducts an exclusive, anonymous poll among NFL coaches and executives, offering a rare glimpse into the insights of those who shape the game. For the upcoming 2025 season, these insider NFL predictions 2025 reveal surprising frontrunners, potential stumbling blocks, and emerging talents, including a “nuclear” Joe Burrow and unexpected challenges for the Detroit Lions. This comprehensive breakdown compiles their candid assessments, providing fans with an unparalleled strategic outlook.
Exclusive NFL 2025 MVP Forecasts
The coveted Most Valuable Player award often sparks the most passionate debates. This year, the consensus among decision-makers points overwhelmingly to a specific signal-caller poised for a historic season.
The Reign of Joe Burrow: MVP Frontrunner
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is the leading choice for the 2025 MVP title, widely predicted to surpass former contenders like Josh Allen. Voters highlighted Burrow’s exceptional 2024 campaign, where he led the NFL with an impressive 4,600 completions, nearly 5,000 passing yards, and 43 touchdowns. His career-best 70.6 percent completion rate and remarkably low 1.4 percent interception rate demonstrated elite control and precision, nearly propelling the Bengals into the playoffs despite defensive struggles. Further boosting confidence, his reported “best training camp” yet, free from prior injury concerns, positions him for an explosive 2025.
Challengers and Persistent Legends
While Burrow commands the spotlight, other elite quarterbacks remain in contention. Josh Allen, with his dynamic playmaking, is a perennial threat. Patrick Mahomes, despite a recent decline in the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive performance over the past two seasons—including a Super Bowl loss where they “weren’t competitive”—still commands immense respect for his unparalleled talent and ability to adapt with a constantly evolving roster. Lamar Jackson, fresh off a near-third MVP and first-team All-Pro nod, also garnered significant votes. Executives praised his “uniqueness” as a “dual threat” and his role as the “best player on the best roster,” making him a formidable contender in these NFL predictions 2025.
Strategic Team Building: Beyond Pure Talent
This unique poll category forces voters to weigh long-term team building potential, including age and contract considerations, alongside raw talent. This year saw a notable shift in their perspectives on quarterbacks.
The Evolving QB Landscape for Long-Term Value
Unlike previous years where Patrick Mahomes dominated, Josh Allen has emerged as a top choice for future team building. Young talents also featured prominently, with Jayden Daniels’ stock soaring after an “extraordinary rookie season.” However, executives cautioned against premature hype, drawing parallels to C.J. Stroud’s previous year. Interestingly, Caleb Williams, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick and a prior vote-getter, received no votes this time, leapfrogged by other promising rookies like Drake Maye, Bo Nix, and Spencer Rattler (Ward in original). The emphasis on value is clear, with five of the dozen voted quarterbacks still on their cost-controlled rookie contracts. Veteran Baker Mayfield also earned recognition for his “mid-tier pact” and the exceptional value he delivers. Drake Maye, in particular, was lauded for possessing “every physical trait you’d want,” his fierce competitiveness, and his significant in-season improvement, making him a compelling young and cost-effective option for franchises.
Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year Shakers
Beyond the MVP, individual brilliance in skill positions and defensive prowess are recognized. The 2025 predictions highlight several standout players poised for hardware.
Ja’Marr Chase’s Unstoppable Season on Offense
Ja’Marr Chase overwhelmingly dominated the Offensive Player of the Year category. His 2024 season was nothing short of historic, achieving a rare “triple crown” by leading the NFL with 127 receptions, 1,708 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns. One coach emphatically stated that “Chase can score literally every time he touches the ball,” underscoring his game-breaking ability. Running back Saquon Barkley also received significant votes, leading the NFL with 2,005 rushing yards and 2,283 yards from scrimmage, along with 15 touchdowns, benefiting from a strong offensive line. Other notable considerations included Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.
Defensive Dominance: Myles Garrett’s Repeat Performance
Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett secured the Defensive Player of the Year award for the second consecutive season, solidifying his status as a premier pass rusher. Executives emphasized his disruptive presence, with one head coach describing him as a “fing nightmare” around whom an entire game plan must be centered. The focus remained on pass rushers over coverage specialists, exemplified by reigning DPOY Patrick Surtain II being excluded from the voting because “you can throw away from him,” while pass rushers demand constant double teams. Garrett recorded 14 sacks for the second straight season and led the league with 22 tackles for loss, pushing his career sack total to an impressive 102.5. Micah Parsons, following a surprising trade to the Green Bay Packers, also featured prominently, with an executive calling him the “best defensive player in the league.” These insights are critical for fans making their own NFL predictions 2025.
The Future Stars: 2025 Rookie of the Year Pick
Identifying the league’s next breakout star is always a thrilling aspect of pre-season predictions. This year, a defensive standout is expected to take the top rookie honors.
Abdul Carter Leads the Rookie Class
Abdul Carter, the No. 3 overall draft pick, is widely predicted to be the top rookie of the 2025 season. His selection reflects his frequent perception as the best overall player in his draft class and the inherent value placed on elite pass rushers. An executive highlighted Carter’s significant “opportunities to contribute in terms of playing time” and the formidable defensive line around him (Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux) that will allow him to make impactful plays for the New York Giants. Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jaguars finished second, despite expectations for a primary offensive role. Jayden Daniels’ strong rookie season was noted, shifting the typical focus away from quarterbacks for this award, a contrast to the previous year when Caleb Williams was the dominant prediction.
Masterminds on the Sidelines: Top Coordinators
The minds behind the schemes are just as crucial as the players on the field. This section delves into the NFL’s most respected offensive and defensive coordinators.
Offensive Architects Driving Innovation
The new category for Best Offensive Coordinator predictably saw Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan at the top, reflecting the league’s trend towards brilliant young offensive minds. While Andy Reid’s standing was noted, voters considered the Chiefs’ recent offensive regression. Ben Johnson received “a ton of love” for his transformative work in Detroit, with high expectations for his success in his new head coaching role with the Bears. Kevin O’Connell edged out fellow McVay protégé Klint Kubiak, while Matt LaFleur’s surprisingly low ranking was noted despite the Packers’ success with Jordan Love and Malik Willis. Josh McDaniels, returning after a year off, performed well in the poll, with voters anticipating significant improvement for the Patriots under his guidance.
Defensive Strategists Reshaping Game Plans
Vic Fangio dominated the poll for Best Defensive Coordinator after orchestrating a remarkable turnaround for the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense. Under Fangio, the Eagles leaped from allowing the third-most points in 2023 to the second-fewest in 2025. He was praised for his ability to “pull” the right “levers” and make “specific adjustments.” Brian Flores also received rave reviews for his unique approach to disguising looks and deploying defenders, making him “a pain in the ass to go against.” Baltimore Ravens Head Coach Mike Macdonald, formerly a defensive coordinator, is projected to climb this list in the future, while Hafley, Minter, and Weaver were identified as deserving head coaching candidates. These coordinator insights are vital for any comprehensive NFL predictions 2025.
Surprises and Stumbles: Underrated and Overrated Teams
Perhaps the most revealing sections of the poll are the predictions for teams that will either exceed or fall short of expectations. These are the candid views of rival executives and coaches.
Underrated Gems for 2025
The Arizona Cardinals topped the “underrated” list for the second consecutive year. Voters expressed strong belief in General Manager Monti Ossenfort’s methodical approach and Coach Jonathan Gannon’s system and staff. The New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders, both having hired accomplished head coaches, are widely expected to bounce back and be more competitive, with an executive noting the Patriots will be “super well-coached” in a “wide open” division. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were cited as perennially underrated, expected to win “10-11 games again.” Voters acknowledged the subjective nature of this question, relying on win projections, general feel, and comparisons to previous seasons.
The Overrated Outlook: Lions’ Concerns and More
The Detroit Lions received an unprecedented number of votes for the “overrated” category, a “jarring result” for a question usually marked by parity. The primary reason cited was the significant loss of both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs, which one general manager called “hard to lose.” However, a counterpoint suggested they would “still be good” due to Head Coach Dan Campbell’s consistent identity. The Washington Commanders were another surprise, with rival voters questioning if they would fall back to earth after Jayden Daniels’ “incredible rookie season,” alongside concerns about veteran depth impacting an “aging roster.” One voter even picked the Houston Texans, believing they would “win the division” but are “not Super Bowl contenders,” again highlighting the subjective interpretations in this critical category of NFL predictions 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key takeaways from the 2025 NFL executive predictions poll?
The 2025 NFL executive poll suggests Joe Burrow is a strong MVP favorite, propelled by an exceptional 2024 season and injury-free training camp. Ja’Marr Chase and Myles Garrett are projected to dominate their respective Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year categories. Strategically, Josh Allen is seen as a top choice for team building, while Abdul Carter is expected to be the top rookie. The poll also highlights the Arizona Cardinals as underrated and raises concerns about the Detroit Lions being overrated due to key coordinator departures.
Which teams are identified as underrated or overrated in the 2025 NFL season, and why?
The Arizona Cardinals were named the most underrated team for the second year running, with strong belief in their GM Monti Ossenfort and Coach Jonathan Gannon. The Patriots, Raiders, and Buccaneers were also cited as likely to exceed expectations. Conversely, the Detroit Lions received an unprecedented number of votes for being overrated, primarily due to losing both their offensive (Ben Johnson) and defensive (Aaron Glenn) coordinators to head coaching jobs. The Washington Commanders and Houston Texans were also mentioned as potentially overrated, for reasons ranging from an aging roster to not being true Super Bowl contenders despite projected division wins.
How do these expert NFL predictions influence fantasy football or betting strategies for 2025?
These expert NFL predictions offer valuable insights for fantasy football enthusiasts and sports bettors. Identifying MVP favorites like Joe Burrow, top offensive threats like Ja’Marr Chase, and defensive stalwarts like Myles Garrett can inform early draft picks and prop bets. The “underrated” and “overrated” team categories are particularly useful for identifying potential value in win totals or against-the-spread bets, as well as finding sleeper picks or busts in fantasy. Understanding coordinator strengths (e.g., Vic Fangio’s defensive turnaround) can also guide expectations for offensive and defensive unit performance.
Conclusion
These comprehensive NFL predictions 2025*, drawn directly from the confidential insights of league coaches and executives, offer a truly unique and informed perspective on the upcoming season. From Joe Burrow’s anticipated MVP campaign and Ja’Marr Chase’s offensive dominance to the surprising forecast of the Lions’ struggles and the Cardinals’ potential rise, these forecasts provide a powerful lens through which to view the unfolding drama. As the season approaches, these insider perspectives serve as an invaluable guide for understanding the strategic dynamics and individual brilliance that will define the 2025 NFL season. Keep these insights in mind as you watch the year unfold, confirming or confounding the experts’ astute predictions.
